The next day, Esmeralda brought Bry to the clinic for a visit and homework after school (homework that did not include math). I hated that he had to come to the clinic to see me instead of meeting him at home, but I’d been slipping in an out of consciousness all day. While the bed rest and medication was helping, I knew I needed to remain under Sorsha’s care.

I had Bryony tucked against me, my arm around him while he snuggled into my side. He read to me, his voice firm and sure, and I only had to help him with a word or two here and there. My kid was seriously smart.

We were in the middle of a story when a knock at the door interrupted his narration. I bit back the growl that jumped to my lips, my wolf hating the intrusion. I gave my son a small squeeze and turned my attention to the door. Rush poked his head through the doorway.

“So,” I eyed the big Nordic gel, “if you’re here, does that mean an army of ghouls is about to break down the door? Tell them to come back later. I have to wash my hair.”

Ugh. If I’m being honest, I had to color it too. My roots were growing out and the purple stripes were looking closer to a washed out pink than the vibrant grape Kool-Aid I was used to.

“Nothing so dramatic.” A smile touched Rush’s lips, but not his eyes. “Am I disturbing you?”

“Yes.” I held Bry a bit closer and glared at the gel. “But I’m guessing you wouldn’t be here unless it was important.”

“But, Mom,” Bry drew my gaze. Even when he frowned he was adorable. “We’re reading.”

See? Totally smart. The kid liked reading for Hell’s sake.

“I know, kiddo.” I kissed the top of his head, a wave of love washing over my heart. I drew in his scent and my wolf calmed slightly with the new rush of his innate aroma. “I’m sure this won’t take long. Can you give me a couple minutes?”

Bryony frowned at Rush and didn’t make any move to crawl from the bed. “Mom has a mate. He’s big. And mean. He could take you.”

I sighed. This was what came from my kid getting to know Sam. I loved that Bryony liked my mate and accepted that Sam had a place in my life. I didn’t like how he told every guy he met that I had a mate.

“Bryony Letholdus Finn Eron Percival Alrick Morningstar.” I’m thinking that naming him after all my fathers might have been a mistake. “What did I say?”

He huffed. “But Mooom…”

“Rush is a friend of Sam’s.”

“Oh.” His voice was small and then he—just like his dear kinda-old Mom—looked Rush up and down. “I guess he’s okay then.”

“I am only here to keep your mother safe.” Rush entered the room fully and straightened. “I gave Samkiel my word that I would protect her with my life.”

Bry’s attention turned to me, his expression a little less hesitant this time.

“I think he’s an okay guy,” I whispered. Then, loudly enough for Rush to hear, I added, “for a gel.”

Bry giggled, high-pitched and carefree, and then clambered off the bed. “Okay, but you better finish the story later.”

“Promise.” I made an X over my chest. “Cross my heart and hope to die then get sent to On High.”

That brought on another round of giggles and Bry ran to the door. Rush held it open and I spotted Esmeralda in the hallway waiting for him. While she led my kid to the waiting room, I pushed myself upright in the bed, ready to face whatever bad news the gel dragged behind him. I wasn’t sure if I could trust him. I’m not a big fan of angels, with the exception of Sam.

“So.” I crossed my arms. “Why are you here?”

“I’ve continued to investigate the ghoul attacks.”

“Any progress?” As much as I hated to admit it, he probably had a few more resources in his back pocket than my gang.

“Some.” He reached into his coat and withdrew a map. He unfolded the page and handed it to me. Red circles marred the drawing of Orlando, marking what I knew were confirmed attacks. They appeared random, without any pattern or similarity between locations. I continued to study the map, hoping I’d find something that pointed to the bad guy’s evil lair. Like a great big arrow that said “bomb here plz.”

“I’ve confirmed it’s a witch or warlock behind the attacks. The mystical energies are all over the area whenever the ghouls appear. The problem is that the energy signature has been masked in some way. It prevents me from tracing it to its source.”

I frowned at the map. “So, nothing helpful.”

I already had a great big pile of unhelpful.

Rush rolled his eyes and glared at me.

Dude. An angel rolled his eyes. That seemed like a very un-gel like thing to do.

“I sent word to On High. Several archangels have been sent to assist with the situation.”

I arched a brow. Archangels were serious business. They were far more powerful than the regular gels, and that was saying something. Gels were powerhouses by anyone’s standards. Sending archangels meant On High was taking the threat seriously. They were the heavyweights coming down to kick ass and take names so the fuckers responsible could get sent down to Uncle Luc.

Shit had just gotten real.

“Did they find anything useful then?” As Lucifer’s niece, I had to be a bit bitchy about anything from On High. It was a thing. Otherwise Uncle Luc would revoke my Mistress o’ Evil card.

“They’re working on countering the magic this person is using to conceal themselves. It’s rather insidious. The perpetrator,” —what kind of person said perpetrator? Oh, right, a gel— “did not simply cast wards. There is a blanket over the city, disrupting the natural order. The archangels are seeking out the source. This magic must be tied to powerful points within the city.”

I quirked a brow. “You mean ley lines.”

I didn’t know a lot about how that kind of magic worked, but I’d heard Jezze talk about ley lines in the past.

Rush nodded. “They’re investigating several key intersections. If they can find the magic the offending witch or warlock used, they’ll disrupt it. Once that happens, we’ll be able to track the source and take action.”

“Huh.” I handed the map back to Rush. “It’s good to see that you guys are finally doing something useful.”

Resentment, party of one. I shouldn’t have a bad attitude. The gels were trying to help—finally. It just pissed me off that they were out there hunting while I was stuck in bed.

“I’ve been instructed to remain near you.” He folded the map and tucked it into his jacket.

“I don’t need another babysitter.” I waved a hand in the direction of the waiting room. “I’ve got a couple of werewolves watching the place, plus Sorsha has plenty of wards.”

“I know you don’t want my help,” Rush tipped his head in acknowledgment. “But I gave my word.”

I rolled my eyes. “To Sam.”

He nodded. “Yes, as I’ve been told, your mate is big and mean and can take me.”

Oh my On High, the gel was actually trying to make a joke.

I let out a long, frustrated sigh. I loved Sam, I really did, but sometimes he could really piss me the fuck off. He wasn’t even in town but still found a way to coddle me.

“Yeah, well, Sam and I are going to have a nice chat when he gets back to town.”

Rush smiled and this time, it was genuine. “I’ll relay the message.”

“Thanks,” I drawled and settled deeper into the pillows. I’d only been talking to Rush for a few minutes and exhaustion was already chasing me. “There are some magazines in the waiting room. Just ignore the werewolves. I’m sure if you don’t bother them, they won’t bother you.”

Maybe.

Okay, I wasn’t sure at all, but if some of the wolves decided to give Rush a hard time, that wouldn’t be my problem. In fact, I wouldn’t mind watching a wolf-on-gel throw down. A few of those guys on one gel?

I could sell fucking tickets.

Rush left and I slowly lost the fight to stay awake. My eyelids grew heavy and soon I couldn’t even lift my hands. I was vaguely aware of Bryony shuffling back into the room, hoping to finish our story, but my exhaustion, coupled with Sorsha’s sleep-inducing medicines were too much. Sleep wrapped around me in a lethargic blanket and the last thing I heard was Bry begging me to wake.