said, “You sought pleasure before you sought to deliver this information to me. Don’t let it happen again. After you heal, you will take a unit of your undead and return to the province.”
“Whatever for?” the man gasped through his pain.
“The civilians and hopefully some angels who hid and are trying to make their way out of there.”
“They’re all…gone.”
“There are always survivors, and you will bring them back to the city. Should you disobey, remember this night.”
The man shook his head. “We’re a bunch of thugs, not a military unit. I don’t know a single thing about defending people, and most of the undead will feed on the mortals. The hunger is…”
“Unstable?” Raphael prompted.
The man nodded.
“Practice restraint and protect the mortals as they make their way here. Should you fail, I will hold a barbecue.”
“The Marked will follow us into the Exile.”
“Yes,” Raphael said. “And if Lucifer comes, he will be dealt with.”
“I will go,” I said.
“Dismissed,” Raphael said to the man, then tugged my arm.
“I said I’ll go with them.” We kept walking away.
“I heard you.”
“Untrained men and women will not stand a chance against the Marked.”
“The undead are no longer just men and women.”
“I could help. Organize the units. Direct the rescue. Set up camps and watch times, all the things I was trained for.”
Raphael stopped. “Nevaeh, the undead are an army. They are not trained, but they’re predators, and their instinct to kill will kick in. They’re also stronger and faster than mortals. I cannot send my mortal soul’s mate into a province under Lucifer’s power.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but he kissed the corner of my lips. My body flared to life, and I fisted my hands, digging my fingernails into my palms so I didn’t crawl all over him and make him do the things the undead had just done to that woman.
Raphael nibbled my earlobe. “We’re here.” He moved around me, leaving me standing there on the street, my mind dazed.
“Peen is short for penis,” I shouted after him, then caught up.
“I had no idea.” Eyes wide, he appeared stunned. “I should rename the province.”
“I’d leave it.”
He smiled. “Yes, my lady.”
On our way back from the private vendor, I practically bounced as I walked, the most gorgeous machete ever crafted strapped on my hip. Light but not too light, sharper than any blade I’d ever cut with. A weapon made for me. Raphael tied a purple cloth on the handle so when I moved, it flared and followed the movement. I’d practice all day tomorrow while everyone slept. I couldn’t wait to cut evil down with it.
Raphael squeezed my hand. “I feel your excitement. Had I known you’d be this excited about a piece of metal, I would have commissioned an armory just for you.”
“You still can,” I said as I turned left.
“Duly noted. This way.”
Damn it. I tried memorizing the streets, but the way this city was built made no sense. I followed Raphael between homes until we arrived on the street we’d previously strolled when we first came into the city. Except now, the street burst with life and a large group of angels congregating on the large patio of one restaurant. Cayen spotted us and waved.
“My lord, Tony’s opened. Join us.”
“Are you in the mood for pizza?” Raphael asked.
“Never ate pizza, but I’ve seen it.”
“Oh, Michael…” Raphael shook his head.
“What?”
“You will like it. Let’s have lunch.”
In the Court of Command, we believed food was a means to strengthen our bodies and our resolve to fight evil. Therefore, for lunch, they served protein-rich broths or nothing at all for those who trained in the makeshift war camps. The commander took great care that his armies were the finest and best prepared for anything they’d encountered when deployed to the Veil. We rotated Veil duties so had I stayed in the Court of Command, eventually my regiment would replace the existing one at the Veil.
In the Court of Sunder, angels drank wine and ate round carbohydrate-dense foods covered in grease. Even though the aroma stirred my belly, this would surely slow me down. I sat at the table for two, flanked by tables with the Sunder battle angels on both sides. I took out my machete and placed it on the table, stroking the fine jewels on the handle. My precious.
I looked up at Raphael, who smiled and said, “I’m almost jealous of the machete.”
I blushed. “Do you dine here often?”
“Most people do. The street is the dining district, full of restaurants