by Lexi C. Foss
Of course, Dariel wished to destroy the bridge. It would only further fracture the delicate balance between our worlds.
He gazed at me with renewed interest. “I’ve always thought you were more intelligent than Mietek and never understood why he relegated you to protect humanity when you so clearly were born with a far greater purpose.” He sounded impressed, an emotion we did not share. “Seemed a waste, if you ask me. You’d make a fine Archangel, Xai. Join us and I’ll guarantee you a kingdom on Earth.”
I scratched my jaw as if considering his insane offer. On a practical level, I understood his proposal. With my experience, age, and strength, maintaining a territory would be within my realm of ability and birthright. “I’ve never much cared for humans,” I mused out loud. Not a lie, but a fact. The only reason I ever tolerated humanity was for Evangeline.
She glanced at me sharply. “Don’t you dare.”
“It’s a reasonable proposal,” I pointed out emotionlessly.
Her gaze narrowed, disapproval radiating off her. “You can’t be serious.”
I wasn’t, and if she didn’t know that by now, we had a serious problem. Trusting she understood my motives better than she portrayed, I ignored her and met Dariel’s gaze. “My father put me on Earth because he knew I was stronger than him.” Not a lie, I just didn’t elaborate on why. “It’s not my favorite plane by any means, but owning a small territory may make it more pleasant.” I tapped my chin and shrugged. “Say I’m interested. What would you need from me in return?”
Evangeline grabbed my arm, her nails digging into my flesh. “You can’t fucking be serious.”
I gave her a patient look. “Quiet, darling, the Archangels are talking.”
She growled while Dariel chuckled. “Yes, Evangeline, quiet.”
It took all manner of restraint not to punch the imbecile for talking to Evangeline in that manner. I hadn’t actually meant my words. But he did.
I cocked an impatient brow. “What would you need from me, Dariel?” I repeated.
“Help destroying the portals, for one.”
“You can’t manage that task on your own?” I asked, feigning surprise. “I assumed you were the one creating the gateways between Hell and Heaven.” A false statement meant to entice the truth. Who is helping you, Dariel? I wondered.
“That’s a group effort,” he replied vaguely. “But you and I both know the ritual requires beings on both sides.”
I nodded, understanding. “You need me to take a side and assist with the ancient chants.” Which stirred another fascinating question. “Who originally agreed to help with the task?”
“Me,” a feminine voice replied from above.
“You’re joking,” Evangeline breathed, her lips parting in shock as Lucía descended the stairs. “Your purpose in life is to uphold the balance.”
“Is it?” she asked, stopping at Dariel’s side to lay her dark head against his shoulder. “I’m a piece of the Divinity stationed in the underworld. How is that balanced?”
“You’re going to destroy everything we’ve worked so hard to create,” Evangeline argued, her love for humanity taking over. “How many innocent lives will be lost?”
“How do you survive this?” Dariel asked me, waving a hand over Evangeline.
By loving her. “It’s not without effort,” I replied flatly. “But that belies the point of our meeting, and as we’re surrounded, I suggest we focus on what matters. Why do you need me to help with the portal when you have Lucía?”
“While I’ve taught her the chants, she’s not as powerful as the son of two Archangels.”
“Meaning you already tried and failed,” I translated, the foreign part of me shining more insight into the situation. “So you orchestrated this scene and had Lucía send a warning that you knew my mother would foresee.”
Excitement danced in his multicolored eyes, giving him a maniacal glow that confirmed his lack of sanity. “I knew you were the right candidate for this, Xai.”
It disturbed me that he felt so confident in that assumption. What vibe had I given off that would ever convince someone I’d be inclined to destroy Heaven?
Still, it lent me an advantage. I needed Dariel away from all these lives, and he’d provided me with the perfect opportunity.
“I accept.” The words came easily, as did the shrug of my shoulders that followed.
Evangeline gasped beside me, her blue eyes swirling with fury as she glowered up at me. I held her gaze with disinterest. “Come now, love, surely you see this is the best way?”
“You know I don’t.” The hurt in her expression had me second-guessing this game. Did she truly believe me capable of such horror? No. No, she knew me. Our souls were bound together for eternity. She had to see through this, had to understand…
A sharp pang to my chest settled my resolve.
Heaven is Falling.
I could feel it.
“Do come back soon. We need you.”
My mother’s prophetic words validating my decision. “Lucía, would you mind keeping Evangeline company while Dariel and I see this through?”
The lethal assassin beside me twirled her blades, her stance ready for a fight. “Good luck with that.”
I sighed, truly irritated by the notion of her not having any faith in me at all. After everything we’d been through, she had to see through it.
Please don’t break my heart now…
“Evangeline—” I caught her knife with one hand—by the sharp end—and her wrist with my other hand. Then I spun her into the wall, dropped her blade, and covered her mouth with my bloody palm when she started to growl. My thighs pinned hers against the wall while my forearm dug into her throat. “Be a good girl and keep Lucía company while I work with Dariel. We can continue this conversation after the portals are destroyed.”
