Page 21 of Premonition of Peace

“No,” he answered bluntly. “What would we need to catch up on?”

My phone buzzed and I looked down, seeing August’s name flash over the screen. My heart jumped, but I clicked the device off and looked back up. Toni appeared with those boxes, and I quickly paid the check.

“You’re shaking,” Not-Sasha noted.

I brushed a stray lock of hair back from my face and forced a smile. “Low blood sugar. You know how it is for us witches. Stuck with all the problems of humans when it comes to our bodies.

“Yes . . . I do know that very well.”

That made me pause.

“Thank you, Toni. Take care, will you?” I murmured quietly as I boxed up my food and handed her the empty dish. Lucifer did the same, following suit.

“Sorry, Sasha, I’m actually her business partner now, so where she goes, I go.”

I blinked up at Lucifer, tempted to lift a brow and ask him “is that so?” But that would have been too obvious. I settled for a noncommittal hum.

“Shall we?” Lucifer said, offering his hand to help me stand. I took it, ignoring the frost in Not-Sasha’s glare.

“I’ll walk you out.” Sasha popped up, falling in line behind Lucifer.Oh my gods, take a hint.It would be sad under different circumstances, especially considering the real Sasha was still pining for a mate she couldn’t have. As it was, the identity of our mysterious Not-Sasha was quickly becoming obvious.

If I was right, and at this point I was fairly certain I was, then that made Not-Sasha incredibly dangerous, and also a certifiable psychopath.

One I didn’t want to be left alone with.

As we made our way out of the café, Sasha said, “I have some?—”

Her words were cut off by yelling across the street.

“I’m sick of this shit,” one of two figures bellowed. “You supernaturals are always taking more than your fair fucking share. I won’t be put down any more by the likes of you people.”

Before anyone could respond, he pulled a gun. The other figure took off running.

Straight toward us.

Lucifer pushed me behind him. A second later, several rounds fired. Lucifer jerked. It all happened so fast I could barely comprehend what was happening as gold exploded out from me.

seven

NATHALIE

Magic saturated my pores.It poured off me in waves. Gold particles overtook everything in sight, but amidst it all—Lucifer hit the ground with a sickening thud.

My heart dropped into my stomach. I felt bile rise to my throat, but I had to get a grip. Now wasn’t the time to break.

“Lucifer,” I shrieked, falling to my knees at his side. Red bloomed across his shirt where three small holes glared back at me. His eyes were closed, his chest moving rapidly.

“Is it a magic bullet?”Peace cried, already pulling memory files about magical weapons.“Oh gods, he can’t die again. He just came back to life. What if he dies for real this time?”

My chest hurt from how hard my heart pounded. I couldn’t breathe past the lump in my throat. My lungs refused to expand. Black dots started to dance in my vision alongside the gold. So much gold.

“Luci?” I asked again, desperation bleeding into my voice. “Please answer me.” Urgently, my fingers brushed against his face.

“I’m here, little witch,” he coughed. Blood stained his lips. Cold filled my veins, spreading through every part of me.

A warm hand pressed against my chest. “You need to breathe,” he rasped.

But how could I?

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