Page 20 of Legacy of Chaos

Wow. She had to keep herself from staring. Geomorphs, demons originally created using elements from both the human and demon realms, could morph into any type of naturally occurring metal, mineral, or stone. They were rare, most not even of pure blood anymore. Over the millennia, they’d bred with humans and either weakened or lost their abilities. They even claimed their souls were now human. Cyan had no idea if that was true or not. But then she didn’t really care.

“What’s Project 6hell?”

Dr. Dakarai and Dracx exchanged uneasy glances, but Stryke merely eyed her as if deciding what to say.

“It’s our newest undertaking,” he said. And didn’t that just clarify everything? “It’s pronouncedshellbut it’s spelled with the number six instead of an S. Makes sense if you know what it is.” He looked around the room. “Where’s Parker?”

“Getting coffee.”

He nodded. “Parker McDavid is the team’s weapons and designs expert.” The comms on his wrist beeped, and he gave it a quick glance. “I have to go.” Pausing, he cast Cyan a lingering look, and she swore one corner of his mouth tipped up in an evil smirk for just a fraction of a second. “Cyan will be team leader.”

She wasn’t sure why the announcement earned the malevolent amusement pouring off Stryke in waves, but whatever. He was a weirdo.

“I hope to see a lot of progress next time we meet,” he said, and with that, he took off.

As soon as the door closed, Dracx gave Cyan a look of pure sympathy. “Better you than me.”

“Or me,” Dr. Dakarai muttered.

Confused, she dragged her gaze away from the framed photos and bios of famous scientists on the walls. Someone had drawn a goatee and devil horns on the picture of Stryke.

“What’s so bad about being team leader?” she asked.

“Nothing,” Dracx said. “As long as you don’t mind daily meetings with the boss. Starting this Friday.”

She blinked. “Daily? That’s ridiculous. Weekly should suffice, if not monthly.”

Dracx gave her anexactlygesture with his long, spindly fingers. “Now you see the problem. No one wants to give him daily updates.”

“He’s usually cool with techmails or comms meetings, though,” Dr. Dakarai said. “But if he’sreallyinvested—or irritated—he’ll make you meet him in his office.”

“And, dude,” Dracx said, “he’s invested in this. New weapon for DART? Get ready to spend a lot of time with him.”

Cyan will be team leader.

Said with an evil smirk. And now she knew why.

Thebastard.

Chapter 5

Gabriel was not a happy angel.

As an Archangel, he should be riding high at the top of the Heavenly food chain. For most of all existence, Archangels had been in charge. Sure, some of the other Orders had taken the reins, but without exception, they’d failed miserably, and the Archangels always had to swoop in and save the day.

But Archangels weren’t in charge anymore, and it didn’t look like they’d be saving anything anytime soon. Not even their own hides. Not when they were imprisoned inside their minds.

But Gabriel wasn’t as lucky as his brethren, who hung in stasis chambers, their minds locking them in a fantasy existence and unable to fight against reality. No, the Thrones were literally keeping him on a short leash, beaten regularly as he awaited trial for his part in helping destroy Sheoul-gra and changing the course of all mankind.

“Hurry up.” Poria, a dark-haired Throne draped in obnoxious jeweled robes, tugged on his chain, nearly knocking him off balance as they mounted the steps to Throne Hall. “Zaphkiel isn’t very patient.”

“Yeah, well, Zaphkiel is—”

The fucker zapped him with a bolt of glittery lightning so hot it made Gabriel’s skin steam.

“I have permission to fry you into next century if you don’t behave.”

“Take off these restraints,” Gabriel growled, “and we’ll see who gets fried.”

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