He was just that beautiful.
“Not as beautiful as you,” he assured her softly.
Her entire body tightened in response, but not in desire.
In fear.
How had he accessed her thoughts?
A pained look flashed across his visage before he schooled his expression.
“I don’t intrude if I can help it,” he said aloud. “Your mind is a curious place, Nadia.”
“So you can read my thoughts,” she said flatly, turning away. “Good to know.”
His heavy sigh tugged at her heartstrings, but she hardened that disloyal organ.
“Why do you all believe I’m a triscelene?” she asked. “How do I prove to you I’m not?”
“You are,” Luc replied. “The only one in existence.”
“But why does everyone think I’m some super soldier or powerful being? I can’t even rescue a cat from an alleyway without help.”
“Cat?” Gabriel looked between them.
Luc stood and grabbed the tequila from his hand to pour more shots. “You might know her as Ariel, brother. Michael trapped her in feline form.”
“That bastard!”
Nadia whirled to stare. “Wait, what? My cat isn’t a real cat?”
Without sparing her a glance, he downed another two shots. Her nerves felt stretched tight as she waited for his response.
“Ariel is a divine being who fell victim to Michael’s temper,” he finally said with a toast of his glass. “Mild infraction, years to repent. It’s the Heavenly way.”
Stomach in knots, she thought about recent events. “You said this complex was warded, but was he responsible for hurting Dina and Raz?”
“I can’t be one-hundred percent certain. He may have been involved, but I don’t believe he murdered them directly.”
Nadia’s legs grew weak, and she plopped down on the couch. “He intends to kill anyone and everything to get to me, all on the mistaken belief I have magical powers or some shit.”
“I won’t let that happen,” Luc assured her.
“Maybe you should,” she said morosely.
* * *
Lucifer’s simmering annoyance spiked to rage. “Do not dare to play the woe-is-me card, Nadia.”
She turned startled eyes upon him.
“You will not sacrifice yourself to Michael,” he said.
Although Luc found her a pleasant distraction and a potentially useful tool, he would not be swayed by self-pity or her need to save others at the expense of her own life.
He needed her.
With her help, he could strike a blow against the Creator, perhaps gain leverage to have his curse removed and his position in the Kingdom restored. With her, he could once again form bonds with others of his kind.
