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the attention of the master demon or that demonic influence could have resulted in the ambush.”
    “Do you know who hired the assassins?” Daniel hadn’t been able to find out, but surely the Council of Ancients knew.
    “I was not given that information. They want nothing to influence your impressions.”
    Lailah moved her hands to her lap, trying to relax. “I still don’t understand what you want us to do.”
    “We know Nate has visions, but the Council is not sure he’s the one. You are to assess the entire family, search for untapped potential and latent abilities. Angelic sensitivity has been ineffective in judging their nature. We need someone who is able to interact with them directly.”
    Lailah bit her lip to keep from laughing. Had Gadrayel reported her misconduct? Did Sariel realize the nature of her acquaintance with Nate?
    “It’s because of your relationship with Nate that I chose you for this task.”
    She’d forgotten how effortlessly Sariel could read others’ thoughts. She needed to be more careful.
    “A man will reveal things to a lover that he will hide from the rest of the world.”
    “Is there a lovely Monthamn female for me to assess?” Daniel’s wit eased the anxiety twisting inside Lailah.
    “The mission objective is not seduction,” Alyssa said. “Behave yourself.”
    “What happens if we find a person, or persons, bursting with untapped potential?” Daniel asked, ignoring her playful reprimand.
    “They will be trained. The Council is waiting for a champion, a protector, an emissary unlike any other. They have taken to calling them the Empowered One.”
    Sariel’s explanation confused Lailah. “If angelic sensitivity has been unable to identify this Empowered One, how does the Council expect us to locate them?”
    “The Monthamns are unique. Because a Fallen angel contributed to their physiology, the Council believes…”
    “It takes a semi-Fallen angel to assess a semi-Fallen angel?” The smirk was back in Daniel’s tone.
    “Frankly, aye.”
    “And how shall we present ourselves?” Lailah tucked her hair behind her ear, keeping the long strands off her face. “We can’t just ride up to the castle unannounced. There is a possibility Nate will not even realize who I am.”
    Laughter erupted around her and Lailah’s cheeks burned.
    “He’ll know who you are,” Alyssa predicted. “Have you told him what you are?”
    “He believes I’m a dream.”
    Sariel cleared his throat, obviously anxious to refocus the conversation. “It’s my suggestion that Daniel claim an association with William, Nate’s younger brother. No one will be able to refute such a claim. I’ll implant memories that will make his role believable. You can explain your connection to Daniel however you choose.”
    “Surely you aren’t instructing us to lie,” Lailah challenged with the hint of a smile.
    “You will be playing roles. Those roles need to be convincing. This is a sanctioned assignment but…”
    “Ordinary angels can speak only truth?”
    Alyssa’s hand returned to Lailah’s arm. “If you’re opposed to this—”
    “I’m teasing your husband. There was a time when it would have made you laugh.”
    After a strained silence, Daniel said, “We’ll work out the details and let you know our plans. It shouldn’t take more than a day or two.”
    Lailah moved to her chair by the fire as Daniel ushered their guests to the door.
    “Now who’s being surly?” He moved up behind her, resting his hands on her shoulders.
    “I don’t begrudge them their happiness. I… All right, I don’t want to begrudge them their happiness.”
    He rubbed her shoulders, easing the tension gathered there. “They are obnoxiously happy. If it makes you feel better, I’ll hate them for you.”
    She smiled, leaning her head against his chest. “I’ve been officially sanctioned to return to Nate. What does this mean?”
    He chuckled. “You’ll soon be obnoxiously happy too?”
    * * * *