Sethios snorted. “Right.” Osiris never visited. All of their interactions were through summons only or during a Conclave. Sethios selected a third ceramic mug from the cupboard. “I assume you’re staying for coffee.”
Ezekiel snatched the mug and slammed it down on the counter. “Skye prophesied Osiris’s demise, and it involves you and some unknown entity.”
Sethios blinked at his oldest friend. “What?”
“He’s already on his way here. We need to go. Now.” Ezekiel reached for him just as Caro walked out wearing Sethios’s clothes. “Fuck.”
His best friend whipped out a knife and threw it without blinking an eye. The metal glinted in the early afternoon sunlight streaming through the windows as the sharp edge sailed toward Caro’s head.
Sethios didn’t think. He just reacted.
Mist to me. The command hit her faster than the blade, forcing her to shift to his side. Caro stumbled into him, and he caught her with his arm.
Ezekiel gaped at them, his eyebrows shooting upward. “Well, hello, unknown entity.” Those gold-flecked eyes radiated awe. “A Seraphim?”
“Pretty, isn’t she?” Amusement touched Sethios’s chest as Caro growled at his diminutive tone. “And please don’t kill her, E. I’m not done playing.”
He mentally ordered her to remain still before she could react and smiled when she glowered at him.
“You can speak, darling,” he taunted. In fact, I encourage you to.
Ezekiel shook his head as if waking from a spell. “We don’t have time for this. You need to run. Now.”
Sethios smirked. “Because of a prophecy.” He’d been on the receiving end of his father’s fury more than once and survived. This wouldn’t be any different. Though, he might have to send Caro home first or force her to disappear. He wasn’t ready to lose her yet.
“What prophecy?” Caro demanded. “And which seer delivered it?”
“Skye. She foresaw Osiris’s death at the hand of his son and someone without a face.”
“I’m not familiar with a ‘Skye.’ ” She frowned.
“You wouldn’t be,” Ezekiel snapped. “I’m risking my life by being here, Sethios. Either come with me or face your fate, but I’m not waiting for Osiris to sense my presence here.” He held out his hand and cocked a brow. “Decide.”
Sethios considered and shrugged. “I appreciate the warning, E. But I’ll handle it.” He always did in one way or another. Besides, he also had a Seraphim at his disposal. She could mist them to anywhere in the world, or even to the angelic plane. A perfect escape mechanism.
Ezekiel shook his head, sadness radiating from him. “You always were a stubborn ass.”
“Pot, meet kettle.”
“Touché,” his best friend murmured. “But do me a favor?”
“Sure.” He’d try, anyway.
“Don’t die on me. You’re one of the few in existence I can tolerate.” Ezekiel disappeared with those solemn words.
Sethios smiled. “Likewise, old friend. Likewise.”
Energy drifted over him, the only indication that Ezekiel may have heard him, and then his friend’s essence was gone.
“Hmm.” Sethios poured himself a cup of freshly brewed coffee, followed by one for Caro. “Tell me what you have planned for Osiris.” He threaded compulsion through the words, leaving her no choice but to obey.
“To deliver the message from the High Council of Seraph.”
“And what do you plan to do after that?”
“Kill you,” she replied simply.
He grinned. “Well, now that isn’t a threat to my father. He might be disappointed, but I hardly think he’d mistake it for his own demise.” Sethios appraised her outfit choice of a white shirt and boxer shorts. “I approve, angel.”
