Lothar’s brows shot up. “You think angels are behind this?”
“Fallen angels, but yes, I think that’s a very real possibility.” I swallowed thickly. “The wraiths had weapons made of the same steel, and like Death said, the power it would take to release them from their prison would have to be great…so yeah, I think we could be looking for one or more power-hungry fallen angels.”
He stopped suddenly, hands planted on his hips. “Why the fuck didn’t you tell me this before?”
“I didn’t know, not for sure. But when Death was talking about the wraiths, the idea wouldn’t leave me, and I guess it makes sense. When Poe and Tarrant were working for Beelzebub, trying to help him take over…the forgotten prophecy was mentioned.”
“Yeah, I remember.”
“It seemed impossible, something so out of reach it was ridiculous to even consider, but with angels involved?” I shook my head. “It’s not so ridiculous. I think they’re trying to change fate, setting us on a new path, one that would be devastating to all of us.”
He looked away, jaw tight, staring into the trees. “How easy would it be for a fallen to move between realms?”
My stomach knotted. “Fairly easy.”
“Fuck.”
“We’re going to have to be really careful, Loth.”
He stared down at me. “Who do you think’s behind it? You must know which of them has it out for Lucifer.”
I couldn’t say her name with him looking right into my eyes like that. I couldn’t do it.
He kind of leaned forward, getting more into my space. “You have an idea, I can see it on your face. Who?”
Could he sense the rising alarm inside me? His frown was back. If I didn’t say it, he’d think I was hiding things from him again, but he was right, we needed to be able to trust each other. I needed him to trust me, especially when we entered Ferine. “Nathaniel has always been jealous of Lucifer’s power…and ah…” I held his gaze, my mouth going bone dry. “Seraphina.” There was no flinch, not even a twitch of recognition. “In the past, she’s made no secret of how unhappy she is with the status quo.” He hadn’t reacted to hearing her name, still, I felt the blood drain from my face and I broke out in a cold sweat.
“Okay.” He nodded. “That’s a good start. Do you think Silas could help? He might have an idea where they are?”
I felt like my ribs were playing air-hockey with my heart. I knew where Sera and Nathaniel should be, but Lucifer hadn’t texted me back confirming it yet. “It could be worth a try. I’ll text Urs and ask if Silas knows anything.”
“Sounds good,” he said, then started walking again.
My legs shook as the rush of adrenaline drained away. I blew a breath past my trembling lips.
Lothar stopped suddenly. “Seraphina?”
I stopped abruptly, and my adrenaline spiked back up again. “Mmm-hmm.” It was hard, but I kept my breathing even.
“Took me a minute, but yeah, I remember her.”
I swallowed thickly. “You do?”
He turned. “It’s been a long time, but I’ve met her more than once. Lucifer had me act as an envoy between him and her. Can’t remember what for though.” His brow scrunched as he tried to remember the details.
I quickly started walking again, and he did the same. “I doubt she or Nathaniel will make an appearance, even if they are behind this. They have the wraiths to do their dirty work, and obviously B had gotten to a few demons when he was still in Hell. The ones who attacked me had to be doing it on his orders.” Although Sera would really love to see me dead, if only to hurt Lucifer, and if she’d broken free from her prison, I’d be at the top of her hit list. “So let’s just focus on Beelzebub for now.”
He nodded, but it was slow, and that thoughtful look was still on his face, like he was searching the deep recesses of his mind.
I gripped the straps of my bag tighter and sent a prayer to all the gods I could think of.
Don’t let him remember what I did. Please, don’t let him remember.
Lothar
Roxy stood, legs slightly apart and head tilted back, as she muttered the words needed to open the gateway, then she sliced her palm and stepped forward.
She lifted her hand but turned back to me before she held it over one of the stones. “Be ready. Anything could be on the other side.”
