Chapter 213

Chapter 213: Chapter 213

Heather

Cherie. Brent’s hand brushed against my forehead.

I grabbed him before he could pull away. You’re okay?

For once, I didn’t care that he was naked in a room of people. "I need to see your back." He turned so I could see, but he looked mostly okay. There were little red marks on his back, but no bloody gouges. "What... How..."

He grinned, and my heart warmed. "I was hurt badly, but when you killed them, the wounds started healing. It was like the supernatural hurt disappeared, and I could heal like a Were should."

My wounds hadn’t gone anywhere but I didn’t care. If that was the price I paid to stay out of hell, then I’d pay it. Gladly.

I jumped into his arms, and he laughed as he fell back to the ground. I’m okay. I promise, he said as he ran his hand down my back.

Cosette cleared her throat, and I shoved Brent away. "Shift! There are people around!"

He chuckled, and then shifted. I knelt down beside him, and ran my hands through his fur.

That was how Agent Morgan found us. "You look okay, but it’s torn to shit in here."

"We’re okay," I said, even though I could barely believe it. "I think I might need some stitches and a gallon of holy water for my leg, but we’re okay."

"That was some fight. Those things—they just disappeared." Strands of her hair had torn free of her ponytail, and her dress shirt was half untucked. "You all did a great job. I don’t know how you pulled it off, but when we’re cleaned up a bit, you’ll have to share the secret to fighting those things."

Horror filled me. I wasn’t going to be working with the police, let alone the FBI. With Luciana gone, there wouldn’t be any more demons showing up. I was hoping this would be my last battle for a while. "Have you talked to Donovan Murry? He’s super good at this stuff, and he’s a very powerful alpha. I can introduce you."

She grinned. "Don’t sell yourself short. I heard what you did this afternoon. The wolves were going to fight the police. You stopped it. Kept a clear head and saw the bigger picture." She reached an arm around me, helping me limp my way to the exit while wolf-Brent kept pace beside us. "I have a feeling this is going to be the start of a very healthy relationship."

She was out of her mind. Once she realized there were other Weres—who were much better at all this stuff—then I’d be off the hook. Hopefully.

As we made our way toward the exit, I spotted Cosette and Van leaning together and talking. Cosette was waving her hands, arguing with him again.

I hoped this didn’t mean she was leaving. I was just starting to get used to having her around.

Raphael and Claudia were talking as they reclined against the back wall of the church. She absently ran a hand through Lucas’ fur. Xander, Serena, and Donovan were lying on the floor together in wolf form, catching their breath.

I sighed. "Well, I guess we better go face the music outside. Any of you wolves want to shift so I don’t have to talk to the cops alone again?"

None of those jerks changed.

"Fine. I guess it’s on me, then." But you better stick by my side, even if you stay wolf.

Brent laughed at me through the bond. You’re the one who told me to shift back.

Well, it’s better than being naked in front of everyone, right?

As we stepped outside, the light of the helicopter shone down on me, and I raised my arm to block it.

For a moment, just the sound of the chopper filled the night, but then the cops started cheering. Whistling. And I took a breath.

This. This was good.

I let the last bit of guilt for what I’d done in that church slip free. I was sure I hadn’t seen the last of it, but for now—I let go.

We’d survived and I was beyond ready to go home.

About ten minutes after I exited the church, the Cazadores showed up, with Mr. Langdon and some of the alphas in tow. They took over the scene, helping with cleanup and making sure all the injured officers were properly taken care of.

Some of the cops didn’t like the idea of pouring holy water on their injuries, but after what they’d seen—it didn’t take too much work to convince them.

In all the chaos, Cosette disappeared with Van, but I was sure she’d be back before long. I owed her big time, and from the looks of things, she might need my help.

We all split up to take care of ourselves. Brent checked both of us into a new hotel so he could look after my leg, while the others went to see Shane and Adrian at the hospital. Adrian was doing fine, but Shane...

I’d wanted to go help, but I was fully burnt out. Closing the portal had used up every ounce of energy, and after getting my leg treated, there was no way I could do anything but pass out.

So I did. For a glorious twelve hours.

When I woke up, Brent ordered room service. I hadn’t looked at our room too closely last night, but Special Agent Morgan had recommended a hotel right off the historic plaza, and in the light of day, it was luxurious.

Light-years apart from that disgusting motel. The bright white, fluffy duvet and soft mattress made it feel like I was sleeping on a cloud. I never wanted to get out of bed, but when the food came, Brent handed me a fluffy robe—which was like being wrapped in heaven.

I tore through the best eggs Benedict with avocado and roasted tomatoes, a mountain of pancakes with a side of bacon, and Nutella-stuffed French toast. My stomach was full in the most amazing way. I stumbled over to the bed, face-planting into the soft, pillowy covers.

"I could do that again."

The bed dipped as Brent sat beside me. "Do what again?"

"Another round of breakfast." I lifted my head up. "What do you say? Again from the top?"

Brent laughed. "How about you let me check your leg and then we’ll talk?"

After the initial washing with holy water—which hurt like a bitch—he’d wrapped my leg in bandaging. Now it was in full-on itching mode, which told me it was probably healing just fine on its own.

"Do I have to?"

"Yes. The itching is driving you crazy."

"I haven’t said a word about it." I’d been super proud of that lack of bitching about it, when all I wanted to do was grab my fork and go to town on my leg.

"It’s almost all you’re thinking about right now. I want to make sure it’s not infected."

I guess it could’ve been worse—I could’ve gotten possessed from it. But still, I didn’t understand how I could get an infection. "I thought that couldn’t happen to Weres. We don’t get sick."

"It’s not likely, but with a supernatural hurt..." He slapped my butt. "Come on."

I grumbled as I rolled over, and slid up the bed. Brent was in a robe, too, but it fit his larger frame much better than mine did.

As it opened, revealing just a bit of his chest, I tilted my head to stare.

"I’m being objectified again." He gave me a little wink before carefully unraveling the bandages.

"You like it."

"From you, sure." He hissed as he looked at my leg. "We might need more holy water. It’s healing slower than your side. And the edges are all red. It doesn’t smell right."