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Damiel seemed to be thinking that over, but clearly he wasn’t completely sold on her argument.

“Nyx needs the cleverest angels on her mission to take down the angel slayers,” Cadence told him with a smile.

Damiel looked appeased by her words. His chest might have puffed out proudly too. “And take them down, I shall,” he vowed solemnly.

Nyx shot Cadence a look that might have actually been awe. It certainly was amazing how Cadence could so masterfully influence the hardheaded angel Damiel Dragonsire.

“Ok, come on. Tell me who is taking over for Colonel Fireswift in training me,” I asked Nyx.

“You’ll have to wait and see.”

That was foreboding. It must have been someone really nasty. Otherwise, Nyx would have just come out and said it.

“Windstriker, Dragonsire, time to go,” Nyx told them. “We have some angel slayers to hunt down.”

Damiel kissed Cadence goodbye. “Take care of yourself, my love.”

Nero set his hands on my shoulders and met my eyes. “I’ll be back soon.”

I kissed him. “You’d better be.”

He looked agitated. “I don’t like leaving you here, especially now.”

While I was pregnant, he meant.

“Nyx has probably put a boatload of security on me and Cadence,” I told him.

“She has,” Damiel announced. “Vanguard soldiers.”

Wow, Nyx was really going all out. The Vanguard was usually reserved for all-out assaults. They were offense, not defense.

“Even so, I should be here, by your side.” Nero touched my face.

I draped my arms over his shoulders and leaned in closer. “Haven’t you often told me that angels should delegate, not micromanage?”

“Funny.”

I kissed him again. “Don’t be so cranky, Nero. I’m sure the Legion’s best and brightest soldiers can hold the line here for a few days. And your mom and I do know a thing or two about battling the forces of evil.”

“Don’t take any unnecessary risks, Pandora.”

“What makes you think that I will?”

“Because you are rather reckless at times.”

“Not anymore. I’m a changed woman. One day of classroom training with Colonel Fireswift on angel decorum has cured me of any and all wickedness.” To prove my point, I shot him a wicked wink.

“Cured of wickedness?” He gave me a crooked smile. “I can see that.”

“Seriously, Nero, I’ll be careful. I’ll keep her safe.” I set a hand on my belly. “And I’ll keep Cadence and your little brother or sister safe too.”

His mouth came down on mine.

But our kiss was cut short by Nyx’s loud clearing of her throat. It was accompanied by the rumble of an airship floating overhead.

I sighed and stepped away from Nero. Nyx was sometimes such a spoilsport.

There was a puff of magic and feathers from the airship above, then a winged soldier flew down and landed before us. I looked at him, a muscular man with chin-length hair and a two-day beard.