He opened his mouth. Then he shook his head and pressed the button for the elevator, gesturing for me to get in.
Samael wasn’t dead. I’dknowif he was dead.
His penthouse was packed with demons when I arrived. A few of them gave me dark looks as I stalked toward Samael’s bedroom.
Ag sat next to Samael’s bed with Lia curled up on his lap. He was absently stroking her ears, his gaze on the bed.
I was dimly aware of Vas stepping closer to me, but all I could see was my demon.
His hands were gone. The hands that had held me close, carried me through the air, cupped my face as he made love to me. The hands he used to capture my chin when I was being a smartass. To brush my hair back from my face. To strip me of my clothes when he decided he needed me naked right that minute.
My knees turned to jelly, and Vas wrapped his hand around my arm, keeping me on my feet.
My lips were numb. “When?”
“A few hours ago,” Ag said, his eyes on Samael. Finally, his eyes met mine, and we shared a moment of perfect understanding.
Samael was dying.
Vas pulled me toward him as the high-rise shook. The windows rattled, and the chandelier above my head swung back and forth.
I jolted. “Jesus, was that an earthquake?”
Ag turned back to Samael.
“That was the mages. They have declared war against us, in retaliation for the damage to their building.”
I couldn’t breathe. “Mella was the one who damaged the building.”
“And you freed the selkie.”
I took a moment to come to terms with that. “Will they bring the building down?”
“They’re trying. Samael’s wards are keeping it standing, but as he becomes weaker, so do those wards. Never have they been able to touch the building with their power before. All the demons in our territory are attempting to bolster the wards, however most of us are also funneling our power into our bonds with Samael in an effort to keep him alive.”
Albert was a dead man. I swallowed around the bitter taste in my mouth. Lilith stretched from where she was standing in front of the window, and her eyes met mine. She raised one eyebrow at me expectantly.
What would Samael do?
That was easy, he’d kick some ass.
I stalked out of the room and onto the balcony, where I closed the door behind me and pulled out my phone.
“Yes?” Nathaniel answered immediately.
“How would you like for me to owe you a huge favor?”
“I’m listening.”
I outlined my plan, and he was silent for a long moment. “I would be putting all of my wolves in danger.”
I sighed. “What do you want, Nathaniel?”
More silence. I ground my teeth but forced myself to stop as soon as I realized the werewolf could likely hear it.
“We require an alliance,” he finally said.
“Samael’s unconscious.”
