Skin Game
Page 86
Why? I asked.
Because Kevlar doesnt stretch and shes going to keep swelling, and because this needs a hospital. Id rather she didnt have to answer any questions about a damaged bulletproof vest once we get there.
It might not be safe, I said. Why cant you take care of her here?
Because I dont have the tools I need to help her here, and I dont have the expertise to use them even if I did, Butters said, his voice hard. Look, Harry, not everyone has got your ability to handle injury. Her shoulder is dislocated and theres probably additional damage. I havent seen her knee yet, but from the shape of it I think he took her ACL. This isnt something she can just walk off, and if she doesnt get proper care, fast, it could cripple her for life. So as soon as Im sure she isnt going into hypothermia, were going to the hospital. He looked up at me, his eyes steady, his expression resolute. And if you argue with me, Im going to call her friends on the force and tell them that she needs help.
Rage made my vision pulse, and I snarled and clenched my hand into a fist, but Butters didnt back down.
Harry, Michael said. He stepped in between us, and put a hand on my chest. She cant stay here. Shes in agony.
I blinked several times, and did math, pushing the Winter aggression further from my thoughts. The rage receded, leaving weariness behind, and my head started to hurt. Right, I said. Right . . . Sorry, Butters. Hey, Mr. Sunshine. You can put a protective detail on her, cant you?
I cannot, Uriel said.
So useless, I muttered. The throbbing got worse, despite Mabs earring. God, my head.
Michaels restraining hand became a steadying one, his voice sharpening with concern. Harry? Are you all right?
Will be. Just . . . need a minute to rest.
Uriel, Michael said, his voice softly urgent.
The room tilted to one side unexpectedly, and I flailed my arms to try to catch my balance. Michael caught my right arm. Uriels nose caught my left, right in the aluminum brace, but the archangel managed to support me. Between the three of us, I found a chair and sat there in it for a minute while my head spun, briefly.
Uriel had a shocked, even startled look on his face.
And his nose was bleeding.
I was pretty sure that wasnt possible.
Uriel touched his fingers to his face and drew them away, bright with scarlet blood. He blinked at them, the expression almost childlike in its confusion. Tears welled in his eyes, and he blinked them several times, as if he wasnt sure what was happening.
Michael caught the direction of mystare, and his clear grey eyes widened. He straightened, staring at Uriel in shock.
What have you done? he asked.
It was not within our power to heal what was done to you, Uriel said. Im sorry. It was not chance that brought you to harm, but choice.
Michael looked from the angel down to his leg and back. What have you done? he repeated.
Uriel looked from his shaking, bloodied fingers to Michael and said, I have loaned you my Grace.
Michaels eyes became completely round.
Wow, I said. Uh . . . Isnt that . . . that kind of important?
It is what makes me an angel, Uriel said.
Merciful Mother of God, Michael said, his voice awed.
Uh, I said. Isnt that . . . kind of overkill? I mean . . . Uriel, youve got the power to unmake solar systems.
Galaxies, Uriel said absently.
Harry, Michael said, what are you saying?
Why? I asked Uriel.
I had to do something, he said. I couldnt just . . . stand there. But my options are limited.
Oh, I said. I get it. I think.
Harry, Michael said. What are you talking about?
Um, I said, and rubbed at my aching head. Uriel wanted to help you, but he couldnt exert his will over the situation to change it. Right?
Correct, Uriel said.
But he could act in accordance with your will, Michael. Which was to go out and meet Nicodemus.
Yes, Michael said.
So he couldnt change you, I said. And he couldnt change the world around you, at least not of his own will. But he could change himself. So he gave you his power in order to make your body function the way it used to. That way it isnt his will thats using the power. Its yours. The throbbing had begun to recede, slowly, and I looked up. Its way more than you needed, but its the only unit he had to work with. Its as if . . . he loaned you his giant passenger jet because you needed a reading light. I eyed the angel. Right?
Uriel nodded and said, Close enough.
Michael opened his mouth in understanding. Loaned, he said. It wont last.
Uriel shook his head. But this task is an important one. You need it. Use it.
Michael titled his head. But . . . Uriel, if I were to misuse it . . .
I would Fall, Uriel said quietly.
