Revenant

“Because,” he said quietly, “I’ve decided that I’m not through with you. Not any time soon.”

“Oh, come on,” she groaned.

He suddenly went taut, and she followed his gaze down the hall, where Eidolon was striding toward them, his expression stern, his eyes burning gold. Looked like Shakvhan had already called him.

“You want to tell me what the hell happened with the blanchier demon?”

“I fucked up.” She cursed the tremor in her voice. “I take full responsibility for what happened.”

Eidolon scowled at Revenant before turning back to her. “Can I talk to you in private?”

“Of course.”

A shadow passed over Revenant’s face, but he managed a forced smile of all teeth and fangs and no amusement. “I’ll wait here.”

Eidolon led her a few paces down the hall. “What’s going on, Blaspheme? That was a serious mistake, and it’s unlike you.”

“I know. I don’t know what I was thinking. I was distracted by everything going on with my mother and my… you know. I’m not excusing what I did,” she added quickly. “I’ll make it up. Take extra shifts. Take janitor duty. Whatever you need.”

“What I need is for you to get your head on straight.” Eidolon’s words were harsh, but his eyes had lost the angry gold glow. “Between work, your mother, and your… other issue, your attention is too divided. Starting right now, I don’t want you to treat patients. Administrative duty only until we find a way to repair your disguise.”

“What? Wait, no —”

“My decision is final,” he interrupted in a tone that discouraged argument.

Tears stung her eyes. Her work was all she had, especially now that her apartment had been compromised and her mother was in the wind.

“Look,” he said, his voice losing the stern edge. “This won’t affect your status here. You’re still in charge of the clinic. But you’re off your game. We need you at your best.”

He was right, but she couldn’t help feeling as if she’d let him down. She’d let everyone at UG down. All she’d wanted her entire life, even during the years when she and her mother had moved from town to town so they’d never be pinned down, was to be a doctor. The desire to help others had always been strong inside her, and equally strong had been the desire to belong in a tight-knit community.

Now she couldn’t help people, and that tight-knit community would surely see her as a screwup no one could trust. Hot tears burned her eyes, but she dashed them before they could fall. Gods, she felt like a fool.

“We’ve all been where you are, Blaspheme,” Eidolon said gently. “Sometimes personal issues interfere with our professional lives, and one of them has to be resolved before we can move on with the other.” He glanced over at Rev, who was watching them like a hawk, and lowered his voice. “I spoke with Reaver about the Gethel situation. He had an idea that might or might not work, but we don’t have a choice. Given Lucifer’s size, Gethel could give birth at any moment. Let me know when Revenant is ready to take someone on a house call.”

“That’s why he’s here now. He wants to take me to her.”

Eidolon gave a curt nod. “I’ll go.”

She gripped his arm, and she swore she heard a soft growl coming from Revenant’s direction. To be safe, she released the doctor. “He won’t deal with anyone else, and I can’t put anyone else at risk. I’ll go.”

“This isn’t your fight, Blaspheme.”

“Eidolon, you’ve risked your life a million times for this hospital. But you have a family now that needs you. I don’t. And Revenant… I don’t trust him with you, and he won’t take you anyway. If anyone is safe with him, it’s me.”

“Blaspheme —”

“Please don’t argue. You know I’m right.”

Eidolon closed his eyes and blew out a long breath. “Take the blue obstetrics bag in my office. There’s a specially marked syringe in it. It’ll have a thirty-minute delay. You’ll know what to do.”

“What’s in the syringe?”

“Something called solarum. It was Reaver’s idea.”

She’d heard rumors of an angel-produced evil-eradication substance created by liquefying sunbeams. Was solarum that product?

A page came over the intercom for Eidolon, and the rotating red lights on the walls began to flash, indicating an incoming emergency via ambulance.

“I have to go,” he said. “But Blaspheme, your suspension doesn’t change anything. You’re still a vital part of the hospital and clinic, and both Wraith and I are looking for anything that will help you with your issue. And be careful. Your safety is the most important thing right now. Understood?”

She nodded, mainly because she couldn’t speak around the knot in her throat.

“Good. Come straight here after you see Gethel. Got it?”

She nodded again. Eidolon took off, and Revenant was there instantly, so fast he must have flashed to her.

“What happened?” he demanded. “He made you cry. Do you want me to kill him?”

“No,” she croaked. “And please don’t mess with Shakvhan, either. To kill her or… otherwise.”

She couldn’t believe she’d just asked him not to have sex with the succubus, but then, she couldn’t believe she’d almost killed a patient, either.