Page 172 of Devoted

I moved forwards curiously. On the table were four sets of Lego, each a different set piece fromThe Lord of the Rings.

“We thought we could do them together,” Theo said excitedly, already ripping into his box. “We probably won’t get them all done tonight, but we can make a start.”

Nate hadn’t touched his box, instead watching me closely. “So, what do you think?”

I plopped myself down on the sofa, reaching for my set with a grin. “I think it’s a good thing you gave me Rivendell, because I’m about to show you how this is done.”

39

Sam

The day of Gloria’s deadline dawned, bringing with it a fresh chill to the air. It didn’t help that we were outside, with nothing between us and the elements. The Seraphim stood around me in a loose ring, Nox with them. They were facing the end of the drive, where they’d predicted Gloria would appear.

I kept wracking my brain for what she’d said during the last meeting, but I couldn’t catch it. I knew it was important. Iknewit.

But the information floated just out of reach. Close enough to taunt me, but too far to reach.

I’d told the Seraphim there was something I was missing, something I couldn’t remember. Micah had tried to reassure me by telling me they had every avenue covered, that she couldn’t throw anything at them that they hadn’t already anticipated.

It wasn’t enough to calm the tension in me, or to stop the itch in my brain screaming at me toremember.

I wasn’t the only one who was tense. All evidence of the joking and teasing unit was gone, leaving hardened soldiers in its place. Armed to the teeth, feet grounded, they watched thegate. How I could have ever thought they were anything other than warriors was beyond me.

We’d been waiting for an hour already, but there was no sign of her. “Maybe she’s not coming.”

“We’re not that lucky,” Zeke said. He stood in the centre of the circle with me, his shoulder brushing mine. Like the others, his wings were on display. I couldn’t stop glancing at them. He’d let me touch them earlier, and they were softest texture I’d ever felt. I wanted to rub my face all over them before having Zeke wrap them around me. “Are you sure you’re warm enough?”

“Yes.” I held up my arms to show him my thermals for the tenth time. “I’m fine, Zeke. The last thing I need today is to feel weighed down.”

“I hate that you’re even out here. You should be in the compound. Behind many doors and even more wards.”

Benji spoke, not taking his eyes off the gate. “You know it’s necessary, Ezekiel. If Sam’s indoors, we can’t prove he’s mated to you. And it’s better if he’s out here with all of us. It’s easier to keep him safe.”

Zeke grunted but didn’t argue. I slid my arm through his. “It’s going to be okay. We’re mated. That’s what she wanted.”

“No, what she wanted was to find a reason to put us down,” Zeke said darkly. “This won’t end today.”

“It won’t.” Micah rolled his shoulders, the movement making his wings rise and fall. “But we’ll be prepared for whatever bullshit she comes up with next.”

“Can’t wait until we can execute her and be done with it,” Rami said. “Bitch has it coming.”

“We need to build a case,” Micah reminded them all. “When the time is right, that’s when we’ll strike.”

Nox pulled his phone out, a grim smile in place as he read whatever was on the screen. “They’re here.”

A relieved murmur went through the angels. I leaned close to Zeke. “Who’s here?”

“Our insurance plan,” Zeke explained quietly. “Nox put out a call to his old housemates.”

“Are they demons too?”

“Yes, and definitely not as polite as Nox.”

“Aw.” Nox looked up from his phone and touched his chest mockingly. “You think I’m polite. I’m flattered.”

“I said notaspolite,” Zeke growled back. “There’s a difference.”

Micah ignored the exchange, his attention on his mate. “How many?”

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