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.almost.Would this invisible barrier ever disappear?She focused on the task at hand."You put up the crucifixes; don't forget the vents.""You okay, Moira?" Rafe asked, concern in his tone."Just peachy."They worked in silence for several tense minutes.Moira fidgeted, uncomfortable and tired and hating this feeling that she didn't fit."Did Nadine see you?" Rafe asked quietly."See me? She said she couldn't see, but it was obvious that she--""No, before the demon disappeared.Before the thunder."Moira paused."I think she saw me as I was crossing the street.""What if the demon didn't want a confrontation with you?""Me? Why the hell not? I didn't stop Envy from attacking you, me, Father--" She coughed as emotion thickened her voice."But it could have a plan, and we weakened Envy enough for Anthony to draw it into the trap.If it thought you could do it damage--" He cut himself off."What? Spill it, Rafe.What are you thinking?""Rico wanted your blood for something.Aren't you curious why?""No," she lied.Rafe just stared at her, obviously not believing her."One thing at a time, Rafe! I don't want to put my thoughts back there and think what might be wrong with me--""Why would you think anything's wrong with you?""My blood? It's just sick.I don't want to think about what he's doing." But of course she couldn't stop thinking about it now that Rafe brought up the subject.She looked down at her hand where Rafe had sliced it open and stuck it in the burning guts of the demon Envy.It hurt from Nadine's attack earlier, but nothing she'd ever experienced had been as shockingly painful as sticking her hand inside the demon."If it's my blood--my tainted blood--that has the answers? What does that make me? Inhuman?"Rafe took her hand and kissed it."Don't do that."She shook her head and tried to pull her hand away, but Rafe didn't let go."If my blood is the answer, then take it.We end this now.""We didn't kill Envy; we slowed it down so it could be captured.We don't know what will contain Lust.And I'm not risking your life until we have a solid plan."Rafe kissed her on the top of her head, her forehead, her temple."You're scared," he whispered in her ear."So am I.""I live my life in fear.I know what's out there.I want to run away so badly, but there's no place to hide.I can die cowering in a dark room or I can die fighting.""Death is not the only option."She stared at him.He was only inches from her."Eventually it is," she said."Or I can join my mother and sacrifice people so I, too, can be immortal," she added sarcastically."Did I do enough to save Nadine? I keep playing the scene over and over and don't know what else I could have done."Rafe stepped closer and she tried to step back, but the dresser was in her way.His proximity had her hormones rushing every which way, making her confused and nervous.She turned around, facing the mirror, Rafe right behind her.The power of his gaze in the reflection held her captive.Rafe had never met anyone outside of St.Michael's who had more internal fortitude than Moira.He'd never met anyone in or out of St.Michael's who cared as much about the fate of others.But it wasn't just what she was willing to do in this supernatural battle; Moira had an inner spark, a strength that belied her stated willingness to die for humanity.She would never go down without a fight, and she wanted to live.He saw it in the way she recognized and appreciated beauty in the world, even when they were surrounded by ugliness and evil.She gave him hope; she gave him strength; she made Rafe a better human being.Only with Moira did he feel he wasn't stumbling on the path drawn for him by St.Michael's, God, or the devil.If Moira hadn't found him two weeks ago, he would have died.He owed her his life, but he also felt deep inside that she'd also saved his soul."You did everything you could, Moira." His fingers trailed up her face, gently skirting the bruises, brushing aside a curl that had escaped her hair tie."You were faced with something you'd never faced before, and you acted because you care.""I don't want to care," she whispered."It's not a choice.It's in your heart."She cast her brilliant blue eyes downward, breaking the lock on his gaze."I've spent my life not caring, just doing what needs to be done.""That's a lie."Her body tensed under his hands.Her head shot up, a flash of fire in her eyes as she glared at him in the mirror.Good.They'd need that fire, that confidence, when they walked into Wendy's lair tonight."You don't know me."She tried to step to the side, but he wouldn't let her pass, trapping her against the dresser.She was going to listen to him."You haven't spent your life not caring, you've spent your life trying not to care.But I know you, Moira--stop." He put a finger on her lips when she opened her mouth to argue."I see who you really are, underneath the armor.You care, and it hurts because you can't save everyone.But still, you go on, every day, fighting a battle you didn't start, you never wanted, because it's the right thing to do.Most people ignore evil.Of those who believe in evil, few do anything but kneel and pray.Most people shy away from those in need--like those bystanders watching Nadine go crazy and kill herself.And while we need everyone doing what they can, most aren't willing to put their lives on the line to save any soul but their own [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]