Erin bit her lip, considering.
“We can always go back to Plan A,” I said, pain making me snappish. “Where I kill you, toss your body, and check the coordinates myself.”
She sighed and shot me a withering look. “Kubos 3E3. A moon closer to the Center. There’s a place where we can lay low for a few days. The hunters can’t track me, and after that, it should be safe to move on.”
Her words stuck in my head. They can’t track me. I filed the thought away for later.
“Excuse me,” I said. “Safe for us to leave? You think there’s an us now?”
She tugged at one of the leather straps on her shoulder, eyebrows raised. “I’m being paid to keep you safe. That means keeping you close. Unless you’ve got a spacecraft hidden in your robes, we’re stuck together whether you like it or not.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but before I could, she cut me off.
“Now, will you please stop interrogating me so I can look at your back? Part of my contract is making sure you’re not damaged irreparably.”
I clenched my jaw, my fingers curling against the table. Lilith?
Oh, now you want my opinion? she demanded.
Lilith. My tone was a warning.
Very well. Her voice hissed through my mind. She may be lying. Or maybe she isn’t. Either way, keep your wits about you. She might fight well and look good in leather, but she’s not better than you.
The backhanded compliment surprised me, but Lilith was already pushing ahead.
Second scenario, she mused. She’s telling the truth and wants to keep you alive. If that’s the case, wonderful. You obviously need as much help as you can get.
Woah, now— I started to protest, but she steamrolled over me.
Third scenario, she continued, she’s lying through her teeth, and she wants you for something else.
The demon paused, then added, No matter how you examine it, she’s using you. So, if you want my advice, play along. Don’t trust her—I know that’s a game you play well—and if she tries anything untoward, take your sword and impale her through the entrails with the bladed end.
I was stunned into silence, frowning thoughtfully. I didn’t think Lilith had spoken this much in years.
Yes, she commented bitterly. And unless you actively shield me, I can probably hear all of your thoughts.
That was… unsettling.
One tends to be less conversational when trapped in a sword, she added, her voice dripping with sarcasm. And when the only time you’re released for conversation is to aid in killing something.
An unexpected stab of guilt hit me.
Lilith— I started to say, but she cut me off.
Just shut up, Lucian. She suddenly sounded pissed as hell.
And when you can finally screw up the manners to thank me for saving your life twice today, I’ll be here.
Then, abruptly, Lilith’s voice vanished. I could barely sense her presence anymore. She was withdrawn to the very edge of my consciousness.
Erin was looking at me with concern as I blinked back to reality. She waved her hand in front of my face.
“Hey! Angel. You in there?”
I blew out a breath, brushing her back with a hand as I stood. “Yeah,” I muttered. “Just thinking.”
Her eyebrows rose. “You were doing this whole…” She shook her head, trailing off. “Nevermind. Can you get rid of the robe now so I can look at the shot you took?”
I nodded. “I suppose.”
I struggled to shrug out of the robe, wincing as the fabric stuck to the wound. The cool air of the cabin hit my skin, the sterile light shining off my bare torso.
Erin blinked in surprise as she looked me over. “Damn.” Her eyes flicked back up to mine. “Work out much?”
I sighed again, turning away to avoid her gaze, ignoring the tiny flare of gratification that rose at the compliment. I lay flat on the table, my feet sticking out at one end.
I settled my head to one side, watching as Erin moved to one of the cabinets and opened it. Racks of glinting equipment lined the shelves.
“So, what’re you going to do to me, doc?” I asked.
She turned back to look at me, pulling off her red leather gloves and snapping on a pair of disposable plastic ones. Her hands were small, fingers flexing beneath the translucent material.
“I’m going to see how bad you were hit,” she said, pulling a few tools from the rack. “Then we’ll see if we can’t patch you up.”
I struggled not to close my eyes as she moved around the med bay. The adrenaline of the past hour was fading, and with it came the aches and pains I’d been ignoring. My back was a mess, and my upper shoulder felt like it was on fire.
My eyelids drooped, and I caught myself just as Erin approached. I bolted my eyes wide when I saw the syringe in her hand.
“Woah there,” I said, my hand shooting out to latch onto her wrist.
She gave me a look. “Seriously?” she said sternly. “Let me work. It’s just some localized anesthesia for the pain.”
I grunted, not letting go. “I want the pain,” I muttered. “Keeps me sharp.”
Erin scowled, her pretty features hardening. “Well, I don’t like muscles and wounds flinching and jumping while I’m trying to examine them.” She glared at me. “So either you let me anesthetize your back, or you can get up and find another doctor to take care of it for you.”
I frowned, then gently released her wrist. “If you try anything—” I said quietly, but she cut me off.
“Yeah, I get it.”
I felt the needle slide into my skin. Erin had to push harder than I expected to get through the tough outer layers. Even unarmored, angels were well defended.
“You’ll kill me and dump my body,” she muttered. “Now just shut up and let me work.”
I started to protest, but then the drugs hit my bloodstream. My body became warm, muscles relaxing. My eyelids fluttered shut, and the next thing I knew, I was swallowed by darkness.