Page 11

I woke up to sunlight streaming through the windows of Levi’s apartment, painting the exposed concrete walls with a golden glow. For a moment, I just lay there, savoring the feel of the soft sheets against my skin and the warmth of Levi’s arm draped around my waist.

It was the first time in weeks that I’d slept through the night without waking up in pain or panic. My magic hummed beneath my skin, calm and steady like a heartbeat, no longer fighting for dominance with foreign power. It felt right—like coming home after being lost for far too long.

I shifted slightly, careful not to wake Levi, and ran a mental inventory of my body. No tightness in my chest. No pressure behind my eyes. No feeling like I might explode at any second. Just me, just my own magic, perfectly in balance.

“Stop thinking so loudly,” Levi murmured, his voice rough with sleep. His arm tightened around me, pulling me closer against his chest. “It’s too early for that, sweetheart.”

I laughed softly, turning to face him. His hair was tousled, his eyes still heavy-lidded, and something warm bloomed in my chest at the sight. “I can’t help it. I feel normal again.”

“Normal?” He quirked an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at his lips. “I wouldn’t go that far.”

I rolled my eyes and shoved at his shoulder, but there was no real force behind it. “You know what I mean.”

He caught my hand, bringing it to his lips. “I do.” His expression softened, something serious flickering in his eyes. “How's the magic?”

I closed my eyes, focusing inward, searching for that familiar well of power. It responded instantly, a gentle pulse of energy that felt as natural as breathing. “Good. Calm. Like it’s been waiting for me to come back to it.”

“Good.” His thumb traced circles on the inside of my wrist, his touch sending shivers across my skin. “Now, can we go back to sleep?”

“No way,” I said, pushing myself up to sit against the headboard. “We’ve got work to do. Rhodes is still out there with the dagger, and we don't have a clue what he's planning.”

Levi groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “Couldn't we at least have one day of peace before diving back into the apocalypse?”

I gave him a wry smile. “Since when did you become the optimist between us?”

“I’m not an optimist,” he grumbled, sitting up beside me. “I’m just tired of chasing shadows. We don't even know where to start.”

He was right, of course. We had the crystal from the dragon shifter—which I now needed to return before the blood oath started to take effect—and I had my magic back, but we were still no closer to finding Rhodes or figuring out his plan for Elysium.

“We start with what we know,” I said, reaching for my phone on the nightstand. “Let's call everyone, see if anyone’s heard anything.”

Over the next few hours, we cycled through calls to every contact we had.

I spoke with Erin, Rey, Shane, Raika, Hazel, Almae, and even tried Drake’s private line, but the answer was always the same: nothing.

Elysium had gone quiet. No angels spotted on Earth, no disturbances, no hints of what Rhodes might be planning next.

“It doesn’t make sense,” I said, tossing my phone onto the coffee table where Levi and I had set up a makeshift command center. “He has the dagger. Why isn’t he making a move?”

Levi leaned back on the couch, his expression thoughtful. “Maybe he already did, and we just don't know it yet.”

A chill crept up my spine at the thought. “What do you mean?”

“Think about it, sweetheart. If Rhodes wanted to use the dagger on Adona, he wouldn’t announce it to the whole realm. He’d do it quietly, take over with minimal resistance.”

“But Ezekiel would have told us if Adona was gone,” I argued. “He has eyes inside the castle.”

“Unless he doesn’t know either.” Levi stood and started pacing the length of the living room. “We’re missing something here.”

Frustration welled up inside me, and I could feel my magic responding, crackling beneath my skin like static electricity. I clenched my fists, trying to keep it in check, but it had been weeks since I’d used my powers freely, and the urge to release it was overwhelming.

Levi noticed, his gaze sharpening as he watched me. “Come on,” he said, grabbing his keys from the counter. “Let’s get out of here.”

“Where are we going?”

A smirk played at the corner of his mouth. “You need to blow off some steam, sweetheart. And I know just the place.”

Two minutes later, we were back at the warehouse, but this time, it wasn’t a prison. Levi had used his magic to erect shadowy dummies along the far wall.

“Really?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “This is your grand plan?”

“It’s been a while since you've used your magic,” he said, folding his arms across his chest. “Need to make sure you’re still in fighting shape.”

