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That should annoy me, shouldn’t it? Honestly, it’s probably better that it doesn’t.

The one part of the plan we never discussed was how I was actually going to kill him. I’m not sure if that was purposefully ignored or how I missed that, but now that I’m here, I know exactly how to kill him in the most painful way possible.

I’m unsure where I learned this, but I know I can use my scythe to rip the soul straight out of his body. It’ll be torture for him.

Yes, that sounds like the perfect way for him to pay for his crimes against my family.

“Gods damn it, Michael! Why the hell are you laughing when Audrey just threatened to kill you?” Wren takes a step toward her husband—I guess he’s her ex now that she’s dead—before stopping. “Tell me why, Michael. It’s the least you owe me.”

“It’s nothing personal, babe. You were a means to an end.” He continues smirking as his eyes find me. “The two of you don’t know a damn thing about your family, do you? If you did, you wouldn’t be asking me why. If you knew what I do, then you’d completely understand. Okay, maybe not completely.”

Donovan growls, lunging toward Michael, but Cassian and Wraith hold him back. “Stop talking in circles.”

Michael rolls his eyes. “You’re really taking the fun out of my revelation, you know that? But fine. You don’t know who or what you are, do you?”

“I know I’m not a witch,” I tell him as hellfire runs along my scythe.

“While a cool trick, I’m not as scared as you want me to be.” He laughs again. “I really hate to be the one to ruin the surprise, but no, neither of you are witches. Because neither of your parents are witches.”

Huh. So Mom has been lying to us. It makes sense—that she was lying to us, not why. If she’s not a witch, then what the hell is she?

Wren shakes her head. “Mom wouldn’t lie to us about that. You’re lying.”

“I’m not sure he is,” I admit. “But if she’s not a witch, then what is she?”

“You can’t believe anything he says, little mate,” Cassian says, stepping up beside me. “He’s a known liar.”

I nod in agreement. “He is, but look at him. He’s getting entirely too much enjoyment out of this. I don’t think he’s lying now.”

Michael tilts his head as he considers me. “You’re different, Audrey. I think I like this version of you better. If you’d been more like this when you were alive, I would’ve chosen you over your weak ass sister.”

More growls sound behind me, and I sigh. Look at my mates overreacting again. What a surprise.

“That never would’ve happened, Michael. Look, if you don’t want to tell us what our mom is, that’s fine. I can ask her after I rip your soul from your body.” I shrug because it really isn’t a big deal to me at all.

Michael whistles. “Oh, yes, I do like this version of you. It’s sexy as hell. As for your mom, she’s an angel.”

“Is that possible?” I ask Cassian, and he shrugs.

“Anything is possible. The powers you’re gaining aren’t from an angel, though. They’re too strong.”

“Mmmm,” Michael hums. “You’re one of the fallen—the judges.”

Cassian bristles but nods.

“The two of you are keeping very interesting company in your deaths. Death himself, a hellhound, a fallen angel, and a vampire…who’s also a reaper. Interesting indeed.”

“I’m over this—whatever it is,” I announce, taking a step toward Michael.

He might claim not to be afraid of me, but he takes a step back for every step I take forward.

“What’s wrong, Michael?” I ask. “I thought you weren’t scared.”

“I’m not scared of you, bitch,” he snarls, stopping his retreat. “I’m just not done playing with you. The fallen is correct. That power doesn’t come from your mom.”

I sigh. Is what he has to say really worth keeping him alive any longer? I’m not sure it is.

“Your dad was definitely the more powerful one of the two. Not that either of them knew who or what they were getting involved with. Did Mommy Dearest tell you that the two of you were a result of a drunken one-night stand?”