Alex had seen hundreds of people encountering angels; the expression on the guard’s face now was as awestruck as any of them. Staring at the angel with a wondering smile, he slowly pressed a button. The security barrier swung open; beyond it, the blocker sank into the drive.

“Gracias,” said Alex hurriedly, and gunned them through before the guy came back to his senses.

The loading dock was a dimly lit cave. With Willow’s angel still flying above, they parked with a shriek of wheels and ran up the short concrete ramp that led to the service elevator. Someone was just wheeling an empty cart off it, and they plunged in.

They stayed tensely silent as the elevator hummed its way to the fifty-fourth floor. With an effort, Alex kept his eyes off the security camera. Glancing sideways, he could tell how drained Willow was from the effort with her angel, and felt a stab of anger towards Seb, who gave her a concerned glance but then just stood there without even putting his arm around her.

Though Willow looked nervous, her chin was lifted firmly. She’s determined to be there. She loves you very much, you know.

As the words came back to him, Alex went still, taking in Willow’s face. He realized he was staring and looked away. Get a grip, he thought, irritated with himself. He had nothing to do with why Willow was here any more; she was in love with Seb.

“Is there a plan?” asked Seb as the elevator neared the top. He looked almost relaxed, his eyes coolly determined.

Alex shook his head. Glancing at his phone, he was agonizingly conscious that their private audience was due to start in less than a minute. “I wish. Just follow me, as fast as you can – I know where the team will be heading. We’ve got to get to them before they go in.”

The elevator stopped; the doors glided open. A few seconds later, they were in the stairwell, rushing up the concrete stairs. Time slowed; Alex was hyper-aware of everything: Willow ahead of him, her short spikes bouncing as she ran; the thin scar on Seb’s arm catching the fluorescent light; the adrenalin pumping through his own veins.

They reached the door at the top. Alex punched in the code; the light turned green and he flung it open. High glass ceilings, a glimpse of blue sky and clouds – and then they were hurtling their way down a carpeted corridor towards the lavish reception ahead.