Legion weddings had a pretty set script.
But I hardly heard what she was saying. Damiel’s words drowned out hers.
I assure you that my reasons for making you feel at ease are entirely selfish.
I don’t believe that.
At a gesture from the First Angel, Damiel took my hands in his. I’ve found that women who are at ease are easier to seduce.
Very funny.
Yes, he said. And you can truly thank me later, Princess.
There wasn’t a hint of mischief on his face—or any other expression either.
Do you have any intention of behaving yourself? I asked.
Of course not. He moved in closer, his hand settling on my back.
We sealed the marriage with a quick, professional kiss. The ceremony was already over. Legion weddings were run like Legion training sessions: quick and right to the point.
The music changed again, this time to quiet, serene strings. Background music. That was our signal to proceed to the next phase of the wedding: the reception. We took our seats on a raised sofa with gold-threaded cushions and bright red trim. Legion soldiers, the witnesses to our wedding, formed a perfectly-straight, single-file line in front of us.
First in line stood a man with golden eyes and black hair worn in a low ponytail. I didn’t recognize him. Tall and muscular, he looked like a combat soldier. The metal pin on his jacket, the symbol of a hand, identified him as a captain, a Legion soldier of the sixth level.
“Damiel,” the captain said, bowing his head.
“Jiro.”
They were on a first name basis. Could it be that the Master Interrogator, nightmare of the Legion, had a friend?
“Aren’t you going to introduce me to your lovely bride?” Jiro asked.
His tone was bold, almost impertinent. They had to be friends. No one spoke to Damiel like that.
“You know who she is.”
Jiro’s lips spread back into a grin. “And yet protocol must be followed. Humor me.”
I was surprised when Damiel did. The Master Interrogator never humored anyone.
“Jiro Goodman, this is Cadence Lightbringer, the Sea Dragon and angel of Storm Castle.”
“And daughter of General Silverstar.” Jiro lowered to one knee before me. “I’ve heard a lot about you, Cadence Lightbringer.” He shot Damiel a significant look.
So Damiel had been talking about me. I tried to decide if that was good or bad. Maybe he’d just needed someone to bitch about after being sent on a mission with a new angel who couldn’t even fly.
“Damiel tells me you’re the only angel he can stomach,” Jiro continued.
I arched my brows at the Captain. “High praise.”
“From Damiel, yes. It really is.”
The next in line, my friend Allegra, was watching Jiro intently. Her dark eyes, set in purple-brown eyeshadow, were watching every move that he made. She slid her tongue slowly across her bright red lips. It seemed she was…checking him out. Allegra was always looking for a date for the night. She never held on to a man for longer than that.
When Jiro left the line, her gaze trailed him for a few steps, then her head snapped back around to me and Damiel. She stepped forward, her sleek black ponytail slipping off her shoulder as she moved.
She opened her mouth to speak, but she never got the chance. A thunderous boom shook the ballroom. I rose from the sofa, looking around for the explosion, but there was none. Instead, the projection of a head, as large as a small car, floated in the middle of the room, smoke swirling around it.
“Attention, Legion dogs,” the smoky head spoke in a deep, ominous voice. “Your days are numbered. Very soon, you will all be dead. The gods’ reign is coming to an end.”
2
A Horrid, Honeymoon Battlefront
The projection hadn’t even faded out completely, and the First Angel was already standing beside Damiel. Nyx moved so fast that I had to wonder if she possessed teleportation magic she hadn’t told anyone about.
“The demons are feeling boastful tonight,” Nyx commented to Damiel.
So the First Angel thought the message was from the demons. I wasn’t so sure. Why would they clue us in to their plan, giving us a chance to stop them?
“It appears your suspicions were correct, Dragonsire,” said Nyx. “You must resume your investigation immediately. The very fate of the Earth may depend on it.”
Damiel’s eyes flickered to me, then back to Nyx. “I require Lightbringer’s assistance.”
Being able to assign soldiers to his missions was one of the special perks of being the Master Interrogator.
Nyx gave me a brief, assessing glance. “If it’s necessary.”
“It is. Her abilities will be crucial to