"Well, I have no magic to expel him, or I'd volunteer," Luc said. "Ordinarily, I wouldn't be worried about being possessed by the soul of a minor angel, but..." He shrugged. "Sorry."
He was right. Vincent was a minor angel. His powers were negligent next to mine. "I'll do it," I said. I had to hold up my hand against arguments.
Michael and Gabriel were strong, incredibly so. They were among the strongest of all the Archangels. Michael might've been the strongest if they'd ever put it to the test. He probably rivaled me and Lucifer in terms of raw power.
But they weren't the Queen of Hell. And in Abaddon, and by extension, Purgatory, I was stronger still. This was my domain. I drew energy from the very air we breathed.
"I think I'm the only choice," I said. "If we were in Elysium, it would be one of you," I said before they could begin their protestation. They couldn't argue with that. Not that I was allowed in Elysium. Ever again.
Michael rolled his eyes and Gabe pulled me into his arms. "Be careful." They were so sweet and protective. It wasn't easy for them to be able to let go and let me stand on my own, not when they were right there to help. But I'd feel the same way if the situation was reversed. I'd want to help them.
Luc winked at me. He was more the stand back and jump in if absolutely necessary type. He liked to watch the birds fly from the nest and only help when absolutely necessary.
"Of course." As if I wouldn't be careful doing something like this. I sucked in a shuddering breath and turned to the aura that was so repulsive. I knew what his preferences were. Young girls. At least here he wasn't being forced to relive his memories for me to stumble into. As much as he deserved to relive his worst memories, I didn't want to see them.
Holding out my hand, I touched his aura, then trickled magic into it and grabbed it. Before I could change my mind, I hauled it into me fast, like ripping off a bandage or knocking back foul-tasting cough medicine.
Revulsion washed over me, curling my toes and making my stomach lurch. If I thought being pulled into the memory of an evil person was bad, well, this was a hundred times worse.
Vincent's entire demeanor filled me. His negative energy, holy shit, talk about glass half empty. His whole sense of self was dark. Depressing. Evil tendrils snaked around, trying to leech into me and affect my aura.
Not today, buddy.
No wonder he ended up evil. He was beyond broken somewhere. His was the kind of soul that never left Abaddon. He would end up being a demon one day, no doubt about it.
Who is there?
Ah, so he was awake.
This is Lilith.
Surprise registered throughout me. Err... Him. I didn't give him time to get curious.Why did you summon me?
When his surprise switched to relief, I squirmed inside myself. If Vincent had been in a body, he would've been sobbing.
That did not feel good inside me. Eww, I needed this to end quickly.
I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I spent that time in the River, and I have so many regrets.
His words were nice, and he probably meant them now, but his soul was still black. Still sticky. He wasn't changed, just in a moment of remorse. There was a distinct difference.
What do you want?I wasn't in the mood to hear his apologies.
I broke out of Elysium because I overheard Raphael say Ariel is the key.
My heart lurched with shock and confusion. I looked at my guys and raised my eyebrows. I couldn't relay the information, but I grabbed their arms and attempted to connect to them so they could hear him, too.Vincent, say that again, please.
He stumbled but started over.I broke out of Elysium. I heard Raphael say Ariel, your daughter, is the Key.
"The Key to what?" Lucifer asked.
It didn't seem that Vincent could hear him, so I relayed the question.
Abaddon. He said she's the most powerful creature he's ever seen, and that includes all the Nephilim he's made over the years. He had no idea my soul was being kept in the weapons room. Joel put me in some sort of box thing.
I didn't know what he was talking about, but I didn't really care, either. All I cared about was what information he had for me. It was easy to tell he spoke the truth with him inside of me. I would've smelled a lie before he even created it.
What else? Can you tell me how to find her?
