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C harlotte was finally feeling more herself than she had in the past two days, which she only knew because Grigori had told her.

Two days! She still couldn’t believe that she had gone missing forty-eight hours ago and had experienced two kidnappings during that time. The sad thing was that besides Ava— if she was okay —and Kate, no one would really miss her. She’d always worked too much to have any time for socializing.

The minute Roman had walked away from her, leaving her in quite a state, Grigori had strolled over to her, shirtless.

Does anybody wear shirts around here? Wearing black leather pants and combat boots, his black shoulder-length hair hung in waves around his handsome, boyish face, lit up by his cheeky smile. He’d stood there, his deep brown eyes looking her up and down with a hint of mischief sparkling in them.

I bet he’s an absolute panty-dropper with the ladies, she’d thought. Charlotte had still been reeling from her behavior. She couldn’t believe how much Roman had affected her.

“I am Grigori, and it is an absolute pleasure to meet you.” He’d bowed, taking her hand and giving it a gentle kiss. “Now come, let’s get you cleaned up.”

He completely ignored what Roman had ordered him to do and ushered her up the most stunning black marble stairs she’d ever seen, leading her into a beautiful room. The view of the city was just as spectacular as it had been down in the dining room.

I’m in the Hills.

These men weren’t simply wealthy, they were filthy rich. She could tell by the view that she was in a mansion on one of the highest hills in West Hollywood.

Grigori gave her one of the softest robes she’d ever felt and pushed her into the bathroom. Because she was their prisoner. He’d laughed and done air quotes with his fingers while saying the word. He had made her leave the door open but sat over on the bed so he couldn’t see her. All the while, he talked loudly to her from the other room about what amazing things he was going to cook her for breakfast.

Once Charlotte had finished having the best shower of her life, Grigori led her back downstairs, sat her back at the marble table, and moved to the kitchen, where he was singing loudly.

“Do you want sugar and milk in your coffee?” he called from the other room.

This is so fucking weird, she thought, the amazing aroma of coffee beans making its way to her. Just go with it, she told herself, the smell taking over all her senses. “Yes, please, but just one sugar,” she replied, like they did this all the time.

Charlotte couldn’t wait to drink her coffee and have something to eat. Her stomach screamed for food, plus she had to get some of her strength back. While she had been in the shower, she’d decided she was going to suck it up and be a badass bitch, as Ava would put it, and walk out of this house without anybody stopping her. Otherwise, she would find a phone, call the cops, and wait for them to come get her from this freak show.

Now, feeling a bit better, she’d pieced the last few days together. She was kidnapped by what these people are calling demons. They had fought them and saved her, only to now keep her here for God knows what reason. Grigori seemed nice and was extremely friendly. Maybe he could give me some answers, she wondered, as he came from the kitchen to hand her a cup of coffee.

“Give me two seconds, and I shall bring you out a breakfast feast befitting a queen.” He winked as he returned to the kitchen, singing all the way. She watched his winged tattoo as he went, wondering if they all had the tattoos on their backs.

The smell of food drifted her way, her stomach grumbling in anticipation. Charlotte couldn’t remember when she had eaten last, and she found herself excited about the meal coming her way. From what she could smell, it was going to be delicious.

She took a sip of her coffee, her eyes closing in pure bliss. The scent of it had been incredible, but finally tasting it… Amazing . It was the best coffee she’d ever had, and she groaned as she took another sip, relishing the feel of the warm liquid running down her throat.

“Good, no? I have the coffee beans shipped in from Italy.” Grigori startled her as he returned carrying a large tray. He sat it on the table, taking platters off and arranging them in front of her.

Charlotte nodded with a small smile. “Yes, thank you.” She couldn’t believe her eyes as she gazed at all the food.

Croissants, waffles, pancakes, all kinds of syrup, jams, and a beautiful platter of assorted fruit.

“You made all of this?” Her stomach grumbled louder than before.

“Yes, of course. It’s nice to cook for someone else other than these ungrateful angels for a change.” He chuckled. “Oh, hang on.” He smiled before rushing off to the kitchen again.

Angels? Memories of a blur of giant wings, Armaros with his purple glowing eyes, flooded her mind. Hell, she had seen Roman’s eyes glow a few times now. Then, there were her dreams and talks of demons. If demons were real, then she supposed it made sense angels would exist as well. Maybe I’m not going crazy after all.

