“What’s new? That’s your only setting, is it not?”
Couldn’t the male simply pop in for a beer, not pay him a visit to launch his latest efforts to thwart his asshole brother?
Because Kaj knew exactly why the male was there. In fact, he’d been expecting the visit since the attack on Angel Central a month and a half ago. For a brief time, Kaj had thought he’d gotten a reprieve when the male disappeared for a solid month after visiting his granddaughter for the first time.
“Drink?” Kaj offered, strolling toward the decanter of whiskey set up on the sideboard of their formal living room in what was now officially referred to as the Lair.
“A bit early, is it not?”
“It didn’t require a question,” Kaj grumbled, pouring two fingers into a squat glass. “But I’ll take that as a no.”
“I assume you recall Eevuhl’s visit and his ultimate demise?”
Kaj smirked, tossed back his drink, poured another. All while he ignored the throbbing in his thigh from the knife wound he’d endured during the attack Michael was referring to. He had healed just fine, but there was still the ghost of an ache every now and then, usually brought on by thoughts of Acadia. He hadn’t seen the female since that day when he’d first taken the vein of another Fae rather than go to her. Since then, he’d continued to feed from the various females, doing his level best not to think too hard on it before, during, or after.
“I recall,” he told the archangel, remembering he had an audience.
“Then you shall understand the necessity of this meeting.”
“I might,” Kaj told him, carrying his glass with him as he strolled back in Michael’s direction. “Should you be so inclined to enlighten me.”
“Perhaps you also recall the mission my warriors are on, their search for theamsouelots.”
Oh, yeah, he was well aware. “I’m all caught up on their drama, yes.”
“Then you’re aware Lucifer has altered his course?”
That got Kaj’s attention. “He’s not continuing his efforts to lay waste to humankind?”
“He’s still moving forward with that plan,” Michael stated, clearly missing the levity of the statement. “However, his endeavor to claim theamsouelotsto obtain control of my warriors is no longer his top priority.”
“I’ve never thought of him as one to give up so easily.”
Michael’s head lowered as he began to pace. “He’s not giving up, of that I’m certain. His attempt to acquire the child is proof he’s realized there’s a far greater power to be wielded.”
“Ari’el?”
There was a soft growl that escaped the archangel, a sound usually reserved for the warriors. It was odd to hear it from the almighty male, but not necessarily unexpected.
“I have it on good authority he’s shifted his objective,” Michael explained.
“Which means?”
Michael stopped pacing to meet Kaj’s confused stare. “Rather than merely possessing the souls of theiramsouelots, my brother endeavors to possess the souls of their offspring.”
Figured. Bastard was underhanded like that. “Then eliminate their ability to breed. Seems fairly simple to me.”
Michael sighed. “If only it were that simple.”
Kaj stared, waiting for all the pieces of the puzzle to come together. It didn’t take long.
“You can’t intervene,” Kaj mused. “You’ve granted them permission to seek theiramsouelots, and now you have to let it play out.”
Michael nodded, seemingly surprised by how quickly Kaj had come to that realization.
“What is it you want from me?” he asked, knowing somehow this was going to affect him in a major way.
“I’d like the vampires to pledge their loyalties to me and my warriors.”
