30 FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE #3
“Help Sunshine,” he muttered because he didn’t think he’d be able to stay conscious much longer.
“I need to heal you, but I’m not very good, and Ash never lets me practice because he says it’s too dangerous—”
“Help.”
“That’s what I’m trying to do!”
“Sunshine.”
“She’s okay. Her chains are stuck around Raphael, but she’s—”
“Help Sunshine!” Raum snapped. “Please?”
And then he finally passed out.
Sunshine struggled to free herself from under the immense weight of Raphael’s unconscious body. The sword pinning his head to the ground kept him from waking up, but since the chain between the manacles at her wrists was wrapped around his neck, it also kept her trapped.
She was weak from the fight, and the way she was coughing up blood told her she’d sustained serious internal injuries. Her wings, which she’d used to protect her body, were broken in several places and hung limply from her shoulders.
None of that mattered. She’d heal fine once she got the cuffs off. Right now, she just wanted to get to Raum. Watching his arms burning as he wielded Raphael’s sword had filled her with horror. And awe.
A demon wielding one of the deadliest consecrated weapons ever made—it was a remarkable feat of strength. How he’d managed to hold onto the blade while it incinerated his flesh was beyond her comprehension.
And that wasn’t even touching on how he’d broken out of an Empyrean sigil, drawn by an archangel at that. It shouldn’t have been possible, but she’d already learned that Raum was full of surprises.
Eva’s silver eyes suddenly appeared in the narrowed space of Sunshine’s vision. The edges were darkened with pain and weakness. “Are you okay?”
“Raum—”
“He passed out, but he’s fine.”
“Help him—”
“He told me to help you, so I’m doing that first. What can I do?”
“Help me … get hands free.”
Eva’s sharp eyes took in the scene, flinching at the gore. “I think I have to pull out the sword. It looks like it went straight through into the concrete floor, however that’s even possible.”
Sunshine nodded. It was possible because the metal that crafted that blade was from the Realm and stronger than any Earth material, but she didn’t waste her little remaining energy explaining that to Eva.
“I don’t know if I’ll even be able to move it.”
“You’re half angel,” Sunshine reminded her. “You’re stronger than you think.”
Eva nodded and disappeared from view. Sunshine was too exhausted to watch and simply closed her eyes. She heard a grunt of effort and sounds of strain, and then a shout of triumph followed by the clattering of the blade as Eva dropped it.
Sunshine pulled her arms free from around Raphael’s neck.
She crawled around his bloodied wings and punctured head and then curled her fingers around the hilt of the sword.
Somehow, she found the strength to climb to her feet, lift her arms, and drop it right back into his skull.
She needed him to stay unconscious as long as possible.
Too weak to stand, she fell back to her knees and then dragged herself over to the demon on the floor. Raum was out cold, his black feathers spread across the dirty concrete. Blood stained his face, and his hands … By the Spheres, the sight made a cry of dismay rise to her lips.
“Can you heal him?” Eva’s voice shook. “I don’t know if I can. I’m too freaked out, and I can’t stop shaking.”
“It’s okay.” Sunshine pulled Raum onto her lap, wiping the blood from his face with gentle fingers. “I can do it once I get these manacles off.”
“How do we get them off?”
“Raphael might have the keys.”
Eva crouched in front of the bloodied angel. “I can’t believe Raum hacked his leg off.” She made a retching sound and turned her face away, covering her mouth. “Oh god, I’m gonna be sick.”
“Check the pockets of his robe,” Sunshine said, trying to help Eva keep focused.
If the key wasn’t on Raphael, it would likely still be in the Realm with the Tribunal. But as angry as she was with them, Sunshine had a hard time believing they were aware of his plan. It seemed to her these atrocities were mostly motivated by his personal vendetta against her.
Sure enough, Eva pulled out a small metal key a moment later. “Is this it?” she said, rushing over to kneel beside Sunshine.
“Yes, that’s it.” She held out her wrists. “The keyhole is here.”
Eva unlocked the manacles with hands that trembled only slightly. Sunshine was impressed with her fortitude. Sunshine was shaken by everything that had just transpired, and she was an ancient immortal that had seen many wars. Daniel’s daughter was barely thirty years old.
“Can you flash?” Sunshine asked.
“I think so.”
“Go find Asmodeus and let him know you’re okay. Then please notify Daniel of what occurred. Until we know that Raphael didn’t tell anyone else of your existence, any extra protection you can get will be smart.”
Eva nodded mutely and glanced down at Raum. “You’re sure he’ll be okay?”
“I’ll heal him, don’t worry.” Sunshine held him closer. “I would give anything to protect him. Does this reassure you?”
Eva nodded and offered a small smile. “He deserves someone like you looking out for him.”
“It is my honor to fill that role. Now, go.”
She glanced nervously over one shoulder at Raphael. “Will that sword keep him unconscious?”
“Not indefinitely.” Raphael’s regeneration powers were strong. Eventually, his healing tissue would push the blade right out of his head.
“What if he wakes up?”
Sunshine hardened her heart to any mercy she might once have shown. At one time, she would have been horrified at what she intended to do, but now, there was no room for softness.
She would do whatever it took to keep those she loved safe, no matter how terrible.
She looked at Eva and said, “I plan to ensure that never happens.”