Page 80 of Wicked Believer (Original Sinner #2)
Chapter Sixty-Seven
Charlotte
Like the celestial rookie I am, I expected to find Ian and Jax alone, since there was no indication he was acting as anything other than a free agent. But I know I’ve made a major mistake the moment I see Ian standing there, intimidated and shaking, terrified by the sight of my Mother-in-Law.
Honestly, I know the feeling.
Lilith advances on him like she couldn’t care less about the blade in his hand, one of her turning into three as she surrounds him.
Even if it’s the real Holy Lance, it probably won’t work on her anyway.
I hunker down where I stand in the top row of the pews. We’re inside my father’s old megachurch, Victory in His Name, and thankfully, the stadium seating is completely empty, but I’m still far enough away that neither of them is likely to see me.
And I know this place like the back of my hand.
I practically grew up here.
Before my father transformed it into the Righteous stronghold it is now.
Not that it was any better before its Christian nationalism days.
A cult is still a cult by any other name.
Ian’s head swivels back and forth between the three Liliths, and Jax starts to scream, the sound muffled by the gag Ian’s shoved into her mouth.
I stay low, trying to get a read on what’s happening without alerting Jax or anyone else that I’m here. My Mother-in-Law wants grandbabies, so even if I got between her and Ian, she wouldn’t hurt me, right?
But then Michael steps forth from the shadows, and any chance I might have had of getting both Jax and me out of this safely is gone.
What the hell is he doing here?
Michael’s eyes immediately fall to the blade in Ian’s hand, his gaze narrowing like he’s insanely pissed that Ian has a hold of it, and I finally put two and two together.
Whoever possesses it is said to win any battle, Lucifer’s voice echoes inside my head.
That’s why Michael is approaching so slowly.
Why he hasn’t just lunged at Ian and taken it.
Which means . . .
I read Azrael’s expression earlier correctly.
This blade isn’t a fake. Even if the one Michael had previously was.
My blood runs cold.
“Mother, we had an agreement,” Michael says. “Your Seer for my blade.”
“What?” Ian says, rounding on Michael, a desperate look in his eye as the blade he holds against Jax’s throat cuts into her skin and she starts to bleed.
She lets out a muffled cry, and I flinch.
Focus, Charlotte. Focus.
How am I supposed to get us both out of here?
“That wasn’t what we agreed on,” Ian continues.
An idea strikes as I make my way toward the church’s sound and recording booth. Please, God. Please let this work. Please.
There are very few things I’ve prayed for harder.
The audio booth is exactly as I remember it, which makes it so I’m able to work quickly. It was only a few months ago I was regularly in here.
God, it seems like a whole lifetime has passed since then.
I focus my attention back on Michael as I move through the motions, trying to parse out the implications of what I’m overhearing. I could practically do this in my sleep.
If Michael used Ian and the Righteous to abduct Jax in exchange for the blade, the real one, that means ...
Lilith had the true blade all along.
The anthrax. Olivia . . .
It was all her.
But did she actually want me dead?
Or was she playing Lucifer and Michael off one another?
She’s the one who destined me for Lucifer, after all.
I finish setting up the recording equipment, breathing deep to calm myself from where my hands are starting to shake.
But I’ve got this. How many times did I have to help the boomers in the congregation with the PR equipment? Too many times, if you ask me.
It’s not that hard to learn.
You can look basically anything up on your phone these days.
Including a random Kansas megachurch’s livestream.
Michael may have his angelic army, but he won’t have the loyalty of the Righteous anymore. Not for long.
Not if it’s up to me.
“You honestly didn’t expect me to keep my word, did you?” he says to Ian. “You humans were always too trusting of anyone with wings. You might remember that Eve made the same mistake.”
“You promised us the blade. Rapture. That we’d enter God’s kingdom as the ones who made the Serpent fall, if only we did what you asked.” Ian looks a bit panicked as Lilith in all three of her forms circles him, and for a moment, I almost feel a little sorry for him.
If he wasn’t still holding a knife to Jax’s throat, I might even consider trying to save his sorry ass.
“And you shall.” Michael’s lips twist into a cruel, mirthless smile. “Enter my Father’s kingdom, that is. Now that my siblings and I are through with you.”
Suddenly Azrael appears at my side, covering my mouth with one of his large hands to stifle my scream. “Shhh, it’s only me, baby girl,” he grumbles next to my ear, causing a shiver to run through me. “Don’t tell me you didn’t anticipate that I’d find you?”
“I did actually, which is part of why I was willing to risk my own neck and come here. I knew you’d follow me, you freaking stalker.”
“Always.” Azrael grins at me, the skeletal side of his features flashing.
“Do you know how to work a camera?”
“Why wouldn’t I—?”
“Lucifer doesn’t even like to text, so I thought maybe you—”
“Celestial beings are not a monolith,” he hisses at me, quickly growing impatient. Daddy Death may be the stoic, silent type, but he has a furiously cold temper when I push him. Needling him during our training sessions has taught me that much.
“Okay, okay.” I throw up my hands in surrender. “Point taken. Just press this button when I’m down near Michael”—I point to it—“and then help me get Jax out of here, would you?”
Azrael’s nostrils flare. “You expect me to let you face Michael and Lilith? Without me?” His eyes take on a fiery blue look, like there’s no way in hell he’d consider ever doing such a thing.
“It’s not your choice,” I snap. “You don’t own me.”
He goes still, understanding exactly what that means.
I’m a free agent now.
And I won’t let this go.
“You can come right after me. Please, Azrael.”
“If Lucifer finds out about this—”
“Then don’t let him find out,” I whisper as I slip out of the sound booth.