Defiance and hatred radiated from her, causing my soul to wither inside me.
She didn’t trust me.
How many times would I have to explain—
Evangeline’s tongue lightly traced the wound her blade had made against my palm and swallowed. Deliberately.
Her eyes sang a song of loathing, putting on a show for everyone around us, but inside, my mate was ready.
“I can see that you’re not going to play nice while I’m gone,” I said, sounding disappointed. “You’ve really left me with no choice, love.”
My forearm tensed against her throat, suffocating her.
She made to fight me, her nails clawing at my skin while she continued to lick my palm in reassurance.
It physically hurt to do this to her, especially as her eyes glazed with angry tears. “You’ll forgive me later,” I whispered, removing my palm to kiss her just before her legs gave out. I loosened my grip just enough to allow her a semblance of breath and exhaled softly into her mouth. Then I let her fall to the ground in a heap of violet feathers—my favorite color.
“I suggest you tie her up,” I said to Lucía. “And we should go. Alastor isn’t going to make this easy.”
“Actually, he’s already been handled,” Dariel replied with an affectionate look at Lucía. “She’s truly brilliant.”
I pretended to be impressed. “You’ll have to explain that.”
“Another time.” He gestured to the still-open door. “Lead the way, Son of Chaos.”
“Happily,” I replied, meaning it.
I stepped through the threshold and took to the sky with a sharp burst from my wings. Most required a running start or starting on a higher ledge, but even after millennia without my feathers, I could take off from a standstill.
A measure of strength and fortitude, my father would always say.
Dariel lifted with the same ease, his coloring immediately shifting to match his surroundings—a chameleon by nature. I studied his energy patterns and measured his movements, preparing for the inevitable. Portals were always situated outside of populated areas, as that allowed for better regulation and control. I just needed to guide
him close enough to push.
I subtly stretched my muscles as we flew, my mind shifting through various strategies and methods.
I’d never fought an Archangel. Not truly. It would require tapping into my deepest resources, finding everything my birthright had ever gifted me, and using it against him.
To destroy Dariel, I needed to diminish his light and deplete his energy reserves. An idea surfaced in my mind, morphing into a plan with multiple paths and avenues, all yielding similar outcomes.
Destiny…
I listened while I flew, taking in every detail and move, seeing every potential result.
Yes.
This could work.
I just had to play it right.
The portal shone in the distance, its magnetic fields drawing me to its power source. As my chosen path unfolded before me, I closed my eyes and stole a deep breath.
Now.
17
I Have No Idea What Side I’m on Anymore
Five Minutes Earlier…
Be safe, my soul whispered.
Xai didn’t reply. Not that I expected him to.
The door closed behind him with a finality that sent a bolt of fear through my heart.
The second Xai had agreed to hear out Dariel’s insanity plea—because, really, that’s what it was—I knew his intention.
He intended to fight, and to do that, he needed Dariel as far away from the city as he could manage. Because Archangels were destructive.
And as much as I wanted to join Xai in taking that crazy bastard down, I knew I would only distract him. His bloodline painted this as his duty, while mine granted me a different task.
Lucía.
Why were all the ancient beings insane? Yes, living for eternity caused boredom, but how would a war solve that? If they wanted to die, all they needed to do was ask.
Daughter of Death reporting for duty.
First up? Lucía.
Weapon of choice? Throwing blade.
Location? Preferably—
“Before you go into surprise attack mode—which won’t be a surprise because I already know your plan—please hear me out.” Lucía’s words cut into my mental play-by-play, causing me to frown. “Just… you can sit up now, and hold a knife if it makes you feel better, but I beg you to let me explain.”
I hadn’t heard anyone else enter the house, so she was clearly speaking to me. Yet, her words made no sense.
“I’m not really working with Dariel,” she continued. “And I can prove it if you give me five minutes.”
Okay, she had my attention now. I lifted my head and met her patient gaze. Typically, this was the moment where I sought out the blackness in her essence, but it didn’t rise, didn’t even flinch.
Justice not required, my lethal soul whispered.
Well, that was new. I narrowed my gaze at her. She claimed that she could prove her innocence. “Prove it how?” I demanded.
“Alastor.”
My eyebrows shot upward. “The Archdemon you supposedly took care of?”
She licked her lips and nodded. “Dariel thinks I poisoned him with silver. Alastor made a show of collapsing from the clouds right after you walked in the door, which is how I kept Dariel from leaving. After seeing Alastor fall, he felt more confident in his ability to take on Xai, had he refused the offer.” She ran her fingers through her long strands, her shoulders hunching. “I’ve been playing on his side for over a hundred years and reporting everything to Alastor. He’ll confirm it. I promise.”
Her promise didn’t mean much to me, especially after—
The hairs along my arm danced as electricity hummed through the air.
It’s starting…
I jumped to my feet, my heart racing.
Xai.
An explosion sounded in the distance.
“He didn’t waste time,” Lucía said, her lips curling warily. “I hope he destroys Dariel.”
