Chapter Eleven #2
Archer nodded without taking his eyes off Tanner. “Once I extract the last of the corruption, we need to trap it immediately. This filth won’t simply dissipate. It’ll seek another host.”
Ronen held his breath as Archer sliced the blade through the final pocket of darkness.
The corruption gathered like a storm cloud above Tanner’s body, swirling and hissing with malevolent energy.
Jonah began chanting in an ancient language, his hands raised toward the crystal vials surrounding the table.
The evil essence twisted violently, as if sensing its impending capture.
“Now!” Archer commanded, pulling the blade from Tanner’s body in one swift move.
The darkness surged upward in an attempt to escape, but the crystals flared to life, creating a web of golden light that trapped the evil essence within its boundaries.
The corruption shrieked—a sound that existed not in the air but somehow inside Ronen’s mind, clawing at his consciousness.
The crystals pulsed brighter until the darkness condensed into a swirling mass at the center of their formation.
With a final surge of light, the dark matter was pulled into the crystals, the vials turning obsidian black as they contained the shadow essence they’d fought against for centuries. The room fell silent except for the ragged breathing of everyone present.
Ronen gazed down at Tanner. Through their connection, he sensed his mate’s spirit growing stronger, no longer retreating but pushing forward, fighting to return.
“Tanner?” Ronen whispered, his voice hoarse.
Beneath his palms, Tanner stirred. His eyelids fluttered, a soft moan escaping his lips as consciousness returned. Ronen’s heart raced as he leaned closer, searching Tanner’s face for any lingering signs of his ordeal. “Tanner? Can you hear me?”
Tanner’s eyes opened slowly, unfocused at first, then settling on Ronen’s face. Recognition dawned in those hazel depths, followed by a flash of confusion.
“Ronen,” he whispered, his voice rough and weak. “What... happened?” He furrowed his brow. “Did you get them? My hack worked?”
Ronen stroked Tanner’s cheek, the warmth returning to his mate’s skin filling him with relief. “You did a wonderful job. But Victor tricked us,” he said, his voice catching. “The attack on the facility was meant as a distraction. His true goal was to corrupt you, take you as his own.”
Tanner wrinkled his nose. “Gross.” His eyes widened slightly.
“Victor didn’t… I mean…” He placed his hands on his belly, his forehead creasing.
“Wait a sec. I’m remembering more now. I had this weird, vivid dream that I was pregnant, and Victor was threatening to kill my baby.
” Tanner froze, his lips parting. “No way.” He stared up at Ronen with wide eyes.
“Our baby. But that’s impossible, right?
I’m just delirious after all that’s happened. ”
Ronen stroked damp strands of hair off Tanner’s forehead. “It’s true, sweetheart. With everything happening so fast, I never had a chance to explain all the changes our mating bond would trigger. You were in heat, ready for me to breed you.”
“Ohhhh...” Tanner rubbed his palm around his stomach. “I had a hunch there was more to what you said when you…” His cheeks flushed scarlet. “I’ll tell you later. But the baby is okay? Victor didn’t hurt it?”
Ronen smiled, placing a soft kiss on Tanner’s forehead. “The baby’s fine, thanks to our amazing healers.”
Tanner turned his head toward Ezekiel and Archer. Jonah hovered nearby, seemingly lost in whatever task Archer had him doing.
“Thanks again, Ezekiel. I’m so grateful to you and… I’m sorry. We haven’t met.”
Ezekiel chuckled. “I apologize. I think we’re all still processing. It’s been quite a night.” He indicated to Archer. “This exceptionally talented man is Archer. He also happens to be my wonderful mate.”
Tanner smiled. “Thanks, Archer. I’m still adapting to this world I never knew existed.”
Archer grunted. “I’ve been where you are right now.
Unable to believe any of this is possible.
” He offered Tanner a faint smile. “However, being a Nephilim is a gift. Not only can I give birth, but I also get to share that experience with someone who was meant for me.” Archer leaned against Ezekiel, who placed an arm around Archer’s waist. “I never dared hope I could be this happy.”
