Tumbling in Time Read Online Free PDF Page B

at her heart.
    Arikk’s fist struck the demon’s arm at the last minute, altering the course of the fireball just enough so that it struck the floor above Tasha’s shoulder. It still managed to sear her neck and the side of her face.
    Arikk pounded his own dagger into the base of the demon’s skull, killing it instantly. He skidded across the floor. His hands fluttered around Tasha’s body.
    “Arikk, I’m sorry,” she paused, her eyes locked on his. “I thought I was strong enough to help.”
    “You did, Sunshine. I’ll get you out of here. You’ll be all better in no time.” Arikk squeezed her hand.
    “Please . . . promise me that you’ll take care of yourself. . . ” her voice faded off as she blackness enveloped her.
    ****
    “Rafe, get your butt over here!” Arikk shouted in the direction of where he had last seen the angel.
    Arikk guarded Tasha as he watched Rafe scramble over the bodies littering the floor. “Can you cast a portal and get her back to Topeka, Kansas, May 5, 2011? I don’t have the strength left to do it.”
    “Shit, this is not good.” Rafe held his hand over her heart. “She is close to death. Her heart struggles to beat.”
    “Damn it, I can’t lose her now.” Arikk knew how serious things were; he had never heard Rafe curse before. He might be commitment-phobic, but no way did he want to lose her.
    Closing his eyes, Rafe prayed for several long moments in a hoarse whisper. He slipped a ring out of his pocket and placed it on Tasha’s pinky finger.
    “What are you doing? What’s that?” Arikk was frantic. Why wasn’t the angel taking Tasha back to her time? What was he doing with the ring?
    “I’m calling on angels more powerful than myself to impart some of my life force to her so that she will survive the journey back to her home.” Rafe gently held Tasha’s hands in his own. He bowed his head and continued his prayer.
    Arikk marveled at the glow that left Rafe and traveled into Tasha’s body. He watched her chest rise as she took a deep breath. Thank the heavens that worked. I owe Rafe my life for saving my Sunshine.
    Letting out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding, Arikk closed his eyes and whispered his own prayer. When he looked down at Tasha, he noticed the ring Rafe placed on her finger glowed red. He reached to touch it, but Rafe grabbed his hand before he made contact.
    “That’s for her. You can’t touch it until she’s healed.” Rafe said.
    “What the heck? Where did you get it?” Arikk didn’t like not knowing what was happening, especially when it involved Tasha. He looked around the room as he awaited Rafe’s answer. He was happy to see that the few demons remaining flashed back to their own dimension. Somehow the angels had pulled off a victory.
    Fingers snapped in front of his face. “Arikk, are you listening to me?”
    “Ah, sorry, what was that?” The wizard was distracted and worried.
    “I’m going to take Tasha back to finish healing. Your Sunshine will be fine.” Rafe’s voice was weary and his movements were sluggish.
    “Don’t worry, Sunshine, we will meet again soon.” Arikk leaned over and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. “Take care of her for me, Rafe.”
    The angel nodded. Without jostling her, Rafe picked her up and cradled her in his arms, her head resting on his shoulder. A Latin chant soon left Rafe’s lips. Before long, the pair was shimmering, their forms dissipating into a mist.
    “Damn it! Wait a second – what about the ring?” Arikk was dying to know, and he wasn’t sure when his path would cross with Rafe’s next.
    “Ask your mother.”
    ****
    The smell of antiseptic and an annoying beeping sound pulled Tasha back to reality. Her eyes fluttered open. She expected to see Arikk and Rafe hovering over her. Instead a nurse in pale blue scrubs stood beside her bed. The nurse’s cool hand was wrapped around her wrist, checking her pulse.
    “That must have been some dream. You were