I scoop Frannie off the ground and throw her in the car as Belias picks himself up and dives at us. I summon what's left of my power and hit him in the chest with a blast so pathetic it would have embarrassed me a few weeks ago. Now, I'm pretty proud of it. It knocks him back to the ground, slowing him down enough that we're in the car before he picks himself back up. Remembering last time, I throw up a field around the car-probably not enough to keep him out, but it's all I've got-and gun the engine.
But when I look in the rearview mirror, there's a bright flash of white light and someone is standing over Belias. Gabriel? It has to be. But he looks different-smaller, somehow.
I breathe deep to slow my pounding heart. "Are you okay, Frannie?"
"Yup," she says, and when I glance at her, she doesn't even look scared.
"You're sure?"
She actually smiles. "Yup." Then her head lolls back on the seat and she closes her eyes.
"Frannie?" I nudge her.
Nothing.
"Oh, for the sin of Satan," I mumble to myself.
Now what? I can't take her home like this-drunk and covered in mud. There's my apartment… but it's not safe. I need backup. So there's really only one option. Hopefully he'll beat us home.
When Gabriel opens his door and looks at Frannie, wrapped in a blanket in my arms, his eyes widen and his mouth drops open. "She's not…"
"She's fine, don't freak. She just doesn't hold her beer very well."
"I think you're way past having to get her drunk."
"Out of the way, smart-ass," I push past him into the family room.
"Watch the white… everything," he says. "What did she do, mud wrestle?"
I lay her on the couch. "Close. Can't you just throw some holy water on her and clean her up?"
He smirks at me. "Some things do require a miracle. This, however, only requires Tide with bleach. Take off her clothes, and I'll throw them in the machine."
"I'm thinking the miracle is the better option. I'm finding these teenage hormones a force to be reckoned with." I look at Frannie and shake my head. "Truth is, they're kicking my ass."
His mouth curves into a smile far from angelic and his brows shoot up. "I'll do it." He bends over her and pulls off her muddy sneakers. I shove him out of the way. "Wait in the kitchen."
He shrugs and saunters off in that direction, wicked smile still in place. When he's gone, I tug her shirt over her head and groan.
Damn! I was right-black lace. What a waste.
Once her jeans are off, I tuck the blanket around her and toss her clothes at Gabe. I drop into the chair next to the couch and close my eyes, letting my head loll back. When he comes back, he sits in the chair across from me.
"Thanks for the help," I say looking at Frannie. "I couldn't take her home like this. Her parents already know I'm the devil, and, now that I'm not anymore, I'm hoping to prove them wrong." I wave in her direction. "This won't help my cause."
"Is she supposed to go home tonight?" he asks.
"No. She's supposed to stay at Taylor's."
"We can let her sleep it off here, then."
I swallow my pride. "Also… thanks for the help at the party tonight. I'm not the demon I used to be. There's not much left in the old spark plugs."
"What are you talking about?"
"You know, Belias… at the party."
"Wasn't me, dude."
"Whatever you say. But thanks."
He shakes his head and smiles.
I gaze at Frannie's sleeping form, so petite, on the couch. "Gabriel?"
"Yeah."
"Her soul is still clean, isn't it? I haven't… you know… tainted her or anything? I can't tell for sure anymore."
Concern passes briefly over his features before it clears and he answers, "They have no claim to her, if that's what you're asking. But I'm not sure how long that will last if she keeps hanging with you. You're a bad influence."
"I'm sure I am. So, should I expect to be smote anytime soon? You know, the wrath of God and all that?"
A smile plays at his lips. "Unfortunately, no, but it'd help if you backed off."
I know he's right. I've always known it, but… "I don't seem to have any choice in the matter anymore. I can't stay away from her."
He smirks. "Yeah. I got that when you let me burn you alive with holy water."
"Does this mean the Shield didn't work on me?"
"Hard to say. If Belias and Avaira have been hanging around for a few weeks, like you say, I'm sure they're following you."
I look back at Frannie, asleep on the couch. There has to be some way I can protect her.
"So maybe if we just disappeared-went somewhere else-she'd be safe?"
"Maybe. We won't know unless you try. But you know as well as I do the real solution."
"Tagging her soul for Heaven," I say, resigned. "Why is it so important that she forgives herself?"
His face suddenly goes all angelic. "Forgiveness is the key to everything, Lucifer."
"You celestials make everything so hard." I shift in my chair, sitting upright. "What would happen if Belias just… killed her?" I feel something black and heavy tighten around my heart thinking about how close he's already come.
"She'd go to Limbo with all the other untagged souls, and you know Michael would fast-track her to Heaven. Frannie's essence-her soul-is the key. As far as we're concerned, she's no less valuable in Heaven as on Earth."
"That's pretty much what I figured." I've seen that essence, and I know he's right. Dancing with it, blending it in mine… it was unlike anything I've ever experienced. "I won't let anything happen to her."
"I know. That's what I'm counting on." The threat is clear in his voice.
I look at her, asleep on the couch. "I won't let them have her," I say, knowing them is me. But just for now, I slide onto the couch and lie next to her, wrapping my arms around her and holding on as if my life depends on it-because I'm pretty sure it does.