Present day, Seattle

Sariel

Selah was in my damned bed, and I let her leave. Why had I done that? She is destined for me, the other half of my soul, the reason I left everything I’d known. And I let her get into the fucking taxi like it was no big deal. Pacing the floor, I run a hand over the stubble on my jaw, frustrated at the human needs I have still not grown accustomed to. My wings burn and itch, a sure sign Michael is calling, but I ignore him. I’m going to bide my time and use my power to find Selah and see her safe. The time to claim her will come soon, and I’d much rather she want me than be unsure. To make certain that happens, I’ll need to know where to find her.

“Really, Sariel? Does Michael have to send me to you every time he needs something?” Gabriel’s annoyed tone sets my jaw on edge. I hadn’t even felt the shift in the air when he’d arrived. That is how distracted Selah has me.

“I’m busy.”

Gabriel lets out a snort—something between a laugh and a scoff. “You have an agreement with Michael. You serve the greater good. And, Sariel…there’s something you need to know about Selah.”

My spine stiffens as I turn my gaze on him. “What?”

“She may have the same soul, but Selah isn’t the same woman. Her body looks similar, that’s true, but she’s lived a different existence. She won’t ever remember you, or the life you shared.”

Heart clenching, I try to conceal my anger. “Then why give her back to me?”

He tips his head back, eyes on the heavens, and sighs. “She isn’t here solely for you. Truly, she’s not here for you at all. You condemned her when you took her the first time—when you put a Nephilim in her belly.” The memory of Selah, her womb growing heavy with my child, hits me like a sledgehammer. “This life is for her. Our Father never wanted to hurt the women the Watchers took as their own. They were collateral damage. He loves them, as He loves you. Those women have been given second chances over the last thousand years. But, there were only seven fallen who had true soul mates. Those were the last He released.”

My gut clenches at his words. “You mean there are six other Watchers who could find their other halves?”

Gabriel’s gaze flits to the floor. “There are only four others. Armaros and Orus have left us. It was too late for them.”

“Who else?”

Shaking his head, Gabriel shifts and walks to the wide window that overlooks the city. “I don’t have that information. But, as you can see, there is significant cause for our brothers to stop this disastrous mission of theirs. If they know they could possibly find their soul mates, they might be swayed.”

“Then tell them. You found me. Why can’t you find them?”

“They’re cloaked. You know something about how to accomplish that. Those cursed witches will help anyone if they think there’s benefit for them. I’m sure Azazel got his hands on a spell, then spoke with the fallen. It wouldn’t take much effort to get into their minds and convinced them this was the only way to find some kind of peace. Heaven is all they think they have.”

“And what about the others who have no mates?”

“They may already be lost. That isn’t something I can control.” He shrugs, making rage boil inside my chest. How dare he make light of their damnation?

“They fell because they wanted what I had found.” I bite out the words through clenched teeth as guilt swarms my belly.

“They did. And some of them found it. Others found Lucifer.”

“How does giving me this damn sword and power help? If we don’t know who may still be convinced, how can I save them?”

Gabriel sits on the couch, his elbows resting on his knees, fingers steepled in front of him. “You may not be able to. Wouldn’t you rather have some kind of arsenal at your disposal? Or would you rather face Watchers who have the strength of ten men apiece with nothing but your mortal body?”

“Fair point.”

* * *

Selah

What the hell is wrong with me? I just broke every single girl’s-night-out rule there is. I got sloppy drunk, nearly puked all over the damn place, and went home with a strange—gorgeous—man. Erica must be worried sick, although Sam had said she’d abandoned me. Maybe she didn’t care that much. She’d probably found herself some entertainment for the evening. There was a distinct reason she’d chosen McCoy’s Firehouse. She’s a little bit of a badge bunny, routinely hooking up with the firefighters who frequent the bar. Adam will not be happy when he finds out what I was up to last night.

Shit.

Adam.

Seriously, what the hell is wrong with me? My poor fiancé is probably sitting at home, waiting for me to walk through the door so we can work things out, and I’ve been in another man’s bed. Granted, I think I may have vomited on Sam, or at least near him. I can’t remember, but that is decidedly not sexy.

