“It seems impossible, but yes.” River let out a shuddering breath, leaned forward, and peered into my eyes. “She’s been carefully hidden.”
The words sent a boulder tumbling through my belly. My voice wobbled when I finally found the words. “You two are freaking me out. What’s going on and what the hell is thatsmell?”
Az shook his head, and I could practically feel the hectic thumping of his heart. Though that had to be impossible. I couldn’thearhis heart beating. Right?
But suddenly, I no longer knew what was impossible or not.
“Mia, I need you to stay calm,” he said in a low voice that did little to actually calm me. “What I’m about to tell you is going to be a bit of a shock.”
“I’m a supernatural,” I said flatly, pushing up from the chair. “You’ve confirmed it. But how? Why? When? Did a werewolf get to me when I didn’t know it? Is that even possible? Wouldn’t I have shifted at some point? I—”
“You’re a fallen angel.” He gently grabbed my arms when I stumbled back, as if someone had punched me in the gut. Mind reeling, all I could do was gape at him. I couldn’t have heard him right.
“No,” I said, shaking my head. “That’s impossible.”
He pressed his lips together. The steadiness of his gaze was the only thing that kept me from screaming and running in the other direction. Desperation rose within me like a hurricane. I wanted to get away from this. I didn’t want to hear any more of it.
My entire life flashed in my mind’s eye. A childhood spent running barefoot in the grass. Dancing on stage. Sitting at a desk doodling in math class. It was all there. My very human life.I am not a fallen angel.
“Someone has gone to a lot of trouble to mask the truth of you,” he murmured, still holding me steady. “I can’t begin to explain it, but it’s the only possibility. Someone found you when you were born and made sure you would never know what you are.”
A shudder went through me. “But why? None of this makes any sense, Az.”
“I don’t know.” He ground his teeth and pulled back, casting a glance at River. “Unfortunately, we can’t waste any more time talking about it right now. We need to mask your scent.”
“What?” Brows furrowed, I glanced between them. “Why? If this is what I smell like now, won’t that stop him from knowing who I am? You wanted to change me. Well, I’m pretty sure I’m changed.”
Understatement of the century.
River stepped closer and pushed my hair behind my shoulder. A kind smile softened the tension on her face. “Lucifer knows every angel and demon in this world. While he won’t recognize you as Mia McNally anymore, he will wonder at the sudden appearance of a new fallen angel in Manhattan. It’s not worth the risk. Not until you find out more about your past.”
I sucked in a sharp breath and stepped back. “You think Lucifer is the one who’s done this to me. You think he knows I’m...whatever this is.”
“Maybe,” Az said softly. “It might explain his determination to find you.”
Dread coiled around my heart. My mouth went dry. “I really, really hope you’re somehow wrong about all this.”
He took my hand in his and squeezed tight. Warmth travelled up the length of my arm and settled around my heart, soothing my frayed nerves. Just a little. “I know, Mia. Me too.”
“You ready?” River placed her hand on my shoulder and smiled. “How about we give you a werewolf scent glamor? You feel comfortable with that? Or…I could always make you smell like fae, if you’d prefer…”
“No,” I said, clearing my throat and dragging my gaze away from Az’s piercing eyes. “A werewolf is good. I’ve known Serena all my life. That feels…right.”
Although, if I were being brutally honest, nothing about this feltright. It felt like the ground itself had been ripped out beneath my feet, and all I could do was swim in the open air and hope I didn’t plummet into the boiling core of the earth. There was no time for my mind to wrap itself around this new development. No silence to think.
Because if I stopped now, Lucifer would find me.
River squeezed my shoulder, and that strange fiery heat blazed across my skin. Moments later, she stepped back and cocked her head with a smile. The scent of ozone whispered away. “There you go. You’re all good to go.”
And now we owed her one.
After we said goodbye, Az led me back into the streets. The hidden grove of trees melted from view as soon as our feet hit the grimy alley pavement. The old, dilapidated building shuddered back into place, hiding the fae’s secret home from prying human eyes. Az’s entire body was tense, his surging emotions matching mine. I could tell by the way the shadows roared across his skin.
Silently, we strode out of the mouth of the alley and hightailed it across the bustling street. I didn’t know where he was leading me now, and I didn’t care. I was a fallen angel. One hidden for years. How could that even be possible? How could that beme?
It seemed impossible. Maybe all of this was a mistake.
“Az.” I grabbed his arm and stopped him before he kept rushing through Manhattan as if nothing strange had happened. “We need to talk about this.”
