Reuelle looked the same as the last time I saw her—three days ago when I summoned her by accident when trying for a proper Heavenly angel. Her wings were black, but the long hair was navy-blue. She had golden topaz eyes and matching little horns of the same color, but they seemed to be made of the crystal itself. In the center of her forehead was a metallic gold symbol that seemed to be stuck to her skin or was part of her body. Those topaz eyes sparkled as they stared at me. The small smile on her face made me think maybe I wasn’t in trouble, yet the way she slowly, dramatically tapped her fingers on Asmodeus’s chest with those gold-pointed cages made me think I was about to die—and she was going to like watching.

And then I looked up and met the blazing, furious glare of Asmodeus. My stomach dropped out of my ass. Those green eyes glowed brighter than neon signs in Vegas, shining rays of green out like spotlights. Or maybe the light show came from the glowing orbs around his neck that were the same color as his eyes. He crossed those thick arms over his chest. Reuelle leaned her face against his shoulder and moved her tapping fingers to his forearms.

My heart pounded against my ribs and my palms instantly grew sweaty. I licked my lips and gave a small bow of my head. “Angels, what may I do for you?”

His nostrils flared and I heard the sound of his knuckles cracking.

My lungs burned, which meant I’d stopped breathing. Those black horns on his head shimmered. I took a step back just as black smoke swirled in front of me.

Everest. Relief washed through me at the sight of Everest standing between me and trouble . . . until I saw his face. I opened my mouth, but he held his pale hand up. His whole eye flashed red for a split second before returning to his normal white and blue.

He turned his back to me and faced the fallen angels. “Explain yourselves.”

Asmodeus snarled. “Keep your betrothed out of my stuff.” His voice was deep and gravelly.

Everest scoffed. “Spare me. You left that journal out where you knew she would find it. You got what you wanted. You’re no better than Azazel. Where is he by the way?”

Asmodeus stomped forward until he was inches from Everest, then growled, “Don’t threaten me, child.”

But Everest had courage of steel. He was the only person who would’ve dared to lean into Asmodeus and growl back, “Take your games to someone who can’t see through them. You got what’s yours, now leave mine alone."