He opened his eyes, shooting her a fierce look. Ye doona know?
The rough edge to his voice made her skin prickle. His eyes darkened with a reddish tint. Her heart stuttered. Shed never seen human eyes do that. Demon eyes could, but she could have sworn this man was human.
For Gods sake, lass, cover yerself.
She was so stunned by the changing color of his eyes that she didnt realize that hed grabbed the edge of the sheet till she saw him lifting it up to her chest.
She gasped. Dont touch me! She squirmed back on the couch, kicking at him from under the safe barrier of the sheet. Her frantic actions ripped the sheet from his grip and caused them both to lose their balance.
She fell back, gasping when her back hit the cushioned arm of the couch just as he fell on top of her, his outstretched hands landing firmly on her br**sts. She froze, terrified that she might have killed him.
With their faces only inches apart, their eyes met. The red sparks in his irises faded until only the smoky blue color remained. Seconds stretched into an eternity as she caught her first glimpse into his soul. A human soul. On the surface: honor, courage, strength. Beneath: loneliness, regret. And there was more. He was hiding something dark, something that caused him great pain.
He blinked, and she realized hed been staring into her eyes with the same intensity. He exhaled, his breath soft against her cheek. He was still alive.
Youre touching me, she whispered.
He reeled back, lunging to the other end of the couch. Forgive me. I
And yet, you still live.
Aye, I should be struck down. He closed his eyes and rubbed his brow. God help me, I just groped an angel.
You know who I am?
Aye. He collapsed against the back sofa cushion. I dinna mean to . . . assault you.
You did nothing wrong. She sat up, wincing at the pain. You simply fell and caught yourself.
He snorted. Aye, and I have verra good aim.
She glanced down at her br**sts. With the warmth of his hands gone, the ni**les had reacted by turning tight and pebbly. How . . . interesting.
With a moan, he dragged his hands down his face. Just kill me now.
I mean you no harm.
Then cover yerself before my eyes explode.
She recalled how Adam and Eve had covered themselves in shame. Im so sorry. She dragged the sheet up to her chin. I didnt realize I was . . . offending you.
He made an odd noise, somewhere between a snort and a groan.
Im not accustomed to looking like this. We do occasionally take human form when we need to interact with mortals, but its merely an illusion. This body is different, though. It feels . . . real.
That it does, he muttered.
The pain is certainly real. She sighed. I fear I was given this body so I could fully experience pain.
He turned his head toward her. Yeve never had a body before?
No. She peeked underneath the sheet at the br**sts hed found so offensive. They looked fairly normal to her.
Her eyes widened at the thatch of hair at the apex of her thighs. Good heavens! She clutched the sheet against her chest.
Shed never looked like that before.
He sat up. Whats wrong?
II appear to be more human than I thought.
His gaze drifted down to her lap, then slowly back up.
She realized, then, that he knew exactly what she was referring to. Her cheeks flooded with heat, a sudden and odd sensation, and she pressed a hand against her face. I believe Im running a fever.
His eyes twinkled with amusement. Tis called a blush, lass.
Oh. A dozen different emotions swirled inside her. Embarrassment, confusion, curiosity, pain, remorse, a terrifying fear that shed never make it back to heaven, another fear that she was venturing into a dangerous unknown world of human sensation and emotion, and in the midst of it all, she felt a overwhelming urge to touch this man. It had been so long since she could touch a human without causing death.
Youyou never told me your name, she whispered.
The amusement faded in his eyes. Im Connor. Connor BuchananYou found me in the woods. You saved me.
He shrugged. Anyone would have He froze when she touched his cheek.
I remember hearing your voice. It was soft and lilting and gave me comfort. She brushed her fingers along his jaw, marveling over the prickle of his whiskers against her fingertips. Angels never needed to shave. When they assumed human form, their skin was always smooth and perfect.
