Saving Grace

Chapter 4.1.

Things get creepy sometimes in the neighborhood. Especially when Demons get involved.

"When am I getting my sword?" Grace mumbled as she and Nate crouched at the entrance to an alleyway.

"Again with the sword?" Nate took his long, sharp weapon out and twisted it until the light from a nearby streetlamp flashed off it and revealed ancient runes engraved on its surface. "It took me hundreds of years to earn my sword and become an independent Angel and another millennium to make it into the chain of command. You're not even half a century old, and you already want to leave my side to slaughter Demons on your own." An amused smile stretched across his lips. "Honey, as long as this happens-" He took her reddish right hand and held it up. "-you have no chance of getting your sword."

Grace yanked her hand back. So she got pissed and cursed sometimes. It was a good way to unload. Why did it have to be so wrong? "I know it usually takes a long time. But I obviously need one. We've seen more action this week than all of last year. That must count for something."

Demon attacks had increased dramatically since her rendezvous with the Nexum. All Demon hunter teams in their area were dispatched and Azriel had finally been assigned a new partner. Nate and Grace roamed the streets every night, finding Negri, Nexi and Demons, trying to bring the monsters down before they hurt humans.

For Grace, the constant action came with a whirlwind of emotions. Part of her enjoyed the heat of battle, the adrenaline, the good she knew she was doing by saving humans and the experience that came with it, but the blood and gore surrounding her didn't leave her untouched. She had to remind herself, more often as the action-filled days went by, what and why she killed. Well, assisted-killed.

As though he sensed her inner turmoil, Nate arranged a relaxing evening at the end of their shifts. He took her out to the most diverse restaurants, urging her to try new food and ending each date with a soft kiss.

That did manage to put her at peace. It showed that Nate agreed with her actions, so she wasn't doing anything wrong by Angel standards.

But despite the experience and Nate's approval, Grace seethed with anger. She did her best in the fights, better each day at dodging, slashing, throwing her dagger, but she could never be more than the decoy. Without a sword she stayed the little nuisance who attacked with a pointy dagger, but couldn't kill anything. She only distracted for Nate to kill.

Nate shook his head. "It's not how much you slay. It's what you learn, how you better yourself from it." He sheathed the sword. "I know what you're thinking. I used to feel the same way. But there's a reason we don't both have swords. It's about learning to trust and protect your partner. It's about teamwork and respect. I didn't see the use either, until I actually became a commanding Angel myself. So I'm letting you know early." He patted her hand and turned his attention back to the street.

Okay, he had a point. She should stop focusing on killing and try to grow as an Angel. Maybe not having a sword was better for now. It taught her how to handle herself in tight spots. At the thought, the rash on her hand disappeared. A vise seemed to loosen inside her and Grace smiled. She was on the right track. Right. Think positive. Deep breaths. Zen was the way to go.

"Hey, Nate-I mean, Nathaniel." Why was it so hard to call him by his full name?

He smiled in encouragement, nodding for her to go on. She flushed and couldn't help smiling back. He was patient and understanding with her. He hadn't gotten angry or preachy since their encounter with the Nexum. He made observations, but she'd begun seeing them as constructive advice as opposed to criticism. And she felt better for it, lighter. If she tried hard enough, she could do it. Trust Nate and grow. Get her sword faster. Okay, she had to practice patience more.