Vampire Mine - Kerrelyn Sparks [81]
“Let me see.” Buniel accompanied her back and regarded Connor curiously. “This is the man who rescued you that first night.”
“Yes.”
“And he has been watching over you and protecting you.”
“Yes.”
“And yet for all the good he has done for you, he makes you cry.”
She wiped her cheeks. “I’m in love with him.”
Buniel tilted his head, watching her. “Should love be so painful?”
“I have to leave him when I go back to heaven.” She winced. “If I can go back.”
Buniel nodded. “I have put in many requests for leniency on your behalf.” He squatted down beside Connor. “We love all humanity from a distance. Is it not enough to love this man in the same manner?”
“I—” She didn’t want to admit she wanted more. She knelt down. “Can you help him?”
“He’s badly injured.” Bunny laid a hand on Connor’s brow. “Skull fracture, concussion, internal bleeding, cracked ribs, multiple contusions. But nothing I can’t fix.” He closed his eyes and prayed. A white glow surrounded his hand.
“There, it’s done.” The glow disappeared, and he rose to his feet. “He will sleep for a short time.”
Marielle took a deep breath. “Glory to God in the Highest.”
Buniel smiled at her. “And on earth, peace, goodwill toward men.” He removed his thick white robe and laid it on top of Connor. “This will keep him warm till he awakens.”
She stood. “Thank you.”
“What’s going on?” a male voice asked sharply.
She turned to see Zackriel striding toward them.
“Marielle. I’m glad to see you’re surviving as a human.” He nodded at Buniel. “They could use you at the car accident.”
“I’ll be there shortly,” Buniel replied.
Zack regarded him suspiciously. “Two of my Deliverers were working the accident when they reported a time anomaly. Was it you?”
“No.” Buniel motioned toward Connor. “I was healing this man.”
Zack glanced down at Connor and scoffed. “That’s not a man. He’s a Cheater. Why would you heal a Cheater?”
“I asked him to,” Marielle said quietly.
Zack gave her a curious look. “You’re keeping company with Cheaters now?”
“He’s one of the good Vamps,” she explained. “I’m going to help him and his friends defeat Casimir and his evil gang of Malcontents.”
“Sounds dangerous,” Buniel murmured.
“It will be worth it if we can be rid of the evil vampires and make the world a safer place for humans,” she continued. “And maybe . . . I can be forgiven.”
“Ah.” Zack nodded. “The hidden agenda. You want back into heaven.”
“She needs to go back,” Buniel insisted. “The human world is too dangerous for her.”
“And the time anomaly?” Zack asked her. “What do you know about that?”
“It was caused by Darafer,” she said quietly.
Buniel stiffened. “The demon? What does he want with you?”
She sighed. “He considers me a fallen angel.”
“Maybe you are,” Zack whispered.
Buniel raised a hand toward Zackriel, his eyes a fierce glowing blue. “She is not.”
Zackriel stepped back, stunned. “Are you threatening me, Healer?”
“Bunny, please.” She touched him. “I’m all right. Darafer tries to trick me into going to hell with him, but I always send him away.” She turned to Zackriel. “I know you don’t believe in me, but I will prove myself worthy.”
Zack gave her a worried look, then frowned at Connor. “Watch your neck.” He vanished.
Buniel smiled at her and drew her into an embrace. “Be strong, Marielle. Be careful.”
“You be careful.” She hugged him back. “I don’t want you to get in trouble for helping me.”
With a chuckle, he stepped back. “I can take care of myself.” He glanced at Connor, then back at her. “You have a good heart. If you follow it, you will not regret it.” His wings unfurled, and he disappeared.
“Bye,” she whispered, missing him already. Missing her own wings.
She hurried back to Connor and knelt beside him. “How are you?” She rested a hand on his chest and felt it moving slowly and steadily as he breathed.
She tucked Bunny’s thick white robe around his shoulders. “Don’t want you getting cold.”
She smoothed his hair away from his brow. “Skull fracture and concussion. I guess your head’s not quite as thick as I thought.