I closed my eyes while Eldan checked me out. When I opened them, Sitri had arrived and was murmuring to Samael. Samael’s hand tightened on mine, and his face went scarily blank.

Uh-oh. I’d seen that expression before. Samael had his murder-spree face on.

He wasn’t going after the humans who did this without me. No way. Not just because he’d kill them all, but because I was sure this went deeper than it appeared.

“I don’t want whatever it is you do that makes me fall asleep,” I said to the Eldan.

He raised his hands, shooting me a look. “If I could heal you and send you on your way, I would. But that’s not how healing works on the body. Particularly human bodies. If I don’t fully heal you, you’ll be in a lot of pain.”

Samael bared his teeth at me and returned his attention to the healer. “Ignore her.”

I sighed and let my mind fixate on the explosion while the fae checked me over. Explosives in my car? That was a human MO. Paranormals would have no need to rely on that kind of technology.

“I suggest you find whoever is doing this before I do,” Samael said silkily. I eyed him. Was he trying to distract me from the pain? Cute. Unfortunately, the retribution in his eyes made it clear the demon was officially out of patience.

“Don’t do anything stupid, Samael. I mean it.”

He merely glanced at Bael, who nodded.

I let out a low growl. Unfortunately, Eldan had just moved my wrist and it came out like a whine.

“Samael? I’m serious. I was hurt, which means I get to go after the bad guys. That’s the rule.”

He snorted. “I’m a demon. I was born to break the rules.” His tone was wry and I gaped at him. Did he just make a… joke?

I needed to take another approach. Otherwise, ash would still be blowing in the wind when I woke up from my little nap.

I shot Eldan a look. “Do whatever you can to get me back on my feet as soon as you can, okay?”

He frowned, but whatever he saw when he looked into my eyes must’ve convinced him because he shot a look at Samael and then nodded. Good. Now I just had to deal with the demon.

“Don’t leave me,” I grabbed Samael’s hand with my good one and squeezed. “Please.”

He narrowed his eyes, obviously confused, and I pulled out the big guns. I let my lower lip make the tiniest tremble as I gave him a mournful expression. “I don’t want to be alone.”