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I prefer to think of it as self-confidence, he said.

I’m sure, I laughed.

“Anyone else think we’re missing out on some major Leda-Nero flirting?” Tessa said, watching us.

“They’re certainly flirting with their eyes,” Gin agreed.

I scowled at my nosy siblings. “We were discussing our strategy, thank you very much.”

“Strategy,” Zane said slowly, dragging out the word. “Gotcha.”

“You guys are hilarious.” I rolled my eyes at them to let them know how much I meant it. Then I took a bite of Calli’s cake, moaning when its sugary, chocolatey goodness melted on my tongue like warm butter. “I love you.”

Nero looked from me, to the cake. “Do you two want to be alone?”

“Yes, please.” I flashed him a smile.

And while I was distracted, Sierra swooped in and stole the cake slice right off my plate.

“Hey!” I called out in protest as she ran away, trailing giggles and happy smacking noises. “That’s my cake!”

“At least she’s not eating it off the floor,” Nero commented, totally unsympathetic.

His statement elicited a round of laughs. Then we cracked open the spell books, determined to find a cure to Bella’s curse.

It was fast approaching midnight. We’d searched all the spell books but found nothing. Everyone was feeling pretty demoralized right about now, and we didn’t even have any cake left to lift our spirits. We’d eaten the last of it hours ago.

“Maybe there isn’t a cure. Maybe this is all—” Bella waved her hand to indicate the spell books and magical magazines that blanketed the dining room table. “—totally hopeless.”

“It’s not hopeless,” I told her, standing. “We just need to come at it from a different angle. I’m going outside for some air. That will help get my brain moving again.”

On my way through the front lounge, I passed Sierra and Angel, cuddled up together on the sofa, fast asleep. I smiled at them, then stepped outside.

The night air nipped at my skin. I hadn’t bothered to put on a jacket—Legion soldiers were trained to withstand the elements—but maybe I should have put on something warmer. Because right now, I didn’t feel like a great and powerful angel. I didn’t feel invulnerable.

I felt powerless.

Ava had turned Bella into a weapon. She was making Bella hurt people—kill people—and it was eating my sister up inside. I’d never seen her so depressed, so hopeless. And I had no idea how I was going to help her.

I stood there for a while, out of sight of the dining room windows. I didn’t want my family to see me like this. I had to be strong. I had to give them hope. I had to convince them we could fix this. Because that was the only way we would.

“I’m fine,” I told Nero. I heard him move toward me. “I just need a moment.”

His hands settled on my shoulders. “Take all the time you need.”

I leaned my back against his chest, and his arms enveloped me. We stood there for a moment, silent, peaceful. And then I turned around to face him.

“You look distracted,” I commented. “What’s on your mind?”

He exhaled slowly, his breath freezing in the air. “I’ve been thinking about my parents’ offer.”

“About our leaving Earth with them?”

He nodded. “Yes.”

“I’ve been thinking about it too,” I told him.

He blinked once. “And what do you think?”