Demon Angel

once: a single, enormous room—empty but for an armory, and a sitting area filled with mismatched furniture.
    He grinned, flashing his fangs. "Are there any mirrors in here?"
    She slowly shook her head. "You're not blind." No fear on her face, though she couldn't mistake what he was now.
    He climbed to his feet, straightened his clothes. "I'm not gay, either."
    "That's unfortunate," she said. Her eyes widened farther as he stalked toward her. "Because I think I'm half in love with Michael and I could use a friend to talk to about it."
    He bit back his laugh. "You should run," he said. Still no fear. What was wrong with her?
    "And leave Nani defenseless?"
    He glanced past her, to the woman lying on the sofa adjacent to hers. A light snore came from the older woman's nose.
    Savitri stared up at him. Licked her upper lip. "How strong are you?"
    Did she appreciate his form? This was much better. If not fear, then admiration. He eyed the slender column of her throat.
    "Are you strong enough to open the doors?"
    Startled, he looked as she pointed toward the massive carved doors at the other end of the room.
    "I have free will, but will alone can't force those doors open. I've spent four days trying."
    He raised his brows, turned back at her. "Will you allow me a sip?"
    "Yes. But I also haven't showered in four days, so it might be ripe."
    Like a peach simmered in brandy and cinnamon. But he sighed and offered his arm. "Come along."
    Her smile was blinding, and she darted around the sofa, tucked her hand into his elbow. "How is Hugh?" Something in his face must have told her; her smile faded, her chest rose and fell in a silent, sad breath. "Did Lilith return?"
    "Yes." And when Colin had left, they'd been in the bedroom. Impossible not to hear their laughter, their soft declarations. Impossible not to recognize it as their farewells to each other.
    His throat tightened, and they walked silently to the doors. They were heavy; he pulled, and dazzling sunshine poured through. Savitri stepped back, and he shook his head. "I won't burst into flames." If he didn't stay out too long.
    She went through ahead of him, stopped suddenly. "Oh, my God. He gave this up to save me?"
    Dumbstruck, he came to a halt beside her. Tried to take it all in at once: the pure white marble, the towering spires, the symmetry and beauty. "Don't be absurd," he finally managed. "He did it to save himself. And Lilith." And Colin was supposed to bring this back to her? How could he possibly—
    "Where is everyone?" Savitri was turning in a circle, frowning.
    He shook his head, and didn't know if he answered her or himself. "I don't know."
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CHAPTER 38
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    He was embedded in her skin. His scent, his touch, his voice.
    Even now, walking across the concrete floor of the warehouse Michael had chosen, she did not smell the stale air around them, did not feel the frigid temperature inside the building, did not hear the hollow echo of their footsteps. Dangerous, to be so lost in him, but she wanted to savor it for as long as she could.
    It was not long.
    A fluttering of wings surrounded them, but the figures dropping from the rafters were not what she'd expected. Guardians—about forty of them. A few landed awkwardly, and she glanced at Hugh to confirm her suspicion. His lips were thinned with anger.
    She turned to Michael. You brought fledglings ? She could understand bringing those in the latter half of their century of training. But a few here had no more than a year's skill. If there was a battle, they would be slaughtered.
    His brows rose. If I lose Caelum, should I leave them there to defend themselves against the nosferatu ?
    Hugh's tension eased, and Lilith drew in a quick breath. A lie was hidden in that question. If Caelum was lost, he would have time to transport them to safety. This was Michael's display, but one of uncertainty and weakness.
    Definitely nothing like Lucifer. Even in frail human form, Lucifer never let it be forgotten how powerful he was.
    Preston looked around uneasily. "Where are they?"
    "Lucifer will want to make an entrance," Lilith said. Not just for them, but for the nosferatu.
    Hugh met her gaze, a smile tilting the corners of his mouth. "Not the best place for it."
    Lilith laughed softly in agreement. No, Lucifer would not appreciate the stark, empty warehouse, with its bare ugly floors and industrial metal siding.
    Taylor glanced from Hugh to Lilith in disbelief. Hugh's smile widened.
    His incredible