Present day, Seattle

Sariel

I’d given in and gone to Selah. Almost taken her in the dream. It’s only made the ache worse and the phantom traces of her still linger, if only in my memory. I haven’t allowed myself to invade her dreams again, not after what nearly happened last time. I don’t know what I’d been thinking. Who am I kidding? I know exactly which part of me had been in charge. In the past, it seemed so primal, the instinct to take and claim, but that was largely due to the vampire I shared a body with. Galen’s need for Reese, combined with my misplaced thought that she was my soul mate, had created a nearly unstoppable lust. With Devin, I’d known Willow wasn’t mine. That hadn’t stopped me from feeding, but I’d done that with the sole goal of building my strength so I could take control of him. Now I’ve got my own body, I’m not dependent on sating my lust to survive, and the drive to claim Selah as mine comes from my heart and my humanity.

“You heard me, right, Sariel?” Gabriel’s commanding voice holds a hint of frustration as he snaps me from my reverie.

“I did, but tell me again.”

He sighs, leaning back in his seat at the dockside restaurant. The cries of gulls and the rush of cars meld with the sound of waves crashing against the dock. “You need to be on guard. Our Father has alerted Michael to the increased level of desperation amongst the fallen. They’re abandoning the vampire hosts and jumping from human to human, trying to get to you. You need to stay away from Selah. Every time you’re near her, you put her at risk.”

Panic climbs across my skin in the form of a cold sweat. “How does that protect her? I need to have her with me. That’s the only way I can keep her safe.”

He shakes his head. “You’ve always been stubborn. Why did I think it would be any different this time?”

“Because you never learn?”

“The fallen are converging in Seattle. We’ve been able to trace a few who are not at full power. They don’t have the strength to consistently ward themselves, but they all disappear at this location.” He flicks his wrist, and my phone chirps.

Opening my lock screen, I frown down at the map displayed. “That’s…in the middle of nowhere.”

“Exactly, but we can’t get in. It is hidden from the sight of all angels.”

“Then how are the other Watchers getting in?”

“Brother, you need to ready yourself for the possibility that they are no longer angels. They’ve cast out their grace and have embraced Lucifer. They’re demons now.”

My gut churns. I knew this was coming, but deep down, I’d hoped I could save them. “Fuck,” I whisper.

Running a hand through his hair, Gabriel stands, oblivious to the world around him. We’d kept our conversation quiet enough that the neighboring diners couldn’t overhear us, but the angel is a formidable presence. He’s easily six foot seven and heavily muscled. Add in his penchant for leather and he looks like an alpha male model out on the prowl.

“Be ready for them,” he says, ignoring the two women at a table in the corner. They’re staring like their lives depend on him.

“I’m always ready.”

With a disbelieving smirk, he laughs. “When you’re not trying to sate your lust for your woman.”

He’s not wrong. Glancing around us, I catch the eye of a pretty woman seated at a table across from us. Her cheeks burn crimson as soon as she realizes I’ve caught her, but it’s not me she’s really wanting. It’s Gabriel.

“I think you’ve got a chance to find out what sating lust is like.” I jut my chin in her direction and when he looks at her, she tosses her hair, and her friends giggle.

He snorts and shakes his head at her. “Sex isn’t worth the fall. Especially not with a human woman.”

“My human is worth it.”

“She’s a distraction.”

Maybe if I quench my lust, I’ll be more focused.

“Don’t even think about it, Sariel. I see that glint in your eye. If you take her, you’ll only do more damage. Wait until you’ve earned your wings. You’ll see she was your downfall, not your saving grace.”

I won’t let his words sink in. There’s nothing I can say to change his perception. This is between our Father and me. Truly, only He knows why He gave our souls such a deep connection. I have to believe He wouldn’t do that for any reason other than His plan. I may have fallen, but I still have faith.

* * *

Selah

“Girl, what is with you today?” Rosie is only half teasing me as I miss my cue for the third time in as many attempts.

Irritation courses through me. “I know. I’ve done this routine a hundred damn times.”

Her wide brown eyes hold a hint of anger mixed with hurt. “Fine, then do it. Don’t be a bitch about it.”

