solid case for takes one to know one,” I tell him on a chuckle that earns me a look that says, I am not amused.
Another rumble of thunder sounds off outside, and the noise shoots a spike of adrenaline through me. I flinch, unable to stop myself. The guys all look over at me, and I can’t stop the pink that suffuses my cheeks.
“Are you alright?” Iceman asks.
Distractedly, I look out through the window behind Tazreel and see the sky is getting even darker. My grasp flexes against my scythe. Suddenly, this room doesn’t feel vast and open. It feels like it’s one lightning strike from crashing down around me. Another rumble of thunder makes my shoulders hike up to my ears.
“We should just go. Don’t you think?” I ask suddenly, fighting the simmering panic that’s pushing up into my chest. “I mean, if they don’t want us here and my mother probably isn’t here, why just sit around and get glared at?” I ask, my tone rising with each anxious breath I take. I can’t tear my eyes away from the rolling, darkening clouds.
Iceman follows my worried gaze out the window, but before he can say anything, the door to the room slams open, and I squeak in surprise. My scythe immediately activates, the massive curved blade springing up, and the straight blade on the other end shooting out.
Immediately, two warrior angels draw their swords and step in front of the handsome middle-aged angel that just stormed in. My demons are by my side in a flash, and everyone in the room tenses.
Yep. It’s official. This scythe is trying to get me killed.
“I’m not threatening you,” I quickly say, looking past the fierce looking soldier angels and into the dark green eyes of the winged man they’re protecting. “It just activates on its own,” I offer awkwardly, and I work to keep myself from shaking the scythe and demanding it cooperate and stop trying to get me taken out.
After a beat, the kelp-green eyed angel nods, and his bodyguards back off. They step aside, and he walks further into the room, radiating confidence and ability. Or maybe it’s his shiny gold armor that’s doing all of that, but either way, he doesn’t seem like the kind of guy you’d want to mess with.
He scans the room, and when his eyes land on Tazreel, his stern face melts, and in its place is recognition and camaraderie. “Taz?” he asks, surprised. “They didn’t tell me it was you here, you old prick!” he announces, and then in three long strides, he and my sperm donor meet in a hug and a whole lot of back patting.
What the fuck?
I watch them take a moment to catch up and think about what Jerif said about soldiers getting wiser with time and experience.
“Louquin, when did you make Major?” Tazreel asks, holding him out at arm’s length and looking him over with pride.
“Not long. It’s been about a decade now,” Louquin answers with a beaming smile.
“Well, it was long coming, I’ll tell you that much. Congratulations. As soon as I get home, I’ll send some things to help ring in the good news,” Taz offers, and Louquin looks all kinds of honored and appreciative.
“You’re too kind. I should say no, but we both know I’m not going to,” he confesses on a dazzling grin, and the two angels laugh and hug again.
I share a bewildered look with my guys. Who knew Taz would actually be liked enough to have a friend? And an angel friend, no less.
“What are you doing here? Not that I’m not happy to see you, but when I was given word that we had a party from Hell make a surprise drop-in, I didn’t think it would be you,” Louquin states, curiosity filling his eyes.
“Ah, yes. I’m hoping you can help me, old friend. I would have announced the visit, but you see, I’m just as surprised to be here as you are to see me,” Tazreel starts.
Louquin looks like he’s dying to know what’s going on, and I look over at the guys to see they’re still on guard but as amused and curious by the interaction as I am.
“It’s been brought to my attention recently that I’ve sired a child. The wee thing was dropped right onto my doorstep,” Taz says, motioning toward me like I’m some frail baby in a bassinet just left for him out of the blue.
I tilt my head and release a sigh that says