Several things happened at once.
Caleb and Gavin tensed, ready for a fight. Lilith stood carefully, surprise lifting her eyebrows nearly to her hairline. Crombie joined her with barely leashed power crackling around him. But it was Gabriel who pulled my focus. His arms were folded across his chest, eyes narrowed, fury written on his features.
“Michael, how very unlike you to grace us with your presence.” Then he added under his breath, “Finally.”
“You know what they say, brother. Better late than never.” The stranger—Michael—said, his lips curling in a smug grin. He was dressed like someone who’d been living on the streets, his clothing tattered and stained. Hardly what you’d expect from an angel, but then, Gabriel and his motorcycle leathers didn’t fit the bill either.
“That remains to be seen. We’ve gotten along just fine without you all these years.”
“Is that any way to say hello?”
“I take it this is some sort of family spat?” Remi said, speaking close to my ear.
“L-looks like,” I said, my wolf stepping down now that it seemed we weren’t actually under attack.
Michael took a step forward, and I swear, if vampires really did hiss, Caleb and Gavin would have. Unsettled wasn’t a strong enough word to describe their energy.
“Lilypad, I need you to tell me if this angel is a threat or a friend before I vaporize him,” Crombie warned. “He’s already too close to you for comfort.”
“As Gabriel said, that remains to be seen, pet. But for the moment, I think we’re safe.”
“You know what they say about assuming,” Remi offered unhelpfully.
“Remington, be a dear, and shut up,” Lilith snapped, then returned her attention to Michael. “Why are you here?”
His appearance changed as we all watched on, the torn and stained clothing turning into a meticulously tailored three-piece suit in charcoal gray. The rough beard and matted hair morphed into slicked-back dark locks and a clean-shaven jaw. His eyes were the only things that didn’t change. They remained molten gold.
“Angels really are beautiful,” Rosie murmured, and if I’d been less secure in our relationship, I might’ve been jealous.
“And dickless. Don’t forget dickless,” Remi said.
“Th-that wasn’t c-confirmed,” I reminded him.
“Challenge accepted.”
“No, Remi,” Rosie said.
My twin pouted. “Fine. Nobody lets me have any fun.”
“Think how Asher would feel about you getting that up close and personal with another male,” Rosie pointed out.
Remi took a second to consider it. “You’re right. Dickless or not, I’d feel pretty murdery if he was in range of another dude’s crotch.”
I cocked a brow at that. We’d all been in range of plenty of dicks during our group time with Rosie.
Catching my expression, he waved a hand. “Present company excluded. Members of the group chat don’t count.”
While we’d been side chatting, Michael had moved closer to the others. His eyes lingered on Gabriel, though he seemed to be addressing Lilith.
“I have a message for you.”
“Wait, isn’t that Gabe’s job?” Remi whispered loudly before shouting, “Gabe! He took your job too?”
Gabriel flinched, but didn’t respond, his eyes carefully leveled on Michael. “Go on then.”
“The horsemen are currently just outside ofIniquity. They were searching for you, Lilith. The final battle is on the horizon. It’s time for everyone to come together.”
Caleb cleared his throat. “Can I ask what might be seen as a daft question?”
