Roman glared at him. No. She just fainted, thats all.
Shes going to die, Laszlo yelled. You have to change her now!
Its too soon! The children are too young. Sofias only two!
You have no choice, Laszlo gritted out.
Roman shuddered, then gazed down at his wife. Oh God! I cant lose her. He looked wildly about the room, and his gleaming eyes landed on Connor. What have you done?
Connor stepped back from the accusing eyes. I dinna mean . . . please, change her before it is too late.
Youre supposed to protect my family, Roman hissed. You brought an angel of death here!
Connors blood ran cold. Holy Christ Almighty, had he truly brought death to the family he had sworn to protect?
Roman pointed at the woman on the gurney. Get her out of here before she kills my children, too! With a hoarse cry, Roman tilted back his head and shot his fangs out. He sank them into Shannas neck.
Connor didnt know which was worse: the sound of Roman frantically sucking all the blood from his wife, or the wrenching sound of his sobs while he did it.
My fault. Connor doubled over, nausea churning his gut. My fault. Shanna had trusted him to protect her, and hed brought death to her. Just as he had his own wife and newborn child.
He fell to his knees. Failure again.
Connor, Laszlo whispered.
He glanced up to see Laszlo standing by the gurney.
You need to take her away.
He glanced at her, then at Shanna, dying in her husbands arms on the floor, then back at Marielle. Could Roman be right? Was she truly an angel of death?
Connor rose to his feet and lurched toward her, grabbing the edge of the gurney in his fists. Why dinna ye kill me? he growled. God knew he deserved it.
Perhaps she couldnt, Laszlo said quietly. Were already . . . dead.
Connor snorted. One little request, and God couldnt grant it for him. Yed think Hed want me in hell.
Laszlo frowned at him. Take her away from here. Quickly.
He tugged the sheet loose from the gurney and wrapped it around Marielle. How could she look so sweet and innocent when she was so deadly? He gathered her in his arms.
She moaned as his arm came in contact with her wounded back. Dont touch me, she whispered.
Aye. I should have listened to you, lass. With one last glance at Shanna, he teleported away, taking the angel of death with him.
Pain. It flooded her senses, drowned her body, and made it nigh impossible to think of anything other than the torture she endured. With every breath she drew, the pain swelled and sucked her deeper into a black hole.
Marielle had never realized before how sensitive the human body was. No wonder some people begged her to take their souls early.
Shed always felt guilty when ordered to grant such a request, fearing the act made her a murderer, but now, for the first time, she realized Zack had been right all along. The Deliverers werent angels of death, but of mercy.
Was that why Zackriel had punished her? Was she being forced to endure pain in human form so she would appreciate Gods mercy and stop questioning orders?
With her eyes still shut, she began to pray. Heavenly Father, please forgive me. I was wrong to ever doubt Your infinite wisdom. I have learned my lesson. Please return me to Your favor so I may continue to serve You.
No answer.
Her eyes flew open. Why couldnt she hear an answer? The Heavenly Father always answered His angels. And she was still an angel. Wasnt she?