Page 70 of Wicked Angel
“Ariella?” Levi's voice called from inside. “Are you ready? Adona's messenger just arrived.”
I sighed, turning away from the view. “Coming.”
Levi waited by the door, looking devastatingly handsome in his usual dark attire. Though he had adapted surprisingly well to life in Elysium, he refused to adopt the lighter colors preferred by most angels. The contrast suited him—a shadow among the light, a reminder that the new Elysium embraced diversity rather than enforcing uniformity.
“Happy birthday, sweetheart,” he murmured, pulling me close for a quick kiss.
I smiled against his lips. “You already wished me happy birthday this morning. Three times.”
“And I'll probably do it three more times before the day is out.” His eyes gleamed with mischief. “Though I was hoping to celebrate with you properly tonight, not go on some mysterious mission.”
“I know. Me too.” I sighed, resting my forehead against his chest for a moment. “But duty calls, I guess.”
“The burdens of being an archangel,” he teased, though I could hear the genuine pride in his voice.
We made our way to Adona's private chambers, where she received us with her usual grace. In the two months since Rhodes's defeat, she had recovered completely from her ordeal, though I sometimes caught glimpses of a new wariness in her eyes—a reminder that even the most powerful beings could be vulnerable.
“Ariella, Leviathan,” she greeted us. “Thank you for coming so quickly.”
“You mentioned it was urgent,” I said, getting straight to the point. “What's the mission?”
Adona's expression gave nothing away. “I've received intelligence about a situation that requires immediate attention. It's sensitive. I need my most trusted representatives to handle it.”
“What kind of situation?” Levi asked, his natural suspicion showing through.
“You'll understand when you arrive,” Adona replied cryptically. “Aspen is waiting at the eastern gate to transport you to the location. The mission requires discretion, so I'd prefer you travel by portal rather than flying.”
I exchanged a glance with Levi, who raised an eyebrow slightly. Adona was being unusually vague, but I trusted her enough not to question further.
“Of course,” I said. “We'll leave immediately.”
“Thank you, both of you.” Adona's expression softened slightly. “Your service to Elysium in these difficult times has been invaluable.”
We left the Celestial Tower and made our way to the eastern gate, where we crossed to the other side, and found Aspen waiting as promised. The warlock looked unusually formal in a crisp suit, though his eyes twinkled with their usual mischief when he saw us.
“Archangel Ariella,” he greeted me with an exaggerated bow. “Friend of Elysium Leviathan. How nice of you to join me on this fine day.”
“Cut the formality, Aspen,” Levi said, though there was no heat in his voice. The two had developed an odd friendship over the past months, built on mutual respect and a shared appreciation for sarcasm. “What's this mysterious mission Adona's sending us on?”
Aspen shrugged, his expression innocent. “I'm just the transportation, my friend. Adona said you'd know what to do when you got there.”
“Which is where, exactly?” I asked, unable to hide my frustration. It was my birthday, and instead of celebrating, I was being sent on a cryptic mission with no information.
“You'll see,” Aspen said already beginning the familiar movements that would open a portal. “Ready when you are.”
With a sigh, I nodded, and Aspen completed the spell. The portal shimmered into existence before us, a swirling vortex of purple energy that revealed nothing of our destination.
“After you,” Levi said, gesturing for me to go first.
I stepped through, the familiar disorientation of portal travel washing over me. When my vision cleared, I found myself standing in the middle of a large, open space that seemed vaguely familiar?—
“SURPRISE!”
The shout came from all directions at once, startling me so badly that I nearly summoned my sword on instinct. But then my brain caught up with my eyes, and I realized where I was—and what was happening.
The warehouse. Levi's warehouse in Houston, where I had been trapped in the witch's circle while my foreign magic threatened to tear me apart. Except now, it was transformed beyond recognition. White and gold decorations hung from the ceiling and walls, fairy lights twinkled everywhere like captured stars, and tables laden with food and drinks lined the perimeter. A large banner hung across the back wall: “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ARIELLA!”
And standing beneath it, grinning from ear to ear, were my friends. All of my friends.
