Page 25 of Grave Revelations

The grumbling rumble in Azazel’s chest was akin to a car engine revving to life. “She wasn’t lying. She is Simon’s business partner.”

Rebecca’s throat went dry. “And…”

“Yes, and his lover.”

The pain she’d been working to control flared in her chest, piercing something vital. Like a fool, she’d been worried about his behavior with Allie but never once considered there were others.

“He ended things with her when he learned Allie was still alive. It was some time ago.”

“Why are you defending him?”

“I’m not. I’m telling you the truth whether you like it or not. When someone makes a deal to become a reash, their memories are scoured to ensure they aren’t working against the Seraphim. That they have no ties to Samael. His memories were revealed to us the day he was saved.”

Rebecca tasted the truth in his words, and her stomach dropped, leaving her feeling hollow and empty. “What else? Tell me everything.”

“His secrets are too numerous to count.”

She glared up at him. “You’re hiding something. What?”

Azazel rose from where he’d been leaning against the railing and strode toward her. “If you want me to stop Valentina from taking him to New York, I will. Is it what you want, Light?”

She squirmed as he crowded in too close, but she didn’t back up. “Will he be safe with her while he recovers?”

“They belong with each other.”

“What?” Rebecca’s eyes widened as Azazel towered over her, pressing closer.

“Do you want me to stop her?”

Rebecca blew out a breath. Did she want to stop him? Before the woman—Valentina—had arrived, she’d struggled to form a plan for moving him. There were still so many others who needed saving. If Azazel trusted her not to harm him, should she trust he’d be okay for now? It was one less person to worry about, especially with Rhea, Sophia, and the others still in danger.

“No.”

She didn’t say the rest, knew she didn’t need to. He would have heard thoughts through whatever strange bond they shared.

“You need a shower and something to eat.”

Rebecca glanced down at her dirty, tattered clothes and grimaced. “I guess you saw those thoughts, too.”

He said nothing, scooping her up. They launched into the air, and he swooped low, making her stomach flip. In moments, they landed in a dark alley beside a posh hotel.

“I don’t have any money or ID or anything with me.”

Azazel grinned down at her. “Stay here.”

He disappeared, phasing through a wall, and was gone. In less than a minute, he was back. “Go to room three-eighteen.” He disappeared again, not waiting for her reply.

She stepped nervously into a grand entryway and moved past well-dressed patrons lounging beside a fire or standing around a breakfast buffet. Her stomach grumbled as she passed it, and she looked back longingly before going to the elevator bank.

When she reached room three-eighteen, she raised an arm to knock, but the door swung open, and Azazel stood on the other side, holding out a towel.

Bath drawn, steam tickling her nose, Rebecca dropped into the water and sighed deeply. She dipped her head beneath the surface, and her magic hummed to life. It buzzed under her skin, begging to meld with the surrounding water. Rebecca hadn’t felt her magic so strongly since before Elizabeth kidnapped her.

She shot above the surface as she gasped, feeling the overwhelming urge recede slowly. It was still there, bubbling below the surface of her skin; she could reach it if needed.

Tentatively, she reached for the ember at the center of her chest. It pulsed in response. Whatever emotional outburst she’d had before must have unlocked the box she’d kept it in.

Hairs along her neck rose as Azazel stepped into the room. She wrapped her arms over her breasts.

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