Page 20
That shuts me up.
Malgrave steps closer, and Sentinel’s wings flare wider. “This morning, you violated one of the oldest laws governing the supernatural world. Celestial and infernal power are forbidden from merging. Heaven and Hell exist on opposite sides of a boundary that has remained intact for longer than your species has walked this earth.”
I give him a hard stare. “Wasn’t exactly planning a fucking science experiment.”
“Intent does not undo consequence.”
“We saved lives.”
“And created a rift.” I hate how much those words affect me.
Malgrave’s gaze stays on mine. “A rift that should not exist. A rift the Hellwardens are now containing because the power you and the angel created tore through a boundary neither of you understood you were touching.”
Sentinel shifts beside me. “We closed it!”
“You closed the opening you could see.”
Nobody says shit.
Malgrave lets that sit there.
“What the fuck does that mean?” Raze asks.
“It means the damage did not disappear when the ground closed. The boundary has been weakened. We do not yet know how far that weakness extends, what may have felt the breach from the other side, or whether another incursion can occur.”
Everything inside me goes still.
Whatever the fuck was down there knows I exist now. That thought has been riding me ever since the clearing. Apparently, I wasn’t fucking paranoid enough.
“The Hellwardens have opened a formal investigation into the breach,” Malgrave continues. “Into how the powers merged, why they were able to merge, what damage was caused, and whether either of you now presents a continuing threat to the boundary.”
“Either of us?” Sentinel growls.
Malgrave finally looks at him. “You are not outside this investigation, angel.”
Sentinel’s jaw locks. “Then take my power too.”
“Sentinel,” I warn.
“Fuck that.”
“Your celestial power did not create the breach.”
Sentinel steps forward. “It was half of it.”
“But his voice carried it.” Malgrave points at me. “The hellhound’s roar became the weapon. His voice carried celestial power through an infernal body and drove the combined force into the boundary. Until the Hellwardens understand how that happened, he will not be permitted to use it again.”
Something cold settles in my gut. “What exactly are you saying?”
His attention comes back to me. “Until your trial is concluded, your voice will be held by the Hellwardens.”
I stare at him. “Held?”
“You will lose your roar, your bark, your growl, your ability to speak. All sound created by your throat will be stripped and placed under Hellwarden seal until judgment is reached.”
Hellfire slams through me. “Like fuck it will!”
My roar starts building before I even decide to call it, heat tearing up my chest as the hellhound surges forward.