I ignored her, my soul searching for its other half and finding him thriving.
He’s okay.
Tremors shook the ground, the building around us groaning from the unexpected impact.
Two Archangels.
Fighting in Hell.
The balance of our worlds is shattering.
My stomach twisted. How has it come to this?
Another crash ended in demonic screams and screeches, sending a chill down my spine.
But Xai’s lifeline beat steadily with mine.
Still alive.
The door flew open, Alastor filling the entry with his dark wings, his gaze wild and searching for Lucía. She ran into his open arms, her face against his neck as he held her with a tenderness that shocked me.
That surprise was short-lived as Trudy entered behind them, her expression annoyed. “Someone needs to get up there and help him.”
“Agreed,” Alastor replied, his lips against Lucía’s forehead. “You’re all right?”
She nodded, her throat working. “Ending him is only the beginning.”
“I know, sweetheart.” He kissed her temple, holding her close. “But we have to start somewhere.” His chocolate eyes lifted to mine. “Stay here.”
I scowled at him. “I don’t report to you.”
Arrogance and superiority straightened his spine, his broad shoulders appearing wider and more intimidating in his elegant suit. “You need to protect everyone on the ground, and Xai can’t focus if you’re up there. If—”
“I know,” I snapped, annoyed that he was wasting precious time. “Stop stating the obvious and get up there and help him take that asshole down.”
Respect reflected in his gaze as he gave me a nod. “If anything happens to Lucía, I’ll kill you.” He stepped backward and took flight without so much as a jump.
I snorted. “Keep dreaming, Archdemon.”
“Since when are you and Alastor an item?” Trudy demanded.
Lucía actually blushed, her lips curling. “It’s new, but—”
“Seriously? That’s what you two want to talk about right now?” I shook my head and collected my knives.
First things first, the body in the living room.
I swiped Trudy’s sword from her waist before she could react and walked around the coffee table to Grant’s unconscious form. “May you rest in Hell,” I growled, swiping the sword through the air and severing his head.
Fast.
Quick.
And far too painless.
His black soul, almost slimy in texture, slithered into the air and slowly joined all the others I carried with me—the burden of Death.
I swallowed, my eyes closing just for a moment as I soothed the darkness, morphing it into light, and welcomed him for eternity.
Justice served.
Yes.
Trudy and Lucía were both watching me warily when I finally opened my eyes again. “What?”
“Nothing, you just…” Trudy trailed off.
“Went all eerily quiet and smiled,” Lucía finished. “Like you enjoyed killing him.”
“I’m the Daughter of Death.” I wiped the sword against Grant’s leg before twirling it in my palm and handing it to Trudy, handle first. “You’re going to need that.”
Her brow crinkled. “I am?”
“You are.”
“Why?” she asked.
“Because we’re going to Heaven to kill some intruders.” I didn’t wait for them to reply, just walked out the door and into the stifling air. We needed to find one of those portals, or a being strong enough to take us upward.
Lightning crashed in the sky, sending a jolt through my heart.
A glance up showed Xai tumbling backward, his black wings spiraling around him as he started to fall.
I froze, my lips parted on a silent scream.
Don’t you dare! You get back up and fight him!
Another bolt flew through the air from an undetectable source, nailing Xai’s wings. Flames erupted around him, his feathers burning before my eyes.
I
started running without thinking, my wings flaring and taking me to the sky.
A flash of black light exploded from Xai, my heart breaking at the sight.
No!
I flew faster, my shoulders protesting. I needed to catch him, to save him…
Another blast rocked the clouds, the sky dimming beneath the midnight shades.
What is that? The sky fracturing?
Darkness shrouded the lands, covered the sun, swallowing us all into an inky abyss.
I paused midflight, the opaque surroundings making it impossible to see.
I can’t catch you… My ribs cracked beneath the pressure, a sob ripping its way from my throat. Xai!
I’m all right, love, he whispered.
Thunder rumbled through the clouds, followed by a burst of heat and sound. The wind sent me downward, forcing me to land while sand and debris kicked up around me.
I can’t see anything.
I know, he replied. And neither can Dariel.
Another clap of thunder shook the ground, sending me to my ass. Lightning zipped above, the only light for miles, and then a deafening crack sounded.
The sun broke through the ink-stained sky, radiating warmth and highlighting a gorgeous blue sky devoid of angels.
I blinked. Xai?
No reply.
I forced myself to my feet and spun in a circle, searching.
Nothing.
With a running start, I jumped and soared high.
Several buildings were destroyed from lightning strikes, and the erratic weather had stirred up sand all throughout the city, but Xai and Dariel were nowhere to be seen.
The portal in the distance still thrived.
Nothing else had severely changed.
Where are you? I demanded.
If he heard me, he didn’t reply.
I hurried back to where I left Trudy and Lucía, and found them waiting for me with a windblown Alastor. “Where did they go?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know.”
“What do you mean, you don’t know?”
He didn’t repeat himself, just shook his head again.