“When I get back, we’re staying in bed for days if we can.” Zeke’s voice brings me back to the conversation at hand.
“Ordering food and watching a boatload of movies too.”
He grins. “Wouldn’t have it any other way, angel.”
I flinch at the moniker, and thankfully he doesn’t notice. It’s what Luke had called me, and the thought leaves sourness behind.
“I’ll be back in an hour or so.” He places one last kiss to my cheek before leaving me to myself in the loft.
That nickname has me thinking about things I have no business thinking about. Not after everything Zeke just shared with me. I need a shower, and then I need to drum up a storm to revive my powers. The need to run is intense but eclipsed by the thought of running into Lucifer. He was near. I could feel him.
I’m not ready to face the king of the damned. Somehow, I managed to escape the hound unscathed the last time I ran the trails, and I’m not about to press my luck.
Lucifer spared me.
I shiver at that reality. It’s the only explanation. Hellhounds don’t show mercy unless given direct orders. He also scared off the archangels. No matter how badly I want to dissect that, I have work to do. Satan, Lucifer, king of Hell, Luke—whatever the heck you want to call him—would only bask in the idea that I am thinking of him.
The master of deception, epitome of evil. Not someone I’ll give another single thought to. It would only give him power over me.
If he spared me, he’ll come to collect his favor.
I punch my pillow, irate that I have allowed myself to be in such a position. It’s the truth, and I damn well know it. When Lucifer saves your life, he comes calling. He is the bargainer, and my life has been spared for a price, whether I asked for it or not.
I have to be ready for him.
THEREFORE I AM
The hail comes first, beating into my bared skin, melting instantly on contact. I allow the heavy rain to drench me through. My hands come up over my head, calling upon the clouds to form the cyclone that’ll deliver the energy I desperately need. My skin tingles with the knowledge that any moment, my call will be answered.
My eyes close in preparation, but the wind never comes. Baffled, I open my eyes to realize the clouds aren’t obeying. The sky is the correct shade of green, but nothing twirls above. In fact, everything is entirely too still.
There’s only one being that could interfere with my God-given gifts—another angel. A powerful one at that.
“Where are you?” I call out, head swiveling left to right, trying to pinpoint where the angel is hiding out. What’s their motive for being here? I crouch low, getting into a fighting stance. I won’t be blindsided by an attack.
“Very perceptive, Victoria.” Leeanna’s voice sounds from overhead. I turn to see her loitering on a tree branch. She leaps into the air, but her descent to the ground is slow and graceful. “Glad to see one thing about you hasn’t been corrupted.”
“What do you want?” I growl. The last encounter we had almost ended badly for me, and I haven’t forgotten that.
She shrugs. “I came to have a chat with an old friend.”
“I’m not your friend. Tell me what you want and get the hell off my property.”
Her eyes light up. “I see pleasantries aren’t necessary. I was afraid I’d have to go through this whole conversation playing at friends. I really don’t have time to fake anything, so I’ll cut to the chase.”
“You have two minutes to state your business before I remove you myself.”
She laughs. “You can’t possibly think you can still take me. Those days are over.”
“It might not be as easy as it once was, but I won’t go down easily. Even you aren’t dumb enough to think otherwise.”
“I have God on my side.”
“I don’t, so there’s nothing stopping me from ending your existence. Or at least trying. I can assure you I’ll take extra care in making sure it’s excruciatingly painful.”
Leeanna takes a menacing step forward, baring her teeth. “Careful, Tori. God might have plans for you, but if you get in my way, I’ll end you.”
Now it’s my turn to laugh. “You? Disobey God? You don’t have the nerve.”
