Page 34 of Wicked Angel
“We’re safe here,” the demon insisted.
“Not from this,” I said, trying to inflict as much conviction as I could in my voice. “If this trouble spills over, it’ll affect everyone … every human and every supernatural in the entire world.”
The demon stared at me for a moment, probably hoping to see a crack in my expression. He wouldn’t find any.
“Shit,” he muttered.
“Yeah. Shit. Now, will you help us find these angels, or are we going to waste more time while the clock ticks down?”
Remy glanced between us, conflict clear on his face. Finally, he sighed. “I can't tell you where they are. I honestly don't know. But…” He hesitated. “There's a clearing in the woods, about two miles north of town. Sometimes, when they need something fixed that's too big to bring here, they meet me there. It's where the wards are thinnest.”
I felt a surge of hope. “Thank you.”
“Don't thank me yet,” Remy warned. “They might not show. And even if they do, they might not be too happy to see you.” He turned to go back to his work, then paused. “For what it's worth, they're good people. Angels. Whatever. They've protected this town when they didn't have to. Remember that when you're asking them to risk their necks.”
We left the auto shop with something resembling a lead, heading north toward the edge of town. The forest grew denser as we moved away from the buildings, the path narrowing until it was barely visible among the underbrush.
“You think this demon was telling the truth?” I asked, pushing aside a low-hanging branch. “Or sending us on a wild goose chase?”
“He was telling the truth,” Levi said confidently. “He was genuinely worried about the angels. Whatever relationship they have, it's built on mutual respect.”
I made a noncommittal sound. “Let's hope these angels are as reasonable as Remy seems to think. I'm not in the mood for another fight.”
We walked for what felt like hours, the sun climbing higher in the sky, filtering through the canopy in dappled patterns. The clearing Remy had mentioned wasn't easy to find—it was small, hardly more than a break in the trees, with a circle of flat stones arranged in the center like a crude meeting place.
“Now what?” I asked, glancing around the empty space.
Levi leaned against a tree trunk, arms crossed. “Now we wait. They know we're here.”
I groaned. “Great. More waiting. My favorite.”
We spent the afternoon in the clearing, taking turns exploring the perimeter while the other kept watch. The sun began its slow descent, casting long shadows across the forest floor. My frustration grew with each passing hour.
“This is ridiculous,” I finally said, pacing the circle for what felt like the hundredth time. “We're wasting valuable time.”
“Patience, sweetheart,” Levi said, though I could tell his own was wearing thin. “They'll show, or they won't. Either way, standing around complaining won't change anything.”
I was about to snap back when a rustle in the trees caught my attention. My hand went to my sword automatically, but Levi shook his head, his posture deceptively relaxed.
“We have company,” he murmured.
A figure stepped into the clearing, moving with the silent grace only an angel could possess. He was tall and lean, with deep brown skin and a stern expression.
“You've been asking about us,” he said, his voice cold. “Making a nuisance of yourselves in town.”
I straightened, meeting his gaze directly. “We need to speak with your leader. It's urgent.”
“So I've been told.” His eyes flicked to Levi, narrowing. “You bring a demon to our doorstep and expect a warm welcome?”
“I bring the truth,” I countered. “About what's happening in Elysium. About what's coming. Your leader needs to hear it.”
The angel studied me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. “She said you'd be persistent.”
“She?” I asked, confusion flickering through me.
“My commander,” he clarified. “She knew you'd keep pushing until you got what you wanted. Said it would be easier to just bring you in than let you keep disrupting the town.”
Relief washed over me. “Then you'll take us to her?”
