Zoe
Pressed against Sin’s sculpted chest, I struggle to process his words. Archangel? My head hurts, like the world’s worst pressure change just sucked all the brain matter from between my ears, and the air in the room feels somehow richer. Like there’s more oxygen than there was a moment ago.
Sin steadies me, staring over my shoulder with such intensity, I’m worried he’s about to lose his shit.
You can do this. Turn around. It’s only one of God’s chosen. No big deal, right?
When I manage to screw up enough courage to move, my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. The man—is he a man?—is beautiful. Long golden hair falls in gentle waves to his shoulders, and his skin glows as if dusted with silver and gold. Wings fold against his back, pure white, and his robes move like there’s a gentle breeze swirling around only him.
“Sinclair.”
Shit. Even his voice is perfect. Smooth and low and with a hint of an accent I can’t place.
“Gabriel. This is Zoe.”
The angel turns his golden-eyed gaze to me and frowns. Even that doesn’t mar his beauty. “Interesting,” he says.
Interesting? An angel just materialized out of thin air, and all he has to say is “interesting”?
Sin still has an arm around my waist, and the reassuring weight and his warmth might be the only things keeping me standing.
“Well?” Sin demands. “Is Thorn still Lucifer’s guest?”
“No.” The archangel shakes his head softly and stares up at the ceiling. “And the Almighty is fucking pissed about it.”
Hearing the Angel Gabriel swear is almost too much, and I lean a little more against Sin. “I need to sit down.”
Almost immediately, my partner guides me over to a chair. “I can meet with him alone,” he whispers close to my ear. “Rest.”
“No. I want to hear this. All of it.” He’s bracing his hand on the table, close enough I can smell my soap on his skin. I can’t believe I’m about to do this, but I look to Gabriel. “I realize you could probably smite me down or something for even asking, but could you give us a minute?”
I expect anger or even shock, but all I see on Gabriel’s face is boredom. “I am an angel, Zoe Dawes. Even if I left the room, I could eavesdrop as simply as you breathe.“
Sin turns my chair so I’m facing him. “What is it?”
“You haven’t told me the whole story.” Shame wells in his blue eyes, now streaked with hints of crimson, and I drape my fingers over his. “I’m human, Sin. I’ll never be able to imagine what you went through. But without the details, I can’t help catch these bastards. Whatever you’re afraid of telling me? Is it that much worse than what these kidnapped men and women are going through right now?”
My partner shakes his head, the reddish cast to his irises deepening. “I should have done more.”
This man—demon—I thought was a complete and total asshole isn’t. Not really. He’s damaged. Scared even. And unable to admit it to anyone. I suppose we both are. Perhaps Commander Eve knew what she was doing when she put us together.
I tighten my hold, and he shifts very subtly closer to me. Something about the action screams for me to reassure him. “Hey. You can do more now. By letting me in. When Gabriel leaves, you’re buying me lunch and we’ll play a few rounds of ‘you show me yours and I’ll show you mine.’”
Sin’s full lips twitch for a second until he gets his expression under control, and he nods. “I guarantee I will win every round, Zoe.”
“I’m sure you will.”
“If the two of you are about done?” Gabriel asks, his voice full of disdain, but still oddly addicting. Like he’s a melody I could listen to over and over again. One I could swear I’ve heard before in my dreams. “I have spent most of one of your days down in Lucifer’s den, and I need to rid myself of the stench.
I don’t know what he’s talking about. Gabriel smells like a summer’s day. But I keep my mouth shut as Sin takes a seat next to me. “Our days?” he says. “You have spent too much time in the celestial realm. How are you supposed to serve as a spiritual guide to the devoted if you do not know anything about them?”
“I know enough,” the angel mutters. “But that is not why I am here. Lucifer attempted to hide it, but in the end, he admitted the truth. Hell was breached.”
“Breached? Hell?” My voice rises and cracks, and I’m pretty sure my eyes can’t open any wider. “How the hell—shit. How the fuck did someone breach Hell?”
Gabriel sighs. “A vampire was kidnapped from this realm two years ago and spent many months being punished for crimes he did not commit. When he was rescued, the demon called Thorn and his concubine Regina…” he shakes his head, “I suppose the proper phrase would be ‘hitched a ride.’”
“And no one noticed? What is the Devil doing with his time if not watching over those he is charged to punish for all eternity?” Sin’s tone is strained, and he’s gripping the arm of the chair hard enough I can hear the wood protest.
“Lucifer had…other concerns.” Gabriel, now seated across from us with his wings awkwardly brushing the floor, rests his elbows on the table. “There are forces at work in this realm you know nothing about, Sinclair. Forces that could open the Gates of Hell permanently. Michael, Raphael, and I are going to meet with a small group attempting to stop the uprising, but that is all we know at this time.”
“Fuck,” Sin says sharply. “How many more will die…?”
Gabriel’s face sobers, and his golden eyes turn almost black. “Millions. But that is why you must find these two and send them back where they belong.” Before Sin can say another word, the angel holds up his hand. “You have paid your debt.”
Pulling several sheets of folded paper from within his robes, Gabriel holds Sin’s gaze. “The runes and sigils you will need to bind them and send them to the Underworld. As long as you follow the instructions, there is no danger you will be trapped with them.”
“Give me one good reason why I should trust you,” Sin mutters.
The betrayal in Sin’s voice squeezes my heart in a vise, and though I’ve never considered myself a touchy-feely person, with him, I’m different. More…me somehow. So I do the only thing I can. Under the table, I briefly press my knee to his. A subtle gesture of support.
Gabriel rises and smoothes his hands down his robes. His wings flutter, stretching until they practically touch either side of the room. “We made many mistakes with your case, Sinclair. Some you know. Others…I am bound not to reveal. But Nathanial and I, at least, are in agreement. We have been for some time. Your debt was paid, even though I know you do not agree. Your exile to this realm could have ended years ago, but you chose to stay. If you trust nothing else, trust this. I am on your side.”
With that cryptic statement, the angel turns to me. “Agent Zoe Dawes, there is something about you that does not add up. Something…other. I am not certain what it is, but still, I wish you luck with Sinclair. He can be a handful, but he is a good man.”