Page 40 of Princess of Bael
“He has a whole map of power shifts in his office,” she informed them. “Feel free to stop by for a look.”
“Now, now, Trudy. We’ve discussed this. No guests allowed, and I certainly won’t be tolerating any unsolicited visits from any Archdemons who have grown exponentially in power over the last one hundred years.” That last part was spoken with a hint of warning, the underlying context clear.Enter if you dare.
Because they weren’t the only ones growing in power. I could feel the energy practically pouring off Ashmedai yet sensed nothing from the one he called Trudy. Which was typical for a Nephilim. Their energy signatures varied, with most—if notall—being entirely concealed.
I frowned, then pulled out the map again.Could that be why her aura disappeared?I wondered, thinking of Kristina and her vanishing essence.
If a Nephilim had somehow absorbed her power, would it be masked to our otherworldly senses?
“What other Archdemons have power fluctuations?” Mietek demanded.
“What other Archangels have power fluctuations?” Ashmedai countered with ease.
“It doesn’t matter,” Kayla said, sounding irritated. “The power shift has already begun. The veil will fall, causing all the realms to collide.”
“Unless we manage the collision,” I added.
“I think you’ve done enough to fuck this all up,” Dariel inserted. “Why don’t you go back to Heaven and take a holiday, hmm?”
“The Archangel of Justice made a mistake,” Azrael agreed. “But he’s our best chance at managing the fallout. Actually,theyare our best chance.” He gestured between me and Kayla. “A being of Heaven with a child of Earth and Hell. It’s a balance in itself that can be used to alter the scales.”
“Nine human years,” Zerak hummed, his silver-gray irises flaring with power. “And stalling…”
“Suggesting my statement is accurate,” Azrael replied, meeting the gaze of everyone around him. He waited a beat, then arched a white-blond brow at Zerak.
“Still nine years,” the Archangel of Time confirmed.
“Brilliant.” He met my gaze. “You still have a job to do.”
I dipped my chin, accepting the fate. I would hunt down Kristina’s killer regardless of his approval, but it was nice to know I’d have his support on the issue. However, there was something I needed. “I want your details on the Nephilim,” I told Ashmedai. “All of them.”
His eyebrow winged upward before he looked at Kayla. “And here I thought our conversations were private.”
“And here I thought you gave me a device that would summon Ezra without putting the universe at risk,” she countered without missing a beat. “I guess neither of us was what the other expected.”
His responding grin practically sparkled in the night. “On the contrary, sweet princess, you areexactlywhat I anticipated.”
“I can’t believe you went to him,” Bael muttered.
“Not like you were including me in your decisions,” Kayla retorted, giving her father a meaningful look. “I was trying to help you.”
“And fulfill your penchant for revenge,” he replied, his blue eyes as glacial as his tone. “Cute.”
She just shook her head. “You still see me as a child, when I’m not.”
“You are,” he countered.
“She’s not,” I said, feeling the need to agree with her on this one thing. “But you can handle your family issues later. I want those details on the Nephilim, Ashmedai.”
“Why?” Azrael inquired, his tone still holding that authoritative edge to it.
“Because Kristina’s aura disappeared,” Kayla said before I could speak. “He suspects a Nephilim did this.”
Azrael seemed intrigued by that. “And do you suspect the same?”
“I suspect that it’s a good place to start,” she replied, surprising me at her clear acceptance of my lead.
Maybe there was hope for us after all.
