“Nebraska,” he reads from the driver’s license.
“That’s where the so-called Satan worshipers were from, wasn’t it?” I ask, way too fucking stressed right now to think straight.
“Yes,” Lucas tells me.
“How many are alive?” Kristy asks apprehensively.
“Four,” Lucas says, able to hear their heartbeats.
“Should we call an ambulance?”
“No,” Lucas tells her. “Not here. There is no way to explain this to the police, and Callie is already under suspicion from the police.”
“Oh, right.” Kristy swallows hard. She’s shaking, and blood is dripping from her forehead. “That makes sense.”
“Go back to the house,” Lucas tells us. “I’ll take care of it.”
I put my arm around Kristy, who’s clearly in pain, and let out a shaky breath. “I wish I could figure out how to heal you.”
“Right, because killing a demon who was set on bringing about the end of the world wasn’t enough.”
I laugh so I don’t start crying. My whole body is humming with adrenaline. So much so I almost don’t notice the shift in energy.
“Do you feel that?” I ask, coming to an abrupt stop. We’re by the back porch of the estate, and Scarlet races from the woods, looking up at the sky, growling.
“I feel…something,” Kristy says. “But I don’t know what it is.”
I do, and ice-cold fear washes over me. “It’s archangels.”* * *Chapter Forty-on* * *They were able to sense me the last time I used a mega-dose of angel powers. Of course they’d be able to sense me now.
“What do we do?” Kristy asks, and I shake my head, not able to form any words. She cups her hands around her mouth and calls for Lucas. He’s a decent way from the house but heard her just fine, and speeds to us.
“What’s wrong?” He takes my hands in his, brows pinching together.
“I think the other archangels found me,” I rush out. My familiars protectively shadow around me. “And I don’t know how to fight them.”
“You can’t.” A voice comes from the back porch, and we all jump. “But never fear, Lucy is here.” Lucifer’s eyes flash in the night. He’s leaning against the side of the house and is dressed in his usual designer suit. He pushes off against the wall and strides forward, adjusting his sleeves.
“I was right, my dear niece. Royalty suits you very well. We can have the party later as there are more pressing issues at hand.”
“Th—that’s Lucifer.” The whites of Kristy’s eyes show, and she stands frozen. She knows that I’ve been talking to him, and that I more or less trust him.
“Yes, the one and only.” Lucifer grins. “I’ll sign autographs another time.”
“Go,” Lucas urges. “Before the others find you.”
Lucifer comes down the steps and holds out his hand. Right as I’m reaching for him, there’s another shift in the air. A gust of wind blows over us, and in a flash of blue light, Michael appears before me.
“Hello, brother.” Lucifer snatches his hand back.
“Lucifer,” Michael says, pausing for a second to look at him. My biblical knowledge is pretty nonexistent, but I know enough to know this is the first time either of them have looked upon each other’s faces in a very long time.
“I will address this later,” Michael tells Lucifer and turns to me, blue eyes softly glowing. “Hello, my daughter.”
I take a deep breath, expecting to feel relief or even joy for finally seeing my father again. But I’m pissed. His silence cuts deep, and there are so many times I could have used his help, really fucking used it. If he’d answered my calls for help with Bael, none of those women would have been murdered.
And I wouldn’t have had to lay claim to the throne of Hell.
“Hi, Dad.”
He holds out his hand. “It’s not safe for you here. Let’s go.”
I start to reach out but snatch my hand back at the last second. “No.”
“We can’t stay,” Michael says.
“I know,” I rush out. “The other angels sensed me too but I’m not going to let you fly me out and then disappear again. I have so many questions for you about who I am and who my mother was. Lucifer has made an effort to at the very least talk to me, which is more than I can say for you.”
“Callie,” Michael says gently. “Your anger is valid—”
“Of course it’s valid,” I interrupt, pushing my brows together. “I needed you. We needed you. Lucas almost died and all I could do was helplessly watch! If it wasn’t for Lucifer, I wouldn’t have known how to transfer the curse.”
“I am sorry. I never wanted to upset you. Every time I am here, it puts you at risk, and every time he is here, he puts you at the same risk.” He looks at Lucifer. “Especially now. All of our brothers and sisters are looking for him.” Michael puts his hands on my shoulders and I’m fighting so many emotions.