her front, holding her up. Otherwise, she’d be on the ground. And she most definitely didn’t want to sit in demon guts and blood. She holstered her weapons and wiped her hands on her pants, trying to clean them as best she could, which really wasn’t much at all. Her clothing was too filthy.
She was a bounty hunter for Hell, a badass by any definition, but she was out of her depth. This kind of fighting was brutal and dirty, nothing like anything she’d ever seen. Not even in Hell.
Maccus was in his element, not even breathing hard. As steady and ready as he’d been at the beginning. He could do this for days and likely had in the past.
The scent of burned flesh tainted the air and made it almost impossible to breathe. She gasped, not getting enough pure oxygen.
“Fuck.” His mouth slammed down on hers. He was kissing her? Now?
Taken off guard, she didn’t fight, didn’t object. Every cell in her body lit up, responding to his touch, his hot masculine taste. But he wasn’t kissing her, not really. He was blowing much-needed air into her lungs.
When the light winked out, he spun back around, leaving her leaning against the wall, slightly breathless.
Gabriel stood about ten feet from Lucifer and Kayley. His eyes swirled with anger, and a muscle in his jaw flexed. The bodies of the demons were gone, as was all the blood and guts. The swirling portal had vanished. She sent up a silent prayer of thanks for that small miracle.
Sliding down the wall and curling up in a ball while the rest of them fought it out held real appeal. But this was her fate, her life.
Locking her knees to keep from doing a face plant, she pushed away from the wall, ignoring the way her arms and legs shook with fatigue. Knives in hand, she stepped alongside Maccus.
“I told you to be discreet.” Gabriel motioned to where the portal had been. “I hardly think a battle with demons in a back alley in New York City qualifies.”
Lucifer shrugged, seemingly unconcerned. “I had it under control. No one beyond the alley could see or hear a thing.”
The archangel rolled his shoulders, obviously trying to quell his annoyance. “You opened a portal and released demons into the world, which uses a great amount of power. I had to use mine to clean up the mess. The point is to not draw attention.”
Why did they care about that? And whose attention were they trying to avoid?
Was there was someone or some group more powerful than them who were a part of this?
She shivered and managed to stay upright when her knees threatened to give out. Whoever it was, she had no desire to meet them. They had their hands full without adding more parties to the mix.
Gabriel’s smile sent an arctic chill rushing down her spine. What in the name of Heaven was coming next?
Chapter Eighteen
Morrigan was exhausted but still on her feet. She’d fought like a Valkyrie, an Amazon, like the demon hunter she was. She hadn’t run but had stayed beside him, slashing and wounding demons. Yes, she’d stabbed him, or tried to, but it hadn’t been intentional. She’d mistaken him for a demon.
Lucifer had surprised him. He’d expected the portal, but not the flood of demons. He had no idea how many he’d killed. It was a waste of resources. Not that the fallen angel cared about his demons, other than for his own pleasure. Still, fewer demons meant less power.
Had he been trying to wear Maccus down for Gabriel to fight? That almost made him laugh. He could fight for days, weeks, even years. He’d done it before, and he was stronger now.
I have a weakness.
The thought was fleeting but no less true. He didn’t dare take his eyes off his two adversaries to check on Morrigan.
“Well? What are we waiting for?” He’d tossed his jacket aside early in the fight and was in his shirtsleeves. The night was balmy, the slight breeze wicking away the sweat from his skin. He gave his former friend his