Shadow Kissed 03 - Shadowman

kind struck her first.” And now Shadowman could only see death around him. Could only see the wasted bodies littering the cave. A war with Heaven. Endless fighting until the world was scorched beyond reckoning.
    kat-a-kat-a-kat-a-kat: Open me, and no one will strike Layla again.
    Ballard pushed himself up. His nose was crushed, one eye turned slightly inward, blood streaming down his chin, but his body would repair itself rapidly, as angels were wont to do. Soon he would be whole again. However, like a devil, angels could be killed, and Death could not. Why did they fight when they had no hope of prevailing?
    â€œThe time for discussion is past,” Shadowman said.
    â€œWhat if we bury it?” Custo said. “What if I guard it until Layla is old and ready to go?”
    The boy was grasping at straws.
    Ballard wiped the blood from his mouth and stood. “The risk is too great, the temptation overwhelming. The gate must be destroyed now. We do not compromise with evil or with Shadow.”
    â€œLet them at least prepare,” Custo begged. “Let her say good-bye.”
    â€œThe decision is made,” Ballard said.
    â€œThe fuck it is!” Custo shouted back.
    Shadowman bid dark magic to flow through his veins. No one would so much as lay a finger on the gate. “You’re right,” he said to Ballard. “The decision has been made. Custo, it is time for you to choose a side. Order or madness?”
    Custo let his extended arms drop. His chest rose and fell with his breath. Conviction overrode the anguish that ripped his Shadow and Ordered halves apart. “Well, when you put it like that . . .”
    And he went to stand next to Death.
    â€œYou’re a fool.” Ballard spit blood onto the ground.
    â€œThis won’t end well, will it?” Custo murmured.
    â€œNo,” Shadowman answered. “It will not.”

    â€œLook at me, Layla.”
    She focused on Adam, who crouched in front of her.
    â€œYou feel okay? Like the first time this happened?”
    Her head hurt like crazy, but yeah, she’d live.
    He held up a finger in front of her eyes, tracking to the left and right. “Patel’s been evacuated, or I’d have him give you a once-over.”
    â€œI’m okay, and I think we can safely say the gate still stands, too.” If she was relatively unscathed, the gate must be. Shadowman had stopped them. She just hoped Custo could keep the whole thing civilized. But remembering the look in Shadowman’s face, the darkening of his skin and eyes, she really didn’t think civilized was possible. Death was pissed.
    â€œWas anyone else hurt in the attack?” Layla asked.
    â€œWhen the alarm went off, most were evacuated. Some staff remain, those who were trapped in their rooms, and the soldiers are here. We’re still well protected, just not organized.”
    Layla glanced toward Talia, who was leaning in the bedroom doorway, the black-eyed baby in her arms. “Will the kids be safe?”
    â€œI’m a banshee,” Talia said. “If we’re attacked by wraiths, my scream will bring my father. Add Adam’s firepower and they are as safe as we can make them.”
    â€œBanshee,” Layla repeated. She hadn’t meant it to be out loud. So that was the deal with Talia’s voice.
    â€œYes.” Talia returned her gaze, waiting for a reaction.
    â€œI heard you scream,” Layla said, recalling that piercing terror. “Down in the holding facility.”
    Adam craned his neck to look at his wife. “She did hear you, even though I couldn’t. She sent me running.”
    Layla gave a wry smile. “One of the kids has quite the scream, too. I could hear him through Kathleen’s painting. He makes the leaves rustle like there’s a wind blowing through the trees. Totally confused me, but I get it now. The veil is thin for me.” She felt the smile twist on her face. “Getting thinner by the hour.”
    â€œYou don’t really want Khan to go back, do you?” Talia put the baby over her shoulder and patted his back. The other one let out an angry squall, and Adam went to fetch him.
    â€œFor myself, no, of course not.” But this was bigger than her. Layla shrugged. “I hate it, but I can’t think of an alternative. And at least we can be together there for a little while.” A very little while.
    Talia shook her head. “I can’t believe it.