The cushion beneath her shifted as someone sat far too close for her liking. She considered appearing just to tell him to fuzz off, but then he looked directly at her with bright green eyes.

“Not every day a Seraphim graces us with her regal presence,” he murmured, his gaze assessing.

Something akin to shock swept over her. Or she suspected that was it. Emotions belonged to humans.

He stretched an arm along the back of the couch, grazing her shoulder in the process. “To what do we owe the honor, Your Highness?”

“How are you doing that?” she demanded after his fingers brushed her again.

“What are you doing here?” he countered.

“I don’t believe that’s any of your business.”

“Oh, on that we disagree.” He leaned into her personal space. “This is my territory, and you certainly don’t belong here.”

Well, that last bit was a reasonably intelligent deduction. As for the former… “How does one own a territory? Or are you referring to this dreadful place?”

His laugh vibrated their shared seat, and she found the sound oddly pleasant. Her kind did not revel in amusement often, if ever, but humans did. Except this being beside her did not possess a mortal soul, yet he didn’t appear to be Ichorian or Hydraian either. Because he saw her and touched her.

She stopped misting since it only wasted energy in his presence. “What are you?” she asked while cataloging his features. Thick brown hair, olive skin, and over six feet tall with a muscular stature that indicated he led a healthy lifestyle. His symmetrical face and square jaw would be considered handsome by those who appreciated appearance. And he had dimples when he smiled, which he was not doing now.

“Tell me why you’re here,” he said, his voice underlined with power.

The rune on her lower back flared as she responded. “I have a message for Osiris.” Her eyes widened. “How—”

“Tell me the message,” he interjected with that same underlying authority.

Her mouth slammed shut, only to reopen as the words were dragged from her throat of their own accord.

“The High Council of Seraph hereby issues the following blood edict to Osiris: Your immoral activities of late are in direct violation with your purpose on this plane. Using your gift for the afterlife to poison the blood of humanity has earned you an additional five millennia of solitude. Leniency may be granted when, and only when, you rid Earth of your abominations. Failure to do so may yield further actions from the council.”

Her hand flew up to cover her mouth, not that it mattered now. That was the entirety of the message, and she’d just delivered it to the wrong being.

“Interesting,” he mused. “Well, you can’t tell him that unless you court death.” He looked her over. “And I certainly hope that’s not the case, gorgeous.” He extended his hand. “I’m Sethios.”

She stared at the masculine fingers as they wiggled tauntingly before her. The act of shaking hands was very human. She ignored his request.