Alex fell silent, not knowing what to say. He knew how hard this must be for her – coming into a strange situation where all anyone saw was her half-angel self, and no one trusted her as far as they could throw her. When she was probably the most trustworthy person on the planet. “Listen, they’ll get used to you, if we stay,” he said. “Kara’s a really good person; she just—”

“I know,” she broke in. “Alex, it’s all right. I can’t expect them to just...take it in their stride, I guess.”

She was so beautiful, sitting there in his faded plaid shirt. He slid his hand around the back of her neck and leaned forward, kissing her. Her lips were warm and soft; he felt her tension melt as she responded.

They both sensed rather than heard Kara standing there. Alex drew back, not taking his eyes from Willow’s. He smiled at her again; her own smile looked a little more relaxed this time.

“So, here it is,” said Kara shortly. Her expression was tight as she sat down; Alex didn’t know if it was the document in her hand, or what she’d just walked in on. Both, probably.

She pushed a sheet of paper across the table. “The Church of Angels email address this was sent to belongs to the preacher at the Metropolitan Cathedral here,” she said. “You might have seen that it’s a Church of Angels cathedral now. And you know the tabernacle, right beside it? It’s been redone into the office space for the Church. The preacher is the head honcho there – and believe me, he’s as devout as they come.”

Alex angled the page towards him, sharing it with Willow; a pang hit him at the sight of Juan’s familiar looping handwriting. He started to read:

Yes, I can verify that arrangements are underway for the Seraphic Council’s planned visit to Mexico City. They have several vital orders of business there; one is to select an angelic head for the Church in Mexico. As we discussed, the utmost security during their stay is vital – the general populace is not to know of their presence. However, rest assured that Church officials will of course be allowed to pay homage to them, as will a few selected members of the public. We shall discuss this when next we speak. Meanwhile, please send a precis of all security arrangements. Remember, their safety is vital for all angelkind.

“Seraphic Council?” said Willow. Her hair tickled his cheek as she bent close to read. “Didn’t Nate mention that to us?”