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“I went to Nyx’s office first, but she wasn’t there,” Tessa said. “Neither were Cadence and Damiel. Or Harker.”

Wow, my sister really got around. I guess knowing how to teleport was pretty handy when you were an event planner.

“Where is everyone right now?” she asked me.

“Nyx has been working with Ronan on some secret mission. Cadence and Damiel are off doing important Immortal things with Nero. And I don’t have a clue where Harker is right now. I thought he was in New York.”

“He’s probably making out with Bella,” Tessa said breezily. “But it doesn’t matter. All that matters is I get my buffalo mozzarella. Tonight.”

I considered her problem. “Try Jace,” I said. “I know he’s at home right now. He probably has your mozzarella.”

“Ok, I’ll try Jace.” The line went silent for a few seconds, then Tessa said, “All of these angels going off world…should I be worried, Leda?”

“I hope not,” I told her, then hung up.

I finished my orange juice, then crept into the bedroom to peek at my daughter. She and Angel the cat were curled up together on the massive bed, snoring softly. Sierra looked so happy, so peaceful. So totally unaware of the cosmic wars that would be fought over her.

“I have to make sure that never happens,” I whispered to myself as I laid down on the bed next to them. “I have to give her a normal life.”

Sierra sneezed, and the curtains caught on fire. I waved my hand to quickly put out the flames.

“Well, as normal of a life as a child born an angel can possibly have,” I sighed, closing my eyes.

8

LEDA'S ANGELS

When I woke up the next morning, Nero was sitting in an armchair beside the bed, watching over me and Sierra.

“Hey.” I stretched the sleep out of my limbs, then sat up. “Did you get any sleep last night?”

“Not really.”

Beside me, Sierra cooed a few notes, then pulled Angel in closer. Our daughter treated the cat like a teddy bear—a very fluffy, very white, very large teddy bear. Angel was the size of a lion and still growing. She was definitely no ordinary house cat.

“How long have you been sitting there?” I asked Nero, scooting to the edge of the bed.

“A while.” His gaze flickered to Sierra, then back to me. “I like watching over my girls while you sleep.”

I allowed my gaze to sweep over his body. “I don’t mind watching you either, handsome.” I leaned in to kiss him.

His hand flashed out, his finger brushing my lips. “Maybe you should brush your teeth first,” he teased me, his eyes twinkling. “You have morning breath.”

“Angels don’t have morning breath. We always smell like roses.” I smirked at him.

“Even the Angel of Chaos?” he asked as I climbed into his lap.

“Especially the Angel of Chaos.” I lowered my head to his shoulder, then closed my eyes and listened to the steady, soothing beat of his pulse, popping against his skin.

His chuckles blended with the rhythm of his pulse. “Your hair is chaotic, and you somehow managed to put your shirt on backwards.”

“Really?” I opened my eyes. “Huh. I wonder how that happened.”

“Because you’re you.” He folded his arms around me. “Rose-scented or not, I love you the way you are, Pandora. Every hair that’s out of place.” He kissed my head. “Every piece of misplaced clothing.” His hand brushed across my face, gently tucking my wild hair behind my ear.

“How did it go last night?” I asked him. “Did you and your parents find the stolen immortal artifact or the mystery god who stole it?”

“No.” He fell into thoughtful silence.