“That's why we have to take care of Morrah.” He kissed her cheek. “Come on, let's find a seat.”

  Sybil started toward the rows of chairs that were laid out in front of a picture of Chrissy.

  Azazel squeezed her hand and then looked around for Dey. The imp was nowhere to be seen. He searched the crowd more and realized that it was thinning out suddenly. He pulled Sybil with him toward the exit. “Let's go.”

  “Why?”

  “Something is about to go down, and I don't think we need to be here.” He got two feet before someone stepped in front of him.

  “Annabeth,” he said. “Whatever you're about to do, it's not worth it.” He put a hand on her shoulder.

  She snarled at him and shrugged it off. “I know exactly who killed my baby girl.” She pointed a finger at Sybil. “You did. I was told you had the chance to save her.”

  Sybil shook her head. “No, I didn't. Or I would have. I would have traded my life for hers if I could. She didn't deserve the death she got.”

  He was glad to hear she wouldn’t crumble at the accusation. “That's the grief speaking, Annabeth. Sybil could not save your daughter.”

  “The angel told me otherwise.” She growled. “She belongs in his servitude now for her sins.”

  Sybil laughed, and both Azazel and Annabeth looked at Sybil like she'd lost her mind. “The servitude of an angel? Angels aren't supposed to have slaves or minions. They are supposed to be beings of peace or the creator's wrath, flawless but terrifying. Does that sound like something an angel like that would say?”

  Azazel raised a brow. Sybil knew very well the nature of Morrah, but...

  Annabeth hesitated. “He came to me in white light and wings... he told me...”

  “Minions of the underworld and hell can change their appearance to fit their needs. An angel didn’t visit you. A demon visited you, trying to prey on your grief.”

  Annabeth looked away. “But...”

  “Sybil is right. An angel of the creator would ask you to forgive those who have wronged you. Not ask you to confront them. Sybil is innocent in this, and deep in your heart, you know that.”

  Annabeth stared at Sybil for a moment. “She trusted you.”

  “I know. I wouldn't betray that trust.” Sybil nodded. “Chrissy was my only friend here. I appreciated her so much.”

  Azazel heard the tears in her voice, and he squeezed her hand again. “So, please Annabeth, let us walk out of here.”

  “It's too late for that.” She motioned behind them. “Much too late.”

  Azazel spun around with Sybil to find Morrah standing there, grinning.

  “Annabeth, go. I'll take it from here.”

  Azazel glanced behind him. “Sybil?”

  “Yeah, I know.” She summoned her own sword, just as Azazel had taught her.

  “You're forgetting one thing, Azazel.” Morrah stepped forward, his arms and wings spread out. “I wasn't lying when I said Sybil was mine.”

  Azazel shook his head. “Don't.” Panic filled him. He couldn't lose his mate to this angel.

  “You know damn well that I can control her since my influences are in her. Why do you think I wasn't panicking when she suddenly disappeared? Why I let you guys escape? I know you've been hiding out in that poor excuse of a hotel.”

  “She is my mate.” Azazel stepped in front of Sybil.

  “Come here, Sybil.” Morrah held his hand out.

  Sybil's panic was tangible as she moved forward. “Azazel?”

  He grabbed her wrist, trying to keep himself calm. He tried to take her away, but something was blocking them.

  “Holy ground, Azazel. You can't just pop in and out of here.” Morrah laughed and appeared in front of Sybil, grabbing her by the throat. “I told you, you little whore. You are mine.” He disappeared with her, ripping her from Azazel's grip.

  He cried out at the sudden loss of her. How could he have been so dumb? How could he think they would be safe?

  Anger filled him. He was going to rip Morrah's throat out for this. Touching Sybil without permission. Claiming her metaphysically to get her to obey. There was no severing that. Just like him and Dey. Where was that little imp, anyway?

  He spun around to see people walking back in, like nothing had happened. Unaware that Sybil was just ripped from this realm.

