I took a couple steps back, knowing it wouldn’t do any good. Even if I’d been in full succubus mode, there was no way I could fight against him. Roman was a nephilim, Jerome’s half-human bastard son. Nephilim were a kind of odd mix between lesser and greater immortals. Nephilim hadn’t been around since the universe’s creation, but they had been born immortal and could potentially possess the same range of powers as a greater immortal. Roman was every bit as strong as Jerome, but unlike my boss or his equals, Roman didn’t answer to any higher power. He was rogue, which made him dangerous when he was pissed off.

And he had every right to be pissed off at me. Angry at the way Heaven and Hell hunted their kind down, Roman and his twin sister Helena had gone on a vigilante hunting spree to get back at other immortals. I hadn’t known that when he and I were dating, and eventually, I’d been instrumental in stopping them—and getting his sister killed.

“What are you doing here then?” I asked at last.

Roman’s posture was casual as he crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. He looked exactly as I remembered, enormously tall compared to me, with soft black hair and those gorgeous eyes. “You sound disappointed,” he said. “Do you want me to kill you?”

“No! Of course not. But I can’t really think of any other reason you’d be here. Somehow I doubt you’re here for a social call.” Despite my fear, my sarcasm still managed to function. Carter had told me it was unlikely Roman would ever return to Seattle, knowing that he and Jerome would be on the lookout. Except, I realized uneasily, Jerome was no longer here to keep watch.

“I’m here to help find my illustrious sire.” Roman’s voice was smug as he spoke, and I was sure he was taking a great amount of pleasure in watching my reaction. I hoped he was satisfied because while my jaw didn’t exactly hit the floor, it came pretty close.

“Bullshit.”

“Why don’t you believe me?”

“Because you have no reason to!” My fear was being overridden again, this time by incredulity. “You hate Jerome.”

“Yeah, that’s true.”

“Stop playing with me then. You’re not here to help.”

“No? Then how come I helped you with the seal’s notes?”

“You didn’t—” I froze for a moment. “Oh lord. That was you.”

“Really,” said Roman amiably. “You should be a lot nicer, considering all the things I’ve done for you.”

“Yeah? I don’t recall you wasting your time wandering aimlessly along beaches.”

“Nah. I’ve been too busy blowing up stoves and carrying injured damsels to bed.”