“The reception’s not black tie, is it?” asked Liz, chewing her fingernail. Most of her nails were bitten to the quick. “’Cause we can’t exactly hide guns under evening gowns.”

“Oh god, I hadn’t even thought of that,” murmured Trish, her freckled face worried.

“Thankfully, no,” said Kara. “Luis said the people representing Mexico City – that includes us – can just wear their normal outfits. Maybe something a little dressier, like you’d go to church in.”

I kept looking at the floor plans, trying to feel something – anything – about them. Finally I shrugged it away. Maybe I was just nervous.

“Do you think the angels there will be scanning people’s auras?” I asked Alex.

“Some are bound to be, because they’ll be feeding.” He glanced at me, and I could see the thought in his eyes – that the angels might recognize my aura before the team was ready to make a move. He wasn’t really sorry about it. I knew he’d give anything if I wasn’t involved in this; if I stayed away someplace where I could be safe.

“Don’t even say it,” I said quickly. “I’m going.” The thought of waiting here at the house while they all left – of not knowing what was happening, if they were going to live or die – no, there was just no way. “Alex, I have to,” I said before he could answer. “What about Paschar’s vision, that I’m the one who can destroy them?” I sensed a wave of doubt from the others, and knew no one took that very seriously – since I so clearly hadn’t been the one to destroy them last time I’d tried.

Alex sighed and pushed his hair back. I could see how tired he was – how heavily all this was weighing on him. “Maybe,” he said. His blue-grey eyes caught mine, asking me to wait until we were alone to discuss it. Reluctantly, I nodded.

Across from me, Wesley sat examining the map in his usual dour silence. With Sam sprawled beside him, they were like an illustrated example of “closed book/open book”.

“Okay,” drawled Sam, squinting at the screen. “Are the Council like ordinary angels when it comes to killing them? Or are they different, or what?”

Kara shook her head. “I don’t know, but they must be able to be killed, or their safety wouldn’t be such an issue. Apparently they do feed, so I’m guessing it’s their halo that’s vulnerable, like other angels. Who knows if there’s anything extra we have to worry about though.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m glad Luis is finally opening up,” she added dryly. “There’s really a limit to how many security questions I can slip in between Oh, you’re so wonderful and Ooh, do that again.”