“But there is no rule against it, per se,” Ramiel said and winked at Haziel. Their new relationship left her feeling odd. The power balance had shifted between them, and she had to suppress the desire to pander to Ramiel. After all their time together, it had become reflex. She really did wish him happiness.
Wrath took her hand and kissed her knuckles.
“Where is Lucifer?” Haziel looked around the greenroom. All the archangels were here, and the other six hell princes. Ava had given her a hug when she’d walked in and whispered, “Bring him to his knees, sweetheart.”
Well, Haziel was not so sure she wanted to do that. Although Wrath had proven to be rather inventive on his knees. Once this gathering was over, she was planning a replay.
They’d flown to the earth plane and the theatre. She hadn’t been able to resist showing him how powerful seraphim wings really were. From the grin Wrath had shot her, he’d enjoyed it as much as she had. Despite her desire to be alone with him, he wanted this final hurdle dealt with before they went to his demesne.
Eddie grinned at them from where she was tucked beside Shade. Those two looked to be growing closer, and she wished for them all the joy she now felt.
“I support them.” Ramiel leaned against the wall beside the door.
“I don’t care either way.” Michael punched one fist into the opposite hands. “We have much bigger issues to deal with than one seraph coupling with a hell prince.”
The guardians were excluded, because according to Wrath when he’d called the gathering, nobody really gave a shit what they had to say about this situation.
“Let’s vote on it.” Raphael held up his hand. “All in favor.”
Shade’s hand shot up almost faster than Wrath’s.
“I don’t think you can vote,” Gabriel glared at Wrath.
Wrath shrugged. “Just did.”
“Before we vote, there is a more important issue to consider.” Cassiel smiled at her apologetically. “There is the balance to consider. Haziel may remain Ramiel’s second, but we still are short one powerful being in the heavens.”
Shade kept his hand in the air. “Haziel is not actually going to be Wrath’s second, so how is that a problem?”
Azrael pursed her lips. “That’s not how it works.”
“One more for our team seems a great outcome for us.” Ava put her hand in the air. “Besides, Haziel is awesome. She fits right into hell.”
“Cassiel and Azrael make an excellent point.” Gabriel handed her tablet to a hovering Raguel. “In all things, there must be balance.”
“I don’t give a fuck about balance.” Wrath stood and held his hand out to her. “I am taking Haziel to my demesne, and not one of you is going to stop me.”
“Sit down, Satanus,” Michael snapped.
And, predictably, Wrath snapped back, “Make me.”
Haziel felt the hell gate surge.
Beside her, Wrath tensed and looked at the door. “What the fuck?”
The others felt it too, and all gazes swung to the door.
Haziel tried to get a power read on the being who had stepped through. She had half been expecting Lucifer, but this being felt like…wrath?
“What?” Eddie must have picked up on the tension because she looked to Shade for an answer.
“A being just used the hell gate,” he murmured. “Not one of mine.”
“She’s mine.” Wrath frowned. “And I don’t know what she’s doing here.”
“Uh-oh,” Belle murmured from her position near the microwave. “We don’t need any more bad news.”
Dressed in fighting leathers and exuding badassery, Vexia strode into the greenroom. She bowed first to Wrath and then to the other hell princes and finally, the archangels.
Shade whistled. “Vexia,” he drawled. “Looking like two of my favorite things, sin and violence.” He caught Eddie’s gaze and flushed. “I mean, two of my former favorite things.”
Laughing, Eddie patted his thigh. “She looks hot.”
“Vexia?” Wrath narrowed his eyes at his second. “Is there a problem?”
“No, my lord.” Vexia raised her chin. “But I believe I have a solution to your current situation.”
Dee smirked. “Atta girl, Vexia.”
“Greetings, Deandra.” Vexia smiled and then returned her attention to Wrath. “The archangel Ramiel’s second is returning with you to the wrath demesne, correct?”
“Yes.” Wrath nodded.
“Then perhaps the archangel Ramiel will accept me as a replacement.”
Wrath gaped at her. “Eh?”
“There’s no procedure for this.” Gabriel snatched her tablet back and jabbed at it with two fingers.
