But whatever.

I wasn’t here for them.

I was supposed to be here for the Harbinger. The archangel Gabriel, who dropped a nuclear bomb on that fragile balance. But right now? I was here for Zayne.

Dez and I traveled around the National Mall for quite some time, and it wasn’t exactly a stroll in the park. It hurt to think that Zayne had planned on giving me a tour, taking me to the museums and such, but this was how I was being introduced to the Mall.

But it could still happen, and besides, it wasn’t like I could see anything beyond a few feet in front of me and general shapes. I could always pretend I hadn’t been here, because with each minute that turned into ten, it became clear that Zayne wasn’t here.

Which left only the bars and clubs—where humans would be gathering. According to Dez, we had less than an hour before they closed.

I didn’t even want to ask why Dez had thought a Fallen would seek out humans, but I had to when we arrived at Dupont Circle, where the streets were lit by signs and the steady stream of headlights.

“Why do you think a Fallen would be drawn to the same area as a demon?” I kept close to Dez as we passed several packed bars, continuously scanning for doors randomly opening and stumbling drunks who would have more trouble than me when it came to navigating the sidewalk.

“There’s not a lot of info out there about the Fallen,” Dez said as I noticed a cluster of laughing girls headed down the sidewalk. “But I do remember what made God go after them.”

“Besides producing nephilim offspring every five seconds, and I honestly don’t see how that was such a big deal, because hello.”

“Thought you didn’t like that term.”

“I don’t.”

I thought he grinned, because the giggling group of girls we passed went completely silent as they stared up at him. He didn’t seem to notice. “That I can’t answer, but the Fallen were drawn to humans in the same ways demons are. When they were still fully certified heavenly angels, they worked alongside man to achieve a better way of life, but once they Fell, they used their charisma and charm to...well, revel in sin.”

My stomach soured. I didn’t want to even think about Zayne reveling in sin. “Did fallen angels have the same kind of talents as some of the Upper Level demons?”

He hesitated, and I knew that was my answer. “I believe so.”

Oh God.

Upper Level demons could sway people into doing all kinds of disturbing things with just their words alone.

My gaze crept toward an all-night coffee shop. There were a few people sitting at the bistro tables inside and a handful in line. Two young men headed for the door, Styrofoam cups in hand. Behind them, a child too young to be out at this time of night trailed after them. He was too far away for me to make out the little boy’s features, but I knew he was a spirit. Perhaps their child? A younger brother? I wasn’t sure, but I knew he’d crossed over and was now back.

I slowed down as the young men stepped out into the damp night air. The little spirit suddenly rushed forward, brushing past the one with rich brown skin. The guy stumbled, looking down as the spirit passed by and disappeared in a blink of an eye.

“You okay, Drew?” the other man asked, touching his arm.

“Yeah. I...” Drew stared at the spot where the child had disappeared. “Yeah, I am. Everything is good.”

Watching them, I wondered just how much Drew had felt or was possibly aware of. People often could feel the presence of a ghost, especially if they did that creepy and annoying thing where they walked through a person. And depending on how active and strong the ghost was, they could even catch sight of one. Spirits were different, though. People often caught that familiar scent. Sometimes they would suddenly feel warm or inexplicably be reminded of the person who’d passed on. To feel one as intensely as the man called Drew just had made me think he had a little angelic blood in him.

Dez had stopped, and I got myself moving again. My empty stomach rumbled, and I realized I had no idea when I last ate. Normally on these patrols, I’d already eaten three days’ worth of meals and half of whatever...whatever Zayne had picked up.

My appetite immediately vanished.

Foot traffic picked up once the bars started shutting down, making it a lot more difficult to walk the sidewalks, but I stuck close to the businesses. Roughly around the same time, I did feel the presence of demons. Nothing serious like an Upper Level demon, though, and the building frustration was quickly becoming desperation.

Where could he be? Lifting my gaze to the sky, I saw nothing but darkness. What was he doing? I trudged on, refusing to acknowledge the aches and pains I hadn’t felt earlier but that were now rearing their ugly heads. What if he left the city? Panic blossomed, giving way to a sense of helplessness. God, I couldn’t even consider that. I couldn’t. I wouldn’t.

Minutes turned into another hour. The streets quieted. The traffic slowed. Each step became more sluggish.

Dez finally stopped. “Trinity,” he said, his voice weary and heavy. “It’s time.”

I knew what he meant, but I still asked, “For what?”

“To head home.” He walked over, stopping to stand beside me. “We can pick this back up tomorrow, but if he’s out here, he doesn’t want to be found.” There was a pause. “You need your rest, Trinity. Finding him while you’re bone-dead tired isn’t going to do any of us any favors.”

Dez was right, but I wanted to argue. I wanted to stay out here until I found Zayne, but I nodded and I followed Dez back to the car. I climbed into the passenger seat, closing my eyes and praying to whoever that was listening that Zayne was still in the city, that he was safe and that it wasn’t too late.

6

It was close to dawn by the time I limped into the dimly lit apartment. I came to a stop as the elevator door slid closed behind me, unable to move as I looked around.