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Roman winced. “Yeah, it’s…it’s one of those,” he admitted.

Malakai lowered his hand. “Wow,” he said in a deadpan tone. “Some rescue plan.”

“We got into acar accident,asshole!” Roman snapped. “It’s not like I planned for this!” He waved a furious, tattooed hand at the mayhem breaking out as far as the eye could see.

Travis fought the urge to point out that there wouldn’t have been enough room for everyone in Roman’s car, anyway. He didn’t feel like arguing right now.

Malakai sighed. “Well, we’re all stranded now. Guess we’ll have to thumb it.” He pushed his way through the group, knocking his shoulder into Dominic’s, and started walking.

The Angel scowled over a shoulder and flicked his wings out with attitude.

“Delaney!” Reacher called after him through bared teeth. To the others in the group, he growled, “I’m about to kill him.”

“What?” Malakai didn’t even bother turning around. He was already so far away, they could hardly hear him. “What do you want?”

Jewels cupped her hands over her mouth and shouted,“Where are you going?”An icy wind gusted down the road, sending her pale lilac hair dancing about her face.

“Crazy!”

She rolled her eyes. “Where are youreallygoing?”

“Home,” Malakai replied. “I’ve had enough of this shit. Catch you dirtbrains later.”

Raina gave a soft laugh. “Typical Malakai.”

“What did he just call us?” Dallas hissed.

Dominic said, “I think he saiddirtbrains.”

“Dirtbrains?” Blue whispered, her cobalt brows inching together.

Dallas clucked her tongue and shook her head. Several people called after Malakai, but he ignored them—no surprise there.

Soon, they were following. Everyone was following.

Turned out, they didn’t have to thumb it, because the military brought transportation. They all piled into the first ride that came available, and then they were on their way back to Angelthene.

Back home. Only once he was settled into a seat in a crowded bus did the reality of that sink in.

They were going home.

The world was literally falling apart, and for all Travis knew, he could be dead tomorrow, but right now?

Right now, he was goinghome.

117

Location Undisclosed

Athene Cousens heldher head high, refusing to balk as two Shadowmasters led the way through the big, dark house. To the dining room facing the back.

Donovan Slade sat by himself at the head of the table. His eyes were shut, his hands resting palms-up on the wood.

The Shadowmasters gestured for them to stop. She and Balthazar, who walked at her left, immediately froze. Everyone waited in complete and utter silence as Donovan focused, his eyes rolling and flickering behind closed lids. The longer he sat there, not moving, not speaking, the quicker Athene’s breaths came, her pulse a rapid drumbeat in her neck.

Finally, Donovan opened his black eyes. “Athene,” he said with a dip of his chin. Balthazar, he ignored. Did not even look his way. He banished the black with one firm blink and reached for the bottle of tequila on the table. He poured himself a glass and tossed it back.

“You wanted to speak with me?” Athene asked. By the grace of the gods, her question came out steady, even while her legs threatened to collapse beneath her.