Nathaniel nods.
“Make it clear that I declined.” I pull my shoulders back, summoning Oathkeeper. It appears in my left hand, and I rest it over my knees with the tip on my right hand. “I willingly sever my connection and return Oathkeeper to the collective.”
Hazel gasps, but I raise my hands, offering Oathkeeper to Nathaniel.
“And all we have to do is return to Heaven empty-handed?” The asshole chuckles. “You really care that much about saving a demon?”
“You won’t be empty-handed,” I grind out. “You’ll have the prize you’ve had your eyes on for centuries, and with me no longer standing in your way, you can have it.”
And my job, for that matter, but Nathaniel is guided by greed for the status symbol that is Oathkeeper. Before me, it belonged to the longest standing harvester in history.
“This is going to hurt,” Nathaniel says, unable to hide his excitement over that prospect. He snatches Oathkeeper, handing it off to Rowan.
Focusing back on me, he summons his own blade. The angel chains still hang around his wrists. The higher-ups must have been serious about wanting me brought back if they signed out a set to him.
“Release the demon first,” I growl. “Allow him to comfort his mate.”
It’s so very like my kind to completely ignore Hazel simply because she’s female. They truly believe she’s not a threat, and that gives me a modicum of comfort despite knowing the agony that’s headed my way.
Rowan releases Annex, shoving him in Hazel’s direction.
Nathaniel has the same ability all harvesters do. It allows us to see soul ties, tethers, and connections. It will also allow him to sever my connection to Oathkeeper.
Back when angels fought all-out wars on the battlefield of Earth, harvesters were the ones who released those soldiers who no longer wished to fight on Heaven’s side. So, I know for a fact it can be done outside of the council room.
Nathaniel and Rowan will simply return to Heaven and declare me dead. Oathkeeper will be proof that I refused to come willingly. It won’t be difficult for anyone to believe that they were unable to subdue me, and instead, were forced to take more extreme measures.
Before meeting Hazel, I never would have willingly handed over Oathkeeper.
“Do it,” I growl, bracing for impact.
The silvery, golden strand that connects my soul to Oathkeeper pulses as Nathaniel raises his blade and swipes it through the air.
Agony, unlike I’ve ever experienced, rips through every cell of my body simultaneously.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Annex
“You didn’t have to cut both!” Hazel sobs, throwing herself toward Zephyr, but I restrain her. He might believe those angels will honor their word.
I, however, do not.
I’ll believe it when I see it.
Zephyr falls against the floor, seizing.
“What are you?” the angel who held his blade to my chest asks. I believe she shouldn’t have been able to see the soul threads. I can’t, but I assume that’s what she was talking about.
I slap a hand over her mouth. “A witch with seer abilities. If you’re done, now would be a good time to go. We need to render care.”
“Good luck,” the angel with the chains says, scoffing. “He’ll never be the same again.” He tugs up his hands, and the chains coil around his arms. “Come on, Rowan. We’re done here.” Looking at Hazel and me, he grins. “Make sure he never tries to enter Heaven again. They will kill him on sight.”
They disappear in a shimmery cloud of smoke, and I release Hazel. She spins around to face me, and her eyes are the void.
“They’re gone. Do you think you can lift him? We have to go for help.”
I nod. “I’ll manage.”
