“How do you know all this?” Justin asked.
“Lucifer wouldn’t let me touch him, and he laughed at Pario’s plan to overthrow him by harming his mate. Said he’d never have a mate to make him weak.” She sat on his lap and leaned on the arm of the couch adjacent to Theo and Sadie.
“But why the ruse?” Theo asked. “All the demons think they can do it.”
“It keeps them motivated. With no hope, there is no action,” Gabriel said. “His demons wouldn’t gather souls to get stronger, therefore making Lucifer stronger, if they didn’t have a reason to. Blind worship will only get you so far. Lucifer is the king of lies, so be wary of his claims. He can get into people’s minds and create, destroy, and motivate to get what he needs.”
“And he needs the Artifacts, because they can harm him whether he has a mate or not,” Theo said.
“Yes. He created seven items that kill heavenly beings.” He pointed to a bag beside him. “I retrieved the ones you had at your compound, Theophilus. That place is no longer safe.”
“Shouldn’t you take them…to heaven or something?” Yvonne asked.
“Doesn’t work that way. We can only interfere so much. Like when Lucifer made those Angel Killers. We were able to even out the field by blessing and creating some that would banish demons to eternal fire.”
“Creating?” Justin asked. “So these Artifacts aren’t the ones that Lucifer made and you blessed?”
“Yes. They are. There are seven Artifacts: The Sword of Terentia, Ring of Episteme, Thata, Bracelet of Aoratos, Necklace of Desmios, and the Gem of Desmios.”
“That’s only six,” Sadie said. “And we only have four.”
“Actually, you have five.” Gabriel eyed Justin. “You hold in your arms the fifth. We created her to even things out.”
Justin’s grip on Yvonne tightened.
“As a human, you were an empath who was meant to project the evil you encounter back seventy-seven times, and vaporize a demon with a mere touch.”
“I could do that as a human?”
“You hadn’t come into your full powers before your soul was stolen, tricked into bondage.” Gabriel smiled. “It’s that empathy, that compassion and love for humans, that led to your choice to sacrifice yourself for your family.”
Yvonne gasped. “I ruined things.”
“No. You can never ruin the grand plan.” Gabriel nodded. “All things turned out as they should. You are a formidable weapon, immortal and mated to a strong family of Shomrei.” His gaze turned serious. “Though one of your own teeters a fine line.”
“Halena,” Theo said.
Gabriel dipped his head.
Speaking of her, Justin had just noticed she wasn’t here.
“Is she okay?” Theo asked.
“Physically, yes. She must walk down a road to bring her to her destiny. You would do well by her to stay here. This is a sanctuary, unbreachable.”
“And my home?” Theo asked. “How was that breached?”
“Lucifer cracked through the angelic binding. That has been reversed, and he’s been put back in his hole where he belongs. But that location has been compromised. Those loyal to us will begin rebuilding in the remote mountains of Colorado for you. There have been some spikes of evil in that area that merit your presence.” Gabriel pointed to the bag. “Secure that as you did at your compound.”
“And Zander?” Yvonne asked. “What of him?”
Gabriel flashed a bright smile. “I have no doubt you’ll meet up with him again. We have special plans for that unique character. Gather your resources, rest, fortify for a spell.” He glanced in Sadie’s direction. “Nurture that youngling.” And with that said, he vanished in a flash of bright white light.
“Amazing,” Sadie said, rubbing her belly. “It was like he jumped at Gabriel’s presence.”
“I wonder what he’s got in store for your little one,” Yvonne said. “What’d he mean about Halena and Zander, do you think?”
“If I tried to figure out every cryptic message I got from The Great One or his angels, my mind would be broken.” Theo stood and turned a circle. “We must reach out to the other Gatekeepers, let them know what’s happened.”
“And keep an eye on Halena,” Yvonne said.
Justin tunneled his hand beneath her hair and massaged the nape of her neck. Yvonne knew too much about being alone and emotionally damaged. More than Justin wanted to admit. But she was on the mend, and he’d help her through it. Share the burden.
But if Halena didn’t have a Mate, who would help her bear the pain?
Yvonne patted his chest. “She’ll be fine.”
His little empath. So sensitive, yet so strong. Maybe what she had to endure would help Halena survive whatever her path would lead her to.
“Come on, szép.” Justin stood, taking his Mate with him. “The archangel said to rest and fortify.”
Yvonne pressed a kiss to his neck, right where his Ahavah was, and it pulsed to life. “Lead the way, Mate.”
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Acknowledgments
There are so many people who helped make this book possible, I could almost write another book talking about them. But I’ll try to keep this fairly short.
Super Editors Karen Grove and Theresa Cole: Thank you for all the time you spent making this story shine and holding my hand through it all.
Super Agent Nicole Resciniti: Your support means the world to me. Thank you for believing in me and my stories.
The Entangled Team: Thank you, Liz, for taking a chance on my Shomrei Gatekeepers and making my publishing dreams come true. Big thanks to my publicist Debbie, for all your efforts to help spread the word about my stories.
Frauke Spanuth: Thank you for producing amazing covers!
The blogging community: Thank you for taking the time to support the Bound by Hades series by sharing it with your readers. I appreciate your support!
Special thank-you to Rachel Firasek for hanging in with me during critiques, talking me off the ledge, and for being an all-around amazing friend. Kendall Grey, thank you for challenging me to step out of my comfort zone and always offering me a shoulder whenever I need one.
Vicki Tremper: Thanks for all your help with the French aspect of this novel.
My agency siblings over at The Seymour Agency: Your support and encouragement is unparalleled, and I’m proud to be a part of the agency with you all.
My BFF, Michele. I thank the Lord for our friendship every single day. I can’t imagine being on this crazy-awesome journey called life without you.
My Rock Stars: Katrina Whittaker, Crystal Woodmancy, Jennifer Swiger, Erin Rain, Tawney Bland, Lisa Hamilton, Ashleigh Gunter, Irayda Quezada, Jenny Bynum, Courtney Krueger.
YOU! Yes. I mean you. Thank you for reading my stories. I treasure every note, email, tweet and message I get from you. See you on the next Shomrei adventure…
About the Author
Reese Monroe holds a psychology degree from Southwest Minnesota State University and a master’s degree in mental health therapy from the University of Iowa. Her experience as a former addictions therapist and competitive athlete lends to stories about complex heroines and the men who dare to love them.
Growing up in the land of 10,000 lakes and cold, snowy winters, Reese has been known to weave a little of that cool Minnesota climate into her stories, but these days, she much prefers desert living. She resides in Phoenix, Arizona, with her husband and is surrounded by dear friends who are a constant reminder of how blessed she is.
Connect with Reese:
Twitter (@Rush_Monroe)
Facebook (Facebook.com/LynnRushWrites)
Website: ReeseMonroe.net
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