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Something shifted inside both of us. I don’t know what he’s feeling now that I let him soak in the darkness growing inside me, but I do know that he isn’t afraid like he was before. If anything, he now has a sense of relief. There’s no way he wouldn’t have tried to murder me on the spot with his heavenly sword if things were awful like he thought.
“As much as I want to cater to her feelings, the child inside her must be completely guarded. It is our duty to see that light survive. Heaven needs such a victory.” Mikail tightens his jaw and narrows his eyes at me.
It takes everything in me not to attempt to summon the darkness to devour him with. Because I know what will happen if I do. He doesn’t know what Cassius knows. I don’t think Cassius is ready to share the information. If he had, I’m sure Mikail would’ve said something.
“This is a victory. Raven understands what we’re trying to do. You have to make the compromise. It is her life and her child, and she has free will to make decisions for herself. It is not our purpose to intervene.” Cassius shifts closer to me, resting his hand on my stomach as if it’s the most natural thing.
I swat at his hand, getting him to move it. All he does is place it on top of mine to squeeze my fingers.
“Divine intervention is a must, Cassius. This has gone on long enough. Do not question my path. The Higher Power put this before me because you couldn’t handle it.” Mikail flicks his gaze from me to Cassius.
Oh, fucking shit. I want Cassius to punch the bastard in his smug-ass face. For the first time ever, I consider standing up for Cassius. But I don’t. I brace myself to make a run for it instead. I will figure out how to break the shield and get out of this crummy apartment.
“That is unfair to say,” Cassius says, his voice remaining even.
How can he not smack the asshole upside the head? I can’t believe he manages to keep his cool. He has lost his shit with the devils a dozen times. I don’t get it.
“I’m saying it with pure love and devotion. Just because you couldn’t handle it doesn’t mean that you were any less powerful than you are. You just unfortunately have a bond to those who have lost their way and perished in the fires of evil, my brother. But you can amend things. Heaven needs you.” Mikail pats Cassius on the shoulder. “Once you have your army once more, with me by your side, we will right the wrongs in the universe. I will make sure you don’t fail again.”
I grimace, twisting my lips to the side. “Who the fuck are you to talk to a savior like this? Weren’t you once one of these human souls you’re so afraid of Hell corrupting? You act as if you have power comparable to the devils. I can’t wait to see the look on your face when they rip your damn wings off and send you to the pits with the rest of your fallen failure fuckheads.”
I know I shouldn’t instigate the angel. He could lash out at me, call me names like an abomination, or even do something crazy like threaten my life on Earth, but I’m not afraid of him. He is far from intimidating. And I know in this very moment, Cassius won’t allow him to do anything to provoke the darkness brewing inside me, tangling with the bright light in what could be the most powerful connection the universe has ever seen.
Mikail ignores me, keeping his gaze on Cassius. And it pisses me off more than it should. I hate being ignored and treated as if I am not even here. I’m not used to it. With my devils, I’m usually their sole focus. It takes a lot to distract them, and even then, they still have some attention on me.
“I still think we should wait a bit longer,” Cassius says, squeezing my fingers harder. “The second we leave this apartment, if the shields are even down for a moment, the devils will be able to pinpoint us. They are too focused right now.”
“Maybe we can suggest a trade for Zade. Use him as a distraction. The devils will think they’re getting Raven, but we’ll attack. We can set a trap. I’ll handle Raven and get her away safely.” Mikail straightens his shoulders, his muscles bunching as he flexes his hands. “It will be best if you don’t know her location, so they can’t use you.”
What? No. Fuck no. There’s no way I’m letting Mikail take me.
“I don’t think so, Mikail. Raven is more familiar with me.” Cassius unfurls his wings. “I know you think you’re doing the right thing, but her mental state is important during this time.”
Mikail glowers and snatches my hand, surprising me. “Cassius—”
My body reacts, and I manage to summon hellfire, burning Mikail and getting him to release me. Cassius swears under his breath just loud enough for me to hear, but Mikail is too concerned about his own pain. I take advantage of his distraction and blast Cassius next. I spin on my heels and rush toward the apartment door. It hums and crackles at my closeness, and then something purely amazing happens. The fire in my palms turns into light, and the door swings open, allowing me out of this bare-bones apartment and into a lively complex.
I open my mouth to shout for help, but a woman lands in front of me and expands her golden wings. I automatically attack, summoning a fire whip from the bowels of Hell. And holy shit. The wave of power coursing through me zings me to my very core. My connection to Hell startles the angel, and she jumps back. I expect her to try to hurt me or try to capture me, but all she does is launch back into the air.
“Raven! Please! Come back here,” Cassius shouts, his voice bellowing behind me.
I don’t respond to him.
I don’t look back either. Instead, I thrust more hellfire over my head, keeping the angels back.
And then I run.
Chapter 15
RAVEN
Abandoned
I RUN AS fast as I can, keeping my eyes on the world around me. I’m afraid I won’t make it far before the angels swoop down and snatch me off my feet, stealing me away and not giving me a chance to fight.
I’m pretty damn sure that the angels are shielding this whole area, and I’ll have to get far, far away before I can call my devils to save me. I wish I were more athletic. If I were, I wouldn’t be so out of breath. I wouldn’t be tempted to pray for the energy to keep going. Also, I’d probably stand a better chance. It seems a bit pointless to be running, but my devils would punish me if I didn’t at least try to escape. I’m too stubborn to admit that I face defeat because of my mortality.
“Raven, why bother fleeing? You know this is over for you. Heaven has won, and we will not stand by and watch this beautiful gift you carry be destroyed by Hell.” Meri lands on the sidewalk in front of me, expanding her wings to block my path. This bitch. Can she read minds like Micah? I hate that she confirms my thoughts about not being powerful enough on my own. “Please, show some reason. We are not your enemy. We want what’s best for you and that beautiful, angelic light of the soul you carry.”