I choked on the air.
Because Kevlar doesnt stretch and shes going to keep swelling, and because this needs a hospital. Id rather she didnt have to answer any questions about a damaged bulletproof vest once we get there.
It might not be safe, I said. Why cant you take care of her here?
Because I dont have the tools I need to help her here, and I dont have the expertise to use them even if I did, Butters said, his voice hard. Look, Harry, not everyone has got your ability to handle injury. Her shoulder is dislocated and theres probably additional damage. I havent seen her knee yet, but from the shape of it I think he took her ACL. This isnt something she can just walk off, and if she doesnt get proper care, fast, it could cripple her for life. So as soon as Im sure she isnt going into hypothermia, were going to the hospital. He looked up at me, his eyes steady, his expression resolute. And if you argue with me, Im going to call her friends on the force and tell them that she needs help.
Rage made my vision pulse, and I snarled and clenched my hand into a fist, but Butters didnt back down.
Harry, Michael said. He stepped in between us, and put a hand on my chest. She cant stay here. Shes in agony.
I blinked several times, and did math, pushing the Winter aggression further from my thoughts. The rage receded, leaving weariness behind, and my head started to hurt. Right, I said. Right . . . Sorry, Butters. Hey, Mr. Sunshine. You can put a protective detail on her, cant you?
I cannot, Uriel said.
So useless, I muttered. The throbbing got worse, despite Mabs earring. God, my head.
Michaels restraining hand became a steadying one, his voice sharpening with concern. Harry? Are you all right?
Will be. Just . . . need a minute to rest.
Uriel, Michael said, his voice softly urgent.
The room tilted to one side unexpectedly, and I flailed my arms to try to catch my balance. Michael caught my right arm. Uriels nose caught my left, right in the aluminum brace, but the archangel managed to support me. Between the three of us, I found a chair and sat there in it for a minute while my head spun, briefly.
Uriel had a shocked, even startled look on his face.
And his nose was bleeding.
I was pretty sure that wasnt possible.
Uriel touched his fingers to his face and drew them away, bright with scarlet blood. He blinked at them, the expression almost childlike in its confusion. Tears welled in his eyes, and he blinked them several times, as if he wasnt sure what was happening.
Michael caught the direction of mystare, and his clear grey eyes widened. He straightened, staring at Uriel in shock.
What have you done? he asked.
It was not within our power to heal what was done to you, Uriel said. Im sorry. It was not chance that brought you to harm, but choice.
Michael looked from the angel down to his leg and back. What have you done? he repeated.
Uriel looked from his shaking, bloodied fingers to Michael and said, I have loaned you my Grace.
Michaels eyes became completely round.
Wow, I said. Uh . . . Isnt that . . . that kind of important?
It is what makes me an angel, Uriel said.
Merciful Mother of God, Michael said, his voice awed.
Uh, I said. Isnt that . . . kind of overkill? I mean . . . Uriel, youve got the power to unmake solar systems.
Galaxies, Uriel said absently.
Harry, Michael said, what are you saying?
Why? I asked Uriel.
I had to do something, he said. I couldnt just . . . stand there. But my options are limited.
Oh, I said. I get it. I think.
Harry, Michael said. What are you talking about?
Um, I said, and rubbed at my aching head. Uriel wanted to help you, but he couldnt exert his will over the situation to change it. Right?
Correct, Uriel said.
But he could act in accordance with your will, Michael. Which was to go out and meet Nicodemus.
Yes, Michael said.
So he couldnt change you, I said. And he couldnt change the world around you, at least not of his own will. But he could change himself. So he gave you his power in order to make your body function the way it used to. That way it isnt his will thats using the power. Its yours. The throbbing had begun to recede, slowly, and I looked up. Its way more than you needed, but its the only unit he had to work with. Its as if . . . he loaned you his giant passenger jet because you needed a reading light. I eyed the angel. Right?
Uriel nodded and said, Close enough.
Michael opened his mouth in understanding. Loaned, he said. It wont last.
Uriel shook his head. But this task is an important one. You need it. Use it.
Michael titled his head. But . . . Uriel, if I were to misuse it . . .
I would Fall, Uriel said quietly.
I choked on the air.