I rolled my shoulders, feeling the magic pulse beneath my skin, eager and ready. “I guess we’ll find out.”

Taking a deep breath, I centered myself, focusing on the first target. I called the magic, letting it well up from my core and flow down my arm. It came willingly, a rush of warm, golden energy that danced across my fingertips.

With a flick of my wrist, I sent a bolt of light hurtling toward the target. It struck true, right in the center of the dummy's chest, exploding in a shower of sparks. The impact knocked the target back against the wall, where it shuddered before righting itself.

A laugh bubbled up from my chest, pure exhilaration coursing through me. “It still works!”

“Did you think it wouldn’t?” Levi asked, his voice low and teasing.

I shrugged, already focusing on the next target. “After everything that’s happened, I wasn't sure.”

One by one, I worked through the targets, my magic flowing more smoothly with each blast. It felt incredible, like stretching a muscle after being cramped for too long.

By the time I reached the last dummy, I was breathing hard, sweat beading on my forehead, but I felt more alive than I had in weeks.

“Show-off,” Levi said as I sent a particularly flashy burst of light through the final target, spinning it like a top before it crashed to the floor.

“You're just jealous,” I shot back, grinning at him.

His eyes darkened, and he took a step toward me. “Jealous? Of what?”

“That I make it look so good.”

A low chuckle rumbled from his chest, and suddenly, he was right in front of me, his hands settling on my waist. “You know what else you make look good?”

“What?” I asked, my voice breathier than I intended.

His lips curved into a smirk, and he leaned in, his breath hot against my ear. “Everything.”

Before I could respond, his mouth was on mine, hot and demanding. The magic still humming beneath my skin seemed to respond to his touch, warming and spreading like wildfire. I melted into him, my hands sliding up his chest and into his hair.

He backed me up against one of the chaise lounges—remnants from my time trapped in the circle—and pressed me down onto it, his body covering mine. His lips traced a burning path down my neck, and I arched into him, all thoughts of Rhodes and Elysium momentarily forgotten.

“Levi,” I gasped as his hands slid under my shirt, his touch setting my skin on fire.

He pulled back just enough to look at me, his eyes dark with desire. “Yes, sweetheart?”

“Don't stop.”

His smile was wicked, full of promise, and as he lowered his mouth to mine again, I surrendered to the feeling, letting the world fade away until there was nothing but us, tangled together in the quiet of the warehouse.

* * *

Another day passed, and the restlessness only grew. I spent the morning curled up on an armchair, trying to read an actual fiction book, not one for research, but my mind couldn’t focus on the words on the page.

Levi watched me from the couch, amusement flickering in his eyes as I turned another page.

“You know, there are more productive ways to relax,” he drawled, a suggestive note in his voice.

I shot him a look, but I couldn't help the small smile that tugged at my lips. “We can't just stay in bed all day.”

“Why not? I'm a demon. Sloth is kind of our thing.”

“And I'm an angel. We're supposed to be virtuous.”

He raised an eyebrow. “That ship sailed a long time ago, sweetheart.”

I tossed the book aside with a sigh, and moved to the couch with him. “I just can't stop thinking about Ezekiel. What if he was caught? What if Rhodes figured out he was spying for us?”

Levi's expression sobered. “He knew the risks when he offered to help.”

“That doesn't make it any better.” I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “If we don't hear from him in another day or two, I'm going in.”

“Going in where, exactly?”

“Elysium,” I said, my voice steady despite the flutter of anxiety in my chest. “I need to see what's happening for myself.”

Levi's jaw tightened. “That's a suicide mission, sweetheart.”

“I’m not asking for your permission, Levi.” I met his gaze head-on, refusing to back down. “I'm not going to sit here while Rhodes dismantles everything I've ever believed in.”

For a moment, I thought he might argue, but instead, he just shook his head. “You're going to get yourself killed.”

“Maybe. But at least I'll have tried.”

He studied me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. “Well, if you're determined to walk into the lion's den, I'm not going to stop you. But I don't have to like it.”

I reached for his hand, twining my fingers with his. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For understanding.”

The corner of his mouth quirked up in a wry smile. “Don't thank me yet, sweetheart. If you get yourself killed, I'm going to be very annoyed.”