Charlotte decided it was time to accept the things she’d seen and heard. Too many odd things had happened for her to just dismiss it all. Armaros being a real person was proof that everything she’d seen and heard had to be real.

She needed to get some answers, and she had to find out exactly what Grigori meant by angels, ask him about the demons, and find out how she was involved in all this madness. Then she would get the hell out of here and find Ava.

Oh no, Kate. Panic hit her. Charlotte didn’t show up for the morning shift, so Kate would get the blame and maybe even lose her job. Charlotte needed a phone ASAP.

“Now we can eat.” Grigori returned with another tray full of food, and this time, he set out platters full of crispy bacon, hash browns, poached eggs, baked beans, and baby sausages with an array of different sauces and salt and pepper.

“Oh my god, this all looks so amazing. I can’t even remember when I ate last, Grigori. Thank you.” Charlotte beamed at him, truly grateful for his kindness.

Grigori stilled as he reached for two empty plates, his brow creased in a small frown. He quickly gave a shake of his head, dazzling her with another smile.

“Prego, you’re welcome. Now eat. It is a sin to go hungry.”

Was that Italian he’d spoken? she wondered, remembering one of Ava’s flings who’d been a tourist from Italy.

“Grigori, may I ask a favor?” Charlotte asked shyly.

Grigori’s brow creased again as he stilled and stared at her. “Depends on what it is and if it’s in my ability to grant it, my sweet.”

“One of my friends is heavily pregnant. I was supposed to show up and cover her shift, but I was… taken. I need to call her or my work and make sure she doesn’t get into too much trouble. Our boss is a horrible man. Please?” she begged, praying he would help her.

Grigori smiled. “Don’t stress yourself. You know I can not give you a phone, what with you being our prisoner.” Again, with the air quotes. “But I will see what I can do. What’s the name of the place?”

“Hal’s Dinner,” Charlotte blurted out immediately, relief washing over her. “Oh my god, thank you so much.”

Grigori smiled and told her not to think anything of it as he placed a plate in front of her and encouraged her to take one of everything.

“When I said get her something to eat, I meant a sandwich, not an all-you-can-eat buffet breakfast,” came Roman’s deep voice from the doorway.

Charlotte couldn’t help but take in his appearance. Just seeing him made her whole body come alive again. Roman was leaning against the door frame, watching her with those blue eyes she was becoming familiar with. His face gave nothing away.

He wore a pair of black jeans with black lace-up combat boots. Must be the go-to footwear around here. His white button-up long-sleeved shirt was untucked, with the top few buttons undone, giving her a teasing glimpse of his chest. The sleeves were rolled up past his elbows, his short blond hair still damp from his shower.

He looked sexy as hell, and much to her annoyance, she wanted to finish what they’d started before. When he’d stalked away from her earlier, he’d left her body ablaze and achingly aroused. She could still feel his warm tongue running up her neck. Charlotte had never been so attracted to someone in her life. No one had ever awakened her body like this man had, and she hated herself for letting some stranger, let alone a kidnapper, make her lose control of all rational thought the way he did.

It definitely won’t be happening again, she told herself, dragging her gaze from him, angry with herself all over again for even taking note of how goddamn good-looking he was. Bastard, she thought, ignoring him and taking a bite of a croissant.

Her eyes slid shut as an explosion of flavor hit her, and Charlotte couldn’t help letting out a little moan.

Oh, how I have missed food, she absently thought, taking another massive bite, her hunger taking over.

“No way was I passing up an opportunity to cook for someone who will actually appreciate how amazing I am at it.” Grigori beamed at Charlotte, and she couldn’t help but give him a small smile in return. What could she say? His upbeat, bubbly personality was infectious. “Look how happy she is. It tastes amazing, no?” he asked her as he sipped his coffee.

Charlotte nodded, giving him another smile. She had so much croissant stuffed into her mouth that her cheeks puffed out, but she didn’t care if she looked like a pig. No matter how starved she was, her love affair with the rest of the food on her plate would not be ruined by anyone, not even her kidnapper.

Roman sighed, and Charlotte watched as he headed into the kitchen, shaking his head. Charlotte swallowed her giant mouthful without choking to death, then turned to Grigori.

“Will you be in trouble for feeding me?”