  He walked out, ignoring anyone who tried to talk to him. His focus was on finding Dey and then figuring out how to get Morrah back in this realm with Sybil. Rescuing her wasn't an option, because he'd just do the same. Take her back using their connection.

  Fuck. That.

  Azazel looked up from the insurance paperwork when Dey knocked on the door. “Where have you been?” He snarled.

  She bowed her head. “I hit a barrier, and when I tried to press through it, it zapped me to an unknown place. I failed. I should have known that he set a trap.”

  “He has a connection to her. It wasn't your fault. We didn't know he was there until it was too late. I'm just...”

  “Worried. Angry. Frustrated.” She met his gaze. “Yeah, you're projecting pretty damn hard today. Not to mention what you're feeling from her.”

  He hadn't been feeling much from Sybil, and that's what was worrying him. “I'm sorry. Welcome back. I'm glad he didn’t hurt you.”

  She sat on his desk. “I wasn't completely idle. I found and scoped out Sybil's family.”

  “Think anything there will help us out?”

  She shrugged. “I set up a meeting with them, if you want to come.”

  “And how did you get them to agree to that?” He raised a brow and signed the papers in front of him.

  “Told a few white lies, and they agreed to meet me.” She shrugged. “You have to pretend to be her fiance though.”

  He balked at that. “What exactly did you tell them?”

  “That I'm your sister and Sybil's soon to be sister-in-law, and that you wanted to get to know her family before you married her. You wanted to give her the gift of mending the bridge between them.”

  Azazel snorted. “I don't know if that's what Sybil wants.”

  “To be honest, I don't know if that's what her family wants, either. They were very hesitant about it, but in the end, I convinced them.”

  He nodded. “Then I guess we go.”

  “Have you heard from Rae?”

  He shook his head. “She won't go back on her word, though. She'll figure out a way we can face Morrah with an advantage.”

  “I hope she comes through, for your sake.”

  He stood. “Me too. When is this meeting?”

  “In about an hour. You have time to clean up and pop us on over there.”

  “Where is 'over there'?”

  Dey cackled. “Salina, Kansas.”

  He blinked a few times. “Kansas?”

  “Nothing happens in Kansas. I'm assuming that has something to do with it.”

  He thought about all Sybil had shared with him and realized that Dey was probably right. “I mean, when angels come after your daughter, I guess moving to a land where nothing happens sounds like a good idea.”

  “I'm going to go let my wife know I'm home safe. Go get ready, and I'll meet you back here.” She poofed away, leaving him alone.

  He rubbed his still aching chest. He just wanted to know more about Sybil and her family, but something made him feel like she'd be angry about this. However, he couldn't just sit here idly waiting on his own sister to bring news of Morrah.

  Sybil stared at Morrah. “You're a bastard.”

  “And you've seemed to gain some confidence after being away for just a couple of days. I don't have any witches right now to bring you back down to the weak witch you're supposed to be. But I have big plans for you.”

  She tried to cross her arms, but the chains kept her from it. “I won't obey you. I will fight you tooth and nail.”

  He stepped up, trapping her against the wall. “Then I will beat you into submission and flood you with my influences until you bend to my will.”

  “Keep talking like that and people will start thinking you're a fallen.” She met his gaze. “You're no better than the people of the underworld. You're cruel, self-centered, and everything that Azazel isn't.”

  The back of his hand hit her cheek. “Azazel is a fool. I am doing the bidding of the creator. I am the one who will wipe his so-called gift from the world.”

  She cringed at the pain. “Azazel gave us a gift, trusting we'd do the right thing. Free will and all that.” She met his gaze.

  Morrah grabbed her chin between his fingers, squeezing just enough to remind her he was stronger. “Azazel is weaker than he thinks, because now he has you to worry about. He was a warrior, but he's lost his fight.”

  She stared at the angel. If Azazel didn't have her, none of this would be happening. Of course, she wouldn't have the hope that she'd survive this either. She just needed to figure out how to strip Morrah of his blessing without him realizing what was happening.

  Working with him was an option.

