But I never held what Kiara and Luke did against Angel.
I’m grateful for Jackson’s help and his newfound allegiance to the Horsemen, but it’s not enough. Trusting him goes against every instinct I have, and I need more than one favor to take that step.
Seiji recognizes the look on my face, and before I can lower his expectations, he blurts, “I also have news. Big news. Life-changing news.”
I clear my throat when his dramatic pause drags for a little too long.
Seiji takes the warlock’s hand, and it’s like it happens in slow motion. Helacestheir fingers, making a show ofkissingthe back of Jackson’s hand.
Jackson’s blank expression softens into a gentle smile, and my mouth falls open.
I turn to Angel and instantly feel better because he looks just as shocked. We’re standing there with our jaws on the floor.
Seiji shrugs, smiling bashfully, and finally says. “Mate.”
“Fuck. Oh shit. Mother—” Angel covers my mouth and waits until I finish cursing behind his hand before he lets go.
I launch at Seiji, both of us jumping in excitement. “Why didn’t you lead with that, you drama queen!”
We laugh like maniacs and cling to each other, forgetting our mates exist. “Fates, I’m so happy for you.”
I’ve told these people to stop messing with my badass reputation, but the amount of happy tears I’ve shed since I met them is embarrassing.
Angel clears his throat. That’s my cue to return to his side.
Jackson sees the tears on Seiji’s faceand immediately takes over, whispering in his ear and comforting him until the waterfall stops. I melt in my Angel, watching them interact like they’ve known each other for years, not days.
Smooth mocha skin, deep brown eyes, and a jaw that could cut me in half. Jackson and Seiji sure make a damn fine couple.
When Seiji reintroduces us in a new context, it’s much more pleasant. I behave like a woman whooccasionallyswears and is very put together—nothing like the crazy person who was cussing for ten minutes straight.
Before they head to the front line, pride swells in my chest as Seiji puts on his face armor. A deep black mask with emerald stones melted into delicately carved patterns covers half of his face from his hairline to his chin. When he turns, the mask catches the sun, and my breath hitches.Glorious.
Seiji gives me a cocky smirk and takes his mate’s hand, ready to leave, but I call Jackson’s name at the last second. The warlock regards me curiously, probably expecting another threat.
“Try not to die, okay? Horsemen have a history of going off the rails if our family gets hurt.”
Jackson’s eyes turn glassy as he smiles.
Seiji pulls me into a tight hug and whispers, “Thank you,” before the two of them head for the battleground, hand in hand.
Another name on my ever-growing list of family.
42. Showdown motherfuckers
Nevaeh
When Angel turns to face me, wearing his gold face armor embedded with tiny gemstones, I see him as the rest of the world sees him. The Horsemen of Conquer. Powerful. Formidable.
After helping me strap into my body armor, he rummages through an old chest of drawers until he finds what he’s looking for. My breath catches when he pulls out a small box, wipes away the dust, and holds it out to me.
“Dean had it made before he left. Something to remind him not to lose hope.”
Inside the box is a face armor that looks like plain glass, but Angel turns me to face the mirror and presses it against the right side of my face, and I watch it come alive. My lips part as golden light spreads through the mask, delicate veins glittering like they’ve been drawn by fire.
As the patterns move like my Divine, like they have a life of their own, a sense of belonging runs through me.
Angel squeezes my shoulder. “Let’s go make the coven regret going against the Princess of Death.”
