Page 107 of I Accidentally Summoned A Demon
“I don’t know, but I did not send a demon. If I were going to send anyone, it would have been an angel to hold her until we figured this out.”
“Ireleased the demon.”
Gabriel and Melchizedek turned to the low, clipped voice.
“Uriel.” Melchizedek struggled to keep his tone even at the sight of his brother by the pulpit. “Why did you send a demon of all things after Katherine? We only resort to that if we don’t successfully separate them. Did you send an angel first?”
“I won’t forgo my duties because the two of you did.” Uriel strode between the pews. “We have a responsibility, a duty to fulfill, undertheircommand.Theyaren’t going to change the laws for one demon.”
“Oldlaws.” Melchizedek pinched the bridge of his nose. “You had no right to act on this.”
Uriel seethed. “I have every right. I’m the only one acting under the law.”
“This wasn’t your situation to handle.” Gabriel sprung to his feet.
“The laws do not specifically address a situation like this,” Melchizedek said. “Their situation is unique and requires us to approach it as such.”
“The laws do address it,” Uriel said. “They say demons cannot mingle with humans.”
“You know as well as I do that was made for demons who possessed and manipulated.” Melchizedek’s eyes emitted a low glow. “He has not done that. He loves her, Uriel. He loves her, and she loves him. Who are we to say they cannot love each other?”
“We are not the ones who say.” Uriel glowered as he stepped up to Melchizedek. “We made vows, in case you’ve forgotten, to uphold the laws. It is our duty whether we like it or not.”
Melchizedek squared his jaw and clasped his hands as they itched to smack Uriel on the back of the head. “Our duty is not to approach—”
“Gabriel!” A thunderous growl shook the building.
Melchizedek approached a window that vibrated in its frame. His eyes widened. Beyond the boundary, Lucian and Marcus flanked Nex, several pairs of red eyes behind them, hidden in the storm. Snow melted around them, the fury in Nex’s eyes a promise of the hellish fire he was ready to release.
“What did you do?” Melchizedek glared over his shoulder at Uriel. “I know you summoned the demon, but what did you do? Is she dead? Please, tell me you didnotkill her.”
“She’s not dead. Yet.” Uriel crossed his arms. “I underestimated how quickly he would get to her. It won’t happen again.”
“That was not the way to handle this,” Gabriel said. “Death is the last resort. Where is your wisdom?”
“Do not question my wisdom.” Uriel turned his aggressive stance on Gabriel. “You were not fulfilling your duties.”
“You should have spoken with the demon before going after the girl like that!” Gabriel held his ground despite Uriel getting in his face. “We hadn’t separated them yet.”
“Gabriel, I know you’re hiding in there. Get your ass out here now.” Nex’s growl shook the floorboards and rattled the doors. “Or so help me, I’ll have every single fucking human who makes their way down this street slaughtered, and you can listen to their screams.”
“That’s who you’re defending.” Uriel gestured toward the window. “Did you hear what he said?”
“You tried to kill the woman he loves,” Melchizedek said. “You activated that anger. You better be ready to face it.” He threw open the doors and strode out into the snow.
“Melchizedek,” Nex snarled, balling his fists. “I should’ve known. When one is here, the other isn’t far behind. I’m not certain you two aren’t fucking each other. Do you ever go on missions alone?”
“Nex.” Melchizedek held his hands up. “I had no part in hurting Katherine. Let’s take a breath, shall we?”
“No part?” Nex paced the property line. “Wasn’t it you who marked her? You who sent her into fucking traffic? Or do I have someone else to hunt down?”
“The mark was meant to have someone pull her away from you, not kill her. I did not let her get hurt. The traffic incident was a test. That’s all. I wouldn’t let her come to harm.”
“A test?” Nex’s eyes flamed. “I’m sick of you and your realm’s fucking tests. Stop being cowards. Come out here.”
“You don’t want to start a fight. You don’t have your leader’s support. Let’s work something out without violence.”
“I don’t need my leader’s support.” Nex’s wings flapped, creating a gust that drove snow against the church and the angels. “You’re the ones who started the violence. Not me. You fucking started it. I swear on everything that’s unholy, if you two don’t come over here, I will raise hell. I will rip this city apart, and that will be on you.”
