“Why should I give up one to settle for another?” Gloriana flashed that temptress smile as she sauntered across the room to join them, painted ruby lips pulling up in a slow, sexy smile. “When you have as many admirers as I do, it simply isn’t fair to limit myself to a single gender.”
“Wicked girl.” Remi said with a smirk. “You have to breakallthe hearts?”
“Absolutely all of them,” she confirmed, cheeks dimpling. “It’s my civic duty.”
“Literally,” Rag interrupted in his slow drawl, “but we’re getting a bit off topic now. Rem, what were you saying about Armageddon?”
Gloriana’s face dropped, all the laughter draining away. “How do you know about that?”
Remi eyed her curiously. “Luce mentioned it just now. How doyouknow about it?”
Glory averted her gaze, seeming to shrink into herself a bit. “How could I ever have forgotten?”
Husband and wife exchanged a look, and Remi laid a hand gently on the blonde’s hunched shoulder. “I think you better tell us what you know.”
With a delicate shudder, Gloriana turned away. “You remember when Foster was born…and Mags had that terrible vision she wouldn’t talk about? Well, she eventually did tell me. Sheshowedme. And…it’s haunted me ever since.”
Between frequent pauses bustling around the kitchen digging into various cabinets, she eventually told them how Mags had run off to Heaven when a vision this morning seemed to signal the disaster was imminent.
“She should be returning soon,” Gloriana finished, slim hands wrapped tightly around the mug she’d prepared to distract herself. The tea inside was barely touched. “Supposedly, there’s something that might be done, but it hinges on Jehovah’s approval.”
“What could it possibly have to do withHim?” Remi snorted.
“Well,” Gloriana paused. “To stand a chance, Luce would need more power.”
“Surely that has to be a simple problem?” Remi arched a dark brow. “Can’t he do any number of rituals to boost his power?”
“I once saw him power up to attempt an especially difficult yoga position,” Rag confirmed.
“Those are minor, temporary boosts,” Gloriana sighed, beautiful features tight with grim resignation. “The situation is becoming desperate. This isn’t some far-off possibility anymore. It’s starting now, and Mags thinks we have less than a year before…”
“Before nothing can be done at all,” Rag finished glumly. Gloriana said nothing.
Remi fumed. “And what does Mags plan to do, ask Jehovah to loan Luci some power?”
"In a sense, yes.”
The three immortals at the counter jumped, turning to the doorway where Mags now stood, looking harried but pleased with herself.
“I didn’t speak with Jehovah after all,” she continued, and Remi relaxed back into her seat until Mags went on, “I actually just stole the book we needed.”
“Youwhat!” Out of her seat and across the room in a flash, Remi gripped Mags by both shoulders. “Please, please tell me you’re joking, and you didn’treallysteal from the library of the King of Heaven.”
“I didn’t steal from the library,” Mags acquiesced. Remi took a calming breath. “I stole from thevault, which just happens to beinthe library.”
Remi dropped her forehead onto Mags’s shoulder in defeat. “You are an idiot.”
“No,” Rag grinned, “she’s abadass.”
“Okay yes,” Remi muttered with a sigh, and Mags patted her back gently. “Butalsoa reckless idiot! I know you have a self-preservation instinct; you justsuckat following it.”
Mags steered her friend back onto her stool and joining them at the kitchen island. She reached into the bag on her shoulder and drew out an ancient book bound in pale, cracked leather. The title was worn away to a faded imprint, gold leaf havingflaked off centuries ago. A metal band wrapped the center of the book, secured with a small but sturdy padlock.
“What is it?” Rag raised his brows, peering at the deceptively plain book. “A book of spells?”
“Essentially,” Mags inclined her head, smiling. “Though personally I’d call it a recipe book.”
“You really stole from Jehovah.” Gloriana looked torn between awe and terror.
