Page 9 of The Redeemable 4

“Someone stop him before he devolves further into his rant. We are all here because we agree with you, remember?” I said, hugging is beautiful blonde head against my chest. “We all fell because we had questions.

I don’t know. I liked his rant. I appreciate the shades of grey. All fifty of them, Arcadia laughed and I chuckled along with her, though the guys just looked confused.

I kissed the cute little frown lines on Gusion’s otherwise ageless face. “I’ve missed your passion, Gus. And your beautiful face.”

Gus dipped me backwards and kissed me like the star he was, before nibbling my neck until I giggled. Legit giggled like a freshman in a sorority. I’d spent way too much time in the earthly realm watching teen rom-coms with Arcadia. I looked over at Luc, but he was back to sipping his coffee and reading the Algerian news. I waggled my eyebrows and he winked.

He didn’t banish Bacciria because her statement hit too close to the truth; the guy knew he had all the moves that make me go boom. He banished her because she disrespected us all. We were angels, fallen or not. Gusion continued kissing down my neck to my collarbone.

“Uh-uh, I’ve been distracted by sex once, now back to my problem.”

Gus sighed and sat me back up straight. “This is why I appreciate the demonesses. They are always clamoring to climb onto my angelic staff.”

I held a finger up to his lips. “Ew. Just ew.”

I stood and poured myself some juice. “Are there no other deities who have soul manipulation? What about the Norns?”

Luc shook his head. “Decide a soul’s fate, but can’t move them around.”

“There’s gotta be someone? Another angel or a human shaman? The disembodied soul of Nicolas Tesla must be hanging around here somewhere?”

“Tesla is out on the Elysian Fields. You know how the Greeks loved their men of science. But I do not think he could help you anyway,” Luc argued.

I sat on his lap and sipped my juice. “You know who could help?” I stroked his dark hair.

He flicked his eyes to me and unconsciously rubbed the scar on his chest. “Not Michael,” he grunted and went back to his paper. “Try Raphael. Or even Gabriel. But I will not be beholden to Michael.”

Arcadia wisely knew to stay quiet, despite the burning need she had to argue. I felt her frustration, but apparently I didn’t hide it as well because Memphis jumped in to help.

“I’d try Raphael first. He’s always been a bit of a softy for a good sob story. And he had a soft spot for you in particular. He might be able to do it, and if not, he might know who does.”

I kissed Luc’s cheek, and then bit his earlobe hard.

“Ow!” He rubbed his ear as I stood, wandering over to Memphis, but not before Luc swatted my ass with the back of his fingers. “You shouldn’t bite, my love. You never know where I will bite back.”

I threw him a saucy wink. “Who says I wouldn’t like it?” I purred. I stood in front of Memphis. “I’m going to go find Raphael. Do you know where he is?” Memphis nodded. “Wanna come with?”

Indecision ran across his face. He’d always been a bit of a hellbody, loathe to leave the palace. “Come on, it’ll be fun. I’m pretty sure he’ll be in Afghanistan or somewhere equally as bloody. When was the last time you went to a conflict zone? Maybe we can help save a few guys while we’re there. Maybe even ensure a few of the baddies get an express pass to hell. Do not pass go, do not collect two million dollars. What do you say?”

“He’s in Syria,” Memphis said as he pushed off the bench and headed toward the doorway. I followed behind him, blowing Luc a kiss and winking at Gus.

It’d been a long time since I’d travelled with Memphis, and I was kind of looking forward to it. But first we had a stop to make.

How are they so big already? Arcadia’s melancholy musing broke my heart.

Time moves differently in the underworld. It’s hard to predict. If Luc and the Father are opposite sides of a chess match, then time would be the board. It plays by its own rules. Next time we come up, it might only be minutes from this moment. I’m sorry. If I’d known, I would have come back earlier.

Two weeks had passed topside since I’d returned home. The babies had almost doubled in size, and although they were still in the neonatal unit, they were happy and healthy. We stood invisible in the corner of their room, a lumpy armchair in the corner holding a snoozing Valery. A nurse was helping Oz hold Estrella.

“Skin contact helps build a bond. Perhaps if you remove your shirt, I can place the baby on your chest,” the nurse said hopefully. I resisted the urge to laugh. I was invisible, but not silent. Arcadia was fuming.

I died two weeks ago, and already people are trying to crack onto my guys? Do people have no shame?

Her outrage was beginning to color my own feelings. I moved into an empty hallway and dropped my invisibility, well except for the wings. I made sure I looked like a bombshell.

Memphis appeared beside me, looking like a sexy vision in tailored black pants and a crisp white button down open to the second button.

We walked into the room, and the nurse nearly swallowed her tongue. I didn’t know if the cause was me or Memphis, but it was the reaction we wanted.

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