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When Michael hopped down from my cage to argue, I was alone again, unable to hear what they were saying.
I was left lying on the floor of my box, staring at my mate and clawing desperately at our bond.
Feel me, Aria.
But, of course, she couldn’t hear my begging. I was surprised, however, when there was another voice in my head.
We need to break the cage.
My angel. I hadn’t felt connected to him in days, but there he was, whispering to me like we were doing something wrong. It was weak and fragile—or maybe I simply imagined that. Either way, it was nice to not feel completely powerless in this damn box.
How? It blocks our power—we’re about as useful as a human.
He scoffed.Reese is more valuable than you most of the time—especially lately.
How the hell was my angel allowed to disrespect me like that? Weshared a body.
His annoyance was clear, but either he couldn’t muster the power to respond, or he was done humoring my outrage because he’d disappeared. No amount of goading or pleading could drag him back to the forefront; I had to accept that he’d left again.
“Are you still awake, Sariel?”
Lucifer was standing at the cage door when I forced myself to roll over and look at him. Michael was nowhere to be found, and nothing but dread remained in his absence.
“Unfortunately.”
He pursed his lips, seemingly bothered by my response, though I couldn’t work out why it would bug him.
“Michael has assured me that he will not bother you again.” I breathed through the pang of sadness that hit me at that. “So there will be no further issues there. It is in your best interest to keep in mind that while he seems…kind, everyone has an agenda. Mine just happens to involve strengthening you as quickly as possible.”
Michael hadn’t seemed to have an agenda, but what did I know? Those two had been playing this back-and-forth game together since presumably the dawn of time. For all I knew, Michael was secretly as batshit as all the other elderly supernaturals I’d bumped into, even with Cosette hanging around.
“I’ll remember.”
He beamed at my easy agreement, nodding. “Excellent. Now, I know you’re probably exhausted from this morning, but it’s important to eat and keep your strength up.”
As if he actually cared about that. The man had forgotten to feed me for two days before hearing my stomach growl during one of our sessions. The resulting laughter and insincere apologies had been the closest to unlocking my wolf since he brought me here.
Lucifer clapped, and a tray appeared in the cell with me; I tried to force myself to sit up, at least, but my body screamed in distress.
“Hm. Maybe tomorrow we’ll take a break.” His head tilted in that unnatural way of his, and then he nodded. “Yes, I think that would be wise. You need a good rest, and I should catch up on my other duties. Without Barimuz around, I am a bit short-staffed. I hadn’t realized how much he did to keep Hell running until he took this little vacation.”
He shrugged, watching me struggle into a sitting position and try to eat with trembling arms. Even breathing hurt, but dammit, I was starving.
When he was content that I was eating, Lucifer waved a hand, and the walls were back in place.
I gave up trying to force the food down shortly after.
16
WHO IS HE?
ARIA
Something was… off. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.
Sariel was gripping my hip, pressing a kiss to my head like he usually does, but ever since Neo had pointed out how weird he’d been, I suddenly couldn’t unsee it.
Every interaction went under the microscope. It’s driving me insane.