Connor Buchanan, she whispered, and noted his throat moving as he swallowed. Its so amazing that I can touch you. Ive always found humans fascinating. So wild and imperfect. She smoothed a finger over a small scar close to his chin where no whiskers grew. And yet, so beautiful.
His jaw shifted beneath her hand, and she drew back, feeling her cheeks grow warm once again. Of course, I find all the Lords creations to be beautiful.
Really? His mouth curled up. Even a cockroach?
Her cheeks blazed hotter. Well, I must admit you look considerably better than a cockroach.
Such flattery. Be still my heart.
She smiled. He was teasing her, much like her friend Buniel enjoyed doing. Her smile withered as she wondered if shed ever see her best friend again. Or any of the Heavenly Host. Her predicament crashed down on her with a sudden onslaught of grief for the world shed lost. Her shoulders slumped. I dont belong here.
Marielle Connor nodded when she looked at him. I heard that man Zack call you by name. And I heard yer screams when he attacked you.
His name is Zackriel. Hes mywas my supervisor.
Yere better off without him. He sorely abused you.
She bowed her head. I was being punished.
Why? Did ye do something wrong?
She glanced at him, worried that he might be judging her, but all she saw in his eyes was a tender concern. Angels strive to be perfect in every way. I . . . have failed.
Ye look perfect to me.
Her heart swelled at his compliment, although she knew she had fallen short. Im not very good at following orders, not when they dont make sense to me.
He nodded slowly. I understand.
She had a feeling he really did understand. She was sorely tempted to touch him once again, but winced when she felt something wet trickle down her back.
His nostrils flared. Yere bleeding again. I know a doctor in Houston who can sew up yer wounds.
Sew her wing joints shut? Her eyes stung with tears. How could she do that? How could she give up what she was?
But was she still an angel? She was disconnected from the Heavenly Host. She was no longer a Deliverer, for her touch had not killed Connor. Her body was now human, frail and sensitive,susceptible to injury and disease. She could actually die.
A tear rolled down her cheek. Shed lost more than heaven and her friends. Shed lost her immortality.
Och, lass. He touched her cheek, brushing away the tear with his thumb.
Her skin tingled, and she marveled at the frisson of emotion that skittered through her. Such a strong reaction to such a light touch. It must be caused by the novelty of her new body. Or perhaps she was suffering from loneliness, cut off from the Heavenly Host. But when she looked into Connors eyes, she knew it was more. She was drawn to this man. She wanted him to touch her. And she wanted to see more of his soul.
She covered his hand with hers, holding it against her face. Perhaps all hope was not lost, for she still retained a little angelic power. Whenever she touched the dead or dying, their souls opened up to her like a book, and she could witness their entire life in an instant. With Connor, the skill was greatly diminished. He didnt die, but as long as she touched him, she could still catch a glimpse into his soul.
And there it was, hidden far beneath his outer shield of honor and forbearance. A deep dark pit of despair and remorse. It was a painful place, too painful to visit with the suffering she was already experiencing.
She released him. Im sorry Im not a Healer.
Aye, he said gruffly. Twould be good if ye could heal yerself.
I was referring to you. She touched his chest. Youre carrying a dark pain inside you.
Nay. He jumped to his feet and moved away from her, his face pale and rigid. Tis yer wounds we must be looking after. Ill He stopped when a ringing sound emanated from the leather bag he wore in front of his kilt.
I need to take this. He pulled a communication device from the bag and lifted it to his face. Angus, how is Shanna?
He listened awhile, then an expression of relief swept over his face. He walked toward the back of the room. Im at the hunting cabin.
He glanced back at Marielle. Ill be just outside the door. Doona go anywhere. Ill be right back. He opened a back door and stepped outside.
She glimpsed a starry sky before he shut the door. Her gaze wandered to the front door that Connor had used earlier. If she went outside, she could call for help from the Healers. Her best friend, Buniel, was a Healer, and he was probably aware that she was missing from the Heavenly Host. He had to be worried about her.