Samael was suddenly next to me, face twisted into a vicious snarl. I flinched away from him but his hands were exceedingly gentle.

“Stay still, witchling. I need to check you for injuries.”

Vas appeared next to us. “The healer is on his way.”

“I’m okay.”

He ignored that. I blinked, and I was suddenly surrounded by demons. Had I passed out? Samael’s brow was creased in concentration as he gently ran his hands over every inch of my body and Vas looked worried as he held his phone up to his ear. I glanced behind them where Bael stood next to my burning car. The demon lifted a hand and the flames went out with a whoosh.

“Whoa.”

“Don’t move,” Samael snapped.

I blew out a breath. “Anyone ever tell you you’re a mother hen?” His face was whirling around me and I wanted to puke. A concussion. Great.

“This is good news,” I mumbled. “It means I’m getting close and they’re scared.” My head gave a vicious throb that radiated into my face. Ow.

“Shhh.” Samael cupped my cheek and pressed his lips to mine in an achingly gentle kiss. Tears inexplicably burned my eyes. I attempted to blink them away but one of them escaped out the corner of my eye.

Panic darted across Samael’s face and the breath left his lungs in a whoosh. “Don’t cry.”

I let out a laugh that sounded suspiciously like a sob and Samael turned and roared for the healer. “You’re going to be okay,” he said, turning back to me.

“I know.”

“What’s wrong?”

You’re wrong. We’re wrong. The fact that you touch me with this tenderness and yet steal my freedom at every turn is wrong.

“Nothing.” Another tear slipped out and he sucked in a sharp breath. If I didn’t know him better, I’d say the expression on his face was frantic.

“I’ll kill them all,” he vowed, and I blinked up at him.

“Uh–”

“I’ll make them beg as they die. They’ll never hurt you again.”

“Samael–”

“It’s done.”

My tears dried up. The psycho leaning over me looked satisfied. He thought I was no longer crying because he’d promised to turn some people to ash.

“Listen–”

Eldan arrived and Samael let out a low growl. “What the hell took so long?”

I reached for his hand and squeezed.

The light fae ignored him and kneeled next to me. “What do we have here?”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m fine. I could get up, but Samael would probably have an aneurism.”

“You’re not fine,” he snapped. “She has a head injury and a broken wrist.”

I frowned at that. I’d been cradling my arm without realizing it. I was sore in so many places that I felt like one giant bruise.