Shock flickered through me. “Plan it? How?”
He glanced around us. “It’s better if we talk about this somewhere else. Come with me.”
He held out his arms. My brows winged up toward my forehead. “What exactly are you suggesting?”
“I need to take you somewhere. Flying will be quickest.”
I folded my arms. “Absolutely not. First, flying? No. But also, I barely know you.”
“I just saved your goddamn life, Mia.” He held his arms wider. “Now, stop arguing and hang on.”
All I could do was stare at him. Leaving with a fallen angel who had kind of been stalking me…after everything that had happened? Probably not the best idea. He and his friend had cornered me in the dark streets. They’d been snooping around, trying to pry intoInfernal.
They were against the Legion. But then again, maybe they’d had reason to be. Not ten minutes ago, Az had tried to stab me with a sword. None of the Legion had flown in to help when all hell broke loose. They had tricked me and betrayed me.
So, why did I still have any shred of loyalty toward them?
Sighing, I edged in close to Suriel and wrapped my arms around his neck. Gritting my teeth, I hung on while he soared out into the city skies. The world dropped from beneath me as my legs dangled like puppets on a string. His heavy wings blasted hot air into my face as he rushed across Manhattan.
I realized far too late where he was taking me.
Straight back toInfernal.
34
As soon as my boots hit the sidewalk outside the club, I shoved Suriel’s bare chest and stumbled back. “What the hell is this? Why did you bring me here?”
He folded his arms. “There are some pretty anxious demons inside who want to see you.”
I shook my head as tears filled my eyes. “Is this some kind of joke? Az just tried to sacrifice my soul to Lucifer. He came at me with asword. He was going to kill me, Suriel. I thought you were saving me from him and instead you drop me right into his lap again?”
“He wasn’t going to kill you.” The angel pointed at the back door that led into the bowels of the club. “They’ll explain everything. You’re invited inside. If you don’t want to hear their side of the story, then fine. I’ll take you to your new apartment in Brooklyn.”
For a moment, all I could do was stare at him. I should leave. Go on with my life. But it was a life that Asmodeus had designed for me. Obviously, if he wanted me dead, he wouldn’t have to lift a finger to find me. He’d picked out my new name. My new job. Even my new apartment. And if I tried to flee to Canada or something, would I get very far?
Probably not.
Dammit.
With a growl, I ripped open the door and stormed down the corridor. When I reached the meeting room, they were all in there waiting for me. Pinched expressions were carved on every face. I stepped inside, bracing myself for battle. They all leapt from their seats and cheered.
The demons surrounded me in an instant. Arms wound around me, hair and muscled skin slammed into my cheek. I couldn’t even breathe for how hard they squeezed me. Caim was there. So was Stolas and Phenex and Bael. Even Valac joined in. The scent of flames roared in my head.
For a moment, panic ripped my heart open wide, but then it slowly ebbed. They weren’t trying to crush me. They were…hugging me.
When they all stumbled back, my eyes found Az. He huddled in the back corner, arms folded, eyes downcast. He’d been the only one who hadn’t rushed to my side the instant I’d walked through the door.
“You pointed a sword at me,” was all I could say.
His jaw flickered as his eyes stayed locked on the floor. “I’m sorry, Mia. I never wanted to do any of this, but it was our only choice. I had to make you believe that I’d betrayed you. She isn’t a demon, but Eisheth can scent emotions even better than I can.”
“Wait.” My stomach dropped. “You’re saying youplannedall of that?”
He nodded and finally glanced up. Pain churned in the depths of his eyes. “The plan we told you about wasn’t the real plan. I hated to lie to you, but if you’d known the truth, Eisheth would have scented it on you. You had to believe you were in actual danger. She had to smell your fear.”
I stumbled back, heart hammering. “So, when Phenex went in to unlock the window…”
“I hammered it shut,” he admitted with an uneasy cough. “I’m sorry, Mia.”
