Marcy gasped, her palm thumping over her heart. I was glad I wasn’t the only one having a moment.
“Indeed,” he answered, inclining his head. “My birth name is truly Leonardo. But during the time of Michelangelo—some of my greatest years—Leonardo da Vinci had already claimed that moniker. There could not be two famous Leonardos who hailed from the same city. So you see, I was forced to pick a false title. But it has served me well.”
I didn’t really see at all. It shouldn’t be as surprising as it was, but I was shocked by the news that he was the Michelangelo and we were standing in the room with him. “May I ask what kind of supernatural you are?” I couldn’t hold back my curiosity any longer. “I apologize for asking so bluntly, but we’re having a hard time deducing it.”
Leo glanced over at Lucas, who stood quietly to my right, smiling. “My friend, the Kitsune, had no problem identifying me. In fact, it was a pleasure to meet such a skilled supernatural, as I had not immersed myself in that world for a very long time.”
Lucas appeared a little flustered by the praise. “It is in my nature to be curious. Although, to be fair, you do not smell like a supernatural. I just knew you were other.”
Kayla surprised me by speaking. “I agree,” she said. “You don’t smell like a supernatural, but you do smell odd.”
“Odd?” Leo chuckled. “Do explain.”
A low growl emitted from the back of Tyler’s throat, but it was so low I wasn’t sure others had heard, or if it had been only in my head. He took a protective step toward Kayla.
Leo was a charmer, that was for sure.
Kayla appeared flustered by the attention. “You smell…like the earth and the sky combined,” she finally answered. “Like they met in the middle to create you. My magic comes from deep within the earth, so I’m familiar with how it smells. The air scent is distinct, crisp, like a fall day.”
“I agree,” Marcy chimed in. “My magic also comes from the earth, but to me you smell celestial. I’ve never scented anything like it. Like how I would imagine a star to smell.”
Tyler nodded. “It smells like dirt in here, but I took that for the clay, not the man. You fooled me.”
“Don’t worry, young wolf. It’s much harder for shifters to scent me,” Leo said. “You smell of the earth yourself, so it’s harder to discern. But the women are correct. I was made from the earth, the sky, and the stars.”
“You’re an angel, aren’t you?” Kayla said in a tiny voice.
An angel?
I was blown away.
Leo made a full bow, complete with an arm crossing his midsection. “Indeed, I am.” As he stood back to his full height, which was at least six foot five, he directed his gaze solidly on me.
It held weight.
I knew, without a doubt, that if Leo decided to unleash his magic, the entire city of Florence would be obliterated.
I hadn’t known angels existed until right this second. There was mythology surrounding them, but no one I’d ever known had met one. “I…” I cleared my throat. “I mean, we…are pleased to make your acquaintance. Thank you for allowing us to come into your private space.” I had no idea what else to say to this spectacular being. “We were lucky to catch you on a day you were in town.”
Leo tossed his head back and laughed. It was a vibrant sound, like bells chiming. “There is very little in the world that has to do with luck. Or in any of the worlds, for that matter.”
“Do you know why I’m here?” I asked. That would save some time. I had no idea what kind of abilities angels had, if they were oracles or not.
“In general, I know why you seek me,” he replied. “But I am not a seer or a predictor of the future. And, unfortunately, I’m very out of touch these days. I have not lived as a true supernatural in too many years to count. My life is very simple here, among the art and the statues.” He gestured around the room. “This is where I am content to live out the rest of my days, and I have many of them left.”
“If you know why I’m here, will you help us?” I asked.
Leo walked over to a stool next to a cluttered workbench and sat. He picked up a chisel that lay on the worktable and spun it idly. “You must state your case to me, and then I will decide. Helping you means I must reveal myself to the supernatural world, and doing so would put me at risk.” That’s exactly what Jeb had said. “Other powerful supernaturals of my stature have died out or left this plane long ago. There are very few, if any, left. Exposing myself would alert all races and creatures that I exist. But I will listen to what you have to say. If anything, I’ve learned to have an open mind after all my years of interacting with humans.”
I had to convince him.
Walking over, I pulled out another stool and sat facing him so I could plead my case. “Are you familiar with a warlock named Jebediah Amel?”
Leo nodded, his brilliant blue eyes flashing. They were disconcerting compared with his otherwise bronze complexion. And they weren’t just blue—they were clear, like two crystals reflecting the bluest sky. “Yes, I am familiar with the warlock. I have not seen him in centuries. He lives outside this realm, because of the things I already mentioned.”
“Yes,” I said. “He’s my assistant—or will be my assistant soon—and the one who alerted me to your presence here in Florence. I’m not sure how much you know about what’s happening in the supernatural world, but a new Coalition is forming.”
“I’m aware.”