They were trapped. Athan stood at the entrance to the alley, blocking their way.
Heath's words went through her mind. Now that the two girls were together and vulnerable, Athan was moving in to take them.
She knew the relic was in her bag, but she didn't know where her bag was, at the moment. And she was too afraid to move. Mandi was hurt in her arms.
"Virta, are you OK?"
That voice: so silky and smooth and full of concern. She never thought she'd hear it again in person. Her fear was instantly taken down a notch. But she knew it was just his manipulation. She didn't answer.
She thought she could see an unearthly shine in his eyes - just silver glinting out of the darkness. She was glad she couldn't see them clearly. Were they still gray?
He likely blamed her for what happened when he was injured in Heaven. He would want revenge for his suffering and pain.
"Can't read your mind," he said. "You're gonna have to talk to me, baby."
He was sauntering toward them in the dark alley. Then he stopped.
"She's hurt," he said.
"Stay away from her, Athan," Virta snarled, like a dog protecting its master. "I won't let you hurt her."
She could no longer see his face at all - the shadows covered it. His large form blocked out the light.
"I'm not gonna hurt her. Or you. Let me get her out of here."
"Leave us alone."
"Virta."
"You can't make me do anything. I know your evil tricks."
A sigh. "Virta, I'm going to ask you nicely, will you move aside?"
"No. Just leave us alone. I'll take care of her."
"Not like I can."
"Yes, I can. It's my job."
The closeness of him set her mind whirling. Without another word, he reached down and scooped Mandi up, right out of her grasp.
Before Virta could protest, he'd turned around and was walking out of the alley with the girl in his arms.
Virta saw her bag when he crossed back over a shaft of light. The relic was in there. She snatched up the bag as she ran after him.
"Stop it, Athan!" Virta cried. "Put her down!"
Athan didn't answer; just kept walking. She thought about grabbing ahold of his arm, but she was afraid he'd drop Mandi.
"Where are you taking her?"
Mandi was calling for her: "Virta! What's going on?"
Not wanting to frighten Mandi anymore than she already was, Virta answered, "Um, don't worry. That's my boyfriend. He's uh, helping us."
"Oh. Are you sure? I thought you called him Athan... isn't he on your hit list too?"
Athan threw a glance over his shoulder at Virta.
"Walk faster," he growled. "We're going somewhere private."
A pocket! Oh no, she couldn't let him take her there.
It was like going from the frying pan into the fire. Thoughts of what Heath was going to do to them - what he said Athan would do when they were alone with him. It flashed all too clearly through her mind.
"No, we can't go into one of those pockets, Athan."
"Yeah, we can."
He could dash into one and leave her stranded outside. Just him and Mandi in there. She had to stay close.
"Wait for me!"
"Keep up."
Suddenly, the air and everything shimmered around her, and she felt like she was walking in slow motion. One second they were on the street, the next second, they were in a large room.
It had a bed, and that was pretty much all that was in it. Virta began to panic. Athan was already setting Mandi down on the bed.
Fighting back fear, Virta rushed to put herself between Mandi and Athan. She was at Mandi's side, kneeling by the bed and taking the girl's limp hand in her own.
"Mandi, are you OK?" she breathed.
"Ohh," was her only answer.
Mandi's skin was cool and clammy, she was sweating, and seemed to be going in and out of consciousness. There was blood on her, and bruises were forming.
Virta became aware of Athan standing directly behind her. She turned around to look up at him, hoping he could see her determination. He just looked irritated.
"I won't let you touch her," Virta stammered.
And no, his eyes were not gray anymore. They were back to their original dark, snapping ebony. She had forgotten the power they held. She tried to look away.
"I can help her."
Virta rose to her feet. "You'll do nothing to her. You and your sick, sadist, cruel ways."
"That's enough, Virta!"
His voice caused her to flinch. She said nothing else; just watched him pace a few steps before stopping again in front of her.
When he spoke, his voice was gentle once more, almost apologetic.
"I'm tired, I've had a really bad day, and I'm almost to the end of my patience."
"I didn't ask you to come here this time. And... uh, don't try to bedazzle me with those eyes."
They were very dark, very potent. As tired as he claimed to be, he looked even stronger than she'd seen him before, in Heaven.
He sighed wearily. "Virta, if I was going to hurt either of you - "
"I know," she interrupted, "it would have happened by now! Well, you didn't have us alone in your... domain, before now."
He let out a small, gasping laugh. A hand was on the back of his neck, rubbing there.
When he looked back up at her, his expression was dead serious.
"You're friend is in shock," he said. "Just from a quick scan, I can tell she has broken bones, head trauma, ruptured internal organs... and, there are older injuries than what Heath did tonight."
"Yeah, you would know all about that, wouldn't you? Since you sent him to do it?"
Athan stopped all movement then, like a cat who was ready to spring at its prey. He didn't speak for a long moment, as she stood there, shaking.
"They worked very hard on you," was all he finally said.
Virta was determined not to move. He grabbed her, his large fingers completely encircling her upper arms.
"Let me go!"
He didn't answer, just hauled her forward against himself. She was pressed against the whole length of his lean, muscular body. He felt so warm and masculine through his clothes. How much better would he feel without them...
He looked down with dark eyes that she was afraid to look directly into. His expression was soft; his voice, low and soothing.
"It's great to have you down here, Virta. You look beautiful."
Was that lust in his voice? She stiffened against him.
