Page 58 of Light Magic

“How do you think I felt going on my first mission, just to see him side with the demon and kill his own kind?” My voice was harsher than I intended, but I couldn’t help it.

“I hear you.” Rey looked at Erin. “We should consider this.”

“We can push back the summit several weeks,” Erin said.

“And if they insist, we'll go prepared,” Rey suggested.

“That’s better, but I would advise you not to agree to the summit at all,” I said. “Or agree but don’t go. Observe from a distance, if you can, to see their reaction. That should tell you their true intentions.”

“That makes sense,” Rey said.

“I’m about to get my magic back,” I told them. “When I do, I plan on going back to Elysium to find out what’s happening. Push the summit back or cancel it until I can see what’s going on with my own eyes.”

Erin sighed. “I can’t believe we’re talking about angels here. Aren’t you supposed to be kind, strong, and righteous?”

I scoffed. “I would love it if that was true, but no, not guardians, at least not most of us. We all have a streak of unwanted feelings inside us, and we’re taught how to channel those feelings and use them to our advantage.”

“Fuck,” Rey muttered. “Since we took over the underworld, demons and evil are everywhere, and demon hunters are having a tough time fighting them all. When the angels came to us, I was relieved. I thought we could create a great alliance with them and fight together.”

“I’m sorry,” I said. “Maybe once I find out what’s going on, we can come up with a plan together.”

Erin looked at Rey, then back at me. “I’m glad we came before agreeing to the summit.”

“Me too,” I said. Then an idea sparked in my mind. “You don’t have any other contacts with the angels, do you?”

Rey and Erin shook their heads.

“From what I know, angels stepped back a long time ago, and let demon hunters deal with almost everything on Earth,” Rey said. “There hasn’t been any contact since.”

Erin nodded. “This is the first time in decades, maybe centuries, that the angels reached out to demon hunters. Why?”

“Just wondering if there was some way for us to find out what’s going on up there sooner.” And less risky than sneaking into Elysium.

“Sorry,” Erin said.

“That’s okay. We’ll figure it out. Just don’t be alone with the angels,” I said, realizing my words sounded ridiculous. Angels were supposed to be the most trusted and honorable supernaturals out there. “If you must, be prepared and bring backup.”

They assured me they would, and after we concluded our talk, they kept gawking at the library. Maggie asked if they wanted a short tour of the hall; Erin and Rey accepted.

Lacey tagged along as Maggie led them out of the library, and I approached Abbie, who was still reading.

“You heard, right?” I asked.

Abbie lifted her gaze to me. “The angels setting a trap for the demon hunters? That’s worrying. But I think you are right. That’s exactly what they are doing and the demon hunters need to delay this as much as they can.”

A bout of frustration hit me hard. “I hate that I’m in the dark here. If only I could contact someone in Elysium …”

“Who?” Abbie asked. “You can’t trust anyone there right now.”

That couldn’t be true. There were plenty of good angels up there, angels who would repel Rhodes and his plans, if they knew. Unless they had all been captured or killed by him already.

I pressed a hand to my chest, thinking about my mother and my sister.

Nothing would change between now and later, but at least later, I would have my magic back and could defend myself if things went sideways.

I hoped.

I felt restless and worried.

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