flare. He’d have flown in fast and true, keeping low, among the clouds, until the last moment, when he would have emerged to catch Severn’s wings. That had been the plan. But with no wings having fallen from Mikhail’s balcony, Samiel would have retreated again before any angels spotted him. He wouldn’t have thought to stay to look for Severn. Besides, Samiel was just one demon, and one demon couldn’t break into Aerie to break Severn out.
And nobody else cared enough to try.
Mikhail could stop the execution but wouldn’t. Not even for love because he was so damn deep in denial he didn’t know what way was up.
Severn was alone.
They were going to shove him from the edge, and there wouldn’t be anyone to catch him.
When the door rattled, Severn rose to his feet to see who the new visitor might be, hoping Solo had returned, or even Mikhail, but Remiel stopped in front of his cell. The guardian was as big and brutish as angels could get. He’d probably never cracked a smile in his life.
Remiel studied him silently, so Severn studied him right back.
Severn had made a damn fine job of the illusion. The voice had been all wrong, but nobody was perfect. “My illusion of you had a tiny dick.”
Remiel, predictably, just blinked.
Severn wrapped his fingers around the bars. “Don’t kill him.”
“You beg for his life, not yours?” The guardian folded his arms, settling in for a heart-to-heart.
“Firstly, I didn’t fucking beg. Secondly, Mikhail is brilliant and strong and passionate, and he’s worth a thousand of you.”
Remiel tilted his head, his piercing eyes delving deep. “You thoroughly believe you’re an angel, don’t you?”
“It doesn’t matter. I know you’re going to kill him, and if this is my last conversation, then I’m asking you not to. Just send him away to Haven. Don’t kill him.”
“Love is truly a terrible thing.”
Severn scowled at the bastard. Angels like him couldn’t be reasoned with.
“There is only one way this ends,” Remiel said.
Ugh, two stubborn guardian angels. He should have known neither would back down. They didn’t have it in them. If he could just talk to Mikhail again, try and convince him to surrender for his own good. But Mikhail would never surrender. He’d fight. Fighting was his life, he didn’t know any other way. Severn could have taught him to live, but now he’d run out of time.
“It’s almost a shame to kill you. There are people who would be fascinated to dissect all…” he gestured at Severn, “that.”
“Demons tried it.”
“They did?”
“Like I said, this skin ain’t coming off. Every cut healed right back up.”
“But not your wings?”
“No…” Because they’d been alive on Mikhail’s wall and now they were ash. “You can’t heal something that’s missing.”
“True,” the guardian agreed, his blue-eyed gaze still roaming Severn in an entirely uncomfortable way. “It’s said Seraphim made angels from the skies and demons from the earth. Do you believe that?”
“I believe we’re not as different as angels like to think. I believe Seraphim didn’t make us to war. He made us to love. But because he’s no more perfect than you are, he fucked up somewhere, and here we are, with bars between us.”
Remiel stepped closer, his dark pupils widening, focusing. “What you suggest is blasphemy.”
“Why? Because you don’t like to hear it?” Severn laughed. “Maybe I won’t be the one to change things, but change will come. I’m not the only angel with feelings. Neither is Mikhail. Word’s getting out, angels are beginning to open their eyes. Someone is lying to you all, but those lies are unraveling, and I say that as someone who knows a bit about deception.”
Remiel nodded slowly. “Yes, I think you’re right. And that’s exactly why it’s time you’re removed from this equation.”
Wait. “What?”
A snarl twitched Remiel’s mouth. “Tomorrow, you and Mikhail both die, and all of London becomes mine. I supposed I should thank you for making his fall so effortless.”
“Wait… I’m right about which part exactly?”
“Doesn’t matter, demon. Your part in all of this is over.”
“Mikhail will stop you.”
“Mikhail’s time has come to an end.”
Severn bared his teeth. “He’ll fight you.”
Remiel snorted. “The Demon Lord Who Would be an Angel. Your worthless life is almost over. You’ll die forgotten alongside the truth.”
Severn pressed his face to the bars. “What truth? Tell me. I’m dead anyway.”
“As you are so fond of secrets and nobody is likely to believe yours, you should know…” Remiel’s smile was the kind that haunted nightmares. “Secure in Haven, there are ancient