Page 90 of Conflicted

That was true. Even if an arch was executed, the final drops of power would heal their body, leaving them immaculate in death.

Unless someone used a cursed ointment.

The ringing turned into a roar as Ezekiel confirmed my worst fears. This wasn’t about the unit being punished. It was a fate far more terrifying. “It looks like some kind of cursed ointment was used on him. Something that stopped his wounds healing.”

I dropped into my chair, the heels of my hands on myforehead. My fingers pulling at my hair.No. It’s a coincidence. It has to be.

“What kind of wounds? How was he tortured?”

This time, Ez answered Grace. “According to Noah, he was whipped. One of his former brethren reached out with the news. He figured we, as the Seraphim, ought to know about it because of the message.”

My head flew up. “What message?”

Ez’s eyes shuttered. “There was a message carved into Emilio’s chest.”

I swallowed, nodding for Ez to continue.

“You’re not above judgement. Treat your archs better or reap the consequences.”

The room tilted. I reached out, steadying myself on the table. My voice, when I spoke, sounded like I was hearing it through a tunnel. “Is that all?”

Benji slowly rose to his feet as Ez shook his head. “No. A demon was seen leaving the scene. He was described as having short dark hair, tattoos, and several piercings, including a lip ring.”

I fell to my knees.

How the fuck could Nox have been so reckless?

“Micah,” Benji said slowly. “Why would Nox do this?”

I couldn’t answer him. Numbness was taking over as the full horror of what this would mean washed over me.

Nox had been seen. They’d already be hunting him.

I had to find him before they did.

Benji was apparently done waiting for an answer. Grabbing the neckline of my shirt, he neatly tore it in two. It was so like what Nox had done that the pain ripping through me was doubled.

Benji’s sharp indrawn breath had both Ezekiel andGrace rushing to join him behind me, Rami a few steps behind.

I didn’t move to stop them. I didn’t have it in me. What was the point? Emilio was dead now.

And soon Nox would be too.

The pull in my chest was thumping, like it was trying to physically tear open my rib cage so it could get to Nox.

Or maybe that was just the feeling of my heart breaking.

I was distantly aware of raised voices. The door slamming open. More angels appearing. My brethren gently touching the scars on my back. The noise increasing as they battled to be heard.

I ignored them all. None of it mattered.

Suddenly, nothing mattered.

A hand grabbed my chin roughly, forcing me to look up.

I blinked up at the face scowling down at me. Red hair fell over hard eyes.Ezekiel.

His mouthwas moving, but I couldn’t make out the words. He tried again before letting go of me helplessly, throwing his hands in the air.

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