pale as the anger streamed off, her lips falling closed. She opened them again as if she was going to speak, but no sound came out. Instead, the finger that had jabbed angrily at them now dropped in a slow arc.
“He Fell,” she said. Eden watched as Gabe ran a hand across Kristen’s forehead, smoothing away her brown hair. She’d never seen anyone touch Kristen. Not like that.
“Not yet. But there were complications.” He didn’t look at Eden, but she felt shame redden her cheeks. “We need to get him back as quickly as possible, Kristen. We need your help.”
“Lucifer?” she asked hesitantly. Gabe nodded, and she dropped her head against his shoulder for a second. “Damn him.”
Gabe pulled her away from his shoulder. “Kristen. Please.” She winced. “Please,” he said again.
She closed her eyes, drawing a deep breath. “I won’t tolerate your losing Az to the Fallen. Not while I have the chance to steal away that little joy from Luke.” She turned away from Gabe to Eden.
“We have to find him.” Eden barely recognized her own voice, laced with the dark end that would come to anyone who kept her from Az. She dropped her eyes, couldn’t let Kristen see the telltale shine that would reflect the candlelight.
“Anything, Gabriel,” Kristen said, finally giving them the answer they’d hoped for. “What do you need to stop Luke?”
CHAPTER 48
The fire burned. Logs popped as they dissolved into ash. Eden was studying the room, much as she had been for the past two hours. Nothing had changed since the last time she’d been there, the same trinkets collected from who knew where.
Kristen lounged in an overstuffed chair, her head resting on one of the armrests, legs hanging over the other. One of her feet pendulumed, the heel drilling into the crushed velvet upholstery, the momentum carrying the toe of her boot en pointe before it fell again.
Stretched out away from the warmth of the fireplace, Gabe rested his head on his hands.
“Gabe, there’s something you should know,” Eden said, breaking the silence. “I met with Luke.”
Gabe shot ramrod straight on the floor. “What do you mean you ‘met with him’?”
She lowered her head. “Libby convinced Adam and Az to let us have a girls’ night. We were supposed to go to the movies and grab something to eat, but we didn’t. She took me to Aerie and he was playing. He talked to me.”
Gabe shook his head, unbelieving. “Eden, what were you thinking?”
“The second time…” she whispered.
“The second time?” he yelled as he stood, throwing his arms down. “How could you not tell me this?”
“Like there aren’t things you didn’t tell me!” she yelled back, her cheeks burning. The fire popped, sending a flurry of sparks up the flue. “Luke said you weren’t trying to protect me from him, that you were more worried about the Bound. He said you would be the one to tell the Bound. That if you don’t you’ll be punished.” She’d only intended to find out the truth, but he looked absolutely shattered. Only he wasn’t looking at her. He was staring at Kristen.
“Gabriel?” Kristen’s legs swung slowly to the floor. “What is she talking about?”
“I’m the Messenger, Kristen. You know that. It’s my job to go between the worlds, report back.”
“Exactly. So what the Hell does she mean you haven’t told Upstairs about us?” Kristen said, her voice uncertain. “Az told me you said they’d decided to leave us alone if we behaved, didn’t upset the balance.” She froze. “Az. You had Az lie because you couldn’t.”
His eyes flashed to Eden, before going back to Kristen. Gabe sat up with a pained smile. “Perhaps we could change the subject, Kristen?”
“No! I blathered on to Eden about keeping a low profile, staying safe. I thought if she did, they wouldn’t see she was different. But we’ve been in danger of being discovered the whole time? You’ve told me stories of how the Bound can be when they’re crossed! Gabriel, if they find out you knew about the Siders and said nothing.” Kristen looked ready to weep. “And then the new information, what Eden can do. You’ve been resisting this whole time? How?”
“Resolve.” He smiled. “I’ve had a good teacher.”
Eden watched, confused at the range of emotions flooding over Kristen’s face. “But if you get wings, can’t you just go back and explain?” Eden asked.
“It’s not that easy, Eden,” Kristen answered for him. “He could be banned from here.” Gabe climbed off the floor, sat down on