Forbidden Angel

Forbidden Angel KEEPERS OF THE LIGHT BOOK FOUR TAMAR SLOAN V P ALLASANDER Copyright © 2023 by Tamar Sloan All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. Contents 1. Gabby 2. Gabby 3. Colt 4. Gabby 5. Colt 6. Gabby 7. Colt 8. Gabby 9. Colt 10. Gabby 11. Gabby 12. Colt 13. Gabby 14. Gabby 15. Gabby 16. Colt 17. Gabby 18. Colt 19. Gabby 20. Gabby 21. Colt 22. Gabby 23. Colt 24. Gabby Fated Angel The Keepers-Verse is always growing! Have you read the Keeper Chronicles Prequel? Want to stay in touch? Also by Tamar Sloan 1 Gabby Gabby scowls at her father and Moroni. “Way to kill the mood, guys.” The victory at closing the Tear, at stopping Hell from coming to Earth, was supposed to be longer than this. She should be in Colt’s arms, reveling in the connection that made it possible. Instead, her father and his lieutenant are scowling at her as if the news they just imparted isn’t some sick joke. Her father grunts, crossing his arms. “Like Moroni said, all of this,” he waves his arm to encompass the destruction Malcolm and the demons left behind, “was a distraction. There are bigger issues at hand.” Bigger than an impending apocalypse? Bigger than demons taking over Earth? Moroni’s face is full of yeses to each of those questions. “The Grigori have escaped their prison in Heaven.” Colt curses. “You’re saying they’ll return to Earth?” Gabby thinks of the brutal murders the guardians of Eden heartlessly inflicted, just so they could obtain the seven pieces of the map. All so they can get their hands on the obsidian. Humanity is far from safe. But Moroni shakes his head. “We don’t believe so. They have a bigger trophy in their sights.” “Bigger than the obsidian?” Gabby asks, her body winding like a coil, preparing for the punchline. “We believe they wanted to go to Heaven,” her father says, scowling. “Because one of the shards of the Spear of Destiny resides there.” Colt’s intake of breath is barely discernible, but Gabby’s so aware of him it has her spinning to turn to him. “You’ve heard of it?” He nods. “It is a powerful weapon, which is why it was broken into three shards, each one hidden far from the other.” Moroni nods. “The Grigori know that it is the one weapon that can end them.” Gabby draws her brow down. “Then we can’t let them find the shards.” “The location of the three shards was inscribed on the golden plates Samandriel stole from me,” Moroni says. “We’ve been searching for the plates since his death.” Gabby thinks of the half-crazed angel and his plans to align with the obsidian. What would he have done if he got his hands on the Spear? She suppresses a shudder. Probably given it to the Grigori. Colt narrows his eyes. “You’ve found one of the plates, haven’t you?” Gabby’s father clenches his jaw as if he doesn’t appreciate Colt’s perceptiveness. “We believe so. Someone needs to investigate it.” “I didn’t think you were here for light conversation,” Colt says dryly. Gabby’s father cuts him a glare before turning back to his daughter. “We’ve traced its location to a portal in Greece.” “And you want us to go check it out,” she finishes for him. “I want you to investigate, but wherever you are, he seems to be,” he responds, not bothering to look back at Colt. “Get used to it,” Colt growls. Gabby angles her head toward her father. “I wouldn’t be here having this conversation if it weren’t for Colt. In fact, there wouldn’t be an Earth worth fighting for.” If Colt hadn’t fought the demons attacking the protective barrier she erected around herself, she never would’ve had the strength to close the Tear. Her father’s only acknowledgment is a grunt. “We’ve already booked flights for you both. It’s best to look as human as possible, rather than arouse suspicion.” Gabby doesn’t bother to point out it was presumptuous to assume she’d agree to this for two reasons. First, she’s going, even if her mind is still trying to understand this sudden change in events. She’s the one who defeated the Grigori last time, and she fully intends on doing it again. Second, her father may not acknowledge she and Colt are a team verbally, but booking two tickets says otherwise. He knew Gabby wouldn’t go without Colt. What he doesn’t realize is that without Colt, nothing’s possible. She turns to him. “To be honest, traveling with you was already on my bucket list.” His chiseled lips twitch. “I doubt we’ll be visiting Athens during our time there. I was hoping to show you where I met Pericles, the man who coordinated the Parthenon.” Gabby shakes her head. “What century was that?” “Fifth, I believe,” Colt responds, his eyes twinkling. She finds herself smiling, despite the stakes that have just been foisted upon them. Although she’s still awed by everything Colt’s lived and seen, she’s no longer threatened by it. In fact, she’s humbled. Colt spent hundreds of years avoiding any sort of connection. And yet he’s here, standing strong beside her, never questioning what they have to do next. Unafraid to do what the supernatural world deems impossible. Unacceptable. Which is love her. Gabby’s father clears his throat. “You do not have much time. The flight is only a few hours away.” She rolls her eyes. “Of course it is.” There will be no time to appreciate, let alone rest, after defeating Malcolm and the demons. “I have also booked a few other, open tickets,” her father continues. “In case there’s anyone you’d like to accompany you. This mission is likely to be dangerous.” Of course, it is, Gabby thinks but