Adonis tensed next to me. Gotta love his protectiveness; he hated seeing me in danger. Odd, considering I'm in danger every second of every day, but I loved him for it.

Michael rose to his full height of ten feet and walked around the desk to face us. His movements were fluid and musical. It was rumored the angels could always hear the music from the heavenly throne. Every word spoken and every movement made was in perfect cadence with the heavenly song, the song of Eden.

Michael had the usual sword belted at his waist. His long silver hair was tied at the nape of his neck with a golden strap. I never ceased to be amazed at how beautiful angels were. Sometimes I wondered if it made Adonis jealous that there were some creatures more attractive than him.

Michael wasn't perfect, though; he had several battle scars along his arms, though they were what some people might call markings. Tiny golden flecks that represented different battles fought and won. To the naked human eye they were invisible — to us they weren't. I liked to think it made Phantoms nervous when they laid eyes on an angel like Michael, one so magnificent.

His eyes glowed, changing colors, only reflecting what he saw. When it was dark, they tu

rned pitch-black; when he was facing light, they glow. If he was facing me, which he was right then, they turned violet to match mine.

It was kind of wonderful.

"We are ready," I said, once Michael was standing a foot in front of me.

"You hesitated today," he said, putting his hand on my head like I was two feet tall — which I kind of felt like, considering he was so huge, his hand literally cupped my head like a baseball.

Adonis stepped forward. "It was my fault. I was cocky, irresponsible. It won't happen again."

"Your loyalty amuses me, for one who gives the appearance of loving himself above all others — your first love is really someone else entirely, isn't it?" My uncertain eyes flickered to Adonis, who chose that moment of all times to break eye contact and let go of my arm. So much for sharing all his feelings with me.

I pushed down the stab of jealousy in my chest. The fact he'd pledged his heart to someone else kind of ruined my already crappy day.

Michael ignored the sudden onslaught of tenseness between Adonis and me and continued on. "You are partners. You share equally in each success, each loss. You also share in the mistakes you make."

He had us there.

"It wasn't that you did anything wrong. The kill was flawless. The information you gained was much help for Ares today when he fought your father, Athena."

I suddenly felt ill.

"He's not…"

I wanted to say he was not my father, but that was like denying the sky is blue. Yet I didn't want my identity to come from him.

So instead I said, "You're more of a father to me, Michael. You know that."

His smile warmed me instantly. A fire stirred in my heart. It was in those moments that I got a glimpse of what it would be like to be a full part of the angelic race. When someone I loved, someone I respected, warmed at my words, when we shared a moment of real intimacy, I, for a second, glimpsed what it must feel like to be a part of the Family of Light. Another reason I fought. I wanted so desperately to belong, to be a part of something.

"Ares had a difficult time today. We almost lost him," Michael said, shattering the warm feeling immediately.

"But that's impossible. None of us have even come close to dying this entire time."

Michael nodded slowly, then turned around and paced in front of us. "We don't know why, but they are getting stronger. The reason is not for us to know, but it would behoove us to find out exactly how and why the Phantoms are growing in number."

"But we can't reproduce!" I blurted, and then awkwardly groaned out loud because I had just said that in front of Adonis, the human idea of the perfect man. Fantastic, Athena. Keep talking. Maybe you'll embarrass yourself further.

"While that is very true, Athena, they have been doing just that. The only thing we can think of, is they have started what the Watchers did so long ago."

"No," I said, not believing a word. "You think they are… mating with humans?"

"We think we have proof," Michael said. "A phantom is willing to talk, but he asks specifically for you, Athena, by name. After your father fled, Ares was able to catch this one. We have him in holding. I trust you can use your effectiveness to pry some information from him."

I nodded. "But what does this have to do with Adonis?"

Michael laughed. "Oh, Athena, you should know this by now. Everywhere you go, he goes. If you die… so does he. You are together, never to be parted. That is what a partner of the Seekers does."

I bit my lip. Adonis probably hated being my bodyguard, but looking at him now, I noticed he appeared more worried than offended. The same look of concern I had seen earlier in the day was now on his face.

Tags: Rachel Van Dyken The Dark Ones Saga Paranormal
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