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His smile was quick and genuine. “For what it’s worth, I like her. She’s good for you.”
I grasped his hand and pulled him into a tight hug. “Be safe, brother.”
Joriel didn’t answer as he backed away.
I watched him walk across the white tiles to the set of elevators.
He pressed the lower button beside the steel doors, and it glowed red. The doors slid open and he stepped in, turning back to face me. Our eyes met, and he nodded at me just before the doors closed, taking him to Hell.
It should have been me.The thought slammed into me as soon as I heard the soft thud of the doors connecting. I was born an angel of the sixth order. My purpose had been to fight demons and battle Hell. Joriel was a messenger. He was a damn good fighter, but he didn’t have the same advantages Samuel and I did. He couldn’t sense how powerful a demon was, he didn’t heal as fast, and his balance and reflexes weren’t as good. He’d been born with the skills suited to Earth. If anyone was going to visit Hell, it should have been me.
It was too late for regrets though. Joriel had chosen this role, and I had my own problems to worry about.
I ran out of the lobby and slid back into the car Samuel had given me. How he’d managed to make so many human connections was beyond me, but I’d never been more grateful.
I plugged the address into my phone and started driving. I had no idea what was waiting for me at the end of the road, but I was anxious to get there. I was ready for this nightmare to be over so I could start my real battle—winning back the woman who was carrying my child and then finding some way to keep her.
Twenty-Six
Sierra
The seat beltsign winked out as the plane came to a stop on the runway in Arlington County, Virginia. I had no idea what was around here, but it was the first flight I could get on.
Around me people stood, reaching for bags stowed in the overhead compartments and slinging backpacks over their shoulders. I stayed in my seat. I was exhausted enough that I wasn’t sure I could even stand. The emotional overload of the day had drained me, and all I wanted to do was go to sleep and hope I woke up in a different life.
I’d been running on adrenaline since I’d gotten the phone call, and now I was definitely crashing.
I shouldered my purse, the only thing I’d had time to grab before I left the apartment, and forced myself to stand and walk down the aisle.
Once I was off the plane, I headed in the direction of the shops for a much-needed hit of caffeine and maybe some food.
Or maybe not. The idea of trying to eat anything right now made me feel sick to my stomach.
I paused and leaned against a wall, closing my eyes and waiting for the nausea spell to pass. I couldn’t fall apart now. I had to find a way out of this mess, something I had missed earlier in my panic.
I thought back over the conversation that had changed everything.
“I’m giving you the chance that you never gave me,” the mysterious voice on the other end of the phone said. “If you do exactly as I say, I’ll leave your friend unharmed. My demons took her from the café about five minutes ago, so I suggest you listen.”
I swallowed hard. “Who is this?”
“We met about a month ago in the parking lot of your church. I told you my name was Morris. Spoiler alert—it’s not.”
I vaguely remembered Morris. He’d been tall, cute from what I could recall, but part of his face had been covered by reflective sunglasses.
“What do you want?” I asked in a shaky voice.
“I want you to leave, drive to the nearest airport, and get on the first flight you can. If you make it into the air without your angelic bodyguard, your friend goes free.”
“How do I know you’ll keep your word and leave her alone?”
His chuckle was cold. “Because she’d be an unnecessary inconvenience to keep around. It’s you I want, but I’ll take her if you don’t make it onto the plane alone. You have one hour. Ticktock, Sierra.”
The line went dead.
Everything had happened so fast after that. I’d been sure it was a trap, but I didn’t see any good choices. I’d tried calling Kylie, but it had gone straight to voice mail. I couldn’t risk letting her get hurt—I’d never be able to live with myself if something happened to her. Now I was in a strange place, five hundred miles from home. I couldn’t think straight. My brain was still trying to catch up with my situation. And my body wanted to curl up in a ball and take a nap.
Coffee first, I decided. Then I’d figure out what to do next.
