LA Banks Huntress 10 The Darkness

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injured, and we have sent hunters to track it even into your bowels of Hell."
Warrior angels fanned out in numbers too numerous to count. The beach
immediately emptied of demons, Lilith leading the instant retreat. The claws
holding Yonnie grudgingly released their death-grip and receded. Neteru
Council members nodded good-bye with expressions of deep satisfaction on their
faces, and then pulled back into splinters of gold and purple light. Val
struggled to lift her and Yonnie out of the sand. Splinters of light rained up
in reverse, causing angels to vanish. Ash and sulfur were everywhere.
Guardians stood dazed, clutching weapons, looking at the broken seal that
still smoldered.
Yonnie coughed and slowly opened his eyes.
Val touched his bloody, dirty face. "Be valiant, be victorious," she murmured
against his lips, and then cried.
CHAPTER TWENTY
EPILOGUE
Next day: Back at the team compound in San Diego
Carlos lay back on the sofa in their suite propped up by a mound of pillows,
watching TV. Damali was curled up next to him, providing calming warmth as
they watched the news.
The Dow Jones is still plummeting, and analysts say that the housing market is
expected to remain soft as banks begin to tighten regulations on mortgage
lending and credit becomes
"Good," Damali said. "I'm glad you cut that mess off."
"Yeah, ain't nothing we can do about it but ride it out anyway," he said,
releasing a long sigh. "I'm just thinking about all the people who ain't got
it like we got it."
"I know," she said softly. "We've gotta help where we can, pray where we
can't. You saw the power of that."
"No lie . . ." Carlos shook his head, wincing from his still-sore muscles from
the body blows he'd allowed to try to get to Yonnie and Val.
"Why don't you let me heal that?" Damali said, leaning up to kiss him.
" 'Cause this ain't nothing," Carlos said, tracing her cheek with his finger.
"I don't want you exerting yourself any more than necessary . . . not after
that crazy bullshit we just went through you sure the Queens said everything
is all right in there?"
"Yes, for the hundred-and-fiftieth time," she said with a smile. "Then let
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Berkfield work on you your ribs, baby . . ."
"Naw, that man needs to rest, too." Carlos kissed her nose. "You know how
lucky we all were to make it outta that one?" He closed his eyes and let his
head drop back. "What was I thinking, tying a white-light line to one of Lu's
monsters . . . that was insane."
Damali laughed. "Yeah, it was, but at least this time we weren't the ones to
break the seal."
"You know, I was just thinking that." He opened his eyes and peered at his
wife. "I'm not even sure why we were trying to hold back the inevitable . . .
it says in the Good Book, man, this thing is gonna blow so all anybody can do
is hold on and get ready."
"Then, uhmmm . . . I guess it doesn't make sense to walk around worried about
the sky falling, huh?"
He kissed her nose again, avoiding her mouth, making her pout. "Nope. Gotta
live life to the fullest, do as much as you can to help people, and pray for
the best."
"Uh-huh," she said, sliding up his body.
He chuckled, shifting, so that she wasn't rubbing directly against him. "But
even so, there is the old thing of Heaven helping those who help themselves so
I'm not trying to press our luck. Better wait a little bit, make sure things
are solid, before, you know . . ."
"Inez is going to go pick up the baby next week with her momma . . . you sure
you don't want to make use of this tranquil privacy?" She wiggled her eyebrows
and he laughed, then kissed her quickly.
"You know, I can't get used to Yonnie just being able to live here," he said,
completely ignoring her offer. "That just shows you, you never know what can
happen, boo. I'm focusing on being thankful for a few days, nothing else." He
closed his eyes but continued to smile at her.
Damali propped herself up on an elbow to stare down at him.
"I'm meditating leave me alone," he said, laughing.
"I'm not bothering you," she replied, laughing as well. "I was just thinking
about things we have to be thankful for . . . like Yonnie got a really sweet
deal, even if he's still dead . . . blood hunger, but controllable . . . no
pulse, but can do daylight and blueberry pancakes or whatever. I think he kept
most of his vamp powers, but has to rest a lot more, if he doesn't have blood
in his system but at least he can't turn people into the walking dead."
"The brother eats more than Mike, girl. The band is gonna have to go back on
the road just to feed Yonnie!"
"You know you gotta talk to your boy, right?"
Carlos opened his eyes. "Aw, c'mon, D . . . I was just playing he don't eat
that much."
She playfully swatted his chest. "You know I'm the last one to begrudge
anybody food, and Inez would have a coronary if somebody around here went
hungry. Be serious, you know what about."
Carlos sighed. "Yeah, I know . . . he can't be messing with a half-angel after
getting saved by the Light without marrying the girl." He slung his forearm
over his eyes. "See, D, this is why I was just meditating and sometimes don't
wanna talk . . . just need a day or two for my mind to get still and empty
out, you know?"
"You think Father Pat is up to it, or maybe Yonnie would want the imam . . .
ya know, I don't know what Val's affiliation is nondenominational?"
"Damali, please, baby . . ." [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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