Fallen Kings

4

Gabriel raises his eyes to the ceiling and sighs, then turns to my brother. “You were supposed to be keeping her safe.”

“She looks okay to me,” Jonah says, with a shrug. With light brown hair, bright blue eyes, and a friendly smile, he looks so much like Gabriel you might think they were brothers instead of father and son.

Dad presses a hand to his forehead, but whatever he’s about to say is interrupted by a sharp knock at the front door. Jonah gives me a blank look when I turn to him with eyebrows raised. With everything that’s gone on, an unexpected visitor isn’t exactly welcome here.

Before any of us can move, the front door flies open and an angel swoops inside the living room. His long, white hair is like nothing I’ve ever seen, as pale and shining as fresh snow under the sunlight. His wings are the same color but covered in long black gashes, as if someone took an angry paintbrush to them. They remind me uncomfortably of when Gabriel had his wings slashed by a dark-infused blade. But the worst part are his eyes. They’re pitch black, as black as my wings, as black as Lucifer’s feather, which I have tucked away in my bedroom.

“Azrael,” Dad says under his breath.

My eyes widen, but of course this is Azrael. Who else could it be? He’s even wearing a long black robe and carrying a freaking scythe. No wonder they call him the Angel of Death.

My hands immediately rest on the daggers on my hips and I take a step back. Azrael hates my father and destroyed his wings as punishment for siring me. He hates demons even more and likely wants me dead. Worst of all, he’s the leader of the Archangels. His presence here can’t be good.

Azrael’s nightmare eyes land on me and send a shiver down my spine. “So this is the hybrid child everyone is talking about.”

“I’m very popular at the moment,” I manage to say, before I can think better of it.

He studies me with a cold expression and his fingers tighten around his scythe. Oh s**t, I should not have said that. Jonah moves to stand in front of me protectively, and Dad looks like he’s ready to jump into action too, should Azrael make a move. But then Azrael throws his head back and laughs.

It’s not a nice laugh. It’s the laugh of a villain about to tell you their diabolical plan. I swallow hard.

“What brings you here?” Gabriel asks.

Azrael’s eyes snap to my father. “I need a word with you in private.”

Dad lets out a long breath. I know what he’s thinking—Azrael isn’t here for me after all. It’s obvious from the relief on his face. “Of course. Let’s go into my office.”

He leads Azrael into the other room and shuts the door. My shoulders slump as soon as Azrael is out of sight. The man is terrifying, and powerful too. As soon as he’s gone it’s like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I’m used to being around Dad and his power, but Azrael’s is even stronger and more oppressive—like trying to walk through tar.

Jonah gestures for me to follow him into the kitchen, where our voices won’t carry as much, but we can still see the front door. As soon as we’re in there, he asks, “What do you think that’s about?”

I lean on the island and wrap my arms around myself. “I don’t know, but whatever it is, it can’t be good. I’m just glad I don’t have to look at those creepy eyes anymore.”

“Seriously.” Jonah runs a hand through his short hair. “When he flew in, I thought he was here for you. Scared the s**t out of me.”

“Me too.” I shudder a little and Jonah wraps his arm around my shoulder.

“Don’t worry. Dad and I won’t let anything happen to you.”

I roll my eyes and punch him in the arm with a smile. “My heroes.”

While we wait for Dad and Azrael to come out, I empty the dishwasher and Jonah wipes down the already-clean counters and table, and as the minutes tick by we exchange several long, worried looks. What could they be talking about? Is Dad in trouble again?

After an eternity they come out of the office, and Gabriel leads Azrael back into the living room toward the front door. The black-eyed angel shoots me one last soul-chilling gaze before turning to Dad with a pointed look. Gabriel meets his eyes without backing down, and the leader of the Archangels finally steps outside.

As soon as Gabriel shuts the door behind Azrael, he turns back to us with a creased brow. We stare at him and wait for him to tell us what that was about. Instead he says, “It’s late. We should all head to bed.”

“What the hell?” Jonah asks. “What did Azrael want to talk about?”

Even though Dad looks distinctly frazzled, he waves off Jonah’s question. “He was just making sure I understand I’m not to leave Angel Peak.”

“That’s it?” I ask. There must be more to it than that.

“That’s it.” But then Gabriel walks over and gives me a hug, and waves Jonah over too. My brother and I share a wtf-is-happening look over Dad’s shoulder as we all have a family group hug. Our second one ever. The first one was on the night I brought Jonah back from Faerie.

“Um, Dad? Everything okay?” I ask.

“I’m just glad you’re both home safely.” Gabriel straightens up and pats my hair, then smiles at Jonah. “Good night.”

Jonah and I exchange another long look as our father heads off to his bedroom and shuts the door behind him.

“Well, that was bullshit,” Jonah mutters.

“Agreed.” There’s no way I’m going to be able to sleep now. Not after that.

Maybe some fresh air will help clear my head.