Page 20 of Fated for Dawn

“Definitely an ass,” I agreed.

But if he could help me get Alister back, I didn’t care if he was the biggest jerk in the universe.

Zadkiel turned back to me, his expression unreadable. “I decided to help you. I can walk between realms, and your connection to Alister will guide us to him. But…”

My heart raced, hope flickering to life.

“But?” I asked.

“The Gods won’t like it and will intervene. Be prepared to face them. And…”

“And?” I asked.

“We’ll most likely fail.”

I nodded, but failing was not an option.

“The Shadow Realm is an in-between place where souls wait to move on,” Zadkiel explained. “Some are harmless. Others are lost—and the lost ones are dangerous. They’ll sense our heartbeat. Your life. And they’ll want it.”

“What about the guardian?” I asked.

Zadkiel shrugged. “I’ll deal with him.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “Why didn’t you help before? During the year I was trapped there?”

His jaw tightened. “I was forbidden.”

“Why now? What’s changed?”

“I don’t owe you an explanation,” he declared. “I’m offering my help now. Take it or leave it.”

“I’m not leaving Alister there any longer,” I said firmly.

“Good.”

He offered me his hand. Without hesitation, I reached for Zadkiel’s hand. His power thrummed beneath my fingertips.

I glanced back at the others—my guys. “I’ll be back soon.”

Lucien stepped forward, his eyes locked on Zadkiel. “I don’t care if you’re Rafe’s brother or the most powerful angel alive. If you hurt her, I’ll kill you.”

I blinked at Lucien’s protectiveness, but before I could react, the world shifted. In an instant, the sun and the guys vanished.

* * *

We landed in the Shadow Realm. The air was thick and oppressive.

I hated this place.

The shadows pressed in as we moved through the Shadow Realm. The air was almost tangible, a deep unease settling into my bones. Flickers of movement danced at the edges of my vision, erratic and unsettling.

Zadkiel’s grip tightened around my hand. “Stay focused.”

My pulse quickened.

“Focus on Alister. Call him to you.”

I closed my eyes, trying to block out the encroaching darkness. I pictured Alister—his smile, his blue eyes. I reached out with my mind, searching desperately for any trace of him.

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