Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 98961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 495(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 495(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
“So, you came here to discuss battle plans?”
“Not entirely.” She blinks a few times and I’m tempted to compliment her eyeshadow, which is perfectly contoured and compliments her skin tone really well. She looks so normal—so human—she could easily blend in.
Unlike Julian.
It was part of his charm, really. He was so totally oblivious to so many little things, little things I never would have thought about. Like how something can smell good but not taste good, like scented candles. I feel a pull on my heart and wish he was here.
“I needed to see you for myself,” she admits. “I needed to see if you really were what Julian said you were.” My hands go out to my sides, ready to throw whatever I have to at this angel in front of me. “I know what you are, Callie.”
Chapter
Eleven
Eliza sidesteps in front of me, fangs bared. My heart is in my throat, and I look at Alona, unblinking.
“What am I?” I ask, saying each word slowly.
“You, Callie King, are a miracle.” Alona’s eyes widen and she looks at me in awe. The fuck? I blink once. Twice.
“What?”
“You are a miracle. You’ve been blessed and you are the one who will defend the humans against the darkness. I couldn’t figure out why Julian was so set on protecting a human until I saw all that you did for humanity. It was you who defeated Bael after he claimed the life of Remiel.”
I swallow hard and just nod. I did kill Bael, but only by declaring myself Queen of Hell because I’m a nephilim, and it was my dad who killed Remiel when he tried to kill me.
“Which is why I want to give you this.” Alona extends her hand, opening her palm to reveal a thin pink ring that looks to be made out of rose quartz.
“If you want me to go on a quest and throw that thing in Mount Doom, it’s gonna be a while,” I say.
“No,” she replies with a laugh. “Nothing like that. This is linked to me and will help you channel your prayer to me and me alone so no others hear your call for help. I’m not charged to protect you, but I do wish to help anyway I can.”
I take the ring and hold it up. It’s slightly warm and for some reason, I swear it smells like fresh strawberries.
“I need to go,” Alona rushes out, looking up in a way that reminds me of Julian. “I believe in you, Callie.” In a rustle of feathers, she’s gone, and I’m left standing there, stupidly staring at the spot she had been standing.
“Don’t say it.” I hold up a hand and turn to Eliza.
“What? You don’t want me to—” She dramatically drops to her knees. “Tell you how I’m not worthy to be in your presence, oh miracle of miracles?”
“Exactly that,” I grumble as she fake-grovels at my feet. “Get up or I might get used to you fawning all over me.”
“Oh please.” She jumps back up. “You get enough of that from your friends-slash-fan club.”
“They’re not my fan club. But I do have good friends,” I agree and look at the ring again, shaking my head. “That really happened, didn’t it?”
“It did and I have to say I am loving the way these angels are presenting themselves. I’m starting to think they’re doing it on purpose.” She wiggles her eyebrows and I do my best Eliza impression and roll my eyes. Eliza laughs and then the few seconds of humor leave us.
Because we both know Alona is right: Paimon is going to strike again, most likely with a better plan this time, and going after him before he goes after me is smart.
“Were you doing more crazy research?” Eliza asks me.
“Not this time.” I turn and pick up Julian’s dagger from the coffee table, making sure I keep it away from Juliet. Alona was right about that as well. Juliet isn’t big enough to get into anything right now, but we’re going to have to be really careful once she starts walking. Not just with the weapons, but with the magical ingredients I have scattered throughout the house.
I did it on purpose so I’d have access to them in multiple locations since demons don’t always attack next to my magical supply cabinet. Baby-proofing the house was another thing Lucas and I were going to do together once we needed to worry about our daughter crawling and picking things up.
“I was thinking of ways to kill the Horsemen.” I blink and see the whole thing playing out in front of me again. It took everything I had to knock Famine off his horse, but once he was out of the saddle, he was an easy kill, for Lucas at least. My lips part and I quickly inhale as something else occurs to me. “The power comes from the horse, but once the rider was off, it didn’t do anything. Didn’t fight back, didn’t try to get away. It just stood there, and it didn’t object when Lucas went to get on.”