“That’s awesome,” said Tanner, his voice sounding stronger. “And the baby is for sure okay?” He shook his head with a grin. “Baby. What an amazing word.”
“More than okay,” answered Ezekiel. “You’ve got a fighter on your hands.”
Ronen’s heart rate kicked up a notch. They knew more than they were telling. “Boy or girl?”
Tanner grabbed his arm. “No! I want it to be a surprise.”
Everyone chuckled, the sound more one of relief than anything. Tanner’s healing was a success. The evil that had attacked him no longer held sway. That was all that mattered.
Jonah cleared his throat. “Excuse me, healer. What should I do next?”
Ronen had forgotten about the young man, a stranger to him. He was smaller than anyone in the room, and his meek demeanor made him even less noticeable.
Archer regarded Tanner. “This is my apprentice, Jonah. He’s new.”
Ezekiel snorted as Archer led Jonah to the other side of the room. Ronen hadn’t been around Archer before, but he’d heard from Cassiel that the guy was a bit on the salty side. Right as Archer began ordering Jonah around, Michael materialized at the foot of the healing table.
“The battle is won,” Michael announced. “The facility has been destroyed, and the remaining shadow gargoyles have surrendered. Those who refused to repent have been...” He gave a one-shouldered shrug. “Dealt with."
Tanner struggled to sit up, wincing with the effort.
Ronen slipped an arm around his shoulders, supporting him.
He hated that Tanner wasn’t being allowed to rest. Yet, knowing that they were all safe now was its own medicine.
At last, Tanner could let go of the horrible anxiety and be free from the pain he’d been subjected to by the demons.
Ronen gritted his teeth. And that rat bastard Victor.
“For real? It’s definitely over?” Tanner asked, his voice still weak. “No more fighting creepy demons?”
Michael’s gaze fell on Tanner, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He rarely smiled or laughed heartily, as if showing any positive emotion might undermine his authority.
“Rogue demons, no. But if only Victor had waited a little longer,” Michael said, shaking his head.
“Everyone was to receive a mate now that the rules have changed. The irony of his betrayal is that he would have been gifted exactly what he desired.” Michael’s eyes flashed. “Had he remained faithful, that is.”
Ronen’s jaw went slack. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. All this destruction, all this pain, and it had been for nothing? Victor had betrayed them for something he would’ve received anyway.
“You’re fucking kidding me.” Cassiel stepped out of the shadows. “All this carnage because the asshole couldn’t wait his turn?"
Michael’s expression hardened. “The Most High’s plans are revealed in their proper time. Victor’s impatience and jealousy clouded his judgment. He allowed darkness to take root in his heart long before he ever made contact with the rogues.”
“Fuck…” Ronen muttered under his breath.
He was accustomed to witnessing humanity destroy each other over imagined slights, time and time again, but he’d always believed those who served the cause of good were above such petty behavior. Apparently, he was wrong.
Cassiel crossed her arms. “What an asshat.” She shrugged. “Alrighty then. What now, Chief? We gonna party, or what?” Her eyebrows shot up. “Hey. I vote for a rave in Prague. Love that city. Most bitchen’ graveyards ever.”
Michael groaned, rubbing his forehead and mumbling in a long-dead language only the angels knew. “And what did I say about calling me Chief?”
Cassiel snorted with a grin. “Gotcha.”
Ronen interjected, “Tanner and I will be taking a restful vacation while he recovers. Not raving.” He turned to Michael. “With your permission, of course.”
He’d already been pushing his luck with the archangel, and he really wanted some alone time with Tanner. Vacations had never been allowed since the formation of the Shadow Slayer warriors.
Michael's expression softened unexpectedly. “Of course. You’ve both earned it. The lair in Santorini has a private villa overlooking the caldera. It would be the perfect place for recovery and... family planning.” His eyes twinkled with rare warmth.
Tanner’s hand tightened around Ronen’s, a small smile playing on his lips despite how exhausted he must be. “Santorini? That sounds epic.”