Free Fall Into Darkness by Valerie Twombly Page B

Seven. Who really knew what kind of power they held over him and his free will? It was better for both of them if she thought he had no interest in her.
    She tipped her chin up. “Good, glad we have that straight. As soon as this storm lets up, you can go. Until then, we’ll simply have to make do.”
    He escorted her to the living room and helped her to the couch in front of the fire. “You must be hungry by now. Rest here and I’ll find us something to eat.”
    “I can help.”
    “You’d better rest. This storm is supposed to last at least the next twenty-four hours. After that I’ll be gone so you will have to fend for yourself.” He headed for the kitchen. “You can help by telling me what you’d like.”
    “There’s sandwich fixings in the fridge and some soup in the cupboard.” She fidgeted. “Thanks.”
    He heated up a can of tomato soup and grilled two cheese and ham sandwiches. Neither of them spoke, and the silence was deafening. When he’d finished, he placed everything on the kitchen table and went back to give Ashley a hand.
    “All ready. Let me help you.”
    She accepted. “This is getting old. I mean, if you’re really an angel, why can’t you simply heal me?” She hobbled over to the table and took a seat in the chair he’d pulled out for her.
    “I’m a hunter, not a healer,” he replied, taking the chair across from her.
    “Really? So how many different types of angels are there?” She lifted her spoon and took a sip of soup. “I would have thought you were all the same.”
    “The guardians are healers and watch over the new souls and help them acclimate. The warriors form our armies and fight evil. The reapers escort the damned to Hell and the elite take command over us.” He wrinkled his nose. “Then the Tribunal consists of seven females of the highest ranking who bring judgment down on those like myself.”
    “You seem to have a dislike for the Tribunal. Is it because they are women?”
    “No. All guardians and members of the Tribunal are mated females.” He picked up his sandwich. “I just question their judgment at times. They’re not out here in the world, and I don’t believe they always see everything that goes on. Besides, these are the same women who think I should leave you pregnant.”
    She set down her spoon. “Are you sure? Maybe you were just supposed to rescue me from the hound.”
    He thought about it for a moment. “I doubt it could be that easy. The Tribunal says I have no humanity because I see what humans do to themselves and don’t figure they deserve saving.”
    She wiped a napkin across her plump lips, and the memory of kissing her flashed through his mind. She tasted like honey, and he needed to sample her again while running his fingers through her hair.
    “Why do I find that hard to believe?”
    “Explain.” He found he enjoyed their conversation and hearing her silky voice. For some strange reason, it soothed him. Everything about her felt right. Touching her had brought him a calm he’d never known, but it had also spiked a desire so fierce he had to question everything he felt. He trusted nothing and no one.
    “If you really believed the human race shouldn’t be saved then you would have let me die.” She leaned forward. “My instinct tells me there is more to this.” She let her gaze fall to the food in front of her. “More to why you’re here. You’ve saved me in more ways than you know.”
    “Look at me.” He needed to see her green eyes like he needed to take his next breath.
    She obeyed.
    “Tell me what you mean and don’t look away from me.” His gut said he wouldn’t like her reply.
    She pulled in a deep breath. “I had planned to take my own life last night. That’s why I was outside.”
    His insides felt as if a knife had been shoved through him. “Why?”
    Tears welled at the corner of her eyes. “I’m tired of being a freak. Of being alone.” She blinked, and the wetness streaked down her cheek.
    He moved