The Crusaders: Earth Angel, #10

Prologue

Layla’s heart slowed as Quin’s aura faded, her tight throat cutting off her air supply, and the world around her grew dark, scary and painful, abandoned by hope and robbed of the sun. There were no miracles in this world. Her miracle was gone.

Will you let us help you, child?

Layla lurched into a defensive position, shielding Quin's body as her fiery gaze shot toward the witch named Venetia, who hovered nearby with her soldiers.

Get away, Layla snarled.

Please, Venetia implored. We can help him, but we have to hurry.

Layla eyed Venetia for another moment then looked at Quin's lifeless face. What did she have to lose? She'd already lost it all.

She kissed the soft skin hiding the eyes she adored. Then she moved to the spot above his head, mournfully surrendering her hero's still heart to complete strangers. Running her fingers into his hair, she lowered her lips to his forehead. Then she slowed her own heart to a deadly pace, preparing it for its final beat.

Chapter One

Quin's eyes snapped open to a brightly lit room, and his heart beat hard and fast as he looked around. Layla? He was in their bed, but she wasn't there. Layla!

She's okay, son.

Quin’s gaze shot to the left, finding his dad sitting in a chair next to the bed.

Where is she? Quin asked, throwing the blankets aside. What happened?

Kemble stood, laying a firm hand on Quin’s shoulder while replacing the covers. She's with your mom, and if you're not in bed when she gets back, she'll kill me, so stay put. And don’t go mind searching her. I need to talk to you.

With mom where?

At the barn, but they'll be back soon.

Why isn’t she here?

Kemble sighed and sat on the edge of the bed. She would be if she had her way about it. She hasn’t left this room since we got you here.

When did you get me here? What happened?

Where do you want me to start?

Quin worked through his hazy brain, trying to remember, and when the answers came, they pissed him off. I passed out. He turned away from his dad and squeezed his eyes shut. I left her. I couldn't stay awake.

You didn't just pass out, Quinlan. You were dead.

Quin's gaze snapped back. Where's Layla?

I told you, she's with your mom at the barn.

Unsatisfied, Quin intently searched Kemble’s aura.

I'm not lying to you, son. I’d never lie about this. Layla’s safe.

Quin struggled to stay calm and take his dad’s word for it, but he hated having to hear she was okay when all he wanted to do was see it for himself. I was afraid she’d stop her heart if I died.

If given the chance, I have no doubt she would have.

Did you resuscitate me?

No. You were already breathing again when I got there. I lost sight of you when we were pursuing her, and you wouldn't answer my calls, so I was more than ten miles away when she found my mind.

Who revived me?

A witch named Venetia. She's a commander for the Crusaders. She got your heart going about a minute before I landed.

Quin had forgotten the Crusaders were there, and their involvement was as confusing now as it was then. A low-key and spiritual faction, the Crusaders only got involved in widespread conflicts affecting the magical population as a whole. The rest of their time was spent meditating and honing their skills to a fine point, disciplining themselves until their magic surpassed its original boundaries and created new ones.

What were they doing there? Quin asked. Did they try to take Layla?

No, Kemble assured, but that's why they were there. They're the other coalition Layla saw in Sloan's head, the ones who tend to tail Alistair Murdoch's mercenaries. And it would seem your angel is the one they want. Or, as Venetia would say, your earth angel.

I remember her saying that. What does it mean?

I have no idea, son, and Venetia won't say, but apparently you've landed yourself a very special witch.

Special doesn’t cut it, Quin mumbled, flexing his empty hands. So Venetia didn’t try to bargain with her? My life in exchange for her cooperation?

There was no time to strike bargains. Venetia worried Layla would attack, so she didn’t offer aid until you were dead and Layla had nothing left to fight for. Knowing the Crusaders, they'll try to handle this peacefully, but they've confirmed they want Layla for something. They won’t tell us what, but they want her to meet with their high council in France to discuss a critical matter. Layla wouldn't listen to a word they said, so they're hanging around until you recover so they can ask again.

