Katie's Hellion

"No one has to like me. My job is to protect the fate of humanity, and I do it well," he snapped. "You can't possibly have somewhere else to be. My brother, Andre, was the mediator on the Council That Was Seven on which my brothers sat. World War Three is about to break out and the Council will dissolve if I don't introduce the human who's immune to us."

"You want me to meet the Council?"

"You will meet the Council this evening."

Rhyn'll be so pissed. Yet the thought of the alleged good guys losing the ultimate war because she didn't attend a stupid meeting didn't sit well with her. Her gaze again went to Jade, who looked ready to pounce. Whatever happened, she couldn't be alone with him.

"I need some coffee," she said.

Kris relaxed, as if expecting a refusal. He motioned toward a hole in the wall, and he and Jade and Ileana trailed her out of the destroyed building.

"I really am sorry about Andre," Katie said. "I liked him."

"He kept the Council focused on defending humanity and not killing each other," Kris replied. "I'll miss my dear brother."

"There are…were seven of you, right?" she asked.

"Who told you this?"

At his sharp tone, she quickly changed the subject, saying, "After the meeting, I have to go."

"No. You're staying where my brothers can't get to you, which is with me."

"No can do. Gabriel knows where I'm staying. You can send him when you want."

"It's too dangerous for you alone," he said firmly.

"I'm not alone, and I'm leaving."

They squared off, glaring at one another. His gaze dropped to the thin, stubborn line that was her mouth and then to her scarf. Understanding crossed his features, and he unwound it, ignoring her attempts to slap him away. His stunned look was accompanied by Jade's alarmed exclamation.

"That son of a bitch claimed you? I thought he was dead-dead!"

"Betrayer of humanity," Ileana whispered. "Almost succeeded in destroying the world."

Ileana's reaction scared her. Jade's look turned to one of horror.

Katie knew Rhyn was a monster, but of this magnitude… "Thank god Gabriel got you away from him. There's no telling what he'd do to you," Kris said. "He's been in Hell for hundreds of thousands of years. He and Sasha betrayed the Council and humanity long ago."