“It’s not a party until the angels show up.” Phoenix turned to Raya. “You ready?”
Raya nodded, hoping her nervousness didn’t show on her face.
Justinian leaned back and surveyed the room. “What about Lizzy?”
“She’s coming with Nathan,” Raya said.
A worried look crossed Justinian’s face.
Raya patted his arm. “Don’t worry. Lizzy can handle herself. She’s more powerful than she looks.”
“She’s not the only one.” Phoenix stood up. “Time to go incognito, Raya.” He cupped his hands around his mouth. “Justine! Stop fooling around and get your wings over here.”
Justine reluctantly stood and joined them at the bar.
Cosmo followed.
The angels and the demons looked at Raya expectantly.
Raya tried to swallow but found her mouth completely dry. She cleared her throat instead. “Witches and demons can sense each other, but neither can sense angels who don’t want to be noticed. We’re assuming Nathan will sense a big crowd of demons—but what we don’t want is for him to realize I’m here, too. That means I need to get out of sight before all the demons get here.” She gestured for Justine and Justinian to follow her to an empty space away from the bar and seating area. “I need you to hide me.”
Justine cocked her head and looked Raya up and down. “Let’s try this. Justinian, can you extend your aura?”
Justinian’s outline blazed into brightness and spread outward.
“Farther,” said Justine.
The light expanded to cover Raya, who shielded her eyes.
Justine went on the other side of Raya, opposite Justinian, and lit up like a flare. The two auras intersected and overlapped with Raya on the inside.
“How’s that?” said Raya. “Phoenix? Cosmo? Can you sense my presence? As a witch, I mean?”
Phoenix squinted into the glare. “Nothing.”
“You’re good,” said Cosmo.
“Now we wait,” said Justinian.
Their voices sounded like they’d been muffled with blankets. Raya covered her eyes completely from the dazzling glow. “This is awkward.”
Phoenix chuckled. “Look at it this way—it’s nowhere near as awkward as calling in a legion of demons to bait the trap, then having Nathan high-tail it because he sensed your presence.”
Someone brought Raya a chair, although she couldn’t see who, thanks to the blinding light between Justine and Justinian. She knew more demons would be arriving any minute but couldn’t tell which ones or how many since the shielding light seemed to work both ways. It made the suspense of waiting much worse.
The familiar voices retreated until she could no longer hear them at all. Raya shifted in the chair. She hadn’t felt this alone since the plane touched down at the airport. She inhaled and exhaled, keeping her breath even as it went in and out.
Phoenix would be there, even if she couldn’t see him now—and Cosmo, and Justine, and Justinian, and even George with his funny coat and antique glasses.
And Lizzy, too—Lizzy would be on their side.
Raya sincerely hoped Lizzy would be on their side. Her stomach flipped at the momentary doubt.
This would not go down in flames, not if she had anything to say about it. A grim smile touched her lips. She strained her senses, but could hear nothing but a distant buzz of conversation. The minutes ticked by, leaving her to fidget restlessly.
Suddenly, the murmur of the crowd collapsed into silence.
The angelic shield dropped all at once like a heavy stage curtain slashed free of its rings.
