He shook his head. “Controlled release is different. I should have picked better words.”

  “I don't know what controlled release looks like.”

  A smirk came over his face. “I could show you.” He leaned over the island and kissed her.

  Her body rose to meet his. “Not that kind of release. And you're supposed to be cooking.”

  “Mm yes. Food first, sex later.”

  She shook her head and sat back on the stool.

  CHAPTER 7

  Sybil walked into Dey's office. Azazel was busy with another store that had a theft issue, so he was gone for the rest of the evening.

  “Dey, I need to go to the surface.”

  She looked up from her pile of paperwork. “Go ask Azazel.”

  “He's busy with that other store. I want to go check out the hotel that we'll be meeting Morrah at.”

  Dey laughed. “You want me to take you to the surface to check out The Chalice without Azazel?”

  “I was hoping you would. I've never been there, so I know nothing about the layout.”

  “And what are you planning on doing with that information?” Dey crossed her arms.

  “Planning escape routes, because we both know that if we can't face Morrah before tomorrow night, that we have to face him at the hotel. And no one is going to be willing to trade.”

  Dey nodded. “Yeah, Azazel is a little attached to you. But he can't bring himself to sacrifice Chrissy for you.”

  “He's supposed to protect all witches,” Sybil stated and then sat down. “Trading me breaks that oath, and leaving Chrissy there also breaks that oath.”

  Dey laughed. “He's not just fond of you because you're a witch. You're his mate.”

  Sybil stared at her. “What?”

  “Do you think he makes a habit of harboring witches in his home?” She laughed.

  “I'm not sure. I've only known him for a week.”

  Dey leaned forward. “You have a thing for goats. You're an insanely powerful witch. You didn't think that directed you to being his mate?”

  “Why hasn't he said anything?”

  “That's not my story to tell.”

  “Funny. He said something similar about why he owns your soul.”

  Dey nodded. “That's a sensitive story, but he saved my life. That's all you need to know about it. He doesn't misuse his ownership like some creatures of the underworld. He's actually the reason I'm able to live a somewhat normal life, and I'm happy.”

  Sybil wrapped her arms around herself. “One thing at a time. Let's get through Morrah, and then Azazel and I can discuss our life together.”

  “Good. Now, I can take you to the hotel, but if we get in trouble, it's all on you.”

  “Deal, now let's go.” Sybil stood up.

  Dey came around the desk and put her hand on Sybil's shoulder. The office disappeared and an identical-looking office replaced it. The only thing that changed was the sun was outside the window instead of the darkness of the underworld.

  “What on earth?”

  “Topside offices. Convenient for popping in and out of the underworld unnoticed.” She shrugged. “Azazel should be at the shop, so we won't have to worry about him seeing us leaving.”

  Sybil nodded. “Good.” They walked out of the office and then to the elevator.

  “Okay, The Chalice is three blocks away from here. To the north. Morrah should treat tonight and tomorrow as a truce, so we shouldn't have to worry about him attacking.”

  Sybil leaned against the back of the elevator. “So we get to The Chalice, we look around, and we get back before Azazel realizes we came to the surface.”

  “It's like we're teenagers sneaking out of the house.” Dey snorted.

  “Yeah, except we'll be answering to a fallen angel.”

  The elevator dinged, and they walked out and headed straight toward the exit. Outside, Dey grabbed Sybil's sleeve and pulled her in the correct direction. “Remember, we don't know if the assassins are still after you or not. Keep a sharp eye out.”

  “After what Azazel did to them earlier today, I doubt it,” Sybil muttered. They covered the three blocks quickly, with no one stopping them or anything suspicious happening.

  The two of them stood in front of the hotel's rounded exterior. Stairs led up to the two main arched entrances, framing a golden chalice fountain. “Fancy,” Sybil muttered.

  “Especially for a hostage trade,” Dey agreed, and then she started up the stairs.

  Sybil followed and paused as they came to the doors. “Something is different about this place.”

