“We make sense out of the chaos,” I corrected Astrid as I took Raquel’s hand in mine. “I’m as alive as when I still had breath. We’re survivors and we have reasons to go on. Today is a mere blip in the eternity that we’ve been given. I plan to take it by the balls and twist till it screams for mercy.”
“Again,” Satan added, grinning at all of us. “I’m am starting to seriously enjoy this day.”
I chuckled and shrugged.
“I like your positive attitude too,” Astrid said with a thoughtful nod. “I’m ready to grab some hairy balls and twist till they explode. I shall then yank them till they’re detached and shove them down the bad guy’s throat.”
All of the men—including me—groaned and covered our balls with our hands in a visceral reaction to her plan. Astrid and Raquel high fived and tried without success to bite back their laughter.
“Not exactly what I meant, Astrid,” I muttered with a wince.
“I know,” my cousin assured me with an evil little smirk. “I just like to see you all bent over in phantom pain.”
“That’s just mean, Astrid,” Satan gasped, but gave her an approving thumbs up.
“If we’re done here, we have to go,” Raquel advised. “Time is beginning to be of the essence. We’ll see you shortly.”
“This is serious. Do not doubt it for an instant,” Ethan advised as touched his sister’s cheek. “The Old Guard is powerful and may have many allies that we’re unaware of. Stay as neutral as you can and wait for backup. Hopefully, we’ll be there soon.”
“You don’t think I can handle a bunch of old-as-dirt dead people?” Raquel asked her brother with narrowed eyes as her fangs descended.
It was all kinds of sexy. The uncontrollable monster on my pants agreed.
“Oh I know you can, especially with the killing machine you mated with at your side. I just don’t want to miss out on any of the fun,” Ethan replied with a wink.
“Death, destruction, and dinner in Paris. I couldn’t have asked for a nicer damned day,” Satan declared as he took his place on the far side of the room with Gareth, Astrid and Ethan. “Okay. Let’s get this party started.”
“Yes, let’s,” I agreed with a salute to my friends.
And with that we all transported away in spectacular blasts of glittering magic.
Chapter 17
Everything was stark white—the walls, the furniture, the drapes and the marble flooring. Not a spec of color as far as the eye could see. It was cold and foreboding. If Heaven was decorated like this, I might actually consider Hell.
“Damn, the Angels have unimaginative taste,” Raquel whispered as we cautiously made our way across a grand but strangely empty foyer. “Where is everyone?”
“Security is definitely lacking,” I muttered as I glanced around.
We stood out like evil beacons in our formalwear—all black against the backdrop of blinding white. Astrid had the forethought to bring me a tux and Raquel had changed into a black sheath that hugged her curves sinfully. The thought of peeling it off of her with my teeth consumed my brain.
With a shake of my head to clear the lascivious intentions from it, I closed my eyes and reached out to the minds of our people who were in attendance at the Summit. The thoughts of our warriors were tense and guarded. With a text on my secure line, I communicated with Henry, one of my top generals.
Where are you? I asked him.
Ballroom. Are you here? Henry asked in return.
Yes. Status?
Strange… boring. Not a word uttered against the Royal Family. Just business about territory rights and upholding the treaties. Henry informed me.
Nothing seems amiss? I queried.
No, nothing.
We’ll be in shortly.
Odd. If the Old Guard wanted to embarrass or implicate the Royal Family, the Summit was the perfect place to do it. What else could be going on?
“They’re at a meeting in the ballroom. Everyone is there,” I told her.
“Shall we just waltz in and surprise them?” she asked with a bloodthirsty little grin.
Damn it. It was either the smile or maybe the way her eyes lit up at the thought of spilling some blood that undid me. I adjusted the bulge in my pants and carefully considered my answer. If we stole away in a parlor, we could have a quickie. However, relieving the ache in my balls wasn’t necessarily a top priority. No matter what we were facing, my priorities always shifted to Raquel when we were alone.
“I do believe waltzing in is a fine plan, my love. It would be difficult for anyone to abduct you in a crowd of Angels.”
“The only person I want to be abducted by is you.” Raquel batted her long lashes and my pants got tighter. “Could you arrange that?”
“God, Raquel.” I groaned. It took everything I had not to say the Hell with the Summit and whisk her away to a secluded place—anywhere. I’d even go back to the damn Catacombs if it meant we could be alone. “You’re killing me here.”
“Darling, you’re already dead.” She laughed with delight and kissed me. “Do you want me to help you out with your problem?” she asked, referring to the painfully obvious erection in my pants.
“Now?” I asked.
“Yes. Now,” she whispered with glee.
“Can we do it fast?” I asked liking the direction we were going.
“So fast it will make your head spin,” she purred. “Both of them.”