Justinian’s face went from angelic mirth to gathering storm clouds in an instant. “Are you questioning my honor?”
Phoenix debated whether to push his buttons or back down. It was too late to back down. “What honor?”
The angel bounded out of his seat with a roar. He seized the sword and swung it over his head before aiming it squarely at Phoenix’s chest. “Never question my honor!”
Raya made as if to intervene, but Phoenix held her off with a subtle gesture. “I’m sorry. I must have misunderstood what you said.”
Justinian stared at him down the length of the sword. “You did?”
“I thought you meant you wouldn’t help us. You only meant that you had to come with us, didn’t you?” Phoenix smiled encouragingly, only half convinced the angel would fall for it.
The sword dipped as Justinian thought this through. “Yes, of course. That is what I meant. I will come with you.” He lowered the sword and looked confused.
“Wonderful!” Phoenix clapped his hands together, then pointed to an unopened bottle. “Do you mind if I take one of these to go?”
They emerged from the caverns to find Justine keeping watch on the entrance. She gasped and ran forward, throwing her arms around Justinian.
He hugged her and patted her back. “It’s been a long time, sister.”
She pulled back and held him at arm’s length to look at him before folding him into another embrace. “Too long!”
Raya pressed her hand to her heart as she watched the angels reunite. “Apart for so long … ”
Phoenix shifted uncomfortably. “But they’re together now—isn’t that what matters?”
“Why would anyone waste so much time?” she murmured.
Phoenix didn’t blink. He just raised one eyebrow. “Why, indeed.”
27
Raya adjusted her sunglasses and leaned back in the outdoor cafe chair. “I still think this is a monumentally stupid idea.”
Phoenix tipped his sunglasses down and looked at her. “And yet—here you are.” He slid the sunglasses back into place with a graceful push of his finger.
“We’re like sitting ducks.” Raya stuck out her bottom lip in a diminutive pout.
“If you have a better plan for talking to Lizzy—without Nathan—I’d like to hear it.”
“She’s sensitive, Phoenix. You don’t think she’ll see us coming from a mile away?”
“Hopefully, she’s as curious as she is sensitive.”
Raya made a sound of disbelief. Her gaze traveled across the sidewalk opposite the cafe to the entrance of the hotel where both Nathan and Lizzy stayed. “Hopefully, we’ll get lucky and he won’t come with her.”
“You said yourself he’s not interested in her.”
“He’s not. But they still work together.”
They lapsed into silence, occasionally ordering more coffee in order to keep the table and its excellent view of the hotel doors.
Phoenix glanced up and smiled to himself. “Jackpot. Don’t look now, but I think we have our quarry. Alone.”
Raya nonchalantly turned to look. “It’s her.”
Lizzy, dressed to the nines in a color-coordinated summer outfit complete with hat, sunglasses, and fashionable straw bag, strolled casually away from the hotel.
Phoenix quickly piled a few bills on the table.
