Kara jogged along the red dunes in Operations. Would the High Council hear her out now? Would they believe her now, even if she was Asmodeus’s daughter? She clutched her mother’s soul to her breast and ran faster. After what Jean-Pierre had done for her, she made a mental note always to be kind to bugs, especially cockroaches. Even if it had been disgusting to kiss him, he had saved her life.
She spotted the tops of the blue training tents. She longed to see David. She hoped he wasn’t in too much trouble. She kept her eyes down. She didn’t want to attract unwanted attention. Especially now. First she wanted to reach Gabriel. Then, if all went well, she would take her mother’s soul to the Hall of Souls.
A few GAs stopped their combat lessons and stared. Some pointed. Kara pressed her chin into her neck and jogged faster. But before she could find Gabriel, Zadkiel emerged in front of her. Kara cringed.
“I’ve been waiting for you,” said Zadkiel, his voice dripping venom.
Kara backed away, clutching the glass jar protectively. “What—what do you want? Where’s Gabriel?” She searched for Gabriel’s white tent but Zadkiel stepped to the side to block her view.
“Gabriel is not here right now.” Zadkiel’s dark eyes and black eyebrows made Kara want to run away. “He is indisposed at the moment.”
Zadkiel eyed the glass jar. His eyebrows shot up. “I’ll take that now.” He lifted his large hand from his robes.
Kara recoiled. “No. This is my mother’s soul. And I’m taking it to the Hall of Souls where she’ll be safe.”
Zadkiel snarled. His face wrinkled in contempt. “I will take this now—give it to me, or you’ll be sorry.” His lips turned up at the corners.
Kara shook her head like a stubborn child. She felt panic crawling inside her. What was happening? Where was Gabriel?
“Give me the soul, guardian.”
Kara lifted the jar in the air for a moment, staring at the tiny white sphere hovering inside like a light bug. She shrugged and handed the jar to the archangel.
“So, are we going to the High Council?” Kara asked expectantly. “I have to explain what happened. I went to the Netherworld—I saw Asmodeus. He’s planning to destroy the entire mortal world! He’s released thousands of demons through mirrors. We have to stop him—”
Zadkiel held up his hand in Kara’s face. “No, you are not going to the council.”
Kara frowned. “What do you mean? I have to tell them what happened. This is really important—at least to debrief?”
“You will not need to debrief where you are going.”
Kara looked into his eyes. She feared what he would say next.
Zadkiel laughed softly. “I’m taking you where you belong, demon filth. I’m taking you to Tartarus. And trust me, this time, you will not escape.”