We found Lucas' car parked a few blocks away, abandoned, keys still in the ignition. I guess the lime-green bug hadn't appealed to anyone, even free. Didn't blame them. I wouldn't want to be judged, either.

He drove me home in silence, neither of us willing to be the first to break.

I pushed down my raging hormones, cursing puberty, as houses blurred past my vision. My mind tried to convince the rest of me that this was all just chemicals in my brain, nothing special. Nothing worth blowing up the world for.

But the memory of the sensations he could elicit with one touch taunted me, his claim of ownership a brand seared into my brain.

This couldn't be normal, could it?

No wonder teen pregnancy was so high. How could anyone make logical choices when their ovaries were driving the car?

He pulled up to a stop at the curb.

I waited before fleeing, just in case he had something life-changing to say.

"Are you okay?" he asked, voice soft and full of concern.

Nope, not life-changing.

I rushed out of the car without answering, cringing as I slammed the door too hard. I ran to the stoop, not looking behind me to see if he'd sped away yet.

I was childish and over-dramatic, I knew. I didn't respond well to new experiences. And whatever you wanted to call all of this was new.

Nothing Damian had taught me had prepared me for the deliciously dangerous nephilim.

I took the hidden key under the welcome mat and unlocked the front door, cursing myself for not asking more about his battle prowess. If he'd had that firepower in him all along, why hadn't he done anything before the two sentinels had dragged us to headquarters? It would have saved both of us some pain.

And lives.

How many had died during our escape? How many families had lost a spouse, a parent, a son or daughter? I knew the world was cruel. That it was kill or be killed at times. And hesitation ended with you or a loved one in a grave. I didn't blame Lucas for what he'd had to do.

I also didn't have to like it.

I shut the door behind me, leaned against the solid wood, and let out a deep breath. My stomach rumbled. My brain needed food to process everything that had happened.

I peeked out the window before going into the kitchen to forage. His car was still parked at the curb, but the distance and light made it impossible to see inside. I was tempted to invite him inside, offer to fill his belly in exchange for some truth.

But I'd probably end up making out with him again and getting nowhere.

I shambled into the kitchen after putting on a clean shirt and made a sandwich. It was pretty good, so I made another. After showering, I plopped in front of the television, ready for something mindless to distract me from reality.

There was never anything good on TV when you needed it.

My brain still hadn't processed, and my body still hadn't stopped aching, when the front door opened and slammed shut. I clicked off the TV and bounded into the foyer, eager to see if my brother would cop to the theatrics at the sentinel compound. Former sentinel compound? How much damage had been done after we'd left?

Damian shucked off his coat and hung it up. Wes pulled his boots off. Both had dark, moody expressions that promised violence at the slightest provocation.

Whatever had happened at Casa de Sentinel wouldn't be marked down as a win.

Wes still had bruising around his eye. He'd said earlier it still hurt when he breathed deep, but there didn’t appear to be any new injuries. My brother looked unscathed.

"What happened?" I asked, not wanting to say too much lest I give away I knew what I shouldn't.

Damian said nothing.

Something had happened, something bad, and he didn't want to talk about it.

Too bad.

I stalked over to him. Examining his arms and torso, I looked for damage I may have missed. He let me inspect to my satisfaction but remained mute.

I took a step back and caught his gaze. "Communication is the key to a healthy relationship, so talk."

His eyes narrowed as he drank in the damage to my face. I hadn't bothered to hide it. I wasn't that skilled with foundation.

He'd ask his questions, but if he wanted answers, he'd have to give a little first.

He brushed his fingers against the skin of my tender neck.

I grimaced.

"Who did this?" he growled, sounding more like a demon than an angel.

There was nothing scarier than a papa bear ready to defend his cub.

"I like it rough," I said, nonchalant. Answering any of his questions would set a dangerous precedent.

Wes snorted, but Damian looked about as amused as a hornet.

