“That doesn’t work for that,” Luca mutters, yanking on the door of the coolant box.Refrigerator, fool.“If you’re done cutting me off...”
I nod stiffly.
“Until I know whether your death would hurt her, you’re safe from me. I won’t do anything to cause Celine pain.”
“She won’t thank you for interfering.” I cock my head as I study him. His knuckles are bone-white from his unforgiving grip on the refrigerator handle. With the other hand, he methodically removes an assortment of jars and boxes from inside and places them on the counter.
“I don’t need her thanks, asshole.” Luca slams the appliance door, and the contents rattle noisily. A strand of brown hair falls in his face, and he shoves it back. “I need her to be safe. And as happy as I can make her.”
I grind my teeth. Luca speaks as though his place by her side is guaranteed. Where does he get his confidence? “You didn’t pass my judgment,” I remind him.
“I’m standing here, aren’t I?” He grins, but there’s no friendliness or humor in the expression. “Your goons can’t say the same.”
“Celine helped you.” I cross my arms and wait for him to show the proper amount of shame for that weakness.
Luca only shrugs, smearing something bright yellow and pungent on a crusty piece of bread. “That’s the part that’s pissing you off, isn’t it? Even sprinting in six-inch heels, she had my back without question. Would she do the same for you?”
My wings burst free, knocking one of his glass jars off thecounter. His hand darts out—faster than lightning—catching it before it hits the floor and returning it to the counter.
“We made vows,” I snarl.
“Words mean nothing,” Luca hisses. “I’ve watched out for her for years.”
My fingers curl. “You know nothing of our words. Our traditions are sacred.”
“We’ll see, won’t we?” He places meat and cheese between the bread, then returns to the refrigerator, his head disappearing inside. “Do you want a glass of wine, baby?”
“Red, please.” My head whips around at the sound of her voice. Silently, I curse myself for allowing the basilisk to infuriate me. He wants to erode her trust in me. I can’t allow that to happen.
“Okay, Malach,” Celine murmurs. I shudder with pleasure at the sound of my name on her lips. “Tell me what’s going on—don’t leave anything out.”
I glance at Luca, but he’s focused on the plate in front of him.
“If you’re sure you’re ready . . .”
“Don’t insult me.”Never, My Truth.
“S’lach has risen in power. He controls thenish thatshawith an iron fist, and through them, the entire realm. None stand against him. They fear?—”
“His word.” Celine scrapes a hand over her face and begins to pace. “How did the other leaders let this happen? He was powerful when I left, but plenty of the otherthatshahate him.”
“He silenced some. The others didn’t notice until his web was too tight to escape. He’s become fixated with balance, enacting a birth application mandate over the lower echelons. Any angels born without permissionare terminated.”
“The orphans?” Her brown eyes swim with emotion.
I nod. “Many in the lowernishhide their offspring,but he has them hunted. The parents are punished, and the children... Many of them go missing as well.”
“So, you take them first?” Celine raises her eyebrows.
“I tried to help as many as I could. S’lach must have been watching me more closely than I thought. I’m a wanted fugitive now.”
A headache prods at the base of my skull. I ignore it.
“What about the plague that killed Anika’s parents?” Luca asks me, handing Celine a wine glass filled to the brim and nudging the plate closer to her.
“It started as a simple sickness, nothing the healers couldn’t handle, but S’lach forbade thesalumfrom treating patients in the lower echelons. Thousands died in the name of?—”
“Balance,” Celine breathes. “He always was obsessed with things being exactly how he thought they should be. Control is everything to him.”
