It took at least five minutes for the headache and shaking to subside to acceptable levels, and I was finally able to move. Azriel appeared beside me, one hand half outstretched, obviously ready to catch me should I fall back down.
"I'm okay," I said. And wondered whom I was trying to convince—me or him.
"Of course you are." His fingers caught my elbow as I walked up the steps to the heavy metal door.
I gave him a somewhat amused sideways glance. "You sound disbelieving, reaper."
"Maybe that's because both you and I know the truth."
"But what good is admitting the truth? It's not like it's going to help any."
"Being stubborn or refusing help when you need it is not overly helpful, either."
"It's not like I never accept help, Azriel."
"It is interesting that you make no comment about being stubborn."
I smiled. "That's because I fully acknowledge it's another of my failings."
I looked into the scanner, waited until the retina reader did its business, then typed the code into the keypad. The door slid open and we stepped inside. I dumped my bag on the couch, then moved into the kitchen to raid the liquor cabinet.
After a large glass of bourbon and Coke—heavy on the bourbon—I grabbed a knife, then sat down in the middle of the living room floor and placed the ward in front of me. The rainbow colors seemed to run faster through it, as if it knew what was coming. Which was daft, because it was an inanimate object.
At least until I dropped some blood on it, anyway.
Azriel sat opposite me and placed Valdis across his knees. Blue fire dripped from her blade to the floor, then ran around us, creating a living barrier.
I raised an eyebrow in silent query.