"For what?"
"Coming back for me."
That opened the floodgate for her tears. "I would always come for you, Ren," she sobbed. "Through hell, storms, and demons. Nothing would ever keep me from your side. And I can't lose you. Not like this. Dammit, fight for me!"
He licked his lips. "I'm trying. It's why I'm still here. But I don't think they're going to let me win this one."
Desperate to save him, she started going through his pockets.
Sundown scowled. "What are you doing?"
"I'm looking for his degalodi nvwoti. His medicine bag."
Ren caught her hand. "Osda."
"It's not all right," she breathed in contradiction. Locating his bag in his front pocket, she pulled it out, then opened the red deerskin pouch, and started going through it, looking for something that could heal him. She wiped angrily at her damn useless tears. I have to save him.
She'd lost everyone she'd ever loved, and if he died, she'd never forgive herself. I'm cursed. She knew that for certain now. Every time she dared to let someone into her heart, they paid the ultimate price for it. I will not lose another! I won't. Because she knew, that if she lost Ren, she would die, too.
Determined to save him no matter what, she sorted through his stones and feathers ... spiritual items he'd spent his life gathering together. Just like her grandmother.
Just like her.
Items that gave him strength and courage. Items that reminded him of who he was, and who he wanted to be. Going through someone's degalodi nvwoti was more personal than reading their diary.
And when she pulled out a hummingbird fetish that had been secured to a pink heart-shaped rose quartz by the small red Bama hairband she'd been wearing when they met, she started sobbing so hard, she couldn't breathe.
Ren reached for her. "Please don't cry, Kateri. It breaks my heart to hear your tears."
But she couldn't help it. With this one item, she fully understood the depth of his love for her. He had created a personal symbol for her, and placed it in his medicine bag-the one thing she knew he would never be without.
Suddenly, another bolt of lightning shook the room, and sprayed debris over them.
Shit! Furious and needing to draw a blood-heart sacrifice from someone over this, she shot to her feet, ready to battle.
And this time, she was going to enjoy the killing.
But as she dropped into her fighting stance, she hesitated.
Nick stood in front of her in his human form, but he had his black demon wings spread wide. His dark hair was tousled and the bow and arrow mark was so faint, she could barely see it now.
He came forward with a jet crystal.
With a ragged breath, she frowned at it. "What is that? A healing stone?" She reached to touch it.
Nick caught her hand. His eyes burned into her. "It's Ren's soul. When I saw he was dying, I went to get it from Artemis. If you restore his soul to his body on his last breath, it'll bring him back and release him from Artemis's service."
Hope tore through her. "Really?"
Nick nodded.
"No!" Ren growled.
Was he insane? Kateri gaped at him. "Why not?"
"Because it'll burn and scar you. Badly. Tell her, Sundown."
Jess nodded. "He's right. It's an awful scar, too. When Abigail released mine, it fused two of her fingers together. Every time I see them, it kills me, and I hate that I caused her that much pain."