Grigori chuckled. “No, he might act all doom and gloom, but from what I witnessed when I walked in on you two before, you may find things will be different now. I don’t think you will get locked up in the cells anymore.” He put a fork full of waffle in his mouth.

Charlotte frowned. “Why was I locked up? Why am I a prisoner here?”

“Because someone we know is looking for you, and if he gets a hold of you, life as you know it will never be the same,” Grigori told her as Roman walked back into the room with a cup of coffee, taking a seat next to her.

“I don’t understand. What would someone want with me? I am literally the most boring person in the world. All I do is work and go home. I’m usually so tired I barely even go out.” Charlotte couldn’t help the feeling of emptiness and sadness creeping over her. Yes, she had two amazing friends in her life, but other than that, she felt like her life was simply worthless and boring as hell.

“Look, for you to understand this completely, we’re going to have to tell you some things. You will probably think we are crazy, but it’s simply the truth,” Roman said, watching her carefully.

Charlotte nodded, having a bite of her pancake. “After what I’ve seen and heard in the past few days, I think you might find me more open-minded than you think. So, please explain to me what the hell is going on.”

How are these pancakes so good?

Roman sighed, looking at Grigori, who was currently enjoying his second round of waffles.

“You may as well tell her everything. It’s obvious we aren’t going to kill her now,” Grigori said, chewing loudly.

Charlotte dropped her fork. “What? Kill me?” She turned to Roman, angry. “You were going to kill me?” She didn’t know why, but she felt… betrayed.

You don’t even know him. Stop being ridiculous .

Roman rubbed his hand down his face, glaring at Grigori. “Yes, we discussed it, but I was against it. Listen, Charlotte—Grigori, myself, and the others who live here—we aren’t human. We were once angels, but we have fallen. With all good, there comes bad. Demons are also real, and we spend our days hunting the filthy creatures and killing them. I don’t know if you’re familiar with biblical history, but have you heard the name Lucifer before?”

Charlotte sat there, taking in everything Roman was telling her. Everything I’ve seen is real. The wings she’d seen were real, and Roman and Armaros with their glowing eyes. Magic had healed her. But it was the word demon that haunted her the most. Demons are real… It meant all the terrifying things she’d seen in her dreams were also real.

She gave him a small nod. “Yes, he was once an angel but now is in Hell. I don’t really know much, but I know he’s the devil.”

“Good,” Roman approved as he drank his coffee. “But no, he’s not the devil. He was an angel like us, but he fell into Hell. He is trapped there, supposedly unable to ever get out.”

“What do you mean, supposedly ?” She didn’t think she was going to like Roman’s answer.

He stared at her intently, his brilliant blue eyes gazing into hers. “That, I’m afraid, is where you come in. We heard Lucifer was searching for someone. It turns out that someone is you. We haven’t figured it out yet, but you play a part in releasing him from Hell. We cannot allow that to happen.”

“So, you were going to kill me to stop it all from happening?” she whispered, looking at Grigori, then at Roman.

Grigori nodded. “No offense, but it seemed like the reasonable thing to do. If it’s worth anything, I take my vote to kill you back. I quite like you.”

Charlotte stared at the man. “Um, thank you? I think.”

What the hell was she supposed to think? A fallen angel wanted to use her to get out of Hell and do pretty bad things, she guessed. It was reasonable for these men—no, not men, angels— to conclude that killing her was the best choice.

“But I don’t want to die,” she whispered.

Roman looked at her, a fleeting expression of anguish passing over his face. “You’re not going to die, Charlotte. We will protect you, keep the demons away. But…”

“I need to stay here, don’t I?”

“Yes. It’s the only way to keep you safe.”

“If I decide to stay, and that’s a big if , no more cells?”

Roman shook his head. “No more cells, I promise.”

“Eccellente, then it’s settled.” Grigori clapped his hands, smiling.

“What’s settled?” Charlotte turned to find Armaros standing there, swallowing up the doorway.

His hair tied back made those odd violet eyes stand out more. She looked the giant man up and down, taking in his all-black outfit—leather pants, combat boots, of course , and a plain T-shirt. His giant tattooed arms looked like they’d split the seams of his shirt at any moment.

He must be nearly seven feet tall, she realized. She’d never had time to take his appearance in properly in her dreams. They were always running or hiding, or he was fighting off the demons. Not liking the way he was looking at her, Charlotte put her head down, stuffing some more pancakes into her mouth, just in case it ended up being her last meal.