Page 16

Audrey

I step out of the shadows with Cassian and Brenden, finding that everyone else has already arrived. It always seems I’m the last one to arrive for the war council meetings.

Except, as I look around, not everyone is here. Neither Lucifer nor Mom is here yet.

That’s…weird.

I shake my head, not liking the path my thoughts are trying to take. My eyes find Wren first, where she’s being cornered by Gael, Octavius, and Riggs.

My eyes narrow as I take a step toward them, wondering why they’re all surrounding her like that, but I’m pulled to a stop by Wraith. I didn’t notice him join us, but he’s quickly followed by Donovan and Nex.

“I wouldn’t if I were you,” Wraith warns me, and I tilt my head as I stare back at him. I feel like he’s trying to tell me something, but I have no idea what it is.

“You’re not my mates!” Wren yells, catching everyone’s attention in the room as it falls silent. “Wouldn’t I know it if you were?”

She says the last part so quietly that I have to strain to hear her words, and they hit me like a ton of bricks.

Of course, Wren wouldn’t know who her mates were if she was anything like me. The only reason I knew my mates were mine is because they told me they were—and I hadn’t believed them until I spoke with the Fates.

I should’ve known we’d have to deal with this eventually, but I didn’t realize that the other three horsemen were her mates.

Even from where I stand, I can see the fear and pain on my sister’s flushed face. I don’t know what made them approach her today, but now isn’t the time for this.

They don’t even know half the shit my sister went through in her marriage with Michael. Hell, I still don’t know everything .

Shaking off Wraith’s arm, I storm over to the four of them and squeeze between Gael and Riggs so I can stand in front of my sister.

“Back off,” I practically growl, baring my teeth.

“But Aud—” Octavius starts, but I cut him off with a glare.

“This isn’t the time.” My voice is quiet as Wren buries her head in my back. “We’re planning a war, for fuck’s sake. Plus, you’re overwhelming her. Can’t you see that?”

All three of their faces fall as they take a step backward, then another and another.

“We’re sorry, Wren.” Gael ducks his head. “We didn’t mean to overwhelm you.”

Wren moves to stand beside me, grabbing my hand. “I know you didn’t, but I’m just not…I’m not ready for this.”

Riggs grunts but nods his head. “We understand.”

“Will you still sit with us?” Octavius asks, hope filling his voice.

Wren stiffens beside me before giving them a nod. “Yes, but I don’t want to hear any more talk about mates. ”

The three of them agree before turning away and joining my men. I lift my brows as I turn to my sister.

“Do you have something you want to share with me?”

“No.” She ducks her head, her cheeks burning brighter. “At least not yet. We have more important things to focus on.”

I hum. “I’m not sure I agree that they’re more important, but I get your point. I’ll be here when you’re ready to talk.”

She nods, looking uncomfortable as I lead her toward my friends. I come to a stop when I realize they’re not alone.

Celeste is speaking with Charon, flipping her long blonde hair over her shoulder as her green eyes sparkle. She’s nearly as tall as him. He’s only about two inches taller than her six-foot figure, and if I’m not mistaken, she’s flirting with him.

Celeste is flirting with the ferryman? How? Why?

I can’t even begin to wrap my mind around that, so I’m not going to try. At least not right now.

As if my mind wasn’t just blown by the fact that the three horsemen think they’re my sister’s mate. I don’t have the spoons to deal with any of this, considering what we’re meeting about.

My eyes find Diana’s blonde head, and I’m not surprised to see her with Melody and Warren.

While I haven’t gotten to spend a lot of time with the couple currently dating one of my besties, I really like them so far.

They both look at Diana with hearts in their eyes, and there’s nothing more I could want for her.

They’re also gorgeous.

Melody with her beautiful terra-cotta skin, light brown braids cascading down her back, long legs, and soft curves. Warren’s bronzed skin shows off his Hispanic ancestry, along with his black hair and pale blue eyes. The three of them together are striking.

Except it’s not just the three of them. They’re speaking with Nyx and Erebus, both of whom keep reaching out to touch the trio.

Seriously? What the hell is going on around here?

I’m all for my friends and family finding love, but I wasn’t prepared for any of this. I know I’ve been dealing with my own shit, but shouldn’t I have seen this coming? There’s no way any of them are this comfortable if this was brand new .

“Sorry, I’m late again.” Lucifer’s voice pulls my gaze off my friends. He and my mom are standing at the head of the table. “Why don’t we have a seat and get this meeting started?”

I’ve never been more grateful for Lucifer popping in out of nowhere before.

I hurriedly take a seat, dragging Wren to sit beside me, but she pulls away with a shake of her head. “I promised Octavius I would sit with them.”

Before I can argue, she’s already darting around the table to take the seat Riggs is holding for her. I kind of thought she was just saying that so they’d leave her alone. Then again, Wren’s never been like that.

Brenden and Wraith sit on either side of me, my other mates filling in the seats around them as everyone sits.

When Celeste and Diana wave at me, I quickly return them.

I think we’re going to need to have a girl’s day soon so they can fill me in on what’s going on with their lives.