  “Yeah, it's not completely in this world. It leads to the underworld as well.”

  “Got it. Interesting place for Morrah to choose for this then.”

  “Morrah chose it because there is a no kill rule in the hotel and no questions asked. So Azazel can't kill him here, but no one can ask what is going on if things get, well, heated.”

  Sybil shook her head. “I had no idea that angels and demons and everything were so integrated into the human world.”

  “But you knew they existed.” Dey pointed out. “Did you think we all just hide underground?”

  Sybil shrugged and pulled the door open. “I don't know. All I knew was there was an angel after me, so I assumed everything else existed too.”

  Dey followed. “Yeah, that's a pretty logical leap.”

  Dark blue tiles covered the entryway of the hotel, leading to the check-in desk that had two employees standing behind it. They both looked at Sybil and Dey, who gave them a wave. “We're just here to check out the bar.” Dey gave her best cheerful voice.

  The two women looked back down, and Dey pulled Sybil to the left. “There are two bars here. Morrah will most likely avoid those because he won't want an audience.”

  They wondered through the lobby and passed one bar. “The lobby is also too public.”

  “Then where is he going to do this?” Sybil looked at a map of the hotel by the elevator. “There's a ballroom.”

  “And a few conference rooms. We'll probably meet in one of those,” Dey muttered. “There are a couple of emergency exits near them, but those will set off alarms.”

  “Not a bad idea, cause some chaos and confusion.” Sybil let her fingers dance over the map. “Okay, let's walk the routes from each one.”

  Dey checked her watch. “We have time.” And she headed back to the first set of conference rooms.

  They finished walking around the hotel and then ran back to the office building as the sun was going down. They got inside and took the elevator up.

  “Okay, so dinner and more training. The fact that no one approached us while we were out tells me Morrah will not be stepping out of line between now and then.” Sybil sighed. “Which means we have to figure out what to do about tomorrow.”

  The door opened as she spoke, and they came face to face with Azazel.

  He crossed his arms and furrowed his brow. “Where did you two go off to?”

  Dey glanced at Sybil, and Sybil shrugged. “We went to do some pre-planning for tomorrow.”

  “And you couldn't wait for me?”

  “I wanted to do it in the daylight.” Sybil stepped out of the elevator. “I don't have to wait around for you.”

  Dey stepped out. “Well, on that note, I'm going to go see my wife.” Poof, the imp disappeared, and Sybil was cursing her easy way out.

  “Sybil, you're right. You don't have to listen to me, but it'd be safer if you did. What would you two have done if you ran into Morrah? Or another assassin?”

  “We would have figured it out.” She sighed. “I couldn't just sit there anymore. We had to figure out the hotel’s layout. So if came to running, we knew how to get out. Or if there was going to be an ambush, we wanted to know where they might come from.”

  He tapped his foot and then sighed. “Okay, fine, but next time at least let me know? I worried when I couldn't find you or Dey.” His gaze softened. “I don't want to lose you, either of you.”

  “Because I'm your mate,” Sybil responded without thinking.

  He froze for a moment and then nodded. “Because you're my mate.”

  “Why haven't you said anything about it?”

  “I didn't want to force you into anything. I figured you'd learn eventually on your own. Humans aren't like us. There's no instant connection, instant need to bond and be with each other.”

  She laughed. “So we're broken?”

  “I never said that.” He pulled her into a hug. “I'm just saying that you don't get that instant connection.”

  She snuggled into him. “Okay, so we get to go slow.”

  “Well, as slow as we do. Come on. Let's go.” He pulled her back toward the elevator.

  “Not back home?” she asked as he pulled her in.

  “Well, I thought we'd stop by your house and get some more things.”

  She paused at the words. “I won’t be able to go home, will I? If we take care of Morrah, there's always going to be another, isn't there?”

  He looked at her. “I'm hoping that after we take care of Morrah, we'll send a message to the others that want to wipe out witchcraft. That you and your people are not worth messing with.” He sighed. “But there are others like Morrah.”

