Yes, his relationship with Shamsiel was forbidden, but she was the one placed most at risk by their association, not him—something that had never sat right with him.
“I know everything,” Raphael said.
“I highly doubt that,” Raum drawled. “The universe is vast.”
“You can play smart with me, demon, but it doesn’t matter in the end. The Tribunal has come to a decision about how to handle this matter. Once Shamsiel is found she will be dealt with, but for now, it’s your turn.”
Raum stiffened. “Wait, you don’t know where she is either?” he demanded, giving up the pretense. His game of pride meant nothing if Shamsiel was in danger. He’d join forces with far worse than Raphael if it meant finding her quickly and making sure she was unharmed.
“No,” the archangel replied impatiently. “No one knows.”
“Then we need to find her! We don’t time have to waste here—”
“Shamsiel is no longer your concern.” Raphael’s handsome face split in a smile as evil as Lucifer’s. “In fact, you’re about to forget you ever knew her.”
* * *
Raum blinked backto the present, mind racing as he put the final pieces of the puzzle together. Raphael hadn’t just discovered his relationship with Sunshine,hehad been the one to erase his fucking memories.
Of course it was Raphael. Why was he even surprised?
“We meet again,” the archangel said. “You won’t recognize me, but I can assure you—”
“I recognize you,” Raum mumbled, his lip curling.
Raphael frowned and then shrugged. “The subconscious is a tricky thing. No memory wipe can ever be completely foolproof. I suppose your reunion with Shamsiel could have triggered the return of some of your lost memories.”
Well, that explains the dreams.“Why are you here?”
“I hear you’ve misplaced your Nephilim.” He smiled as Raum’s hands curled into fists, and then he pulled a small mirror from his pocket. “Once I followed Shamsiel to Montreal, I was able to make use of this scrying glass. How do you think I found you here so easily? If you try to escape or contact the others, I will know and I will kill your Nephilim.”
Fucking prick.Raum swallowed back a stream of curses. He wouldn’t give this piece of shit the satisfaction of seeing him mad. “What do you want?”
“Allow me to flash you and you’ll find out.” The archangel pocketed his fancy mirror and held out a hand.
There was no choice but to do what he wanted. Raum probably could’ve come up with a hundred ingenious plans if he’d had time to think, but right now, he wasn’t betting Eva’s life against his chances of fucking up.
“Fine,” he bit out. “Let’s go.”
Raphael’s smile was smug as he grabbed Raum’s arm and flashed him away—probably straight to his untimely demise.Fuck this fucking guy.
30
For Heaven’s Sake
Alone in the silent warehouse, Sunshine and Eva went over a dozen desperate plans, but none amounted to anything. Sunshine tested the boundaries of her trap, and after being thrown on her back several times, she was forced to conclude it was impenetrable.
For the most part, Empyrean magic was far more powerful than Temporal and Sheolic magic. Once formed, Empyrean traps were unbreakable. They had less power over other angels, and Sunshine might have been able to escape under normal circumstances, but with the manacles binding her powers, she was hardly stronger than a human.
It was all for naught in the end—Raphael returned with Raum, flashing into the middle of the empty trap. He flashed out again before Raum had a chance to attack. He tried anyway, shifting into half demon form and swiping his sharp claws where the angel had been standing.
“Raum—” Sunshine’s voice was strangled.
He glanced at her, and his eyes widened when he saw the sigil she was stuck in and the manacles on her wrists. His gaze traveled quickly around the room, noticing Eva in a similar state. “You okay, Eva?”
“Yes.” Eva’s voice trembled only slightly. “But this is the fucker that cursed Ash. He’s a psychopath.”
“I know.” Raum’s jaw clenched, but that was the only outward expression of emotion he allowed.
