In his fist is the angel blade, the sharp point pressed into Roderick’s side. Any sudden movements and that blade will slip between his ribs and end his life. But would Zeke actually do that? Could he kill another angel?
From the way Zeke holds him, Roderick can’t see me, but even if he could, I wouldn’t be able to move. My limbs are frozen, unable to retreat to the hallway, and terrified to see how this all plays out.
“Answer my questions, and I’ll think about letting you live.”
“I’ve already told you everything I—”
“Don’t fucking tempt me, Roderick,” Zeke grits out, his voice hard and menacing, and somehow the very sound of it has my core tightening with need.Not the fucking time, vagina.
“Shit,” Roderick mutters, clearly realizing there’s no getting out of this. And even if he escapes, Zeke’s threat is clear enough. We know his looks, his name, and we’ll send the entire Guild after him if we have to.
“How did you get this blade?” Zeke asks, changing tactics.
“My boss gave it to me.”
“Who’s your boss?”
“I don’t know. He’s a mistrusting son of a bitch so I haven’t met him directly yet.”
“Why did you steal weapons from the Guild?” Zeke continues, not letting up on his rapid-fire questions. It’s kind of hot to see him this way, all domineering and demanding, as long as I ignore the fact that he’s holding such a deadly weapon.
“Fuck,” Roderick mumbles, “I don’t know that either. Look, I’m on a need-to-know fucking basis, alright? Only fools give away the master fucking plans.”
“So what you’re saying is you’re useless.”
“No!” Roderick squeaks in his nasally as fuck voice. “I know where the weapons are. Just don’t kill me.”
“Where are they?”
“In an old building near the river that divides this area from the rest of Silver City. That’s where you’ll find the stolen goods.”
“If I find out you’re lying, don’t think for a second that I won’t use this,” Zeke tells him, shifting the blade slightly. He’s convincing, I’ll give him that. Even I believe the threat.
“So mistrusting! That’s where I was told to bring them. Whether or not you believe me, it’s the truth.” Roderick’s voice comes out weird, every few words broken out by an inhale, like he can’t get enough oxygen.
“We’ll see about that.” Zeke moves fast, hitting Roderick’s temple so hard that he slumps to the floor. He puts the wicked blade back in its sheath before securing the cuffs again.
“Come on. We need to go.”
20
The familiar beat of my heart pounds through my skull as we slowly exit the building. Blood rushes through my veins like water, my heart pumping it faster and faster until I know for certain that Hayliel is safe.
Knocking Roderick out might not have been my smartest move, especially not with Hayliel here. I can play hard and fast with my own life just fine, but not hers. Never hers.
Hayliel stops for a moment, staring at the discarded slate lying on the ground with contemplation lining her gorgeous face. Even with danger looming, she’s stunning.
“Leave it,” I tell her. “We don’t need it to be used to track us down.” Hell, I considered taking the device myself, but the risks are too high and far outweigh any potential rewards. Maybe I can tip off Azrael again, and if we’re lucky, that asshole will still be tied up and unconscious. Before I do anything, though, I haveto think, weigh out the pros and cons of getting him involved again. It might mean having to explain everything to him, and I’m not entirely sure that’s a good idea.
Hayliel nods, and we take off down the street. We walk at a manageable pace, not running but not out for a leisurely stroll, either. The last thing we need is to bring any unwanted attention to ourselves.
I take us down another street, changing up the route back to Hayliel’s parents’ house on the off chance we’re being followed. If she notices, I can’t tell, but she seems preoccupied. Lost in thought.
Finally, she asks, “How likely do you think it is that there’s actually an old building between districts that just so happens to hold the stolen weapons?”
I keep silent, walking us to the next street, and shoot her a sideways glance. “I think it’s pretty likely.”
“But why? Roderick’s a murderer and a criminal. Not exactly the most trustworthy angel. Plus, you were holding him at knifepoint and threatening his life. I wouldn’t put it past him to lie or smudge the truth a bit. There could be any number of old buildings near the lake.”
