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Adalaide recognized the deception for what it was. “Tell me what it means.”

Jophiel raised her hands, quickly reinforcing the wards that their first round of intruders had damaged.

Adalaide pressed a hand to her leg and lifted her free hand to assist.

“Save your strength,” Jophiel said, glancing back at her.

“Would I be stronger if I woke it?” she tried again.

Jophiel said nothing, silently casting spells.

“Jophi. I may die this night. I’m not ready to die.” Her soft words could not hide the quiver in them. “Please, I deserve to know.”

Jophiel let her hands fall, turning to give Adalaide an appraising once over. “It does not mean what you think it does. Nephilim are fortunate in that the laws of seraphim do not bind them. They have free will.”

“What choices would I lose?”

Jophiel’s lips turned down at the corners. “It’s more complicated than that. Seraphim may not lie, they may not share the secrets of their kind with others, except with their mate, and most of all, they may not harm a demon unless the demon is inhabiting a human’s body or has struck the first blow against a seraph.” She beckoned Adalaide forward as she moved from the foyer into the sitting room and motioned for her to sit.

“Seraphim who break these laws are irreparably punished. A lie, even one, results in a permanent marking, labeling them forever as dishonest. To harm a demon who is not inhabiting a human or attacking a seraph results in permanent expulsion from Alaxia and banishment to Primoria. The trip is one way. Seraphim may never leave that place once banished there.”

Adalaide tasted the truth in her words and wondered at a life with such severe punishment.

“Would those be the rules I would be beholden to even in… Alaxia?” She sounded out the odd word.

Jophiel’s snow-white brows dipped as their eyes met. “These are not my secrets to share. Only your analogous umbra can disclose what immortality means for a soul-bonded mate in Alaxia.”

Analogous umbra. She had heard those words before. Another name for soulmate, Gabriel had said.

“I could protect myself and others if I were stronger.”

Jophiel shook her head. “You are Gabriel’s. When you leave this plane and ascend, you will be in your rightful place.”

Adalaide bristled, heat rising in her veins. “I am no one’s. And I wish to be of use now.”

“He would never forgive me.”

“He would prefer I die?” She wasn’t sure why she asked. She’d convinced herself only a few hours before that dying was not that big of a deal, but that was when it was between her life and thousands. Now, when it was only her life or death, she wanted to live. She wanted to fight. “I could be instrumental in stopping Sanura. Do we not want to stop her?”

“More than you know,” Jophiel grumbled.

“Brilliant. I can help. Why will you not allow it?”

“If you break our rules, you will be immediately remanded to Primoria. To Hell. What would Gabriel do if you were sent there? He’s too strong. If he followed you to Primoria, the balance may tip in his favor.”

Adalaide’s nose wrinkled. “Whose favor?”

“The Fallen.”

“You mean Satan,” Adalaide whispered.

“Humans have many names for him, but he is our fallen brethren, ruler of Primoria, and the father of demon spawn.”

Adalaide grimaced imagining such a fate. “What if I’m already destined for that place? When I die, if I’m not good enough for Alaxia, will I go to Primoria, even as his mate?”

Jophiel gave her a once over as if to say, What could you have done?

She swallowed. “I have committed murder.”

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