"Tell me yours, and I'll tell you mine," I said, brain scrambling for an explanation he'd buy.

"That isn't how it works, Niblet."

We were at an impasse, both too prideful to give. He looked away, anger melting into weariness. He slunk past me and into the living room.

I watched him go and then turned to Wes with a questioning look. Wes had always had looser lips.

He gently smiled as he walked over. His thumb was cold as he brushed it against my still swollen lips.

I shivered. "Forget your gloves again?"

He smirked. "At least tell me the other guy looks worse."

"I made an impression."

He leaned down and planted a sloppy kiss on my forehead. "That's my girl."

I followed him into the living room to check on Damian. He'd never backed down from an interrogation that quickly. It usually took hours for him to be satisfied with my answers even when I was truthful.

I had a bad feeling about this.

Damian lay on his back on the couch, his forearm covering his eyes. The steady rise and fall of his chest made me think he was asleep, but he spoke as soon as I sat down.

"I failed today, Niblet."

I waited. Pushing him would do no good. He needed to say this in his own time.

"We found the boy."

He didn't have to finish. I knew what that meant.

"Where?" I asked. I had a feeling it had something to do with the arson at the sentinel headquarters.

"It doesn't matter. In a few minutes, I will have to get up and give the worst news a parent can hear." His hands clenched into fists as his voice trembled with emotion. "Fuck."

My chest tightened. I hated hearing him in pain, but at the same time, having him begin to open up after years of keeping me in the dark filled me with warmth.

"You can't save everyone," I said, echoing Lucas' words earlier that day. Gods, had it only been this morning?

Damian sat up and stared at me with wet eyes, his voice raw. "Never make me have to take that phone call."

"What are you going to do now?"

"What do you mean?"

"How are you going to go after the people responsible?"

"I'm not. I did my job. It's over."

Anger bubbled to the surface. He must have thought I was stupid if he thought for a second I believed he was letting it go.

"How is lighting up the sentinel headquarters downtown letting it go?"

"Ugh." He stood up and paced. "Things aren't always what they seem, Niblet."

"That isn't an answer."

He stopped, towering over me, the weight of his disappointment heavy on my shoulders. "Are you going to tell me how you knew about that?"

"It's all over the news."

It wasn't even a lie. I had seen the news reports about the fire. Based on the over-the-top doomsday predictions of the news anchor, you would have thought Armageddon was at our doorstep.

"I tracked the kid there. The fires were a diversion. An effective one."

More effective than he knew.

"That's where you found the body?"

My suspicion the sentinels were involved in Lilly's death was now confirmed.

He shook his head. "Whoever had killed him left him in an alley on the other side of town. Peter called when they brought him in."

"So you don't think it was the sentinels, then?"

I debated telling him about Lilly. I'd get in trouble, but if it brought justice to their murderers, I'd take the punishment gladly.

"It doesn't matter. I'm not pursuing it."

"Why not? Don't his parents deserve the peace of knowing their son's killer is dead and buried?"

My brother didn't believe in half-measures. When the entire justice system was biased and corrupt, there were no cells to keep the bad guys locked up. Either they met the end of your blade, or you brought them to someone else who would deal with them.

This was personal to Damian. I could see that. This would haunt him forever, especially if he didn't make it right.

"I can't."

He sounded defeated like he'd given up before even trying.

"Yes, you can. We'll find those responsible, even if it's every single one of those sentinel bastards."

"We? No, we won't." He knelt in front of me. "I'm serious, Lex. I'm letting this go. For you. For us."

"You've always said the greater evil is to do nothing when evil thrives."

"I say a lot of things, Niblet." He smiled softly. "If you think it's evil I put your life in front of everyone else's, then you can just call me Mr. Khan from now on."

I nodded, giving up the argument. I couldn't change his mind, but I wouldn't let it go.

He was my shield against the evils of the world. But shields broke.

It was time for me to become the sword.