“You’re suspended until further notice.” Gabriel informs me from the end of the hospital bed. “It’s out of my hands. Orders from upstairs.”

We both know I’m not going anywhere. With a concussion, a punctured lung thanks to my broken ribs, and a fractured pelvis I’m going to be spending a lot of time healing.

I stare at him solemnly. I’m wearing one of those thin blue gowns. I want my own clothes. Hate feeling helpless.

He blames me for what happened. I can see that clearly on his face even if he doesn’t say the words. Snatch is in a coma. Leo and Caesar are beat up, but in better shape. Cassandra is now under the archangel’s care. And we have a shit load of dead demons to explain and cover up.

“You should be more careful who you fuck in the future.” He mutters, a muscle in his jaw jerking, surveying me with sky blue eyes.

Trying to sit up, I wince when it hurts. “How was I supposed to know Max was one of Lucifer’s commanders? It’s not like he was wearing a neon sign.”

I’m not perfect. I fucked up. I’m fully aware of that and don’t need it rubbed in my face. Guilt is already festering over what happened to Snatch and my brother.

“Incubus’s feed on the sexual energy of women. They seduce them in their dreams. It can make their victims ill, even die. How could Max have taken my soul? They don’t have that ability.”

Picking up the chart clipped to the end of my bed, Gabriel skims over the notes. “Maybe he was lying to you about being an Incubus. He lied to you about everything else. Lucifer picked his strongest to be his Generals. They would have to be something far superior than anything else in Hell.” Gabriel explains. “Anyway, he’s dead now. You don’t have to worry.”

Which bugs me. Not once did he show off his full power or his true form. Maybe he felt I wasn’t worth the effort. Then again, demons I have run into before like to flaunt what they are when they get the chance. Questions circle in my head like vultures. So many that it makes it ache. I have more questions now than I do answers.

“Why have you been visiting my brother? How long has it been going on?” I keep emotion from my tone. Hurt and confused. They churn inside me making me feel nauseous.

Gabriel sighs, tiredly replacing the chart. “It’s...complicated,” he tells me, crossing his muscled arms.

The way he doesn’t meet my eyes sends anger simmering.

“I need to know.”

“And in time you will. For now, be a good soldier and follow orders. He’s doing well, by the way, no relapses. The doctors are keeping him monitored but they don’t think he’ll sink back into his comatose state.”

The news soothes some of my inner turmoil. I have my brother back.

“You’re still under suspicion for the death of Colin.” He continues, his voice a soft rumble. “It’s the reason I called Caesar and Leo to Cease Fire to do some prying to clear your name.”

The pain medication they’ve given me is starting to wear off. Barely dulling the sharp edge of my injuries.

“You did it at the worst fucking moment.”

Expression darkening, he looks even more uncomfortable. “Yes, well. The main thing is you saved Cassandra. She’s going to be a priceless asset for us.”

One Max was desperate for too. One the Devil will still want. Gabriel is taking a hell of chance with this. She’ll never stop being hunted. Not with her gift. It’s a curse more than anything else.

“A gift for you.” Holding up a piece of cord, a round, metallic disc spins at the end. “A lucky charm for protection.” Striding to the side of the bed, Gabriel carefully fastens it around my neck.

I’m hurting again. I can’t conceal it from him. It’s there in my face. My barriers are lowered and for once I can’t hide behind a mask of indifference. I’ve placed my life and faith in his hands for four years. Fought for him. Done everything asked of me to keep Hell from over running the world yet now my trust is dented. I’m being deceived. And I don’t understand why.

Gabriel’s lips press against my forehead in a soft Judas kiss. “Get some rest.”

I don’t respond. Instead, I close my eyes and blot out the sight of him.

He doesn’t move for a moment. Then his footsteps sound heavily towards the door before it opens and closes quietly.

I’m pretending everything is fine, but it’s not. I feel hollow inside. Like a piece of me is missing. Max has left me nothing but ashes of betrayal. A trail of lies. First you care. Then you get hurt. There’s an ache in my heart that I should never have allowed to open.

Gabriel’s secrets also weigh heavily. He’s lying to me.

Listening to the silence tiredness takes a hold. With a concussion I know I’m not supposed to sleep. Calmness slips into my blood stream, stealing the pain and numbing my mind. The soft voices of the nurses out in the corridor lull me as I feel myself slip away.

Just as unconscious claims me, I feel an odd heat tingle over my skin.