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His fingers trembled at his side and vibrations ran along the floor as he tried to temper his anger.
“There is a fucking demon lord gunning for your ass in case you’ve forgotten.” Her eyes widened slightly. “And don’t think for one minute you have a chance in hell against someone like Samael. He’s ruthless, cunning, and stronger than anything you’ve come up against.” He lowered his voice and whispered, “He’s nothing like that piece of crap you dealt with at the necromancer’s.”
Ana opened her mouth to speak but then closed her lips tight. He sensed her mind at work, saw the way her eyes fell as she averted her gaze.
Maybe she was finally getting it.
“I won’t let you pull a dumb-ass move and get yourself hurt, or worse.”
Ana moistened her lips and exhaled a ragged breath. “I’ve been taking care of myself for the last three hundred years, Declan.” She shook her head. “I’ve never had to rely on anyone.”
“Trust me,” he retorted as he backed away, “you meet that son of a bitch face-to-face, you’re gonna want all the help you can get.” Declan grabbed the chair from beside the pantry and thrust it back under the table. “I should know. He’s no different than Lilith, and I held up her whipping post for nearly six months.”
Declan strode from the room and headed toward the parlor. He’d found a half-decent blanket the night before and he tossed his long frame onto the short, uncomfortable settee. It wasn’t his first choice; however, it was all there was. The habitable rooms were taken and the others were rank with mildew and age.
/> He groaned as he shifted his body and tried to get comfortable. His thoughts turned to Kaden and he grimaced. The boy’s future was not a sure thing. He’d done some research. The mark of seven was legendary. They were both coveted and feared. If fear won out, the Seraphim would have them destroyed. If the demon underworld managed to get their hands on all seven, then who the hell knew what kind of weapon they’d control.
Declan sighed, closed his eyes, and tried to find some sort of peace. He was nearly there, too, but something woke him; a noise, a hint of energy in the air. Instantly he was on alert.
Someone was in the foyer.
The squeak of the doorknob turning echoed into the silence. Did she actually think he’d let her leave again?
Declan was up in a flash, his anger carrying him forward as he stomped into the foyer like a deranged person. But it wasn’t Ana who stood there, frozen with the door half open. It was Kaden.
“Where the hell do you think you’re going?” he snapped.
The teenager jumped at his words and Declan felt another tingle of energy charge the air as the boy turned to face him. He was dressed for outside with jeans, long-sleeved sweater, and a warm vest.
“I need to get out. I’m going crazy in here.”
Yeah, join the fucking club.
“You guys won’t let me leave or go anywhere. I’ve been stuck in this dump for days.” Kaden shoved his hands into the front pockets of his jeans and lifted his chin in a defiant manner. “All I do is sit on my ass and think. I don’t wanna think about things anymore. I don’t want to remember Claire or what my life was like. I’m done with that.” He turned back toward the door. “I need to breathe before I freak out.”
“You’re not going out there. ” Declan took a step forward as Kaden tensed. “Alone.” Every inch of his body protested. It had been days since he’d had proper rest. He might be one of the Seraph now but he was by no means like the rest of them. Some were of angelic origins, some otherworld, and others like Cale were a complete mystery.
Declan, on the other hand, still needed shuteye occasionally.
“Whatever,” Kaden muttered. He yanked on the door and left it wide open as he disappeared. Declan glanced back at the settee and sighed before following the teen into the early-morning gloom.
It was quiet, eerily so. Declan stopped beside the teenager, his gaze sweeping the entire perimeter. Endless fog slithered along the paved road in front of the house, twisting like ribbons of smoke against the protection ward that lined the entire property.
The damp was biting and his breath hung in the air for a few seconds before disappearing into nothingness. In the distance an owl hooted.
Kaden walked to the edge of the property and leaned against the wrought-iron fence.
“I’ve always wanted to come to New Orleans,” the teen murmured. “So much history here.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Too bad I haven’t had a chance to really see any of it.”
Declan opened the gate. “Let’s take a walk.”
He felt the pop of energy in his protection charm as he slipped through and waited while Kaden did the same. He’d woven their signatures deep into the spell. The protection ward only allowed those Declan wished to enter or leave.
The two of them walked for several moments in silence, Kaden having no trouble matching his strides to Declan’s long gait. There was no one out. Not one trace of otherworld, but Declan knew that meant shit. He constantly scanned the area for any anomalies. A demon could appear from nowhere in an instant and if something happened to Kaden, it would totally be on him.
He probably should have stayed back at the house and yet—he glanced at Kaden—he felt sorry for the kid.
As it was, Kaden gravitated toward the cemetery. Figures. The two of them stopped just outside the wall. Declan sensed the spirits that wandered just beyond and looked at the teenager.