They're in the community?

Outside of it. Now that they know she's here, they're determined to keep Murdoch's allies away.

Where are the mercenaries we apprehended before the battle? Are they here?

Yes, and they won't leave until we figure out a way to keep their lips sealed about what they've seen. We'll keep them here forever before letting them run their mouths off about Layla's status and location. Doreen’s still here as well, but we’ve contacted her family and will meet with them in Portland to discuss her fate.

Good, Quin approved. So what's your take on the Crusaders’ request?

History says they can be trusted to walk the honorable path, so I have to assume their intentions are noble, but they ultimately want to use Layla, so it's up to her whether or not she's willing to help them. I'm anxious to know why they need help. I fear their request means a storm much bigger than Agro is brewing out there.

So you think Layla should hear them out.

I do, but only when she's ready. She's had one hell of a month and deserves a break.

Quin’s concern and confusion about the Crusaders melted away, making room for sad and sober thoughts about Layla. How is she? he quietly asked, bracing himself for the answer. Has she talked to anyone about how she's feeling?

Kemble bowed his head as he answered. No, and that’s partly why I wanted to talk to you before you see her, to fill you in on what you’ve missed and prepare you for what’s to come. As far as we can tell, she hasn’t come to terms with anything that’s happened, because she won’t talk to us unless it’s about you and your health. We’ve been trying to get her out of here all afternoon so we could wake you, but she completely ignored us until your mom lied and told her nobody could get your horse to eat. She suggested Layla might have better luck then practically dragged her reluctant butt out of here.

How long have I been out?

About forty-five hours.

Quin's eyes widened. Forty-five hours? Why?

Because you were dead, Kemble snapped, but then he smoothed his scowl and lowered his voice. I don't know how you managed to stay alive as long as you did. You'd lost a critical amount of blood before you ever left the glacier; it took blood transfusions from four of us to get you filled back up. Your vital organs were failing you, and your guts were a mess. After Venetia resuscitated you, we struggled to keep you that way, and it took Serafin hours to properly patch you up. Your body's just now returning to normal and working the way it should without the assistance of magic.

Quin closed his eyes and concentrated on his body. It felt weak, but fairly healthy. You had me sedated.

Most of the time.

Quin sighed as his mind went back to Layla. Why isn't grandpa Cat feeding the animals?

Kemble didn’t answer, and Quin opened his eyes, finding his dad’s face tense and flushed.

He didn't make it, Quin whispered, feeling like someone shoved a red-hot branding iron down his throat.

Kemble dropped his head and shook it. No, son, grandpa Cat didn't make it.

Quin squeezed his eyes shut, fighting the moisture gathering behind his lids. Who else?

Kemble choked on a sob, and Quin looked at him in alarm. Who else?

Your grandma, Kemble breathed. Mom didn't make it.

Quin’s stomach rolled as his lungs burned, and he covered his face with a palm. I'm sorry, dad.

Me, too, son. So sorry.

How's grandpa Lann?

Alive but lost.

Of course he was. How does one find their way when missing their light? Are there others?

Kemble nodded. Uncle Cadman, aunt Flanna… and Enid and Kearny.

The weight of despair slowed Quin’s vitals. Six of them… dead. Brietta and Banning?

They're alive, Kemble assured, very sad, but alive, and feeling guilty as sin considering it was Enid's and Kearny's sacrifice that made it so.

Shit, dad, Quin mumbled, vanishing moisture from his eyes. Six of them?

Yes, and that's just from our coven. There are more. Then he ticked off the names of twelve extended relatives.

Quin held his breath as he listened, letting the enormity of the sacrifices sink in. What about Kegan and Weylin?

They're okay. Weylin's still mending; several of his bones were crushed, and he lost his dad, an uncle, and a cousin, so he's pretty torn up. Everyone else from their coven survived, but Caitlyn's great-grandparents were lost.

