place of a kitchen table, humming quietly to herself. It seemed to unnerve the angels, talking openly around the woman when Sandeen wasn’t in her. Once Boone had realized that, he’d made it a point to only talk around Alma.
Boone had called Harlowe after he and Sierra had gone their separate ways. She’d picked him up and brought him to their new safe house. Alma was a risk, apparently; she was too weak to put on a flight alone to Montana. Nor could they set her up in a house by herself and spare a guard for two places, so they kept an eye on her here, both for her health and in case Sandeen came around again. Alma had been supplied with new puzzles and a tablet for streaming shows.
Boone stood by the table. Harlowe had started watching the Hallmark app with Alma and working on puzzles. The house was nearly identical to the old one, only in a different part of Henderson and without a main-floor office.
“She’s our spy,” he said.
“Who conveniently can’t fight because of her condition.”
“She can get us information. Proof for you to take to the senate.”
“That we can’t trust.”
It was like talking to a brick wall. This angel didn’t know what Sierra had gone through to protect her feelings. “Sierra doubts your senate will let you do anything to Andy. There’s been too much turmoil, too much corruption. She thinks they won’t budge from protecting all humans, that being the divine angels’ area.”
Harlowe’s jaw worked. So Sierra wasn’t the only one who thought that.
“But Sierra can hurt him. If it comes to that, she’s already fallen, hasn’t she? She can do what none of your team can. She can do what none of your realm can.” He gave that a moment to sink in. “Can you at least talk to the rest of your team?”
“We can’t risk gathering as a group. Not with Sierra involved.” Her voice ended on a rasp and she glanced away.
He understood her hurt, the anger, and the abundance of caution, but Sierra had given up her freedom. “You can still contact them,” he said tightly.
Sullen, she pulled out her phone and went to the corner of the living room, keeping her back to them.
Boone sat down next to Alma. He wished they realized how hard it’d been to let Sierra go. Her plan had one part that had made him agree to it. She’d be safer with Andy than anyone else. When he learned she was pregnant, he wouldn’t hurt her, and he wouldn’t let anyone else hurt her. They risked him using her blood, but she’d argued that it was a negotiation tactic.
He doubted Andy negotiated.
But while Sierra was at the club, she couldn’t get run off the road again.
“I like Sierra,” Alma said. “She’s a strong girl.”
“I agree.” And brave.
“My demon doesn’t want her to get hurt either.” Her soft features crumpled for a moment before she refocused on her puzzle. “I’m worried about him.”
“What? Why?”
“If he told the bad people where we were, then he must’ve been in trouble.”
“Sandeen?” Boone didn’t know anything about the underworld. Sandeen could’ve been in trouble. A demon with a heart of gold? He wouldn’t go that far, but he agreed with Alma. The demon was tricky. He could’ve used the information about the safe house to get himself out of a tight situation.
“Yes. Sandeen.” Her smile was wistful. “I call him my demon, but he’s no demon.”
“Did you see him when he stopped possessing you?”
She shook her head.
“He had horns. And fangs.”
“Bah.” She clicked a piece of sky into place. “He isn’t made of darkness, just raised in it.”
Boone’s brows popped. Deep words from an unexpected source.
“So, how did Sierra’s appointment go?”
“Good. She’s about sixteen weeks along now.” He selected another sky piece and tried it. It was like sitting next to Sandeen again.
“Oh, how precious.”
Harlowe approached them again. “Director Vale is actually coming to talk to you. Either way, we’ll have to know what level of captive she is—willing or forced.”
They worked on the puzzle for twenty minutes with Alma’s humming to fill the silence. The screen door opened and a tall man with a shaved head walked in. He wore the same black outfit as the rest. Half his face was mottled from old burn scars.
“Oh my.” Alma’s voice resonated with awe.
Light amber eyes pinned him in place. “Boone.”
“Director Vale?”
He stopped a few feet from the table and crossed his arms. Muscles bulged from the guy’s sleeves, making