He scowled at me. “What have you to do with this? Where is the blonde human Castiel was working with?”
“That’s Lilith,” I said, relieved to be helpful. “She’s locked in the prayer closet right now.”
“The what?”
“Oh. See, when one of us sins so badly we need to pray and fast to get back on the holy path, the elders’ wives put us in this small room so we can focus without earthly distractions. It’s not fun, but it is important. You know, like a fire tempers gold, pulling the dross away from the pure metal…”
I trailed off, noticing the confusion and repulsion on his face.
“No, no,” I rushed to say. “It sounds bad, but really we sometimes need time to focus on our hearts and realign our thoughts with Lord Erlik’s teachings.”
His expression didn’t change. “That is abhorrent.”
“No, I—” The realization struck me like a blow. It was abhorrent. Lilith didn’t deserve to be in there for three days without food. I’d never been sent to the prayer closet—I was terrified of it. Something that was supposed to draw us nearer to Erlik’s fatherly love shouldn’t hurt, should it? Absalom had threatened me multiple times—and I had hated him. There was no way Absalom’s commands could be Erlik’s.
I shook myself free of the revelation. I could explore that later. “How many Heralds are there?” I breathed.
He looked at me. “We are not Heralds.”
“You’re nothing like humans,” I countered, letting my eyes linger on his beautiful, dark wings.
“What do you mean, Castiel may be in danger?”
The skin between my shoulder blades itched.
“Not here,” I countered, glancing over my shoulder. I couldn’t see anyone watching me, but one never knew until it was too late. I walked past the seraph toward the line of trees.
“Where are you going?” The seraph stared after me.
“The woods so you won’t be seen. You’re rather conspicuous.” I turned to see he was still standing in the field, unmoving. “Come! Lilith needs our help.”
The seraph turned, frowning. “I do not know you humans. Why should I trust you?”
I swallowed a nervous laugh, pointing at the hilt of his sword. “What could I do to you? You have a sword, you can fly, you are far stronger and more powerful than me.”
He went completely still again, likely debating his options. He eventually strode toward me, his eyes dark as thunderstorms.
I tried not to let that intimidate me. If he was here to help Lilith and Castiel, we were on the same side.
We paused past the line of trees. He was nearly a foot taller than me, and when he crossed his arms and leaned one shoulder on the nearest tree, I stepped onto a thick root.
“Explain exactly what happened,” the seraph growled, leaning toward me. “He was due back at Mirkwold days ago. I came to see if he’d run into any trouble.”
“I’m sorry,” I said automatically, my heart pounding.
By the four gods, this seraph made me nervous. His barely leashed violence made me prickle with fear. I tried a different tack.
“What’s your name?” I asked.
“Azrael,” he answered begrudgingly. “Castiel is my fellow warrior. We are as close as brothers. You will tell me where to find him.”
“I don’t know where he is,” I said again. “Lilith asked me to find out and tell her at noon when I give her more water. But she didn’t have a plan for after.”
“Just tell me what you do know,” Azrael got out through gritted teeth.
“Lilith said they tricked him. He drank saltwater, which weakened him.”
He moved faster than I could blink. Before I knew what was happening, my back hit the rough bark of the tree behind me. His face, a mask of rage, filled my face. His hand splayed across my collarbone, and I knew he would not hesitate to grab my throat if he felt it was necessary. “How do you know this?” he hissed.
