Page 180 of Devoted

It was the exact law we’d thrown in her face last time.

Gloria narrowed her eyes at me. “And you think you’re capable of that, Ezekiel?”

“I know we are.” I felt my unit draw in around me, the demons joining us. “Unlike you, I have a solid team around me. We live together. We fight together. We die together. Can you say the same about the angels at your back?”

Uncertainty flickered over Gloria’s face as she glanced over her shoulder. Was she noting how few the number seemed now? How poorly trained they were compared to us?

Or was she noting the lack of conviction on their faces? Those who had paled since the demons appeared? The ones who looked perturbed by the turn of events? Did she see those who had sheathed their weapons entirely?

Just as she had that day with Micah and Nox, Gloria was smart enough to know when she was beaten.

“This isn’t over,” she hissed. “One way or another, I’m taking you down.”

Micah bared his teeth. “Same goes, Gloria. Let’s see who manages it first.”

I reluctantly let go of Sam, nodding at Nate. He understood my meaning, taking my place behind him and wrapping his arm around Sam where mine had been.

Under ordinary circumstances, seeing someone else’s hands on my mate would have had me feeling murderous towards them.

Right now though, all my murderous intentions were focused in one direction, and it wasn’t on the angel protecting Sam.

Moving to Micah’s side, I let my wrath show on my face. “Like I said earlier, Gloria, we do everything together. Taking you down will be something we do together too.”

Gloria’s scoffing laugh had my hackles rising. “Please. I’m not afraid of you. I have the might of Heaven behind me.”

“And we have the might of the Seraphim. You stepped over the line the day you threatened Nox, and today you obliterated it completely by threatening my mate.”

“So be it,” Gloria said ominously, stepping backwards and inclining her head. “Until next time, Seraphim.”

There was a great flash of lightning, and then Gloria was gone.

41

Sam

My hands were over my eyes, the flash having whited out my vision for a moment. Before they had a chance to clear, I was being pulled out of Nate’s arms, and swept off my feet.

“Thank fuck,” Zeke was murmuring, kissing whatever part of me he could reach. “Thank fuck you’re okay. I never want you that close to her again. Never ever.”

I blinked my eyes open. Huh, that was strange. Why did the house look so small?

My brain caught up and I shrieked, practically climbing Zeke. “Oh shit!”

“What? What’s wrong?”

“We’re in the air,” I yelled, clinging to his body like a koala bear. “Fucking hell, Zeke.”

“Whoops.” He chuckled, his massive wings beating as he changed course to lower us. “You were out of it the other times I’ve taken you up. I’m guessing you’re not good with heights?”

“No,” I said, burying my face in his neck as he took us down. “Please don’t drop me.”

“Never,” he vowed, touching down safely. “I’d never let you get hurt.”

“I know.” I looked at him. Traces of his rage still lingered in the bond. “You would’ve fought for me.”

“Yes.”

“I’m glad you didn’t,” I whispered, leaning my head against his. “I’m so fucking relieved it didn’t come to that. See? Words are better than violence.”

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