  But he'd probably find the sudden shift in behavior suspicious.

  “What are you thinking?” Morrah leaned close to her. “There's no escape for you.”

  She pressed her lips together. “Just trying to think through it all. That's it.”

  “There's no reason for you to think at all. Tomorrow we'll start with cleansing the world again. I'll be pushing you to your limits. More than one witch at a time. Multiples. The faster we get this done, the better.”

  Sybil shook her head. “If you push me too much, you'll kill me.”

  “Don't worry, with our connection, I know how far you can go.” He ran a hand over her face. “It would have been so much better if you were my mate and not Azazel's, but the fates are cruel like that.”

  She looked away from him. She had to work with him and not against him, or she could end up too weak to do anything when she got the chance.

  “Speechless, that's good. I like it when you're silent. Once we've finished this up, I'll return you to your pathetic existence. Maybe Azazel will even take you back, but centuries could pass before we're done.”

  “I'm human. I won't live for centuries.”

  He laughed. “I can bless you with immortality. Many angels have that ability. I even believe Azazel has done it once or twice in the past. The creator doesn't particularly for it, but it's for a cause. So he’ll understand.”

  “Like to walk that fine line between fallen and not, do you? At what point do you fall from grace?”

  His palm hit her cheek again, and this time she tasted blood. “You know nothing, little witch. I have the creator's blessing.”

  She wasn't sure of that, but she said nothing as he paced in front of her.

  “Once the world is free of witchcraft, then he'll understand why I did everything.”

  He didn't sound confident about that. Maybe his grace was hinging on this working. Oh, how she'd love to see him fall from grace. She watched him move back and forth until a cell phone rang. He picked it up.

  “What?”

  She couldn't hear what was on the other end, but his face tightened, and he nodded a few times. “Okay, I'll be there in a few minutes. Yeah, make sure my building stays guarded. Yeah, I don't want another slip up while I'm gone.” He shoved the phone back in his pocket and turned to Sybil. “Other duties call. You stay here and be a good little girl.”

  His wings appeared, and he smirked. “Not that you can go anywhere.” And he disappeared in a flash of light.

  Azazel straightened his leather jacket as they walked into the restaurant. Dey had arranged the meeting at a small mom and pop place that didn't seem too busy for the time of day, but toward the back were two older people, waiting. He took a deep breath. “That must be them.”

  Dey nodded. “Yeah, now, remember, and be polite. We're trying to find out more about her past without letting on that we know about her bloodline.”

  “Yeah, yeah, Dey.” He waved his hand and approached the booth. “Mr. and Ms. Peters?”

  They stood and shook hands. Azazel and Dey sat down.

  “You said you wanted to talk to us about marrying our daughter,” Mr. Peters said.

  Azazel nodded. “You daughter, Sybil, has stolen my heart.”

  “She'll steal more than that if you're not careful,” Mrs. Peters snapped back. “Do you know what you're marrying, Zel?”

  Probably better than she did. Azazel nodded. “I'm well aware that Sybil is a very special witch. She's mentioned a couple of things that I wanted to ask you about. To clear some things up.”

  “We're not here to answer your questions.” Mr. Peters shook his head. “We're here to tell you that you can go head and marry her, but also to give you a warning. She killed her own sister by stealing her magic. She hoards that magic inside her, growing more and more powerful each day.”

  “Is that what you think happens?” Azazel raised a brow. “You think she hoards the magic?”

  “That's what the stories say. We thought that the bloodline of the Peregrines had died out centuries ago, and then our oldest can suddenly do it. We saw it as a sign from God. The child had to leave, but her sister begged us to not kick her out. Then warriors of God started coming for her, forcing her to use her ability. Then she killed her sister when her sister was only trying to protect her.” Mrs. Peters' voice raised a little. “After the first person Sybil killed, we should have kicked her out then, but no. We let her figure her things out first.” Tears formed in her eyes. “Then she accidentally killed her sister.”

