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Um, Maddox, Raini began, I’ve got a lot of people telepathically calling out to me. They noticed I was missing. I’ve assured them that I’m okay, but they’re wanting answers, and I’m guessing I can’t give them the full truth.
No, she definitely couldn’t. Tell them you couldn’t respond to their calls because you’ve been unconscious until now. Say we’ll meet them at the penthouse in an hour, where we’ll then explain the rest. There are a few things we need to do first.
They won’t be happy about the wait, but okay.
Releasing her wrist, Maddox stalked toward the angel. “So, the plan was to set my lair against my anchor’s. Another divide-and-conquer strategy. Your archangel is sort of a one-trick pony, isn’t he?”
The halo-bearer averted his gaze, tense as a bow, braced for impact.
What happened? Hector asked. Duncan just called saying the women Raini works with seem to be a little frantic right now. He and Hoyt are barreling into the studio as we speak.
His gaze still on the angel, Maddox replied, Someone took her, but she didn’t see who. It could even be our guest here. Maddox narrowed his eyes on their captive. “I need you to pass on a message to your precious archangel. Can I trust you to relay it, word for word?”
The halo-bearer’s upper lip curled. “I will do nothing for you.”
“Thought as much.” Maddox telekinetically flipped him over and split open his robe to bare the skin of his back. Pinning the angel still with power alone, Maddox lowered the forcefield. “Now let’s see … I’d like to say a great many things to your leader, but I only have a small canvas, so I’ll have to keep it short and succinct.”
Maddox raised his hand and released a stream of icy energy from the tip of his index finger, focusing it on the flesh of the angel’s back, and then he began to write. The halo-bearer screamed through his teeth, and those screams soon turned into pitiful whimpers—every sound was like music to his demon’s ears.
Hector whistled once Maddox was done and read it aloud. “You really think you’re worthy of being one of the Seven, Castiel? Then stop sending minions and face me yourself—I dare you.” Hector chuckled.
Maddox reopened the hole in their preternatural security and released his telekinetic hold on the halo-bearer. “Go.” The angel instantly wavered away. Maddox then once again closed the hole.
“That taunt will make good bait,” said Hector. “Do you think Castiel will rise to it?”
“I think his ego will. Whether or not he’ll come face me is another thing altogether.” Maddox swept his gaze over every descendant in the room as he said, “I’m holding a lair meeting in the cathedral in ten minutes. Everyone is to attend. Spread the word.”
Hector flicked a look at Raini. “What did the halo-bearers do to her this time?”
“I’ll explain at the meeting.”
Just then, Jolene’s mind touched his. Maddox, I do not know what you deem more important than bringing Raini to me, but making me wait isn’t acceptable.
He inwardly sighed. He understood that Jolene needed to see Raini with her own eyes, but he couldn’t delay this meeting, and he certainly couldn’t invite Jolene to it. You’ll see her soon. You’ve spoken to her telepathically. You know that she’s fine.
Not good enough.
It’ll have to be, because we have business to take care of before we can meet with you and the others.
I am her Prime, Maddox.
And I’m her anchor. I need her at my side right now—I refuse to justify why or to argue with you about it. Maddox broke the connection and turned to Raini, who was glancing around the club, taking in the damage. If she was at all bothered by what he’d done to the halo-bearer, she gave no indication of it. Then again, she was probably as pissed at those fuckers as he was.
Maddox stalked to her. “Time to go.”
“Where?” she asked.
In answer, he teleported her to the raised altar within the cathedral.
Raini felt her mouth drop open as she gazed around. The cathedral had an old world medieval feel. Vaulted ceilings. Mosaic floors. Exquisite artwork. Broad beams. Stone arches. It was like something out of a gothic fairytale. “Wow. Why are we here?”
“It’s where we often hold our meetings.” Turning toward one of the stained-glass windows, Maddox pointed to the nearby building. “That’s where we live.”
She blinked. “You … you all live in a monastery?”
He shrugged. “Private joke.” Tilting his head, he added, “I wouldn’t have thought that psychic hellfire could obliterate a haze. It’s always been portrayed as a negative ability. I wonder if there are other constructive things you could do with it.”
She was equally surprised by what had happened, but it made sense that the hellfire’s heat could consume the fog clogging their brain—like hellfire itself, the heat was potent. “I wouldn’t know. I use it very rarely.”
