TWENTY-TWO
Kai
“Are you ready?” Aziel asked us for the fifteenth time since he had teleported us to the manor around ten minutes ago.
After Theo agreed to get us into Heaven, Thaddeus insisted we all feed to make sure we were at our peak energy levels. Blaise wanted to change into something easier to move in since he figured there would be fighting. For once, I had been on Aziel’s side. I wanted to leave right then and there, but even Titan insisted we feed before leaving, because we didn’t know what we were walking into. I understood it, I did. But we were finally getting closer to having her home and I was bloody impatient.
Surprisingly, the pixie didn’t greet us or make an appearance when we arrived, so I assumed she was trying to contact Lilith or doing her own thing.
“I'm ready.” I tossed the few empty blood bags I’d guzzled down into the trash. “Thaddeus and Blaise will only be a few more minutes. Have you fed?”
He gave a sharp nod. “Yes, I did so before meeting with the angel in case he agreed to go.”
I blew out a breath. Of course he did. Aziel had thought of everything. I was the one who kept calm in high stress situations, but when it came to Lilith, I couldn't think straight. Aziel had thought of every possible scenario. No wonder he was her guard. When it came to her, he knew everything and did everything he could. I wished I was capable of critical thinking in a time like this, but anguish was the only thing I could feel.
“Let’s go get Poppy!” Blaise’s voice bounded toward us as he stretched his arms over his head with a nervous grin. He’d changed into his hunting attire that he used to wear when we’d go hunt abandoned. Black, baggy sweats, a white muscle shirt, and some work boots.
I snickered. It seemed like such a long time ago that we lived only to carry out tasks sent from the Order of the Void. Obliterating abandoned to maintain balance was only a stepping stone to our true purpose, saving Lilith.
Thaddeus threw his blood bags away, and we gathered together so Aziel could teleport us to the portal to purgatory in Hell where Titan was waiting on us. Black flames spread across our group, and Titan came into focus, tapping his foot in front of the gate.
“Took you long enough,” he muttered before slapping his hand on the rock above the portal and walking through.
“Don’t be a fucking wanker,” Blaise said as he stepped through, followed by all of us.
“Pretty sure we’re all bloody anxious,” I reminded them as we ambled down the halls of purgatory to the room we’d met up with the angel in.
A cool sense of relief trickled over me when we entered. Bran and Orenn were fussing over Theo, but not in a sexual way. Instead, they were fixing his ceremonial robe and asking him a ton of questions.
“What’s the plan?” Thaddeus asked as they turned to face us.
“I’m going to take us to Heaven where Emma and Lilith’s family are residing. She’ll fill you in on what you need to know and take you to where Lilith is being kept,” Theo explained, and we nodded.
“What’re we waiting for?” Aziel asked, motioning for all of us to gather around Theo.
“Titan will teleport us back to Hell the moment we arrive,” he said, giving us a pointed look. “If not, your cover will be blown because they can track you through me in Heaven.”
Titan huffed, pushing his hand through his hair. “I will, but Bran and Orenn are going with you, so they will be responsible for hiding you in Hell. I’m not personally teleporting out of Heaven once I’m there.”
“I don’t expect you to,” he answered. “I trust Bran and Orenn to sufficiently hide me.”
Bran bent over and kissed Theo’s cheek as Orenn did the same.
“Let’s go get our girl,” Blaise said, rubbing his hands together.
An immense warmth slicked over my body as a soft glow outlined us, and then with a flash, purgatory was gone.