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“Yes,” one of the men in my ear hissed. “This is exactly where you were supposed to be, Princess.”

I flinched from his breath, trying my best to get as far away as possible.

I thought angels were supposed to be kind. I thought they were supposed to be good and powerful and righteous.

But every inch of my body that touched them repulsed in a way that was worse than even the rabid vampyres. At least those beasts looked like my enemies.

An enemy who looked like a friend was much, much more dangerous.

“Why are you calling me that?” I seethed.

More laughter came from them. More rough dragging through the streets until we appeared at an archway in the cobblestone, one of the few structures that remained standing. Through the arch, a series of steps led underground.

I prayed that the real Golden City lay hidden through this archway, but the knot in my stomach warned me against it.

Nothing good ever came from deep, dirty, underground hideouts.

“After you.” The guard to my right gripped my arm even tighter.

I hesitated for a mere second, but it was enough for one of them to shove me forward, sending me tumbling down the stairs and busting my knees open on the stone ground at the bottom.

I wasn’t sure why I still expected Wolf to be at my side in an instant. I was very certain, though, that the crack in my chest from his indifference hurt much worse than the blood that now dripped from my knees.

In fact, I liked the pain that now radiated down my legs. It was a pleasant distraction from the absolute betrayal that was seconds away from immobilizing me.

The worst part was that he couldfeelit. I didn’t have the energy to try and hide my emotions of betrayal from our bond. He felt all of this, and yet he did not even flinch.

“Up,” one of the males ordered. I got to my feet, not bothering to look for Wolf. Not daring a glance at his eyes; I knew I wasn’t strong enough to see what would be there. “Walk.”

I walked forward, into the underground tunnel that felt more like death than death itself.

And I had never felt more alone.

My heart raced. Perhaps death would have been better.

What would Lord think?Surely, he had no clue what would come of this. Hells, maybe he sent me here because he knew I would be strong enough to survive it.

If that was the case, I questioned his decision-making. I was not strong. Not strong enough for this, anyway.

“This way!” the angel ordered, leading us through a path of dark underground tunnels that eventually opened to a dimly lit, circular room with a throne in the center.

A fuckingthrone.

Iron and blades melded together, creating the massive structure in the center of the room that screamed power.

That wasn’t nearly as terrifying as the male seated upon it.

Massive white wings, larger than even Wolf’s, lazily fell over each side of the iron-wielded throne. The male seated upon it nearly made me squint by the power pouring from him. Similar to the angel who had taken us, his magic radiated around him in a way that made me think I could touch it if I just reached out and—

No.These were enemies. Every single ounce of this was wrong.

“Well.” The male on the throne lifted his chin, greeting us in response. I did not look to see how Wolf reacted as we were ushered forward, only feet away from the center of the room. “You’ve finally made it, son. I expected you to be dead by now.”

Wolf stepped forward.Son?

He had told me that his father waited for him inside the Golden City, that he was the one behind the vampyre attack, but this?

The angel on the throne shifted, noticing my confusion. Wolf stepped to the side of the throne, his black wings now resembling the angel’s in every way except color.