I’ll bring Wren along, as the three of them get along well. Maybe Melody can join us as well.

“So why are you arriving so late, Lucifer?” Cerberus asks, leaning back in his chair.

“Ana and I were getting a forge set up for her. She believes she can provide weapons for the upcoming battle. In fact, I’ll let her talk about that now.”

Lucifer sits down, leaving my mom standing beside him.

She looks around the table awkwardly before filling us in on her plans.

Like my grandfather—it’s so weird to say that after growing up thinking Mom and Wren were the only family I have—Mom has the ability to create magical weapons.

She believes with Hecate’s help, she can make the weapons strong enough to kill angels.

I tune out when she starts talking about the magic needed to make the weapons able to kill all angels and not just a specific one since they have different vulnerabilities.

That’s all fine and dandy, but how does that help us figure out when the battle will be?

Sure, we need a way to fight the demigods, but until we know when and where, I can’t focus on the rest of it. It’s just not how my brain works.

When Mom joins us at our end of the table, I turn my attention back to Lucifer as he and the other gods speak.

It seems I’m not the only one who is focused on figuring out the details .

“We still don’t know when or where Michael and the other angels will attack.” Thanatos’s fists clench on the table as he speaks. “We need to figure that out or everything else will be for nothing. We can’t make a plan without knowing the details.”

Lucifer nods. “I’m aware. Unfortunately, we’ve kind of stalled out on that front. Do you want us to just sit here and twiddle our thumbs while we wait for inspiration to strike?”

Thanatos grunts. “You know I don’t.”

“Has anyone been able to think of anything that might be relevant to us figuring out those particulars?” he asks, eyes running along the table.

“I thought not, but Thanatos is right. Until we can figure out his plan, we can’t really move forward with planning.

I think we’ll take a break from these meetings until someone thinks of something. ”

Hypnos clears his throat. “And what if no one does?”

“Then we’ll meet again in four days. Because we’ll have to have some kind of plan, even if we can’t figure it out.” Lucifer runs a hand over his face, and I realize just how tired he looks. “If there’s nothing else—”

“Before we go, I’d like to say something.

” Hecate doesn’t look worried about cutting off my dad, even when he shoots her an annoyed glare.

“There are six of us who have had many interactions with Michael. We know him best. We have to be able to figure out what he’s up to.

We might have to delve deep into our memories, but we all know how much he likes to think he’s smarter than all of us.

He told Lucifer it would be within the month because he wants us to figure it out.

And he’s really not as smart as he thinks.

There’s no reason we can’t figure this out. ”

“It’s not just the six of you,” I tell her, leaning forward. “Wren was married to him for a few years. She might not have known what he was, and he was very good at hiding his evil, but she might know more than she thinks she does.”

Hecate inclines her head toward me before focusing on Wren. “Your sister is right. It might not be anything you remember consciously, either. If you can, try to go back through your interactions with him and see if there’s anything you can glean from them.”

Wren nods. “I’ll try, but I’m not sure what you think I’ll know—either of you. He hid so much from me.”

“He did,” I agree. “But he might have slipped up. Even if it seems insignificant, bring it up. It could make something click in someone else’s mind.”

“Okay.”

Lucifer shoots me and Wren a smile before pushing to his feet. “Did anyone else have anything to add?” He looks around the table, and when no one speaks up, he nods.

“If anyone comes up with any ideas, please reach out, and I’ll call a meeting.

If not, we’ll meet in four days. We’ll have to come up with something vague that we can adapt to any situation, which is probably going to be harder than us trying to figure out what the hell he’s up to.

” He drags his hand through his hair before straightening up.

“Wraith, I’d like to speak to you about the academy if you have some time. ”

“Of course.” Wraith offers me a tight smile when I turn to look at him.

“Alright then, those of us who know or knew Michael will try to piece together what we can. The rest of you, I guess, enjoy your days off until we need to come back together again. Wraith?” Lucifer steps back into the shadows and disappears .

Wraith leans down and kisses me. “I’m going to take Brenden and Nex with me since they’re teaching at the academy.”

“Fine, if you must.” I wrinkle my nose but accept a kiss from Brenden while ignoring Nex hovering behind me.

I’m still mad at him, and I have no idea why I decided to tell him to stay and watch me be fucked by my other mates yesterday, but I don’t regret it.

Brenden is right. I do like others watching while I have sex with my mates, but not just anyone.

I only like it when it’s one of my mates—even if I’m pissed at him.

Shaking my head, I wave at them before standing and hurrying over to my friends.

“We need a girls’ night,” I blurt out without bothering to greet them.

Celeste shakes her head as Diana just grins at me. They’re both used to my bullshit.

“I’m definitely down,” Celeste says, nudging Diana, who nods.

“Tonight?” Diana asks.

I nod, and the three of us hash out the details.

We drag Melody and Wren over to make sure they’re willing to join us, and when I leave with Cassian and Donovan, I feel a bit more settled.

Everyone better be ready to spill tonight.

I don’t know how much longer we have until we’re all battling for our lives and the lives of millions of others, but I damn well plan on finding out what’s going on with my friends before that happens.