Alex stopped in front of us, dark hair ruffled from the run as he looked at me in bewilderment. His glance at Seb was tinged with suspicion. “Willow, what’s going on? Who is this guy? I saw you running off with him, and I thought...are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I said, touching his arm. The pure human energy rushed through me; it took me a second to adjust, and then it was only Alex again, warm and familiar. “I’m fine,” I repeated. I started to try and explain, then remembered in a rush. “Alex, the Council’s arrived! They were part of that flock that was just overhead!”

His jaw dropped. “The Council? Are you sure? They’re not supposed to be here for another five weeks!”

“Yeah, it was definitely them – twelve shining angels, just like in my dream. They flew into the top of that tower.” I pointed, shading my eyes from the sun.

“The Torre Mayor,” muttered Alex, staring upwards. “What the hell are they doing there, instead of the Nikko?”

“The plans have changed, I guess.” Feeble, useless words. “Or maybe they’re going to the hotel later?”

Alex let out a strained breath, still gazing up at the gleaming pinnacle. “God, let’s hope so. We don’t know anything about that place – no floor plans, nothing. My team’s not even fully trained yet.” He shoved his hands through his hair; I could feel how shaken he was.

There was a pause, and then he looked down at me, and back at Seb again. Confusion crossed his features. Slowly, he said, “Okay, so...who is this guy, anyway? Why were you—” He stopped.

Holding hands with him. My cheeks flushed. Seb stood leaning against the statue’s base, listening. I could sense how disappointed he was that we’d been interrupted, and in a daze, it hit me just how easily I could read him already. I’d never felt such a strong instant connection to anyone in my life before.

“Alex, this is Seb. He—” I broke off. “Seb, is it okay if I tell him?”

“Tell me what?” Alex’s dark eyebrows had drawn together. “Willow, what’s going on?”

I glanced at Seb; he gave a resigned shrug. “He’s half-angel,” I said.

Alex couldn’t have seemed more stunned if I’d smashed him over the head with a mallet. “He’s what?” He looked sharply back at Seb; there was a rapid shift as his consciousness rose through his chakra points. “His aura’s green, not silver. But his energy feels...” His eyes widened. “Christ, you really are one. What’s the deal with your aura?”