I jumped up, flexing my fingers, ready to punch something until I got answers. I couldn't

believe that Garrett had information but was choosing to leave me in the dark.

"Why won't you tell me? I can handle it. I swear."

"No. Raven. You can't. That's what I'm trying to say. Leave it be. Just do your job and let things lie."

What the hell is wrong with him? It wasn't like Garrett to give up when there was a bread crumb to follow. And now, with the introduction of some mysterious "they," I was surprised he wasn't racing out my front door and straight to Death's castle to hound him for answers right this very second.

I placed my hands on the bricks of the fireplace and let my head drop. I needed to calm down, but apparently that wasn't in the cards. My wings flared, knocking a vase off the mantle. I was pissed and there was no hiding it. When my inner light reached its peak, Garrett rushed forward and grabbed me. We were both catapulted through space, arriving in Heaven seconds later.

"That's why I couldn't tell you. I knew you wouldn't be able to come here without getting pissed off and igniting your inner light." Garrett's tone was excited and rang with a cocky, I-told-you-so, vibe.

I looked around the white expanse, shocked that this was his intended destination. "Oh."

"You asked who else could hurt me and make me disappear?" He gestured towards the golden gates of Heaven. "Well...here you go!"

"No way! Are you telling me Heaven has somehow become involved with whatever secret

Death is keeping and you figured it out?"

"I'm not sure, but that is the only thing that makes sense. Plus, I have this nagging feeling of feathers tickling me in unmentionable places," he joked.

I laughed out loud.

"Okay. We're here, so who do we talk to?"

"Me." A booming voice echoed behind us.

I spun around to see an extremely large male angel stalking in our direction. A chill ran through me when I saw the sword in his hand, but it was the thick muscles and bronzed skin peeking out from under his robe that did me in.

He was gorgeous. Dark hair, pure white wings, and violet-blue eyes––he radiated warmth as if he'd been formed from a piece of the sun.

Wow! Am I drooling?

Yep. I sure was.

"My name is Michael and I'm surprised to see you both here." He looked between the two of us and after leveling me with his gaze, turned back to Garrett. "I thought the block we put on your mind would have remained in place better than this."

"So I was right, Heaven is involved," Garrett remarked.

"Yes. There are things at work that neither of you can be privy to. The knowledge could affect the outcome and we cannot veer off course. Death has forced our hand and we are fighting back but it's imperative that he not learn of our involvement." He paused to look in my direction again, effectively making my knees go weak. "Raven, you're very important, so I need to ask that you do as Garrett instructed and just let things lie. Your time will come and all will be revealed."

He reached out to stroke my cheek. I closed my eyes and let my head lull to the side, pressing into his hand. I'd basically become a bobble-head doll, melting at this man's touch. What the heck?

Garrett coughed into his fist while trying––but failing––to hide his smile. "We won't say a

word."

Michael turned and nodded in Garrett's direction, but didn't remove his hand from my face.

When he looked back at me, his gaze pierced my soul.

We were locked in some strange emotional pull, unspoken, but completely intense. I couldn't move. I wondered if he saw me as a simple girl––a tool to use in his heavenly plan, or was it the woman he'd aroused within me that had captured his attention?

My question was answered when he leaned down, bringing his mouth to mine. The soft

pressure sent tiny sparks into my lips, plumping them just for him. My body moved closer of its own accord––my brain completely detached from the motion. Michael never hesitated. He pulled me close, wrapping his arm around my lower back and increased the intensity of our kiss. By the time he set me back on the ground, I had to work to untangle my hands from his hair.

"I'll be in touch," was all he said before a bright light burst and Michael disappeared.

Garrett and I stood, staring at one another, then his boisterous laugh filled the space between us. "Oh my God...you just made out with the Archangel Michael," Garrett exclaimed.

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