But would Carlos manage to kill him in that instant, too? It just depended on who could strike first, who would be fastest …
But the rush of wings filled his ears before he could attack. Az grabbed Keenan and hauled him away from Nicole. The bastard’s grip was unbreakable and they rammed into the side of the alley.
And Carlos—grinning bastard—swiped out with his claws and struck Nicole.
“No!” Keenan leapt for him.
Az tightened his grip. “You can’t kill me with just a touch.” Az held him pinned to the building. The faint rays of sunlight spilled into the alley. “This time, you will watch her die.”
No, he wouldn’t. Keenan rammed his head into Az’s. But Az just laughed.
Nicole screamed.
Keenan’s gaze flew to her. More blood flowed. Carlos had sliced her arms and chest with his claws.
“A vamp, especially one so new, is no match for a shifter.” Az sounded so detached.
“Nicole!”
She swiped out with her own claws and managed to catch Carlos in the side. He grunted at the pain and promised, “I’ll kill you, then I’ll take your lover’s blood.”
“The sunlight will speed up her death.” Az smiled and told Keenan, “Don’t worry, she won’t suffer long.”
Fucking crazy bastard.
“No,” Keenan agreed, “she won’t.” And the rage poured from him—
In a ball of red-hot flame that blasted into Az.
This time, Az was the one who screamed—a loud, pain-filled cry as he flew back. Az hit the ground and rolled over and over, trying to put out the fire.
“That fire didn’t come from man, ass**le.” From me. “I conjured it and I damn well can control it.” Not you. So it would burn the flesh right off Az. Az would heal, eventually, but first, he’d hurt like hell.
“I’ll take his blood … and he’ll be my weapon …” The shifter’s taunt.
He spun and saw Carlos still circling Nicole.
“I’m no one’s weapon!” Keenan roared. “Not anymore.” Then he grabbed Carlos.
The shifter died before he could scream.
Carlos’s body fell to the ground and thudded into the earth. Nicole’s shoulders slumped.
“It’s okay.” Fury cracked Keenan’s voice. “It’s over now.”
Her gaze darted over his shoulder. Pain and fear flickered in her gaze. “No,” she said very definitely. “It’s not.”
She grabbed his arm and tried to yank him to the side.
Too late.
Fire slammed into his back.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Keenan had covered her with his body. When the fire hit, he’d launched at Nicole and protected her.
Always protecting me.
Now he was on the ground, rolling, trying to put out the fire that had burned his flesh.
She glanced up and had to shove the hair out of her eyes. Az was on his feet. The angel’s body was covered in blisters and burns just like Keenan’s, and Az was advancing on them.
“I didn’t want it to end this way, Keenan. I wanted you to come back.”
Keenan pushed to his knees.
But Az flew toward him and slammed his feet into Keenan’s injured back, driving Keenan into the ground. Then the angel rose up, probably to better prepare for another hit.
Nicole reached for Keenan and wrapped her arms carefully around his body. “Keenan …”
He was so weak. She could feel the weakness pushing at her. He’d given her his blood and put himself at a disadvantage so that she’d live.
Her right hand touched her chest. The stake had come close to her heart, but, lucky for her, the psycho bitch had a really crappy aim. Blood had soaked her clothes. Her blood, his.
Sirens wailed in the distance. Finally, someone had noticed all the hell breaking loose in that alley and thought to call for help. Finally.
“Help won’t come in time,” Az said as he touched down a few feet away. “I’ve got a job to do—and I will do it. I won’t hesitate. I won’t make the mistake you did. Emotion won’t stop me.”
Then he came at Keenan again. Az grabbed him and yanked him right out of Nicole’s arms. Az tossed Keenan onto the other side of the alley. Keenan flew into the bricks, and a thick crack appeared to run the length of the wall.
“Stop!” She ran after Az with her claws out. “Damn you, stop!”
Az spun toward her. And smiled. “Ready to choose?” he whispered.
She stumbled to a halt.
“I told you before … it’s all so easy. Your life … or his.” His wings eased down. “We can make this right. Your soul should have been taken. Order has to come back.”
She glanced at Keenan. He was struggling to rise. If he could just get to his feet …
“You don’t care enough about him to die, do you?” Az laughed at that. “Keenan loves you, but this time, you’ll be the one who stands there and watches death come.”
“No.” She wouldn’t have much time. She’d have to be fast. Fast …
“You won’t give your life for him!”
Keenan was on his feet. His eyes were wide and desperate as he lunged at Az’s back.
“I’ll do better than that,” she said softly, and it was her turn to smile and show her fangs. “I’ll kill for him.”
Az blinked. “Wh—”
She leapt forward and grabbed him. Nicole’s teeth sank into his throat and her claws ripped into his chest even as Az’s hands closed tightly around her.
One touch … just one …
Cold spread from his hands and sank into her flesh. Death.
But Az was trembling against her and his blood was in her mouth. The angel wasn’t getting away unscathed this time. Actually, he wasn’t getting away at all.
Time to kill … and time to die. For both of them.
Right there, in that damn forsaken alley. Right there.
Az had been right. Six months ago, she’d gone to the cathedral to pray. To ask God for strength, but his house had been closed to her.
Then the devil had come into the alley.
But she hadn’t turned away from her faith. Az had been wrong about that. She’d prayed and she’d hoped and she’d gotten her angel.
I’ll kill for him. I’ll die for him.
Because Keenan had given her a reason to live. Hope. Love.
“No!” Az shoved her back, a shove that sent her flying ten feet and thudding into a window. Glass crunched around her.