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Taya gets, anyway—so maybe she’s not looking for trouble. Yet. It can’t be much comfort to Maggie. The last time Taya was this close she had a sword at her throat. A night and a day, that’s how long Taya, Malachi and Micah had Maggie at the resort up the mountain, using her to get to me. Though in fairness, Micah wasn’t a prick about it. He even seemed happy to see me when I turned up with Rafa, Ez and Zak.
    None of them hurt Maggie, not really, but the experience still left scars. I’m looking at the damage right now. Maggie is next to me, fingers pressing into her elbows. Here on the esplanade, under a clear sky, she’s afraid. I hate that I’ve taken the safety of her home from her.
    ‘Can Mags get back to work without having to watch her back?’
    ‘We’re not going anywhere today.’
    I don’t miss the emphasis on the last word. Taya looks out over the ocean, losing interest in our conversation. I only sit back down when Maggie is two tables away.
    ‘So, what, you’re going to stalk me now?’
    Taya drags her attention back from the water. ‘Just following Daniel’s orders.’
    ‘Which orders, specifically?’
    ‘To keep you safe.’ She gives me an ironic smile.
    I laugh. ‘I think we both know I’m safer without you around.’
    ‘Maybe. But without me here, you might think you can run off after the Fallen again.’
    I let my head fall back in exasperation. There’s no point telling her yet again that I’m not interested in looking for the Fallen. But then I’m not telling her who I am looking for either.
    ‘Anyone would think Daniel still cared about you.’ She shakes her head in mock regret. ‘You should have stayed with him, Gabe. Walking away from him was your first big mistake. But I guess he got his own back in the cage.’
    Another piece of my past I can’t quite get a handle on: I used to date a member of the Rephaite Council of Five. Maybe it would make more sense if I’d only seen a photo of Daniel—no doubt, he’s breathtaking. But there’s nothing I’ve seen about him this last week that explains any old attachment, and that was before he put me in the cage with the hellion.
    ‘So I’ll be keeping a close eye on you,’ Taya says. ‘But don’t fret, I know how to keep a low profile. I’ve got a job.’
    I snort. ‘Where?’
    ‘With your barman.’
    ‘Since when?’
    ‘About ten minutes ago.’
    ‘Bullshit. Simon knows what you are. He’d never give you a job. Wait—did you threaten him?’
    She shifts in her seat. ‘I may have pointed out that he knows things that could get him killed and it would be in his best interests to help me out.’
    ‘Rick won’t hire you just because Simon asks him to.’
    ‘Already sorted. Rick took a bit of a shine to me.’
    ‘To you? Doubtful.’
    But she’s half angel, isn’t she? Her eyes are dark and perceptive and beautiful. She’s effortlessly graceful. It’s not inconceivable that someone who didn’t know her might find her attractive.
    My new phone rings: Foo Fighters’ ‘My Hero’. Rafa picked the ringtone—his idea of a joke. I check the screen: Jason. I let it go to voicemail in case it’s a conversation I don’t want to have in front of Taya.
    ‘Who was that?’ she asks.
    ‘None of your business.’
    ‘Was it Simon?’
    I settle back in my chair. ‘You worried he’ll find out you’ll be useless come happy hour?’
    ‘Please. I was tending bar before either of those boys were born.’
    ‘When? Before you realised your true calling was kicking heads?’
    She gives me a curious look. ‘What is it you think we do?’
    ‘I…’ I stop. ‘You search for the Fallen.’
    ‘And how do you think we do that?’
    I shrug. ‘Enlighten me.’ My cappuccino has gone cold. I finish it, feel the coffee slide down my throat, cool and bitter.
    Taya smiles but there’s nothing friendly about it. ‘Who would have thought the day would come when I’d have to explain something to the great Gabriella.’
    Oh,