Page 86 of Legacy of Chaos

“So,” Stryke said. “How bad is all of this if Heaven sent angels?”

“It’s as bad as it gets, Stryke. As bad as it gets.”

Chapter 20

Sea Storm’s conference room, an austere, windowless office space, had seemed cramped before everyone took their seats at the ten-person table. Now, it was a sardine can where Cyan sat next to Stryke as everyone got caught up.

And there was a lot of catching up to do.

The angels’ revelation that the drill had breached a massive portal that could open into not only the human realm but also Heaven itself…had left them all in shock. And it made their mission to fix the problem more urgent, especially if demons were accessing Heaven through the legendary gateway.

And then there was the fact that she was sitting at a table with two angels. Two freakingangels. And one of them was anArchangel. From theBible.

No one else seemed fazed, but then Scotty not only grew up on an island with Memitim angels, but her grandfather, Reaver, was the most powerful angel in existence. Blade and Stryke were no strangers to angels either and had trained with them their entire lives. Mace’s mother, one of Azagoth’s daughters, had been a Memitim angel born to watch over Primori, making him one-quarter angel.

So, chatting with an Archangel must have seemed like just another day for all of them. Cyan, meanwhile, couldn’t decide if she was awed or terrified.

Gabriel turned to her, his fabulous, multicolored hair swirling around the shoulder plates of his dented armor. It wassaid that his hair consisted of all the colors of humankind, and she didn’t doubt that.

“If you can access the original glyphs,” he said to her, “can you repair them and seal the breach?”

“We’re not sealing it.” Hutriel slapped his hand on the table, the ear-shattering crack making her jump. “We’redestroyingit. Azagoth told you how.”

Gabriel swung his chair around to the other angel. “Think about it. We don’t know what demolishing it will do to the Gaiaportal. Destroying one will probably destroy the other.”

Hutriel was unmoved. “The Gaiaportal is a relic from an earlier time. Its usefulness is over anyway.”

“Is it?” Tiny, angry lightning strikes turned Gabriel’s brilliant blue eyes into plasma globes, and Cyan wondered if anyone else could feel the tension crackling in the air. “Right now, ninety-nine percent of Heaven is in lockdown.”

Lockdown? Cyan exchanged glances with the others, and they seemed as stunned as she was.

Hutriel went apoplectic with outrage. “Are you suggesting were-openthe Gaiaportal?”

“I don’t know,” Gabriel said. “Maybe. The Thrones have lost their minds. We’re all trapped. You’re in charge of security. Doesn’t it make sense to have an escape route?”

“You’re walking a treasonous line, Gabriel,” Hutriel said, his voice dripping with warning. “And you’re doing it in front ofdemons, making your offense more egregious.”

Treason? What was so treasonous? And why were angels trapped? Also, the way he’d saiddemonswas incredibly offensive. Probably wasn’t the best time to point that out, though.

“I’m beyond caring.” Gabriel’s voice got louder, and Hutriel’s face grew redder. “We should temporarily seal the rift insteadof going scorched earth. Give everyone time to consider the consequences of total destruction.”

“I have my orders, and so do you,” Hutriel snapped. “End of discussion, especially in front of these…hellspawn. We can’t trust them withanyof this.”

Mace snorted with amusement, Blade seemed to be sizing Hut up for a coffin, and Scotty studied her nails.

Stryke shot to his feet, clapped his palms on the table, and leaned toward Hutriel. “Let’s get something straight. Thesehellspawnsaved your asses. This ismyrig.Myequipment.Mypeople. I’m about as happy to be working with you dickhead halos as you are about working with us lowly demons. Get fucking over it.” He gave Blade a meaningful glance before shifting his gaze between Hutriel and Gabriel. “We need to work together to survive this, so stow your baggage and focus.”

Cyan thought Stryke’s tirade was damned hot, but Hutriel clucked his tongue in dismissal. “You did notsave our asses.”

“Yeah,” Stryke said, “I did. I didn’t throw you overboard to the demonic sharktopus while you were too weak to do jack about it. You can thank me later.” Mace barked out a laugh as Stryke turned to Gabriel. “I’m not taking any chances with this fucking portal. I don’t give a hellrat’s ass about Heaven’s problems and what will happen to the Gaiaportal. We’re destroying this fucker. End of discussion. How do we do it?”

Gabriel’s eyes flashed with fury, and a fiery aura flickered all around him. Their gazes locked like two rival dire wolves plotting their attack, and for a heart-stopping moment, she thought the Archangel would slay Stryke where he stood.

“My powers are limited in the water,” Gabriel finally said, “but I can create a life-sustaining bubble for myself and Cyan. I can get her to the glyphs or as deep as she needs to be. Once there, I can use my powers to supercharge hers. Together, we should be able to destroy the portal.”

Stryke considered that. “What are the risks?”

“As I said, right now, Heaven will be at risk—”

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