Free Soul Surrender by Katana Collins Page A

off his tongue like a whisper and sent a chill tumbling down my spine. “I’m surprised to find you here. With this sorcerer. Yet again.” Ebony skin made his fair eyes that much more disconcerting. “I thought you would have learned your lesson long ago.”
    Damien reached behind and, without looking at me, found my hand with one reassuring squeeze. “She’s likely here for the same reason you are. Lucien’s untimely disappearance.”
    San Michel’s eyes widened, and traces of humor—if the angel had any humor that is—stretched across brittle features. “Is that so?”
    Damien continued—brave for an elemental. Most demons and angels wouldn’t dare go head to head with an ArchAngel. Then again, Damien doesn’t really answer to anyone. “Which begs the question—what does Heaven care about a missing ArchDemon?”
    â€œI wish to speak to Buckley alone,” San Michel said, eyes cruising along the rest of my friends.
    â€œWe’re not done here,” I whispered to Buckley before exiting. His smile veered toward hostility.
    â€œWe never are, angel.”

10
    K ayce led the way through the casino. Bells rung as a payout on a penny slot was awarded. The smell of cigarette smoke and recirculated oxygen swirled above, fueling red-eyed humans who probably didn’t know if it was morning or night.
    â€œWhy do you think ArchAngels care about your ArchDemon?” Damien said, glancing between us.
    There was radio silence from the group. Finally Kayce offered, “Maybe it’s disrupted the balance?”
    I shook my head. “But Buckley specifically said, ‘Back so soon?’ They were clearly there recently, before his disappearance, too.”
    â€œWell, what now?” Damien tucked a hand into the front pocket of his pressed gray slacks.
    â€œWhat do you mean ‘What now’? We find our ArchDemon!” I snatched a glass of something that looked alcoholic off a waitress’s tray and shot it down. The amber liquid burned my throat and sizzled in my nose. Tears watered my eyes, and I told myself it was from the whiskey. Unfortunately, we all knew better.
    â€œWe will, Monica.” Kayce placed a palm on my arm. “I wonder if it’s . . .”
    â€œWhat? You wonder if it’s what?”
    Kayce pressed her lips together, a look of regret flashing across her face. “Damn,” she said, clearing her throat. “I shouldn’t have said anything. The Contenitore,” Kayce repeated as if I should understand. “There’s a new bounty hunter,” she said. “We call her—or him—The Contenitore. The Vessel. The hunter captures rogue demons and brings them back to Hell. But she does it in a way none of us have seen before. There’s no holy water, no blessed bullets. She just sort of—captures them.”
    Kayce also grabbed a drink off a passing tray. “She’s taking jobs away from all of us.”
    An excited shout came from the craps table to my left, and a curvy blonde hopped up and down. “But Lucien’s not rogue.” I paused. “Is he?”
    Kayce shook her head. “Not to my knowledge.”
    Damien curled an arm around my waist, tugging me in to his hip. “Let’s reconvene tomorrow. I’ll see if I can pull up anything at the department. Kayce, can you find out if there was some sort of reward for Lucien’s capture? Anything official from Hell. Maybe George can do a little research while he’s on set.”
    â€œAnd me?” I asked, one eyebrow arched delicately.
    Damien sighed. “Our main job is to keep you safe. It’s what Lucien would have wanted.”
    â€œWhat does that mean?”
    The sudden aura of an angel pulsed through me.
    â€œIt means I will stay with you while we look around Hell’s Lair.” At the sound of Julian’s voice, I swiveled, breaking from Damien’s grasp