1. Coheed shook his head. “Sorry, ducky. Like I told you earlier, I don’t read minds. I read hearts. You can fill your head with all sorts of nonsense and untruths, but your heart will always reflect what’s truly in your soul.” He turned to leave, choosing to use the door rather than to vanish as he normally would, when he paused to face the astonished man. “I don’t know what’s put a bug up your arse these past few days, and I honestly don’t care. Just don’t try to cross me or Casi. Ever. Got me?”
2. This fragile creature was meant for him. He’d fallen in love with her before he’d come to know her, and that love continued to intensify the longer he was around her. He would give up his existence to protect her, and he had no doubt that was exactly what the Lord intended.
3. A distant
rumble of thunder warned of an approaching ice storm. He could hear the wind
buffeting the outer walls. Coheed raised his face, closing his eyes as he
assessed their surroundings. So far, all appeared peaceful, but it wouldn’t be for
much longer. Already he sensed them converging on the church. The demons knew
he and the Regina were traveling south. It wouldn’t take them long to find this
location and stake it out. However, for the time being, it would be best if she
remained here, at least through the night. They would leave tomorrow morning,
after she’d had the chance to fully rest and had been fed.
4. Casi started to continue down the hall, when she
caught sight of a familiar profile walking past the fence. Surprised, she
stared as Coheed seemed to be nonchalantly striding past the churchyard. Like
the other people, his head was down, but not because of the cold. Angels
weren’t affected by the weather. No, he had his hands tucked into his pants
pockets, and he appeared to be in deep thought. He often bowed his head when he
was contemplating something, but she was confused as to why he was out there in
the first place. And walking.
5. The lights flickered back to life. As she squinted against
the sudden glare, he strode over to wrap his arms around her. Relief left her
weak in the knees, and she gratefully sagged against him. Behind her, she heard
Maman Jeanette remark, “You got a mean right hook there, son.”
6. She crossed the street, pressing into the thick of the
things. Several of them howled at her. A couple lunged, daring her to fight
them. Trying to intimidate or frighten her. Their horrendous faces melted and
reformed, to become more unspeakable. For some reason the transformations
didn’t affect her. Not as long as they refrained from grabbing her, and continued
to move aside as if she was Moses parting the waves. Maybe it was because
Dayroc had ordered them to keep their hands off of her. Maybe it was because
they feared being fried to an unholy crisp if they did. Whatever the reason,
she lifted her chin and kept going, with a don’t-piss-me-off expression on her
face.
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