“I didn’t lie, nor did I pretend interest, Nadia.”
“But you didn’t tell me what I am either!”
The tenderness in his expression disappeared.
“No. I didn’t,” he agreed with a nod of acknowledgment.
“What am I to you?” she challenged.
“A tool.”
Cold. Hard. Factual. His reply left no room for romantic fantasies.
“I see.” And she did. She was an instrument for him to strike out against others in his continued rebellion. Did men ever grow up? “Thanks for clarifying.”
Looking at him proved too difficult, so she focused her attention on her balcony in the distance. “Am I safe at my place?”
“You should be, with the wards in place. You will need a protective detail, just in case.”
She dug deep for the courage to say, “I don’t want it to be you.”
For the span of a heartbeat, Luc appeared nonplussed but quickly recovered. “Certainly. Gabriel can watch over you. Now, if you’ll excuse me?—”
“No.” She hurried to block his path, forgetting for a second he could fly away. “You seem to be the only one who knows the full scope of a triscelene. I want answers, Luc… ah, Lucifer.”
Sweat beaded at her temples as her palms grew clammy. Why was she stupidly antagonizing the Devil?
A smile curled his lip in slow increments, and his eyes shone with amusement.
“I momentarily forgot you have teeth, pet.”
She lifted her chin with false bravado. “Answer me.”
“You haven’t asked a question,” he reminded her softly.
“I’ve asked plenty—oh.” Right. He was referring to the hybrid aspect of her makeup. “I read about the creature, but why do you think I’m one?”
“Because you are.”
“That’s not a true answer. What leads you to believe it?”
As he closed the distance between them, his smile kicked up, almost teasing. Lifting her hand and ignoring the tension in her body, he pressed his palm to hers.
“Brother, do you wish to explain why this is unusual?” he asked without looking at Gabriel.
The other archangel approached and frowned down at their hands. He gripped Nadia’s wrist and lifted it to inspect her palm. With a finger, he traced the lines, tickling the skin.
“Incredible,” Gabriel murmured.
Looking between them, Nadia asked, “What is?”
“You weren’t burned,” Luc replied, his grin widening. “You are the only living creature able to withstand my touch without pain on contact.”
“Bullshit.” But thinking back, she realized she’d never seen him touch another. In fact, he’d avoided it at all costs. Staring at him in wonder, she shook her head. “You’re telling the truth!”
“I am. Watch.” He exposed a forearm and held it out to Gabriel. “Brother, an experiment, if you will.”
The instant Gabriel ran his fingers over the back of Luc’s wrist, the scent of charred flesh assailed her nose. She snatched his hand away to examine his blistered fingers.
