Page 77 of Death Trap

A terrifying thought hit me at that moment. “Was Simon part of your plan?”

Did I want to know the answer? Yes.

Wait, no.

Did I?

I had to know. If Simon, the only person I trusted fully in the afterlife, had turned out to be acting the entire time… I couldn’t sugarcoat it. It would break my heart.

Azrael’s lip curled up in disgust. “Simon? No. Although his need to please me and do his best did make getting around him easier.”

Oh, thank goodness.

“Him finding the folder in my desk and showing you was Simon’s genuine desire to help you find answers. I was counting on it to get you here, but he wasn’t coerced in any way.”

Anger pinched. Hard. All this effort to get me here in Hell alone. But why? There were so many times Azrael and I had been together in his office. He could have offed me then if he wanted to.

Maybe he couldn’t then.

Eli had said angels had to be given permission to get into the afterlife the first time. Had something happened where Azrael couldn’t cross over anymore?

“So, you went through all this to get me here. And here I am.” I held out my hands. “What now?”

“I’m glad you asked.” He glided off the table. “It’s pretty simple actually. You’re going to stay here, and Ben and I will be leaving.”

“Stay…here…?” I repeated, glancing around the apartment.

“That’s right. You will stay here in Hell, while we go finish what needs to be done,” Azrael said.

“You mean bring the apocalypse and destroy the living world as we know it?” I snapped back.

“And rearrange the afterlife,” he replied. “Don’t forget that part. It’s important.”

I ground my teeth so hard, pain shot from my temples to the back of my head. Energy sizzled up and down my arms, raising goose bumps and leaving chills.

What a piece of—

I stopped myself. I’d held back too many times when it came to cursing in front of this asshole. But you know what? Not anymore.

“You’re a real piece ofshit, Azrael. I hope you know that.”

Cupping his hands behind his back, Azrael shook his head in disappointment, as if I were still his employee. He paced the room in front of me for a few seconds before stepping right up to me, so close I could smell his subtle sandalwood cologne. But this time, it was mixed with the lovely, rotten-egg scent of sulfur. Too much time in the pits, perhaps?

“I’ll let that one slide,” he said slowly, his green-eyed stare locking with mine. “Just because I’m sure you’ve been holding that back for some time now.”

You have no idea.

The urge to throw my head back and then smack him full force in his broad forehead with mine was a little too tempting.

He glanced down at my clenched fists and raised one eyebrow. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

I hesitated at his tone and peered down at my balled-up hands. White light radiated from them without my permission. Shaking them, the light extinguished.

Everything about him said threatening and dangerous. His stiff shoulders, his tense jaw, and searing looks… Even his words played the part, but his voice threw me. When he’d seen my new power hovering on my hands, I’d heard actual fear in his voice.

Was Azrael scared of me? Me. Little Ol’ Plain Jade Nobody.

I remembered all the things Eli had said about Azrael needing to get rid of me to finish his plans. Hell, I had heard him say it himself to Cole in the motel. But I had just assumed that was because I was an obstacle. Something to get around. Not because I was a threat to him.

---