Page 134 of Princess of Bael

Not only was that an indirect attack against me, but it also implied someone in Heaven was working against the balance.

“Additionally,” I continued, “the four beings in the human realm who created the portal that granted Hell direct access to Heaven wore similar cuffs that allowed them to portal at will. I strongly suspect those cuffs are hiding their true auras as well.”

Mietek’s eyebrows rose. “They were on Earth?”

“Yes.”

Azrael and Mietek shared a look. Raziel didn’t move, but his gaze narrowed—the only tell that what I’d said surprised him. As the Archangel of Secrets, it wasn’t typical for him to be on the outside of something so clandestine.

About the only one in the room who didn’t appear fazed at all was Fate.

Which made sense since she had probably foreseen the entire event.

“They used Kristina’s power to create a barrier similar to veil energy, then they unleashed an inferno on us that nearly drained my mate of power because of her faulty cuff, and then they called a shadow being into the human realm.” The summary of events possessed the desired impact—shock. “So you can see why I’m here.”

Mietek held out his hand. “May I see it?”

I strode over and placed it in his palm.

He jolted at the bolt of electricity it delivered, his dark eyes narrowing. “Thanks for the warning.”

“I already explained what it did,” I drawled. “But at least now you can feel how powerful my mate has become.”

Mietek gave me a dry look. “We all felt your balance, yes.”

Raziel smirked at that.

I did not. “You were the one who told me to use her, Mietek.”

“And I think we can agree that you did a hell of a lot more than that,” he returned, his focus falling to the cuff.

That comment didn’t deserve a response.

Because obviously it was a hell of a lot more.

I folded my arms as I waited for his assessment. Rather than provide one, he handed the item to Azrael. He didn’t react to the vibration of power, instead choosing to pass it on to Raphaela.

She sighed as she took the metal into her hand, her pupils flaring to overtake her light irises. Her lips flattened as she tossed the cuff away. “Damning energy.” She shuddered, her eyes falling closed. “That’s the opposite of healing.”

Azrael stroked the edge of her wing, his opposite arm going around her waist to pull her back against him. She trembled once more, her eyes falling closed as she allowed their bond to heal her.

That’s what I want with Kayla,I thought.That innate trust that I’ll be there when she needs to fall.

We’d taken a major step forward overnight, our bodies joining in a beautiful balance of power and divine energy. But I wanted more.

I wanted to restore her faith in me.

And I would spend eternity trying to achieve that.

“Who had access to my quarters?” I asked, shelving my thoughts and desires for another day. Right now, I wanted answers about who had tried to harm my mate.

“I don’t think anyone here did that,” Raphaela whispered, her eyes still closed. “I think coming here triggered a fail-safe.”

My brow crinkled. “What?”

“It didn’t radiate that negative energy when it fell from her wrist,” she continued as though I hadn’t spoken. “Mietek would have sensed it, too.”

He nodded. “Yes, and I didn’t.”