How? Quin asked. How did we lose so many?

The Unforgivables attacked the cliff right over their heads, and every single one of our own was buried in the rubble. Layla had them uncovered in seconds, but it was too late for many of them.

Quin closed his eyes and shook his head. This is all on me, Dad. I'm sorry.

Don’t, Quinlan. You didn't ask anyone to be on that battlefield. They chose to be there because they loved what they were fighting for. Now you need to pull yourself together, because Layla will be here soon, and she doesn't need the extra stress. She needs your confidence right now, not your guilt. She's carrying enough of that herself.

Quin nodded, knowing his dad was right. Layla's heart must be in pieces over the entire situation. What has she been doing for the past forty-five hours?

She's been glued to this bed. I swear she's only gone to the bathroom twice, and that's literally the only time she moved away from you until your mom coerced her with lies. She's not sleeping or eating, and when you see her, you're going to be pissed, because she doesn't look healthy.

Damn it, Layla, Quin whispered.

You would have done the same thing, Kemble pointed out.

True. Quin moved the covers and examined his side. It looked normal. What's this? he asked, gesturing to the bands circling his wrist and neck.

Kemble smiled as he touched one. Gum wrappers.

Quin's eyebrows furrowed as he looked closer. Sure enough, they were gum wrappers – dozens of them folded into tiny strips, then tucked together to form a shiny foil band. Why am I wearing candy wrappers? he asked, picking up the long necklace. There must be a hundred of them.

At least, Kemble confirmed. Layla took a vow not to drink coffee until you can have it with her, but she's been struggling to stay awake, so yesterday morning she asked us to bring her some gum. She's been chewing it nonstop, and every time she pops in another piece, she folds the wrapper and adds it to the one from before. I guess it's something hexless children delight in.

Quin was flabbergasted. Not only did he have a hard time believing one person could chew that much gum, he couldn't believe Layla sat there and folded over a hundred tiny wrappers into jewelry. He found it both endearing and sad. So that's what she's been doing for forty-five hours? Just sitting here, looking at me and folding gum wrappers?

Well, Kemble sighed, the first night was really rough on her. All she did was lie there and stare at you while talking to you and herself and that's it. She wouldn't talk to anyone else or respond when we spoke to her. It had us pretty worried, and you would have flipped if you'd seen her like that. Serafin kept checking her head to make sure her brain was functioning correctly, but it was her heart that was broken.

Quin swallowed a painful lump, and Kemble’s brow furrowed as he went on. She'd never seen you sleep, Quinlan. How you've managed to spend every night with her without letting her see you sleep, I'll never understand, but you probably should have given her the opportunity, because it freaked her out seeing you unconscious. She kept talking about how perfect and still you looked, but then she’d start talking about how it wasn't right, you being so sober, and how you weren't you unless you were looking at her and smiling at her and holding her.

Please stop, dad.

She got better.

Quin hopefully looked up. She did?

Yes. Your color was returning to normal by yesterday morning, and Serafin had your side patched up. That's when she finally talked to us and asked for gum. We were so relieved, we bought the store's entire stock, and it's a good thing we did, because she's nearly chewed it all. Since then she's been using her time rather wisely. She practiced a song on the guitar, and she read one of Serafin's medical textbooks, quizzing herself on the human organ and nervous systems.

Quin raised an eyebrow, ever impressed by her determination. Those books aren’t easy to get through.

No they’re not, but I'm pretty sure Layla’s talent knows no boundaries. Once she decides to do something, she does it.

So it would seem, Quin mumbled, remembering the way she carved through Agro’s army. She saved our asses in that battle. I never meant for her to carry that burden alone.

She surprised everyone on that glacier, son.

Is she remorseful?

"I'm sure she is, but she won't talk to us about it. Like I said, the only thing she'll discuss is you. She tunes us out when we try to talk to her about other