That distracted Dagan. Not two names.One. Gusion. A throne. A powerful damn killer. And the other rogue Michael had beenhunting.
Dagan frowned. Wait, just how had the throne escaped the law-keepers all those years ago? His mating to Jenna should have blinked on theirradar.
“How did Gusion block your mating?” Michael leaned forward, his powerful forearms braced on his thighs. “I’m sure he would have explained the dangers about immortal-mortal mating to you? And about the law-keepers?”
A slow nod, she whispered, “He found an Oracle, she helped us with a concealmentincantation.”
She’d have had to be a very powerful one. Dagan knew only— “Lila,” hesaid.
Her breathing quickened, terror whitening her face. “Please, Ican’t…”
It didn’t matter. They had theiranswer.
Michael stared at her for a long second. Then, “Do you know who I am,Jenna?”
Her gaze lowered again to her fingers destroying the edges of hersleeves.
“I amMichael.”
“No!” she shrieked, jumping to her feet, startling Dagan and Hedori to move closer. “You—you’reresponsible for my husband’sdeath—”
Power sizzled. Her hands flashed out. Michael flew off the seat, hitting the bookshelf opposite him hard and breaking the wood. The silvery light in his shattered blue irises flaredbrightly.
Hedori grabbed her wrist. “My lady,stop.”
Jenna elbowed him in the belly, stupefying him. Her eyes pinned on Michael became charcoal-grayholes.
Dagan leaped for her before she turned the Arc into a sack of skin. Except Michael straightened, the glow around him intensifying. She groaned, losing her concentration, and swayed, her eyesclosing.
Hedori swept her up into his arms and headed for the guestbedroom.
“Someone’s not only tampered with her mind but also set you up as a target,” Dagansaid.
“I figured that.” Michael stalkedout.
The Arc had many enemies, especially of the winged variety, so this didn’t surprisehim.
In the kitchen, Dagan crossed to the Sub-Zero fridge, got out a bottle of water and a Coke, and tossed the latter toMichael.
“There’re a few rogue angels I’ve been hunting,” he said, staring at the can in his hand. “They absconded from the Celestial Realm, thinking to avoid the finalstep.”
Dagan unscrewed the bottle and sucked back half the liquid. Yes, the loss of their wings and powers as demanded by angelic law forfallingwould do that. He didn’t envy the Arc his deadlyjob.
“You cannot let the seraphim pass judgment. They will demand Jenna’sdeath.”
Michael cut him an irritated look. “You think I don’t know that? Why the hell couldn’t this job bestraightforward?”
“Youcan stay their verdict,” Dagan pointed out. No way would he allow his mate to be hurt again, just when she’d found her mother. “All she’ll need is a protector until her mortal lifeends.”
“You can’t be hers. Protecting one psi is a helluva undertaking, and being what Shae is, you’ll have your work cut out. As for Jenna, it’s unlikely the seraphim will beswayed.”
“Not ifIam her protector,” Hedori said, walking into the kitchen. He put the kettle on. “Before you say I’m not a Guardian, I’ll ask you to remember what I once was. And why the mage of Empyrea ordered me to keep an eye on its exiled prince. Aethan may no longer need me, but that doesn’t mean I cannot do thejob.”
Hedori was a damn good fighter and a male still in his prime. Hell, training with this Empyrean kept the Guardians on theirtoes.
Michael nodded. “I will make your thoughts known when I meet with theseraphs.”
“Make it known to them, too, that she ismine.”
