Page 159 of Wicked Bonds

I’m not ready, she kept saying.

None of us are, Issac echoed back at her.

At least the wards were pretty much done now. Vera, Gabriel, Caro, Sethios, and Aya had all worked through the day to prepare, ensuring the outer protective spells were in place.

But Aya felt it wouldn’t be enough.

Issac agreed.

Something was coming; even he could feel the ominous presence building with each passing second.

And now Balthazar couldn’t be found.

Issac relayed the message up to Aya, telling her that Balthazar had missed his check-in protocol.

She misted down to them in the next second, landing easily beside Issac, her wings tucking up at her back as she turned corporeal for Lucian to see her.

“The wards are done, but they won’t be enough.” Aya spoke plainly, knowing Lucian would appreciate the directness. “They’ll only buy us time to evaluate the attack and determine a strategy.”

Lucian nodded. “I’ll handle that part once I see what we’re up against.”

“Seraphim don’t die,” Aya stressed.

“Perhaps not, but they can be incapacitated,” he replied.

“Temporarily.”

Lucian studied her for a moment before shifting his focus to Issac. “Balthazar’s last known location was Bulgaria. I doubt he’s still there, but I’m sending Jacque in to see if he can gather any intel on where B and Leela misted to afterward.”

“They likely didn’t leave any clues behind since they’re trying to hide,” Issac pointed out.

“I agree, but it’s the only lead we have, and we need him,” Lucian replied.

“Have you considered any evacuation protocols?” Sethios asked as he appeared beside them, his tone and expression missing that usual arrogant flair. He felt the threat approaching, too. And, like other Seraphim, he doubted their ability to win the upcoming fight.

“We have protocols in place, but we’re not going to need them.” Lucian’s confident tone made Issac frown.

“How can you be so certain?” he wondered out loud, curious as to what Lucian seemed to know that the rest of them didn’t.

“Because I trust the process,” he replied vaguely. “But the protocols are in place should our protective measures fail.” His attention went to Vera as she materialized beside Sethios. “Balthazar missed his check-in. Something’s wrong.”

She started to reply when something captured her focus in the sky.

Issac sensed it in the next breath, the subtle shimmer of energy cascading electricity across his skin. Aya’s thoughts rivaled his, only she voiced their mutual question out loud. “What is that?”

“A Seraphim’s version of a knock,” Vera answered, her eyes narrowing. She vanished again, leaving the rest of them staring after her.

He attempted to see whatever visual awaited her in the sky, but he couldn’t latch onto her mind or anyone else in the sky.

Which meant whoever was “knocking” had a rune like hers that prevented him from accessing the mind.

His ability to manipulate vision seemed to be hit or miss when it came to Seraphim, the gift still developing. Caro had already explained that Seraphim were naturally immune to Hydraian and Ichorian gifts. Runes were used to block seraphic powers as well, but they had to be constantly rewritten to continue to work.

But Issac suspected it was more than just runes and also involved the establishment of power as a new Seraphim because Sethios remained inaccessible to Issac. A good thing, really. Perhaps even a gift from fate to ensure both men survived their first year together as “family.”

Caro joined them on the beach, her blue wings disappearing as she turned corporeal. “Patreel is here,” she said. “He’s talking to Gabriel and Vera.”

“The tracker?” Sethios asked.