All around us, the buildings shake once more as large pieces of mortar fall. A ringing sound fills my ears as suddenly, the middle of the street seems like a perilous place to be.
I curse, rolling off Helena before wrapping my arms around her to protect her from the falling missiles. Somewhere in the back of my mind, it registers that my very mortal body will likely do little to protect her, but I can’t help myself. The primal need to protect her is coursing through my body like a raging river.
She is my heart.
The tremors continue for a moment longer before everything falls eerily silent. A shadow falls over us, and I look up just as Gabriel slams into the cobblestones a few feet away. Another Angel, one with gray wings, is at his side.
Gabriel bows deeply at the waist towards his king as the new Angel hurries towards Phaedra. The Daemon King begins to pace as the healer works on Phaedra’s stomach.
“My King,” Gabriel says in a low voice. “It appears there were two bombs set on remote timers to go off simultaneously. One was in the square, and the other was on the water. The target was a sizable ship.”
My heart seizes at the words as I push myself to my feet. “Wait. What? A ship? What did it look like?” I ask. Worry is creeping into my voice, and Helena squeezes my hand as she stands beside me.
“I didn’t see much,” the Angel says, glancing at his king before returning to us. “Fire was devouring what was left of the ship mere seconds after the bomb went off. It didn’t look like anyone could have survived the explosion.”
Helena steps forward, the expression on her face grim. She is pointing at the Angel, gesturing wildly. The Angel’s brow furrows as he watches the movement of her hands, and I decide to take pity on him.
I ask, “Does anyone have a phone here Helena can use?”
Gabriel nods, pulling his FaePhone out of his pocket and handing it to Helena. She types for a moment before showing me the screen.
We have to see for ourselves. What if it’sThe Black Rose?
My stomach twists in knots at her words, but I know she’s right. I can’t leave it alone. Not now. Not knowing for sure what may or may not have happened. If it is the ship... Nodding, I pull her to my side before looking at Gabriel. “We need to get to the water.”
The black-winged Daemon is glowering, his eyes flashing deep green as he looks up at us from his position beside the fallen Angel. “I can’t Transpose you there right now,” he says. “I won’t go. I can’t...” his voice trails off as his jaw tightens. The silent words echo through the square.In case Phaedra needs me.
A beat passes before Raphael steps forward. “I’ll take you in my chopper,” he says, gesturing behind him.
Sure enough, a large, black chopper is sitting in the middle of what was a busy highway yesterday. It wasn’t there a few minutes ago and must have landed while we were all distracted by the bombing.
Helena’s brows raise, and I can feel her surprise. She looks at me, and I can read the question in her eyes.Do you think we can trust him?
I shrug, brushing a piece of dust and gods-know-what off her cheek before whispering in her ear. “Honestly, I don’t know, but we must get to the water. Do you think there’s a better option?”
She bites her lip, studying her uncle. The King of the Angels is smirking as he watches us talk. His foot is tapping on the cobblestones as he looks at his watch. “We don’t have all day, young ones. What is your choice?”
Helena brushes her lips over my cheek before squeezing my hand. The look on her face is clear.Okay.
“Thank you for your offer,” I say. The formal words taste like sand in my mouth. “We would be grateful if you would bring us to the wreckage, Your Majesty.”
A slow smile appears on Raphael’s face. “Wonderful,” he croons, “let’s go.”
He begins to stride towards the helicopter. I look at Helena, and she shrugs. Turning towards the Daemon King, I flinch when I see how pale he is. His mouth is contorted as he holds Phaedra’s hand. The Healer is pressing her hands against the Angel’s stomach as a soft, blue glow surrounds her.
The Healer catches my eye and looks up. “She’s fading fast,” she says softly. “I’m doing the best I can.”
More shadows begin to retract from around the Daemon as his shoulders loosen. He looks up at me.
“Go,” Aidoneus says gruffly. “When you’re done, have my brother bring you back to my tower. We have much to discuss.”
* * *
The chopper is soloud that even with the headphones, I can barely hear the pilot as he talks in my ears. I am directly behind him, but this chopper is unlike anything I’ve ever been in before. It’s massive, and each seat is made to accommodate a set of wings.
Helena is a rigid rock next to me. Her knuckles are the palest gray as she clutches the armrest so tightly that her fingers are leaving an imprint in the metal.
I reach over, prying her digits off one by one. Pressing a kiss to her skin, I wrap her hand up in mine. “Princess,” I lean over and whisper in her ear. “It’s okay. I’ve got you.”