“Were you ever going to tell me?” Kate asked him.

“That’s a funny question,” he said, “because last night I decided that I would. I hadn’t been sure if I wanted anything to change between us, because I loved things the way they were. If you knew what I was, what Ellie was, what’s really out there…I didn’t want to scare you and I didn’t want to endanger you. But last night, when the reapers attacked, you were so brave and determined to get your friends out. I practically had to drag you out of that house. I watched you drive away and I couldn’t help thinking what a hell of a reaper you’d have made. Better yet, you’re a hell of a girl.”

He smiled at her and she grinned back. “If I was as strong as you, I could definitely kick your ass.”

“I don’t doubt it,” he said. “But you don’t need my kind of strength. A simple look from you alone cripples me. I am at your mercy.”

She lifted her hand and drew a finger down the length of the scar on his face and neck. “Will you tell me how you really got this?”

“Demonfire,” he said. “I didn’t lie when I said I got this in a fight. I just didn’t say with whom. The Fallen Belial, a demon. He almost killed me.”

Her expression grew serious and grave, all humor lost in her eyes. “So what happens now?”

“You have to decide,” he said, “if I’m worth it. You can walk away from me today, and to be honest, you probably should, but you have to hear me out first. For what it’s worth, I don’t want you to go. I love you, Kate, and I need you in my life.”

She bit hard on her lower lip and wiped at a tear cresting in the corner of her eye. I wasn’t sure when was the last time I saw her cry. “Why? Why do you love me? You’re over two hundred years old and you’re a freaking monster hunter. Why do I even matter to you?”

“Because I can’t remember the last time I had as much fun as I do when I’m with you,” he said, and a smile began to grow. “You’re my match. You’re hilarious and strong-minded and beautiful. You’re human and supposed to be so fragile, but you’re not. You’re made of stone and when I’m with you, you help me feel stronger. I can forget what I am, this instrument of destruction and warfare, existing only to kill and die, and I can be a person. God, I don’t want to let go of that. I can’t let go of you.”

Her tears were free-falling now. “You don’t have to. I’m not afraid of you and I love you, too. I’m glad that I get to know this side of you. I want to know everything about you.”

He cupped her face in his hands, his fingers twining through her blond hair. “I’ll tell you. I’ll tell you everything and I’ll show you everything. I want you to know me.”

He kissed her fiercely, their bodies melding together, and I felt the relief that I’d longed for since last night. It was dangerous for her to be with him, but he could protect her from those who’d use her to get to him. He would keep her from them and keep her close to his heart. His being an angelic reaper wasn’t his secret. She was his secret.

12

IT WAS A LITTLE WHILE BEFORE KATE AND MARCUS returned to the living room and they sat beside each other on the couch. “I got a bit sidetracked, but I was going to tell you what I got from Lauren this morning,” he said.

I looked questioningly at Kate. “Are you okay with hearing this?”

She nodded, her lips tight. “Yeah. I’m in.”

“Okay,” I said. “What do you have, Marcus?”

“It’s not a huge lead, but it’s something,” he continued. “I called Lauren because Xastur said that this Ethan Stone may be a psychic. She said she knew the name and that Nathaniel had been in contact with him. She’s going through old phone records, emails, everything to find a possible location for this guy.”

“That’s good news,” Will said with a sigh. “It’s a break we really need. Is she at her place?”

“Yeah,” Marcus said. “You and Ellie should head over there and see where she’s at so far. I can hang here and go through Nathaniel’s office. If I find anything that her clairsentient abilities could help with, I’ll give you a ring.”

“Great,” I agreed. “There’s got to be records of communication. Nathaniel kept everything when it came to dealing with psychics and Lauren’s abilities can really speed this up.”

“Clair-what?” Kate asked. “What does that mean?”

“It means she can read an object’s psychic signature just by touching it,” I explained. “She feels things and sees information in her head: what something is, where it’s been, who it belongs to. She’s probably going through Nathaniel’s stuff to feel out a connection to Ethan Stone. If he’s as powerful a psychic as we were told, then Lauren won’t miss him.”

“That’s pretty cool,” she replied, but seemed very sad. “She was dating Nathaniel, right? Will’s friend who died?”

Marcus took her hand and squeezed it. “Yeah.”

Her gaze fell and she seemed to piece things together, getting a better understanding of what her relationship with Marcus could mean.

“Let’s get going,” I said to Will. The tension in the room had just become too thick to breathe and it was time to get to work. He and I stepped outside and headed for my car, leaving Kate and Marcus to work out whatever they still needed to.