She sashays across the stage with her shoulders back and head held high. I shouldn’t have snapped at her. It was uncalled for. But I’m exhausted after a solid week of rehearsals, and dress rehearsal is always the most stressful part of any performance. My costume for this number leaves little to the imagination, and my ample breasts are held in only with the help of some serious double-sided tape. Not that I mind. There’s something about the sensuality of this kind of performing that is so freeing. I can be whomever I want when I’m on stage. Hold the audience captive as I move with just a sway of my hips.

But today, I’m just not feeling it.

“All right, ladies. Take ten and we’re running the show from the top,” the director barks across the empty rows of tables and chairs.

Glad for the chance to pull it together, I head toward the dressing room. I need to make things right with Rosie. If I know her, she’ll be holed up back there, scrolling through her social media accounts. As soon as I breach the door, I’m greeted with the familiar scent of hairspray and powder. The hairspray keeps our hair in place, but it also cuts down on static electricity. As I knew she would be, Rosie is parked on the tattered chaise lounge, phone in hand.

“Hey,” I offer, settling in beside her. “I’m sorry about earlier. I’m just tired.”

She gives me the side-eye before one corner of her mouth lifts and blossoms into a full smile. “It’s okay. You still not sleeping after the breakup?”

Shaking my head, I sigh. “I’ve got a lot on my mind.”

I wish I could sleep. I’d give anything for another dream visit from Sam.

“Has Adam been bothering you?”

“I haven’t heard from him aside from an apology text a few days after he left.”

She runs a hand over my arm. “That’s a relief. He was here earlier looking for you. He’s always been kind of intense, but he made me flat-out uncomfortable.”

“What?” Alarm shoots through me.

“Management ran him off. I’m sorry, doll. God, men are such assholes.”

“They are,” I agree. “Absolute dicks.”

We sit in silence, both screwing around online until we absolutely have to change into our costumes for the opening number, but her words ring in my mind. Is Adam out there waiting for me? How did he find out I work here? I’ve been so careful to hide this part of me from him.

When the lights flash three times, we know it’s time to start. Tomorrow we open the show after a one-month hiatus to learn all-new choreography. Nerves always run high the week before we open, and this has been no exception.

“Let’s get it, girl,” Rosie says as she shimmies her cleavage.

Letting out a light laugh, I hook my arm in hers, and we stroll to our positions.

The next night, I’m a ball of nerves, as usual, as I apply my final layer of crimson lipstick and finish off my look with long, fake lashes. I’m barely recognizable from the Selah my friends know. Here, I’m Luscious Lily. And tonight I have my first solo dance.

“It’s packed tonight!” Rosie grins from ear to ear. “We’ll get so many tips. I heard there’s some bigwig in the audience too.”

My stomach flips. I try to keep my mind off who might be watching me, and let myself enjoy the show, but when she makes it a point to remind me real people’s eyes are on us, the magic dwindles.

As soon as the music begins, I switch my brain from the real world to the fantasy I’m trying to create. We sway and swing our hips, all taking our positions on and off the stage. Each of us hides our bodies behind fans with feathers long enough to be from angel wings. My costume is nearly see-through, with only the unmentionable bits of my anatomy covered by strategically placed black appliqués. Everywhere the audience looks, they’ll see sparkle and glitter. It’s a wonderland of sensuality.

Cheers and whoops echo through the auditorium as we dance to the seductive beat of the music. I smile and make eye contact with a few of the men, some of the ladies too. You never know why someone is here.

As the night wears on, I’m feeling confident, smiling, and not letting my nerves about my upcoming solo get to me. But, as the number before mine starts, my stomach churns with butterflies. I’ve got five minutes until I’m on stage. Running my hands over the skirt of my costume, I double-check the Velcro fasteners around the waist and stand in the wings, waiting to go on. Taking slow, steady breaths, I scan the audience. My heartbeat picks up when I see him, Sariel, the man I met once at a club but had felt so drawn to. He’s here. The only place I’ve seen him has been in my dreams. Dreams in which the starring role has been replaced by Sam.

The stage manager motions for me to go on, making me shake my head to clear the swirl of emotion. I can’t focus on Sariel right now. I have to show the director I’ve got what it takes to be a principal.

Shoulders back and chin high, I strut across the dark stage and take my position.