When Zayne didn’t disagree with that, I went on. “From there, it will be up to us to take care of Gabriel.”

The conversation went on for a little bit after that, and then the time was picked, and when we ended the call with everyone, Zayne closed his laptop and looked over at me.

“How are you feeling about this?” he asked.

I thought that over. “Good, I think. Hopeful. In twenty-four hours, this could be all over.”

His gaze flickered over my face as he nodded. “It’s a good plan. We will stop Gabriel.”

“We will.” My gaze met his, and there was a catch in my chest.

This would end tomorrow night. Either we succeeded or we failed, but it would end, because there would be no second chances after this.

The reality of that struck me then as I stared at Zayne. If we didn’t succeed, we wouldn’t be able to launch another attack, because people would be wounded in this. Failure meant Gabriel would capture me, and that I couldn’t allow. So either Gabriel died or...

I didn’t let that thought finish, but the heaviness was still here. The weight of what I would need to do if we failed had already settled on my shoulders.

Heart kicking around in my chest, I took off my glasses and carefully folded the arms, placing them on the coffee table.

I didn’t know what Zayne was thinking when I picked up the laptop, tossing it on the nearby cushion, and took its place. There was a fire in his eyes, though. A golden-white glow behind his pupils that burned bright.

The tips of his fingers brushed over the line of my cheekbone and the curve of my jaw as I skimmed my fingers along his lower lip. “I love you,” he whispered.

I dipped my head, my lips replacing my fingers. This kiss started slow and gentle and we took our time, as if we were mapping the layout of our lips and committing the shape to memory. The kiss became fierce, full of soul-burning yearning and a hint of desperation, consuming both of us. Somehow, we made it to the bedroom, and our clothing came off with a speed that was rather impressive and then...then our bodies melded together.

Behind every touch and every kiss there was the knowledge that I didn’t want to give life to. So I used my mouth, my hands and my body to say what I couldn’t ever say to Zayne.

If we didn’t stop Gabriel, I wouldn’t be coming home with Zayne. This would be our last time together.

* * *

The following day started off like any other normal, good day.

Zayne and I had breakfast with Jada and Ty that lasted till lunch. They wanted to be there tonight, but as trained as Ty was and even though Jada could defend herself, neither were ready for this. They weren’t happy, but they understood.

Hugging Jada goodbye as we parted ways was hard, because those words I didn’t want to give life to the night before haunted me. It could be the last time I saw her.

Zayne and I spent the rest of the time alone. We watched several episodes of Fresh Prince. I got Zayne to drink a can of soda as we shared a bowl of superyummy berry-flavored Italian ice and then we shared ourselves with each other.

And as I dressed an hour before we were supposed to meet with everyone, I kept searching for Peanut. As I strapped on my daggers and then braided my hair, I listened to hear any sign of him. As we walked out the door, I stopped to look for him once more...just in case.

He wasn’t there.

* * *

The drive to the farmhouse was quiet, as was the walk to where we were supposed to meet the others. We held hands the moment we stepped out of the Impala, both reaching for the other at the same moment. When we neared the group, Zayne stopped us.

He kissed me.

And it was the kind of kiss that held everything we felt for one another. It was a kiss that was deep, claiming and carried a hint of desperation. It was a kiss that promised more—demanded more. I was a little shaken when he lifted his mouth from mine, and neither of us moved for a long moment. I think we both wanted to stay there, right there, but we couldn’t. We knew that, and we started walking again.

As Zayne and I approached them, I saw only Dez and Nic were there, standing as far away as they could from the other three. I really couldn’t blame them since one of them was Lucifer, who... I squinted. Who was apparently watching something on an iPad.

“You guys are here.” Nicolai turned to us, and there was no mistaking the relief in his voice.

“Where is everyone else?” I asked.

“We figured it would be better if the others hung back,” Nicolai explained, glancing toward the fallen tree Lucifer was perched on. “Less chance for things to go south.”

“It’s a good call,” Layla said. “His legion of unwanted houseguests is also staying back.”

“I don’t think any of that is really necessary,” Roth said. “Like Lucifer is even aware of what is happening right now.”

Lucifer didn’t even appear to hear us.

“He has earbuds in,” Zayne explained. “Let me guess—Supernatural?”

Layla nodded.

“I can’t believe Lucifer is sitting over there with an iPad,” murmured Dez. “This feels like a lucid dream.”

“The last several days of my life have felt like a lucid dream,” Layla replied.

Grinning at her, Roth then turned to me. “You ready to do this?”

My heart skipped a beat. “Yes. Is he?”

“He is. He knows the plan. Backup is here. Well, almost all backup.” Roth dragged a hand over the center of his chest. “Time to play.”

Wispy black smoke floated out from underneath Roth’s shirt, spilling into the air beside him. The shadows shifted into thousands of little black dots spinning in the air, like minicyclones.

Bambi was the first to come off his skin and take form. The giant snake immediately slithered her way over to Zayne and I.