After paying my driver, I stand outside the short stretch of sidewalk that leads up to my cozy duplex. It’s a far cry from the sleek and modern home Sam has. Shaking my head, I try to clear the flood of arousal coursing through me at the mere thought of the man. But I can’t. His eyes burned with need as he dropped his lips so close, I could have tasted him if I’d only been a little more brazen.

Turning my key in the lock, I fight a wave of fear at the sharp scent of Adam’s cologne. He’s here. He was waiting for me. Guilt swamps me in heavy waves.

“Where have you been, Selah? I’ve been here for hours.”

I can’t see him from this vantage point. My living room is shrouded in darkness, the soft glow of the digital clock on my cable box the only light in the small space.

“Adam? What are you doing here?”

Light fills the room as Adam turns on the side table lamp. He looks like hell. His usually impeccable hair hangs over his forehead, as though he’s been tugging at it. And the rumpled and disheveled suit he’s wearing speaks of a broken man, not the cool and together presence I know.

“I’m here for you. I made a mistake. I realized that the second I walked out your door.”

The ache in his words makes me want to cry. “You accused me of cheating on you, Adam.”

Standing, he crosses the room and takes my hands. “I know. I know. Shit, babe. I’m so fucking sorry. But…you said some other guy’s name, and then there was that prick at the lake. You were touching him.”

“His tattoos.”

“What are you talking about? He didn’t have any damn tattoos. Besides, it was still his body. You let him touch you.”

Shaking my head, I sigh. “I already apologized for that.”

“How would you feel if it had been me doing that with another girl?”

His gaze is filled with a plea for me to understand. And I do, but the truth is, I think this change between us was a long time coming. “I wouldn’t have been happy.”

I stiffen as his focus drifts across my body and settles on my hair. Fuck. I must look like I’ve been rolling around in a bed. I don’t do sexily tousled. When I get out of bed, my hair is an absolute mess.

“What have you been doing?”

A heated blush creeps up my neck as an unwelcome memory of Sam holding me, his thumb caressing my lower lip. “I drank too much and went with a friend until I could handle getting a cab home.”

His hands slide up my arms, and at the same time, he pulls me against him. As he inhales deeply, his fingers bite into my skin. “What was this friend’s name? And why the hell do you smell like another guy?”

Placing both palms flat on his broad chest, I shove myself backward, out of his grip. “We broke up. Don’t you remember? I can come back to my own house smelling like whomever I choose.”

Anger flashes in his eyes. “No. We decided to take some time to figure things out. That’s not the same. I love you. You just make me crazy sometimes.”

I hate it when he gets this way. Stomping over to the front door, I fling it open and stare at him, defiance bubbling up and making me tremble enough that I have to grit my teeth. “Get out, Adam. Leave your key on the table.”

“Babe.”

Holding up a hand, I fight the adrenaline coursing through me. “No. You were right. We need time apart.”

“Did you fuck him?”

I can’t stop my gasp. “Are you kidding me?”

Taking two long strides toward me, he has me pressed back against the wall, his jealousy a tangible thing. “I’m serious, Selah. Did you fuck him? Did you give it to him without hesitation? Or did you make him beg for it like I always have to?”

Shaking my head, I move to sidle out from his overbearing presence. “The fact that you asked me that question proves exactly why you were right about us. You need to go. I have a lot to think about and I can’t do that with you here.”

Instead of arguing with me, he pulls his hands through his hair and lets out a groan of frustration. “Don’t do this, Sea.”

I repress a shudder. I hate that nickname. “I didn’t do anything this time. This one is all you, Adam.”

In a flash of silver, he pulls my spare key from his pocket and drops it in my hand. “You’ll change your mind. I know it.”

I have to close my eyes to fight the trembling across my entire being. Something about him keeps me coming back, but that pull isn’t enough for me to stay with someone who won’t trust me.

“I don’t think so. Good night. I’m sorry it ended like this.”

“It’s not over.”

Shrugging, I relax slightly as he steps over the threshold and starts down the sidewalk. As I close the door behind him, I slide down the wood until my ass hits the floor.

“What a fucking mess,” I mutter to the empty house.