We tumbled out onto the rug in Jemma’s living room, gasping and panting and laughing manically from the sheer adrenaline of our escape.

“What the fuck have you done with her?”

I sobered instantly, disentangling myself from the Hounds and rolling to my stomach. I pressed myself up, gritting my teeth through the twinges of pain riddling my body. I still hadn’t properly recovered from all those attempts to bulldoze my way out of the invisible cell the angels had held me in. And then there was that jerk out of my freefall that had definitely put a nasty crick in my neck.

But all of that paled in comparison to the sudden, lurching, sickening bolt of pain in my chest as I came face to face with a furious, tear-streaked Ezra. At his side was another male—the one I had seen chatting with Jemma at her market stalls—cradling a limp, white bundle.

“Luci!” Bub howled, scrambling up and clambering over the lounge to reach the other male. I couldn’t drag my eyes from the tiny, vulnerable little body.

“Where is Jemma?” Ezra demanded, his body shaking in my periphery. “What did you do?”

I opened my mouth, but the clenching sensation in my chest stole my words.

“You better have something to say, dickhead!” Ezra shoved my shoulder. I staggered backwards, catching a horrifyingly familiar scent lingering in the air.

“Hellen.”

It was the only word I could get out.

“Isn’t that … your sister?”

I turned to Ezra, my thoughts spinning, my chest vibrating. My stomach swirled with nausea.

“The Soul Token!” I grated, gripping Ezra’s arm. “Do you know where she put it?”

Ezra’s brow creased, his scowl deepening. “She didn’t want to touch it after you left. It burned a hole in her hand from how much you hurt her!” He spun, striding towards the kitchen. “She dropped it right …”

He froze, staring at the bench. At the completely bare bench.

“It was right … here,” he muttered, a shaking hand sliding across the laminate. “Maybe she moved it?” He turned to me, eyes wide. “She might have decided it was time to put it somewhere safe …”

The hope in his voice almost broke me as I shook my head.

“I can smell my sister.” I sniffed. Yes, that burning coal scent was all her. “If my sister has been here, then …” I turned to the other male, who had moved to sit on the couch, Luci in his arms, Bub in his lap. Bub was lapping gently at Luci’s face.

“Is she …?” I couldn’t bring myself to finish the question.

“I don’t … I think …” The other male choked on his words.

“Joe was here, too!” Ezra blurted frantically. “His car is still parked outside! I walked in expecting to see the pair of them sniping at each other, and instead … nothing. And Luci, crumpled on the floor over there.” He pointed to the far wall.