“Thanks, Bart.”
“No problem. Are you two going to handle them? We’re almost out of bullets.”
“We got this, Bartholomew. Jake, would you like to go first?” Death was arching an eyebrow at the devil.
Jake gave her the most predatory smile I’d ever seen. “It will be my pleasure.” In one smooth motion, he was up and straightening his suit.
Death followed close behind him. She was wearing a three-piece black suit. She looked immaculate; even her hair was perfectly combed, not a strand out of place.
“I would recommend you two stay back here.” Death didn’t have to tell us twice. We nodded in full understanding. I joined Bartholomew on the ground to watch the crazy scene.
“Who the hell are you?” Rose was eyeing Jake with hatred. “I recommend you leave while you still have time. This is not your fight.”
“Tempting. Unfortunately, my friend over here made me a better offer.”
Death walked over to Jake and placed her hand on his shoulder. “I heard you were looking for me.”
By the looks on the witches’ faces, I was pretty sure Death did not look to them like the fine-looking woman Bartholomew and I were seeing. Their faces were pale.
“Death.” There was true fear in Rose’s voice. “You won’t take us. Ladies, now.” The witches looked like synchronized dancers. They took aim at Death and Jake and fired. They were so quick, I didn’t have time to scream.
To the surprise of the witches, Jake and Death didn’t need any shields. Instead, Jake absorbed their spells into the palm of his hand. He closed his fingers over the spells and dissolved them into sand. The witches were staring at him in pure horror. I didn’t blame them. I was terrified. I didn’t know which one was doing it—either Death or Jake—but the temperature had dropped at least forty degrees. We were shivering.
“That was impressive. Scary as hell, and so impressive,” Bartholomew whispered.
“This is not going to end well for them.” I looked at Bartholomew, and he nodded.
“Cute. Not bad for amateurs. Too bad you went independent; you had potential. My turn.” Jake was taunting them. He looked like a lion playing with his food. After everything they had done, I actually felt sorry for them. Jake pointed a finger at them. “Ready for real power?”
Death looked over her shoulder at us. “Isis, incoming.” Her words were almost a whisper to me.
“Oh, crap.” I dropped my gun, pulled Bartholomew toward me, and covered his face. “Bart, close your eyes.”
I didn’t have enough time to think. I closed my eyes and tried to get us as low to the ground as I could, covering Bart with my body. Whatever Jake let loose was almost like a nuclear bomb. I heard the screams of the witches. The air smelled of burned hair and meat. The truck in front of us took a major hit and was lifted over us. Bartholomew and I screamed. The force of the blast was so strong, we were slammed against the building. Everything went dark very quickly.
Chapter 38
Ouch! Everything hurt, including my spirit. I opened my eyes to a dark room. By the smell of the sheets, I realized I was in my bed. I didn’t have to guess this time. Instead, I just spoke.
“Hi, Death.”
She snapped her fingers, and my night light came on. Who needed the Clapper when Death was around?
“We need to stop meeting like this.”
As usual, she just smiled. “At least you haven’t lost your sense of humor.” Once again I was wearing PJs, and Death had on what appeared to be a ball gown. Who dressed her? “How do you feel?”
“Like roadkill.” The fogginess that had covered my brain was slowly lifting. “Where’s Bartholomew?” I tried to get up. “Oh God, this hurts.”
Death was by my side in the blink of an eye. “He’s fine. You took the majority of the blast. Try to relax now.” She arranged my pillows again and sat on the bed. She was spending a lot of time tucking me in. At this rate, she was going to surpass my godmother.
“What happened?” At least I didn’t have to struggle to look at her now.
“The usual. Jake needed to show off. He doesn’t take it very well when humans try to outdo him. Especially arrogant ones who fail to recognized him.” There was no judgment in her voice—just facts.
“How are we going to explain a nuclear blast in the middle of downtown Texarkana? And all those bodies?” Was it part of my job to come up with cover stories? I was really bad at that. I was starting to panic.
“Isis, breathe. Constantine took care of it. The news will be reporting a propane gas truck lost control and crashed into two vehicles in front of the post office. Horrible tragedy. Nine women dead, and a few men injured.” Death winked at me and brushed my hair off my face.
“Are people going to believe that?” That was one hell of a cover story.
“A couple of eyewitnesses on the scene will corroborate it, and the story will hit the front page. A very horrible accident, nobody is going to think too hard on it. Humans don’t want to hear about the supernatural world; simple works every time.”
“Who did he get to be an eyewitness to that mess?” Last time I’d checked, all the witnesses were dead or beaten the hell up.
“It seems your friend Shorty was just around the corner when he saw the truck speeding down State Line. Imagine that.” Death looked pretty innocent as she spoke.
“Yeah, imagine that.” I didn’t want to know how Shorty had gotten there and where Constantine had found a propane gas truck in Texarkana.
“You need rest, Isis. But, unfortunately, Constantine won’t let you sleep till you eat something. He’s been trying to give
