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I looked at her.
“One of Ronan’s soldiers was on another world at the time,” Nyx said. “He survived a massacre. He got a reading on the assailants’ magic. We’re going to use that magical reading to track them down.”
I stepped forward.
“No. Not you, Pandora.” She cut me off. “You’re not going.”
“But after what they did—”
“After what they did, you’re going to stay far, far away from them. For the safety of your unborn child.”
“I can take care of myself.” I set my hand on my belly. “And I can take care of her.”
“Whoever these people are, they killed two angels and twenty elite Vanguard soldiers. They killed thousands of powerful magical beings. They killed gods. And I’m not going to risk that they kill you too.” Nyx looked at Cadence. “Or you, Lightbringer. Right now, there is nothing more important for the two of you to do than safeguard the future of the Legion: those children of angels.”
One quick glance at Cadence was all it took to tell me she was itching to go too, to do something. To protect the Legion, the Earth, her home, and all of those things she’d said just a few minutes ago.
“Don’t argue,” Nyx said. “Yes, I’m talking to you, Leda Pandora. For once, just obey my commands. You will be staying behind, but you won’t be idle. I have a very special assignment for you both.”
I narrowed my eyes with suspicion. “What special assignment?”
“Stay alive.”
“You can’t whisk me away to safety, separated from everything and everyone,” I complained.
“You’re always in the thick of things,” Nyx commented. “It’s time to take a break from all that. Stop being the center of attention.”
“I’m not trying to be the center of attention. Trouble just finds me,” I told her. “And now someone is trying to kill my family. I can’t stand by and let that happen.”
“Which is why you’re bringing your family to stay with you. Honestly, Pandora, weren’t you paying attention when I said that?”
“Nyx, that was a whole ten minutes ago. You can’t expect me to remember everything you say—or hang on your every word.”
I had to tease her, especially since everyone was expected to hang on the First Angel’s every word.
Nyx shook her head. “You’re supposed to be studying to be a better angel, not making jokes.”
“So I’m still going to be stuck with Colonel Fireswift in that classroom, rather than actually making a difference? Great.”
“You will make all the difference in the world. And Fireswift isn’t going with you. He’s coming with me.”
I perked up at her statement, my optimism returning. “So I don’t have Colonel Fireswift as an instructor anymore? Awesome. Maybe I’ll get someone better.”
“Like Damiel,” Cadence teased.
I turned to Damiel. “It’s not you, is it?”
“Well, the First Angel did consider me for the job.”
“I considered it for a very brief moment, Dragonsire. But then I quickly decided that putting you in charge over another angel’s training would ruffle quite a few feathers at the Legion. They’d all worry that they might be the next one I’d put under your black thumb.”
“The other angels don’t approve of Damiel’s sordid past,” Cadence said.
“His past as the Master Interrogator or as a demon collaborator?” I asked.
“Both,” replied Damiel. “Never mind that I never collaborated with the demons. But, nonetheless, clearly the First Angel doesn’t think putting me in charge would send the right signal.” He frowned, as if he didn’t agree with her decision. “In fact, it would be sending exactly the right signal—to our enemies. It would tell them that I don’t pull any punches. With me at the helm of our army—”
“With you at the helm of our army, the Legion would collapse into civil war,” Nyx cut off his grand speech. “You’re not a very unifying force, Damiel.”