  “There will always be others like Morrah, human or otherwise.” Sybil stepped out of the elevator. “Why me specifically?”

  “You know why. You can take magic away.” He put a hand on her back as they walked through the lobby. “That's why.”

  “But why do I have this power? No one else in the family had the ability, and if they did, they said nothing about it. They were just as shocked as I was. My sister never showed signs of it either.” She waved her hands around. “Or is it a genetic thing where only one person in every other generation gets it.”

  He shook his head. “I don't know if it's an ability that skips generations or not.”

  “Well, it's bullshit. That's what it is.” She turned to him. “Bullshit.”

  He laughed. “I know, come on.”

  They walked to the house, and Sybil stood outside the gate for a moment. “My ward is gone.”

  “Yeah, Dey told me that when she came to visit after the witch.”

  “Funny. Do they know he wants to strip the world of magic?”

  “I'm sure he promised them something to make them work for him.” He opened the gate, and they both walked in. She pulled her key from her pocket and opened the door. She waited for the gleeful bleating to come, but the house was silent without Billie. Tears started forming in her eyes. Azazel wrapped his arms around her. “I'm sorry about Billie.”

  She nodded. “Yeah, me too.” Swallowing her sorrow, she walked to her bedroom, where she still had things laid out from packing before. She started folding the clothes and putting them into piles. “How did things at the other shop go?”

  “Fine. We had a talk about what needs to happen in order to turn a profit. They've been experiencing some rough sales days, and it's hurt the bottom line. Hopefully, with these new instructions, they'll be able to pull the shop out of the hole. I'd hate to shut it down. I don't like leaving people without jobs.”

  “But it is a business,” she agreed. “Maybe having someone from one of the more successful shops come in and help train?”

  “That's my next option. Especially since it seems like my most successful shop is going to be down for a bit. I'd like to get those employees back to work when I can.”

  It took her a moment to realize he was talking about Mind Over Magic. “When it's safe.”

  “When it's safe,” he agreed and came up behind her. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her neck. “I wish you were safe now.”

  “Me too,” she whispered and went back to folding her clothes.

  “We were out all evening and some of the night, and no one made a move.” Azazel leaned back in his chair. “Morrah has gotten smarter over the years.”

  Dey crossed her arms. “He knows we can't kill him at the hotel, but there's something he's planning. He has to know that we're not going to just hand over Sybil.”

  Azazel nodded. “And I doubt he's going to hand over Chrissy.” He tapped his fingers on the desk. “I want you in the background. Stay out of sight, but stay close in case something goes down. The owner of The Chalice will have our skin if we make too much of a ruckus, which I think is what Morrah is banking on.”

  “Can't we summon a demon or something that looks like Sybil?” Dey sat down. “I don't think she should be there at all. Especially since you haven't been completely honest with her about where her abilities come from.”

  Azazel rubbed his eyes. “Her knowing that her abilities came from me won’t help the situation. There's no need to tell her. I can feel her nervousness any time it comes up. I don't want to ruin any progress she makes.”

  “She thinks she's a monster.” Dey shrugged.

  Azazel shook his head. “No, she doesn't.” No, but the regret he felt from her was strong.

  “Denial ain't just a river in Egypt,” she quipped and then stood. “Look, we have a day to figure this out. I'm going to go work with her and her sword for a bit. Maybe while we do that, you can figure out how not to get your mate in trouble.”

  Dey left him alone in the office, and he let out a frustrated sigh. He could face Morrah, but if the angel was hiding in the safety of the hotel, then that wasn't going to work. If he showed up without Sybil, then Morrah would kill Chrissy.

  Could he sacrifice one witch for another?

  No, Sybil wouldn't forgive him if he did that, even if it was for the best. He'd burn the world down for Sybil, but he'd lose her if he did. He let out a frustrated growl. Maybe he could draw Morrah out.

