Chapter 13

Beatrice

I was tempted to go into the bathroom and change forms so I could keep an eye on Dev. An archangel wasn’t something I wanted to mess with, but I didn’t like the idea of Dev being in danger. He was a fallen angel, so he could probably handle himself with most, but Michael? I wasn’t so sure about that. I only hesitated because I wasn’t sure what I’d do if I saw Dev in danger. If I had Rainer’s number, I’d call him. Then, a thought came to me. I knew someone who might have his number.

Beatrice: Can I get Rainer Vigil’s number from you?

There was no delay in her response.

Evie: Why?

Evie: Is this about your brother?

I was about to assure her it had nothing to do with Desmond and explain why I needed Rainer’s number when Dev stalked back into the restaurant. He looked angry.

Beatrice: Never mind. I thought a friend of his might be in trouble, but it looks like he’s okay.

Shoving my phone back into my purse, I asked Dev, “Is everything okay?”

He nodded and gave me a tight smile as he took his seat across from me. “Everything’s fine.”

“Then why do you look like you want to rip someone’s wings off?” I asked.

My question made him chuckle. His mouth relaxed into a genuine smile. “Michael brings out the worst in me,” he admitted. “He has that effect on most people.”

“What did he want?” I asked, wondering if Dev was going to claim he couldn’t tell me because it was secret angel business. While I might not know as much about angels as most witches, I knew they were a secretive lot. Fallen angels weren’t nearly as bad, but they still weren’t known to be the most forthcoming creatures.

“I’m not entirely certain,” he admitted in a thoughtful tone. “I don’t trust what he told me. While I hate to rush you, it would be best if we left.”

“Why?” I asked. “He didn’t come back in, so I assume Michael left. Are you afraid he’s lurking in the shadows? Do angels lurk in the shadows?”

Dev’s lips twitched. “Lurking in the shadows? While I wouldn’t have put it that way, he may still be hanging around. I don’t trust him or any of the other angels.”

“The distinction is important to both sides, isn’t it?” I asked. “You refer to angels as if you aren’t one, even though there’s no difference genetically.”

“I’ll try to explain it to you in the car,” he assured me as he stood and reached out a hand to me.

I stood and took his hand, allowing him to lead me out to his car. Dev was tense. I didn’t see Michael, but he could be lurking in the shadows, as I’d suggested. I almost laughed at the mental image.

Once we were in the car, and Dev had driven a short distance from the restaurant, he spoke again. “We’ll take a different route back to your place. I’d like to use a transport tube Michael can’t access.”

That seemed a little paranoid. Why would Michael follow us? Then again, I didn’t know if he had a past with Dev that would lead Dev to think he’d come after him.

“Are you going to tell me why angels and fallen angels act like they’re different species?” I asked.

“It’s not that we view ourselves as a separate species, so much as a separate race,” he explained. “Angels and fallen angels have lived in different realms for a very long time. We have very little in common. Even our wings are different. Only the original fallen angels can use their wings in the human realm. Second generation fallen angels only have wings in the demon realm. That’s not the case with angels, not that they procreate often. We also have vastly different views on what our involvement with other species should be.”

“I guess that’s why I don’t hear about any angels and witches getting involved,” I remarked. “This is only the second time I’ve seen an angel.”

“The second time?” he asked. His fingers were gripping the steering wheel tightly, and he looked worried. “When did you see an angel before today?”

“When I was a child,” I replied. “That time, it was easy to tell he was angel because his wings were out.”

“Don’t ever tell anyone you can see them,” Dev said in an urgent tone.

“Why?” I asked. “I already know I can only see them when they want me to see them.”

“Michael wasn’t making his presence known,” he told me.

It took a minute to process the significance of his words. “That’s not possible.”

“It is possible,” he assured me. “Rare, but possible. It’s definitely not something you want anyone else to hear about.”

“Now, you have two secrets to keep for me,” I muttered before deciding to try to lighten the mood. “You aren’t going to blackmail me with this, are you?” I teased.

“Blackmail?” he asked with a baffled expression.

“You’re right,” I agreed with an exaggerated sigh. “I’m much too poor to blackmail. What could you possibly get from me?”

Dev parked the car, and I was surprised to realize we were already at my apartment. The transport tube he’d used was much faster than any I had access to.

His eyes darkened as his gaze shifted to my mouth. “I want many things from you,” he rasped out.