  Mr. Peters put a hand on her back. “There's your warning. Sybil will bring your death. If you know what's good for you, you'll throw her back on the streets where you found her, praying to the deity she swore would protect her. Seems he also abandoned her.”

  Azazel tried not to snarl. “Actually, I found her living a very good life, working at a little shop, and thriving despite the hand that fate has given her. You turned your back on her when she needed you most.”

  “She's lucky we didn't turn her in to the cops, but there were no actual signs of foul play.” Her mother snarled. “Now, excuse us. Like we said, we're not here to answer your questions.”

  They stood and walked out the door. Azazel sat there, staring at the table. They had thrown her out of the house after killing twice. She'd been lucky to survive. He took a deep breath. She'd been faithful to him and created herself a life despite what fate had handed her. He was proud of his mate.

  Dey snorted. “Boy, they were pleasant. I'd say Sybil dodged a bullet with that one.”

  Azazel nodded. “I'd say so too. She's moved forward with her life. She's the first one in centuries though.”

  “Which means the fates knew something was coming. Why would your blessing die until now?”

  “Fewer people practice witchcraft and magic than when I first gave them the blessing. Maybe no one has really discovered they had it until they were forced to. Morrah trapped Sybil into a corner. The first time we saw her use it, she was trying to protect her house. Maybe it was dormant in the bloodline until her.” He crossed his arms. “That's the only thing I can think of. What's clear though, is that there is no healing the rift between her and her family.”

  Dey chuckled. “Guess she'll officially be joining our family then. She'll fit in just fine with your sister and you, and me and wife.”

  Azazel rolled his eyes. “Let's focus on getting her back first.” He picked up the menu. “We've come this far though. Might as well enjoy lunch.”

  The door chimed at the entrance, and Dey glanced around the booth. “Rae just walked in. I think lunch is going to have to wait.”

  Azazel started to stand, but his sister approached quickly. “Sit down and shut up.” She sat across from him. “You are a hard person to find.”

  “Had a meeting here today. Did you organize a meeting with Morrah?”

  She nodded. “You won’t like the terms, but let me lay it out. He wants you to break any connection you have with Sybil. Said he'll let her come back to you when he's done with her.”

  Azazel opened his mouth to say something, but she held her hand up. “Keep your mouth shut. First off, why does Morrah have her again? Second off, what are you going to do to save her this time? Because me just popping you in somewhere won’t work again.”

  “Morrah has a connection with her, a metaphysical one. He can influence her, and it's terrifying. She just walked right to him when he came to the hotel.” He shook his head. “He let us go that day.”

  She pressed her lips together. “And how are you going to save her this time?”

  “I have to kill Morrah. There's no other way around it.”

  She leaned back and smiled as a waitress approached them. “We'll have some coffee and whatever soup is on special today.”

  The waitress jotted it down and then walked away. Rae waited a moment to speak again. “You're already fallen, but killing him might evoke the wrath of the creator on you.”

  “I don't care. All I want is Sybil safe. If the creator wants to turn me into a pillar of salt, or trap me in the underworld, or whatever, I don't care. What matters is Sybil.” He growled.

  She nodded. “Okay then, he'll be at this address tomorrow.” She pulled out a piece of paper and handed to him. “He's meeting someone. I don't know who. I don't care. Get him, get Sybil, and stop asking me for favors.”

  Azazel looked at the address and then handed it to Dey. “Thanks, sis.”

  “Don't call me sis.” She shook her head, but he saw a small smile on her face. “Oh look, lunch.”

  CHAPTER 10

  Sybil squinted when she and Morrah appeared in a bright room. The room was empty except for the two of them, but the window showed the sun rising, and she found relief that they at least seemed to be back in the mortal realm. “Where are we?”

  “Meeting the person you'll be staying with for a bit.” Morrah crossed his arms. “With that other angel helping Azazel out, I can't risk keeping you in my realm anymore. I need to hide you further from him.”

  Sybil swallowed the fear that built up in her. If she were more hidden, then Azazel wouldn't have the chance to find her.