  Dey popped back into the office. “Sybil's gone.”

  “What do you mean, Sybil is gone?” He stood up. “She was just in my room a few minutes ago. She can't go topside alone unless she found a building that leads there.”

  Dey shrugged. “There's not a note or anything saying she went exploring. So I don't know. She's your mate.”

  “I don't think she'd be stupid enough to just wander around Hell alone.” He rushed to the front door. He stopped in the yard, looking for any sign that Sybil might have been out there.

  There was no sign of her. He let out a frustrated growl and went back to his room. No sign of a fight. Not that anyone could get into his house. It also didn't look like anyone had been in the room at all recently. The bed was made, and Sybil's suitcase was closed. It was too clean.

  Dey sniffed the air. “You know what I smell?”

  “Magic?”

  “Angel,” she corrected. “I didn't think Morrah could get in here.”

  “He shouldn't have been able to, especially in the house.” He shook his head. “Come on, topside. That's what Morrah wants, so that's what he's going to get.” Azazel and Dey appeared in their office building and then ran down the stairs to get outside. No Morrah there, but he didn't know where the offices were, but he knew where Sybil's house was.

  Fuck. “Dey, come on.” He darted down the road with Dey at his back. He skidded to a stop in front of the house. His heart pounded as he looked around the yard. There'd been some kind of struggle there. Chunks of dirt were missing, dried blood dotted the blades of grass, but the magic... Dey opened the gate and walked right into the yard. “This... this is bad.”

  His mind spun. “Morrah!” He yelled. “Morrah, you bastard!”

  No one answered. His heart pounded. “How did he get her?”

  Dey shook her head. “I don't know.”

  “I promised her it was safe there. I promised her, and now she's gone. I can't waltz into their realm and pull her back. I... fuck!” He put a hand to his chest as his heart felt like it was cracking. “Dey, I need her back.”

  “We'll get her back,” she muttered. “Fucking angels. Thinking their version of the greater good justifies something like this.” She motioned to the yard.

  A chuckle came from the doorway, and Morrah appeared there. “Most of that blood is mine. I didn't expect her to fight back when she became conscious again.”

  “What did you do to her?” Azazel stalked up to him.

  “Remember when you saved her?” Morrah laughed. “I used my own abilities and used that to find her. Smart, hiding her in Hell. Shame your plan to keep her safe didn't work.”

  “What have you done with her?” Azazel snarled. “Where is she?”

  “My house, for now, with Chrissy. We'll see how long and how much of a toll it takes for her to drain Chrissy's power soon. From there, I'll have her drain every witch that my people round up.” He shrugged. “When she's done, I'll return her to you. Assuming she's still alive.”

  Azazel summoned his sword. “You will give her back now. She is not yours to keep.”

  “Kill me now, and you'll never get her back. She doesn't know how to get back to the human world, and none of my people will return her.” Morrah held his arms out. “Not to mention that little ability I used to find her? Yeah, that ties me to her.”

  Azazel tried not to panic. The feeling rushed over him. “No, you can't. She's my mate, not yours.”

  “Think of it like me becoming her guardian angel.” Morrah shrugged. “Good luck. See you in a few centuries.” He disappeared.

  Azazel threw his sword, and it embedded itself into the ground. “How dare he touch her.”

  Dey crossed her arms. “We need someone that knows where Morrah's home is and can get in there. Any ideas?”

  He pressed his lips together. “One.”

  Sybil woke and rubbed her head. She remembered little about what happened. One moment she was cleaning up Azazel's room because she was bored, and the next, she was lying on her lawn with Morrah staring down at her.

  She attacked. She remembered almost taking him down, and the world had gone black again. Now she was lying in a bed that wasn't hers or Azazel’s.

  “Sybil?” Chrissy's voice caught her attention.

  Sybil rolled to her side and looked down at Chrissy, who sat on another bed, her knees pulled up to her chest. “Hey. Um. Where are we?”