Before I could respond, a sharp beep cut through the air—the alert from the warehouse's motion sensors. Levi was on his feet in an instant, his expression shifting from relaxed to alert in the blink of an eye.

“Stay here,” he said, moving toward the office where the magical door connected to his apartment.

“Not a chance,” I replied, following close behind him.

We slipped through the door, stepping into the main area of the warehouse. At first, I saw nothing but shadows and dust motes dancing in the beams of sunlight that filtered through the high windows. But then, a movement caught my eye—a figure emerging from behind a stack of crates.

“Ezekiel?” I called, relief washing over me.

The young angel stepped forward, his face drawn with exhaustion. “Sorry it took me so long.” His voice was hoarse, like he hadn't slept in days. “Things are intense up there.”

Levi gestured for him to come closer. “You look like hell, kid.”

“Thanks,” Ezekiel said dryly. He glanced between us, his brow furrowing slightly. “You look better, Ariella. Were you able to fix your magic?”

I nodded. “I'm okay now. What about you? What's happening in Elysium?”

Ezekiel ran a hand through his disheveled hair. “Rhodes and Haines are up to something big. They've been pulling guardians from their posts, bringing them to the castle—only the ones they trust completely.”

A cold weight settled in my stomach. “And the others?”

“There's an archangel who disappeared a day ago,” Ezekiel said, his voice dropping to just above a whisper. “Sabriel. He was outspoken about his concerns regarding Rhodes's leadership.”

“You think they killed him?” Levi asked bluntly.

Ezekiel nodded, his expression grim. “I can't prove it, but the timing is suspicious. And he's not the first to vanish after questioning Rhodes.”

I swallowed hard, trying to push back the surge of anger that rose in my chest. “What else?”

“I might have found a way for you to get into Elysium,” Ezekiel said, his voice lifting slightly. “There's a garden behind the castle—the Light Garden. The golden lilies that grow there, they're special.”

“Special how?” I asked, leaning forward.

“They're used to make an elixir,” he explained. “It grants other supernaturals the ability to cross the gates temporarily. It's only used for special events and meetings, and it hasn't been used in years, but it exists.”

Hope flickered to life inside me. “How did you find out about this?”

A ghost of a smile crossed Ezekiel's face. “I asked a high ranked professor. Tried to be casual about it—said I was studying the history of supernatural relations with Elysium for a class. He didn't suspect anything.”

“And you think you can get some of these lilies?” Levi asked, his tone skeptical.

Ezekiel nodded. “The garden isn't heavily guarded. It's mostly ceremonial these days. If I'm careful, I can sneak in and take what we need.”

I exchanged a glance with Levi, a plan already forming in my mind. “We have witches who could work with the lilies, make the elixir.”

“They wouldn’t know how to make the elixir,” Levi said, though I could tell by the gleam in his eyes that he was already on board.

“It’ll be trial and error,” I replied. “But this is the best shot we have.”

Ezekiel shifted his weight, looking suddenly nervous. “I should head back before anyone notices I'm gone.”

I caught his arm before he could turn away. “Ezekiel, wait.” His eyes met mine, questioning. “My sister, my mother … You’re keeping an eye on them, right?”

“Always.”

“If anything seems wrong, if you think they're in danger, or things are escalating, get them out of there. Hide them if you have to.”

“I will,” he promised, his voice solemn. “I care about them too, Ariella.”

The sincerity in his eyes made my throat tighten. “I know.”

He stared at me, his jaw set with determination. “I'll be back with the lilies as soon as I can.”

As he turned to leave, I called after him, “Be careful, Zeke.”

He glanced back at me, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Always am.”

We watched him go, slipping out through the warehouse doors and into the sunlight beyond. For a long moment, neither of us spoke, the weight of what was to come settling heavily between us.

“So,” Levi finally said, breaking the silence. “Looks like we're going to Elysium after all.”

I nodded, my mind already racing with plans and possibilities. “We need to call Abbie, Lacey, and the others. If Ezekiel comes through with the lilies, we need to be ready.”

Levi's hand found mine, his grip steady and warm. “Why call when we can visit?” He flipped one of the coins in his other hand.

I smiled at him. “Even better.”