Demon Bound

cannot.”
    Alice felt the blood drain from her face. She grabbed for Jake’s hand, gripped it tightly—for support or to prevent his response, she didn’t know.
    “Perhaps,” she ventured, “we can wait until—”
    “It is best done as soon as possible.”
    Her chin lifted. “Very well.”
    Michael’s features softened. “Fortunately, you resisted—and so your body resisted it, as well. The sword pierced deeply into the muscle, but the corruption has not spread. Once it has been cleansed, it will heal naturally. A few hours at most.”
    She nodded, and Michael turned, signaled to Alejandro. Alice glanced at Ethan, willed him to look at her. His face had paled, and she realized that Jake had been signing, telling the others either what had happened to them—or how Michael intended to heal her.
    It must have been the latter. Her green eyes glittering, Irena jerked her head toward Michael’s temple. “Come with me, Alice. I will prepare you.”
    She finally caught Ethan’s gaze. Please, she mouthed silently. I don’t want Jake to see me like that.
    Facedown, again—possibly held down. Cut into and burned, again. She knew he felt responsible for the first; he would this, too.
    Surprise moved across Ethan’s expression. When he gave a short nod, she slipped her hand from Jake’s, faced him.
    Knowing it would appear false, she did not attempt a smile at Jake. “I hope you and Lilith will have good news for me when this is finished.”
    His jaw clenched. “Yeah. I’ll drop it off, then go back for it when she’s done with the translation.”
    Ethan came up beside her, and as she’d hoped, he bluffed his way through. “I reckon it’ll take us longer than that. I’m heading there to tell Castleford what Michael had to say. I figure you can fill them in on your trip at the same time.”
    “I will do the same here while I’m being healed,” Alice said. If she could speak at all.
    Jake looked from her face to Ethan’s. Not fooled, she knew, for an instant.
    “Please,” she said softly. “The translation is important to me. And I would prefer if you were the one to explain to Ethan why it is necessary. I fear I haven’t the courage.”
    “Yeah, right.” Jake closed his eyes, and relief slid through her when he added, “All right, goddess. You need mice, too? More vampire blood?”
    “Yes.” Dear heavens, Nefertari must be so very hungry. “And if you could stop by my quarters—”
    “Consider it done.” He took a step back, then another. “If I can’t jump when she does, you got any advice on how to get out alive?”
    “Yes.” Now her smile was genuine. She laced her fingers together, so that she would not hold her hand out to him. “Run faster than Ethan.”

    Michael’s temple was not partitioned into rooms, but was an open space separated into living—and practicing—areas. Irena had already set up a sterile metal table amid a collection of mismatched furniture, carelessly tossing sofas and armchairs aside to make room.
    Given that there was a large, open floor next to Michael’s weapons display, Alice assumed that Irena had been one of those displeased by everything he’d revealed to them.
    “Alice.”
    She looked around to find Drusilla with her novice, Pim. For once, the Healer wasn’t bobbing.
    “We haven’t seen an injury like this,” she said quietly. “Do you mind if we observe?”
    “Of course not.” Alejandro, Michael, Irena. What were two more?
    And how contrary she was, for now she wished that she had not sent Jake away. She’d convinced herself it was for the best, but after looking at the table, she thought that clinging to his hand might be best, too.
    Just as he’d held hers when the demons had struck the wings from his back.
    “Michael,” she said, and wondered if her expression was as cold as her voice sounded. Wondered if they could see the rage that lingered inside her. “Belial cut off his wings.”
    She projected the image of Jake on his knees, and felt the dark touch of Michael’s mind against hers.
    The temperature did not drop, but Pim visibly shivered as ice speared from Michael’s psychic scent.
    “I will demand payment,” he said softly.
    She nodded. Beside the table, Irena held up a robe of blue silk.
    “Remove your clothes. It is better to ruin this than your dress.”
    Alice pressed her lips together. Reluctantly, she began to unbutton the small fastenings at her throat.
    Irena’s gaze shifted to Michael and Alejandro, and