“A surprise?” Gabriel’s voice echoed all around, but I didn’t see him. “Silly nephilim.”

I tensed, gaze flickering from the house to the thin trees lining the driveway. He could be anywhere, and with my vision, I’d never know, but I had other eyes with far better vision backing me up.

Without warning, dozens of floodlights from the house and side yards sparked to life. Bright white light funneled through the gathering darkness. Blinded, I didn’t resist the urge to shield my eyes. I lifted a hand as my eyes watered and stung from the intense light. Cloudy splotches gathered in my vision as my grace stretched at my skin. My eyes would adapt—hopefully—but it would take a couple of minutes.

A shape appeared behind the house, sweeping into the air. I could make out the width of wings. My heart skipped a beat. There he was. I drew in a deep breath and nearly choked on the sickly sweet smell of...of rot.

Where was that coming from? I quickly looked around me, and from what I could see, there was nothing nearby. If there were and I was unaware, Zayne would be out here in a nanosecond. Could that smell be coming from Gabriel?

I lowered my hand, wishing I could see him. All I could tell was that he was hovering above the house like a demented guardian angel.

I ignored the insult as I forced my arms loose at my sides. “You’ve been looking for me, so I decided to come to you.”

“I appreciate that.” Gabriel’s wings moved silently in the air. “Makes my life so much easier.”

“You sure about that?”

His laugh reached me, sending a rush of iciness through me. “Oh, I am sure.” He drifted over the home, stopping in front of the porch. “Just as I’m sure you did not come alone.”

Warning pricked my skin even though I wasn’t surprised he knew. “I would be stupid to come here alone, and I’m not stupid.”

“We’ll have to agree to disagree on that, child of Michael.”

My eyes narrowed. “How’re those bullet wounds treating you, Gabriel?”

His wings stilled. “I’ll make sure I show you in great detail later.”

“I think I’ll pass,” I told him. “But I did bring you a present. Spoiler alert, it’s not me.”

“Spoiler alert?” Confusion filled the archangel’s tone.

I sighed. “You don’t even know what a spoiler alert is? I mean, come on, this is getting ridiculous.”

Gabriel flew forward suddenly, and in the next heartbeat, I felt the warmth of Zayne at my back. The golden white glow of his wings washed over me.

Gabriel halted, still several feet away. “Is that who you’ve brought me?” he asked. “A Fallen in need of his wings and grace to be stripped? I’ll be more than happy to kill him.” He paused. “Again.”