Azazel frowned.
Jophiel beckoned him forward. “If she dies, Sanura will very likely trap her soul again, and you would be powerless to stop it. This is your best option.”
He took one halting step.
A century of not knowing what happened to her was a wound he’d never recovered from. Punishment for separating Sanura from her analogous umbra when Ada sacrificed herself to trap her in Sheol—the one place neither angels nor demons could go—guarded by an entirely other race of beings who never crossed paths with any but the dead.
His brows dipped low. “I won’t make her do this against her will. Stop influencing her and let her decide for herself.”
Dina released her hold on Rebecca’s emotions, and she sucked in a sharp breath, panic crowding her thoughts.
“Light. I’m here.”
Rebecca’s phone buzzed, and it seemed to snap her out of the dark place her thoughts spiraled toward. She fished it out of her pocket.Simon.She stuffed it back out of sight, her thoughts descending once more.
Azazel squeezed her fingers. “I won’t force you to do anything against your will. Do you want this? Do you want everything that comes with awakening this side of yourself?”
I don’t want to be separated. I don’t want to die.
She squared her shoulders, meeting his eyes with fierce determination. It would have warmed him if he thought she truly understood what she was doing.
“Yes.”
“Do you understand that you will be bound by seraph law?”
“Yes.”
“Do you understand that if you break their rules…” he stumbled over the next words, “you will fall. As I have.” His gaze dipped to the floor.
Rebecca stepped closer, touching a finger to his chin and lifting it. Their eyes met.
“Yes.”
The steely resolve in her voice stirred something in him. Something dangerous.Hope.
Rebecca held out both hands in front of her.
“I’m ready.”
Chapter 46
Rebecca
Rebecca squeezed his hands, apprehension running up her spine. It would change everything, but it was the only choice left. She couldn’t allow herself to be used by Elizabeth again. The thought triggered a sudden memory: Elizabeth demanding that Rebecca give herself over to her seraph side.
The burning, stabbing, draining… it had all been to force her seraph side to the surface.
Azazel tore his hands from her grasp. “Show me.”
She blinked up at him. “I don’t remember everything. Just bits and pieces.”
Jophiel stepped closer. “What is it?”
“Elizabeth tried to force the change. She wants Rebecca to awaken.”
“To what end?” Jophiel asked.
“It wasn’t clear,” Azazel said. “Rebecca, show me.”