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I can’t just give in to her on this. It’s going to bring literal hell raining down on us. I might be Death, one of the four horsemen, the person who runs Scythe Academy, but I still have a boss I answer to.

How would Lucifer react to this? It’s not like I’ll be able to hide it from him—the planning, sure. But once one of my reapers kills someone, he’ll know, and he’ll want answers—from me.

He could take Audrey from us—lock her in a cell for the rest of eternity. Hell, he could even destroy her soul.

She doesn’t understand I’m trying to protect her from this, but maybe I can make her understand.

“Trouble, I want to give you everything you desire—I really do. But this is about more than just you. This could affect the balance between good and evil that Lucifer has barely been able to keep since the gates to heaven closed—Mount Olympus, whatever you want to call it.” I reach for her, trying not to let it bother me when she steps away. “If you kill a living person, Lucifer will know. He’ll know, and he’ll want answers. He’ll come to me wanting to know why I allowed this to happen.”

If I thought my words were going to sway my mate, I’m severely disappointed when all it does is make her lift her chin.

“I’m not scared of Lucifer. If he comes looking for answers, I’ll explain it to him. I’ll make him see why it needed to be done. You don’t need to worry about me, Wraith.”

But I do worry about her, and I always will. That’s what it means to be her mate.

Scrubbing my hands over my face, I sigh. “Lucifer could rip apart your soul, Audrey. He could torture you for all of eternity. He could take you from us, and we’d never see you again. Don’t you understand? I’m trying to protect us all.”

Her face softens. “I understand what you’re trying to do, but I’ll deal with whatever consequences come from my actions. I won’t let what hemightdo stop me. I need you to accept that.”

“I don’t think I can.” Anger rushes through me as I stalk across the room, grabbing the first bottle of liquor I can find and throwing it at the wall. A growl spills from me at the thought of losing my mate forever. I’ve just found her—I can’t lose her yet.

No, that’s not right. I don’t want to lose her ever. We’re meant to spend eternity together, and that’s what I want. An eternity with my fated mate and my chosen mate at my side.

If Lucifer comes for her, I’ll fight him with everything I have, and that’s not what I want.

Lucifer is one of my oldest friends—even if we’d both gone by different names then. We’ve been through so much—Lucifer, me, and the other three horsemen. We watched the world form and change over millennia. The five of us might not spend as much time together as we once did, but we share a bond that I don’t want to destroy.

But I would for my mate. For Audrey or for Donovan.

There has to be another way. I just have to figure it out—which I can’t do while losing my shit.

“You should be scared of the consequences, trouble. But you don’t have to take my word for it.” I turn back to her, phone already in my hand. “I’ll let someone else explain what happens when you seek vengeance above all else. How it breaks you before Lucifer gets a chance to. Maybe you’ll listen to someone who stood in your shoes and made the wrong choice, since you won’t listen to me.”

Audrey opens her mouth—probably to argue with me—but I can’t listen to her repeat the same words over and over again. I stalk out of the room and up the stairs as I dial the familiar number.

“What’s up, boss?”

The corner of my mouth quirks up at his use of boss. Sure, I’m his boss, but on top of that, we’re friends. I might not have known him as long as Lucifer, Gael, Octavius, and Riggs—or even Donovan—but there are some people you just know you can count on, and he’s one of them.

“My mate is set on seeking vengeance against the man who killed her and her twin—”

“Her twin’s dead? And here? When did that happen?”he asks, shock tingeing his words.

I shake my head, wondering how he even knew she had a twin, but it’s not important. “Focus, please. She’s not listening to me. I need someone who’s been through this to explain it to her. Will you please come over and talk to her? I know you don’t like talking about that part of your life, but it could make a difference.”

He scoffs.“You really think she’s going to listen to me?”

“Maybe. Maybe not. But I have to try. Donovan took her side, and I’m sure it’s no surprise that the vampire did, too.”

“Yeah, no surprise there. Fine. I’ll be over soon.”

“Thank you—”

“Yeah, don’t thank me for this. See you soon.”

He hangs up before I can say anything else, and I sigh in relief. If there’s anyone who can understand what she’s feeling, it’s him. Maybe he can get through to her where her sister and I failed.

I sit down on my bed, having come to mine and Donovan’s room unconsciously. I guess it’s not really just our room anymore, is it? All four of us sleep in here most nights because none of us wants to be away from Audrey.