The sound of Rev’s heavy boots striking the floor came close, and Blaspheme’s pulse spiked. Had he seen through the lie?
“Hurry.” Gethel dropped her head back against the sofa armrest. “When you’re done I’m going to eat the kittens and have someone rustle me up a human infant or two.”
Rev was almost on top of her. Blaspheme gripped the syringe tight. No more waffling. This bitch and her monster child were going down. If guilt plagued Blas for the rest of her life, so be it.
Her hand shook even harder and nausea bubbled up, but she ignored both and started to shove the needle home.
Suddenly, something crashed into her, knocking her over and sending the syringe flying out of her grip. Revenant tumbled to the ground, and as he shoved to his feet, his boot came down on the syringe, smashing it and splattering its contents all over the floor.
“Oh, hey, sorry.” He gave her a sheepish grin. “I tripped over the ultrasound machine. Hope I didn’t mess anything up.”
He’d tripped? Mr. Uber-agile had tripped?
“Fool!” Gethel barked. “Lucifer is going to skin you alive the moment he learns to wield a blade.”
“He’s welcome to try.” Revenant kicked aside the bits of syringe. “But until then, you need to keep him healthy, so listen to the doctor and eat your damned green shit.” He glanced at Blas. “Finish up. I’m ready to get the fuck out of here.”
Twenty-Four
Revenant strode away from Blaspheme, cursing himself over and over as he walked. Contrast solution. She’d claimed the syringe had contained contrast solution.
He might have believed her had he not watched the drama playing out in her expression as she positioned the needle over Gethel’s belly. Whatever substance she’d been about to inject into Gethel had been poisonous, and Blaspheme had been tormented by the murder she’d been about to commit.
At first, Revenant had mentally cheered her on. Do it! Destroy the bastard! But when Blaspheme’s hand began to shake and her eyes became haunted, his enthusiasm had taken a hard hit. Suddenly, he couldn’t bear the idea that the female who had dedicated her life to saving others was going to stain her soul with murder.
Granted, he didn’t consider killing Lucifer to be murder, and he figured that ninety-nine percent of the population of Heaven, Earth, and Sheoul wouldn’t, either. But Blas was the one percent, and she’d never recover.
He couldn’t put her through that, and like the self-destructive fool that he was, he’d pretended to be a clumsy oaf so he could sabotage her attempt.
And the worst part of it was that he’d done it even after Blaspheme had insulted him.
How dare she judge him for what he was? Had he judged her for being a False Angel? Okay, maybe. But he’d gotten past that. He’d seen beyond what she was to who she was. At least, he liked to think so.
No, he knew so. He’d seen her own up to her mistakes. He’d seen bravery when she’d stood up to him. When she’d called him out on his arrogance. He’d been on the receiving end of her generosity and caring. And he’d felt her vulnerability when she believed her world was crumbling down around her.
So why couldn’t she see him? Was all of that I’m here for you bullshit just that? Bullshit?
Dammit! Without thinking, he slammed his fist into one of the support pillars in Gethel’s massive great hall, putting a new framework of cracks from floor to ceiling.
Gethel and Blaspheme both glared at him, but he didn’t give a shit.
Finally, after what seemed like hours, Blaspheme packed up her gear and came over to him.
“She’s fine for the time being,” she said in a low voice. “I need to have an obstetrics specialist look over the ultrasound, but I’ll tell you right now, I doubt she’ll survive the birth.”
He shrugged. “Satan doesn’t care about her. He’s concerned about Lucifer.”
Blaspheme’s expression was sour. “The little abomination looks healthy.”
Healthy. Something that could be laid at Revenant’s feet. Thanks to his impulsive act of compassion for Blaspheme, Rev was going to lose his status as the second-most-powerful being in Sheoul. Rev could not lose that status, not now that he’d given up on his pathetic dream of being welcomed in Heaven. Once he killed his first angel, he’d burn all those bridges but good.
So, no, he wasn’t going to give up his position at Satan’s side, especially not to Lucifer, who had spent his fair share of his first incarnation making Revenant’s life miserable. Yes, if Revenant could, he’d destroy the motherfucker in the womb right now. But with no place to hide from Satan, doing so would be a death sentence.