There’s no one around, no hints of habitation, and yet, I know I’m no longer alone. It’s a sudden disturbance, one that has my hands itching to reach for one of my guns.
Behind me,I realize, the subtle hint of magic tickling my senses in the wrong way.
But I don’t turn around. Instead, I keep my head high, pretending not to notice. Not until I have a better vantage point.
Getting closer,I think, feeling the magic strengthen at my back.Ballsy fucker.
Of course, I’m the visitor here. And this section of New York City is run by witches.
I pause as I reach the next intersection, feigning interest in the signs, all the while aware of the approaching presence.
Five,I start counting.Four. Three. Two.
My wings flare outward as I turn, my hand already pulling up my gun and aiming right at an approaching witch’s head. Her black eyes widen, her palms flying upward.
But it’s not a gesture of surrender.
It’s a gesture of aggression, something that becomes clear as a glittering enchantment forms in front of her.
I narrow my gaze. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you, witch.”
“Do what?” she demands. “Protect myself?”
I arch a brow. “You’re the one sneaking up on me.” I stare down the barrel of my gun at her. “Tell me why.”
Her obsidian hair blows in an invisible wind, her power mounting as the enchantment before her grows. My finger longs to pull the trigger, my intuition telling me this female is a threat. She may look dainty and delicate, but appearances can be deceiving. Fallon is evidence of that.
And so is this female—something the growing energy before her confirms as it pulses in the air.
“Who are you?” Her tone is underlined with command.
A command I ignore. “Someone you don’t want to play with,” I warn her. “Just move on and leave me be. It’ll save your life.”
Her lips curl a little. “My life will be just fine, archangel.”
Well, that’s interesting.Most supernaturals can’t guess my origin that quickly. At least not when I’ve hidden my wings.
“What have you done to Fallon?” she asks in the next breath, her question giving me pause.
“What?”
“Her aura is all over you. Tell me why and I’ll consider letting you live.” Black flames dance up her arms while she speaks, all the while that energy continues to pulse in front of her.
I stare at her for a long moment as my instincts war.
Then I do something I never thought I would do.
I lower my weapon.
“You know Fallon.” Which means I need this witch alive so she can tell me about my mate. “How?”
That black eyebrow of hers somehow lifts higher. “You’re not very good at answering questions, are you?”
“I could say the same about you,” I toss back. “Tell me how you know my mate.”
Now both her brows are in her dark hairline. “Mate?” She huffs a laugh. “That’s not possible. Nikolas is her mate.”
Nikolas?“I’m her second-chance mate,” I clarify. “Nikolasis dead. The King of Gold and Garnet executed him earlier this week.”
