“Where is Ariel?” his brother questioned abruptly. “Why has she not reported in?”
“I sent her away when I arrived.”
“She needs to answer for not having informed us of Lucifer’s progress. She should’ve made us aware he could touch the hybrid.”
“Nadia,” Raphael ground out.
“I don’t give a rat’s ass what her name is,” Michael spat. “She is a filthy hybrid Triscelene and needs to be eliminated.”
“Would you feel the same way if she were of your line, brother?” he retorted softly.
Michael grabbed Raphael’s shirt front and slammed him against the wall, creating a life-size hole.
Used to his brother’s overt displays of strength, he’d anticipated the move. But gone were the days of trying to appease Michael’s temper.
Uninjured, Raphael shoved him, then brushed the dust from his hair and shirtfront.
“Our brother will understand why this needs to be done.” Michael crossed to the window. Gazing up at the Heavens, he gave a decisive nod, as if whatever thoughts were rambling about his head justified killing their brother’s offspring.
“No, he won’t,” Raphael replied with confidence. “Gabriel never got over the murder of Adalyn. Do you honestly believe he will forgive you for killing her descendant, too? One of his bloodline?” Raphael shrugged into his leather jacket. “You’re a fool if you do.”
Annoyed by the senseless fighting, he left Michael to contemplate Gabriel’s wrath. Should Gabe ever discover the “filthy hybrid Triscelene” Michael intended to destroy was, in fact, his daughter and not merely a descendant, there would be hell to pay.
18
Nadia ignored the knock on her door.
It didn’t, however, stop Gabriel from striding in.
“Well, if it isn’t Daddy Dearest,” she mocked as he took a chair opposite her. “I don’t recall inviting you inside my home. Isn’t entering against the rules or something?”
“You’re referencing fictional vampires,” he replied coolly.
She snapped her fingers. “That’s right. Archangels can do whatever the fuck they want with no consequences—or so you and Luc would have me believe. I already said the gig is up. Why are you still in character?”
“There is no pretense, Nadia. You are in grave danger.”
“Did you bleach and tone your hair to achieve my same color? And you can remove the contacts. I’m not buying what you’re selling.”
He ran a hand through his hair in a similar fashion to her when distracted.
Her heart caught.
Surely, it was another trick, right?
“There is no trickery, pet,” Lucifer said from the patio door.
“I’m not talking to you. Your invitation to my home is rescinded,” she retorted.
“Again, fictional vampires,” Gabriel stated dryly.
“Whatever.” She waved a hand. “The two of you need to get lost. I have shit to do.”
“Oh?” Luc sat on the coffee table before her with an arrogant smile. “Like what?”
“Find a hookup on Tinder.”
His expression darkened, and pure fire danced in his eyes.
