Demon Forged

will release the dead unto judgment, and the judged unto Heaven.’ That’s talking about vampire blood, and how it weakens the nephilim—so that the nephilim can be slain, and the soul of the human trapped in the body they’ve possessed can be freed.”
    “We think that is what it means,” Irena said. “We do not know.”
    “She is such a stickler. You’re going to have such fun today,” Selah said to Taylor, but her smile faded when she glanced down at the paper again. “The last line is self-explanatory.”
    And upon the destruction of Michael’s heart, Belial will ascend to the Morningstar’s throne.
    Lucifer’s throne. And a compelling reason for Belial to arrange his son’s death.
    “Except that there might be more than one meaning,” Alejandro said. “Michael’s heart might be just that—his heart—or it might be Anaria.”
    “Or something we have no idea about,” Irena said past a sudden tightness in her throat.
    “Yes.” His gaze held hers before moving to Preston. “Rael is one of Belial’s demons, and so the prophecy—if he believes in it—might be influencing his actions. Khavi also foresaw the shooting and Margaret Wren . . . but it is difficult to know if any of the events are related.”
    “So if there are connections, we have to dig them up,” Preston said.
    “Yes.” Alejandro looked at Irena. “Before we go, I need to speak with you.”
    He led her into a small office—not much bigger than a closet. She could not stop her smile as she waited for him to close the door.
    “I intended to give this to you earlier,” he said, and a small electronic device appeared between his thumb and forefinger. “But we were—”
    “Yes,” she interrupted. A reminder wasn’t necessary. “What is it?”
    “A video recorder. You’ll need to conceal it during your interview with Rael. A pendant or a bracelet, perhaps. Whatever you can design that will allow us to see and hear him.”
    Thoughtfully, she studied the camera. Yes, it would be easy to conceal. “How do I record?”
    He showed her, then dropped it into her palm. She vanished the recorder and looked up at him. “Is this so that I don’t kill him?”
    “I’m certain you wouldn’t hide it if you did. It is for Castleford, so that he can watch it later and know which of Rael’s responses are lies.” His smile came into his eyes. “And now you do not protect me from Rael, but Taylor from a vampire.”
    Irena laughed. She didn’t ask how he’d known what Lilith had planned. “I won’t have to protect her from many vampires during the day.”
    “No. But perhaps we will see what puts her in a position to be threatened by one.”
    “Being friends with Savi isn’t enough?” Irena asked, although she knew Ames-Beaumont and Savi would protect Taylor as they would one of their own vampires. “Perhaps Taylor will only be in that position because Khavi told us it was her fate, and everything we do now drives Taylor closer to it.”
    “That would not be acceptable.” Alejandro’s face darkened. “A Guardian should not determine a human’s path.”
    His words were evenly spoken, but she felt the force behind them. How had any of his lovers believed he lacked passion? It still astonished her.
    “We agree.” She raised her hand to his jaw. Her thumb skimmed the cleft in his chin.
    He caught her wrist, then pulled her to him and bent his head. “I would give my life to step away from duty with you today. To discover what is happening between us.”
    She would, too. “But we cannot.”
    “No.” He pressed his lips briefly to hers. He’d barely lifted his head before going back for another—longer, slower. His kiss offered more promise than heat, but the need still smoldered. She was clutching at his shoulders when he pulled away. “Tonight, Irena. At your forge.”
    “Yes.” Her heart pounded. “Be safe, Olek.”
    She watched him leave, then went to meet Taylor.

CHAPTER 11
    Taylor remained silent on the ride through the city. The quiet suited Irena well. Traveling by car was new, and the two vises her hands had become were just beginning to relax when she and Taylor neared the orange steel bridge that led north out of the city. Irena reached out with her Gift to taste the metal, and immediately wished she hadn’t. She clamped her lips together and resolved not to think about the sheer weight suspended above the water.
    The sky was clear and bright. It was a day for flying, not for being trapped inside