“When was the last time any of them checked in?”
He blew out a breath, feathers fluttering in her direction. “Three mortal days.”
“Could they reach you if they were in trouble?”
“They have cellphones just as yours did.”
“And if they can’t use their cellphones? Could they contact you some other way?”
Daniel huffed in disbelief. “They were mere witches when we turned them. Not all of us are blessed with a Naphil for a reash, Dina.”
“I would have thought you cared more about this mission, Daniel.”
He dropped his chin onto his knuckles. “Why?”
Dina rolled her eyes, leaving Daniel’s room and continuing to Chamuel’s. She leaned through white stone pillars. The fountain at the center of his room was tranquil, the water a placid pool at its base. He was out.
Raphael was the only other seraph she would consider taking with her now that her most trusted brother was gone.
Seeing him in his new form pained her, but he was strong. He’d held off on accepting his place as co-ruler in Primoria; there was hope for him yet.
Chapter 31
Rebecca
Rebecca stepped inside the church, moving down a narrow stone path. With Azazel already gone, she felt no discomfort. Was it part of his plan? He’d known it was the only way for her to enter the church painlessly. It was also the safest place to wait for him to return.
Her heart constricted at the thought of all he had endured—continued to endure—for her, and it made her think of another creature who had suffered at her expense.
She was a broken thing when she met Simon all those lifetimes ago. Selfishly, she’d dragged him into her wretched life. And how he had paid for it. Guilt twisted in her stomach. No one deserved the agony that had been thrust upon him, and now she feared Azazel’s torment may be greater.
She leaned against the cool stone wall and squeezed her eyes shut, holding tears at bay as she replayed his declaration before he’d left. He would have done anything for her, had done the most unthinkable thing an angel could. All forher.
Taking several calming breaths, she continued into the darkness, running a hand along the wall. Azazel would return, and she would do better. She wouldn’t allow him to suffer for her any longer.
The hairs on her arms rose, and she spun around, senses alerting her a threat was near. Closing her eyes once more, she sent her third eyesight back down the long hall to the green door she’d come through.
A haze of jade smoke hovered at the door and trailed along the path outside.
“Sophia?” she breathed.
The girl’s hearing must have been as good as Simon’s because she began pounding on the door. “Rebecca! Rebecca, it’s me. Let me in!”
Rebecca ran to the door, unlocked it, and flung it open.
Sophia stood on the other side, red lips shining in the pre-dawn light. “I’m so glad I found you before daylight!”
Rebecca stared at her friend’s mouth, and Sophia wiped her arm across her face, looking sheepish. For a short moment, Rebecca wasn’t sure if she should trust the girl. The angel, Sariel, had warned her not to let them in. But Sophia was her sister, a member of her coven.
Rebecca stepped aside. “Get in here. You don’t have much time before daylight.”
Sophia stepped inside and followed her down the long hall. They stopped in a circular room at the end, and Sophia glanced around the space. “You picked an interesting spot to camp out.” Her gaze trailed over the dark pockets. “Where’s Az?”
“He’ll be back soon.” She trusted Sophia, but some instinct told her it would be safer to let the girl believe he would return any moment. “How did you find me?”
“I heard Az ask you to go to Patmos. On my way, I asked the ocean.”
“I’m on an island.”