Elliot

I enter the heavens at Jacob’s request. I have no idea what's so important that he can't tell me himself, but he’s the boss, and I'm on thin ice, so I don’t argue. Jolene is safe. She's got Grayson, Jace, Estevan, and Tally. Besides, no one in their right mind would ever cross Jacob. Sphere’s familiar harsh features come into view, and I take a seat at the chair that appears before me. I guess he’s back. I really have been out of the loop.

“What's this all about, Jacob?” Sphere demands in an annoyed tone. He conjures a desk and two more chairs, seating himself on the opposite side. How very formal. Angels are weird, always edgy, and distant. I couldn’t live my life that stuck up, never cracking a smile.

“It's about Tally.”

Whaaaat? Okay, that was unexpected. What the hell does this have to do with me personally?

“We’ve found another phoenix... is there any chance your oracle’s visions are of her?”

Whoa, I snap at attention. If this has anything to do with Jolene or Tally, I'm all ears.

Sphere looks at Jacob sympathetically. I don’t like where this is going. 

“I know who you 're speaking of and Jacob. I'm sorry but were confident it's Tally.”

Okay, what did I miss? I cut in.

“Sorry guys, but I'm in the dark here.”

Its Sphere who speaks first.

“Does he know who she is to you?”

Jacob shakes his head vigorously, glaring at Sphere.

“No, and he doesn't need to know. None of them do.”

Sphere Finally looks at me.

“Fair enough. So my guess is you would like him to be in the know?”

In the know of What? I'm getting nervous. The conversation is cryptic, but the mood is dire.

“I'm going to tell them all soon enough. This can't be put off much longer. We haven't had any luck locating the ring, and since none of you will help us. Lucifer is pushing back; we owe him many favors. I was just hoping, by chance... never mind. Although this is the last favor I want to grant... it's the only one available at the moment. You just better be sure there's no harm that comes to her... can you bet your life on that?”

Sphere’s smile is vicious. He doesn't seem to be enjoying himself.

“You know I guarantee nothing, but my oracles are never wrong. There's only one safe play here, and I agree, time is running out... would you like me to tell him?”

Jacob nods at Sphere. I swallow a hard lump in my throat. This entire conversation has my insides twisted as I wait for the shoe to drop.

“Tally Must wed Lucifer. My oracles do not see any alternatives. If she doesn't, things do not end well for anyone.”

He can't be serious! Jacob can't seriously be considering this? It's ludicrous! There's no way. There's no way we'd hand over Tally to the devil, literally the devil. I look over at Jacob, who gives me an aggrieved look, leaving no room for argument. Then it dawns on me. He was trying to pawn off Jolene. I can't say I blame him; I love Tally too, but I'm a little pissed at his double handedness.

Sphere gets up, buttoning his pristine white jacket.

“I trust you're going to tell the others, without my help?”

Jacob clears his throat.

“Yes, of course.”

Sphere nods, satisfied. All I can do is sit silently, bobbing my head back and forth between them.

“Very good. When do you think you 're able to deliver her?”

Jacob appears to be angry as he grunts out his next words.

“I don't know, but when I do, you'll be the first no to know.”

I feel invisible as my tongue is swollen and heavy in my mouth. I don't know if it's Sphere’s control or the shock of what I've learned. Either way, it doesn't make a difference. I wouldn't know where to start.

“Sooner rather than later, Jacob, you don't want us taking it into our own hands. I'll be expecting a time frame by the end of the week. don't disappoint me, we're extending a courtesy, but we can just as easily turn the tables.”

We both watch Sphere walk away. The threat doesn't go unnoticed; it leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

“Tell me you have some kind of plan that doesn't involve handing Tally over to the worst possible person I could ever imagine.”

Jacob drops his head in his hands, massaging his temples.

“I wish I did, believe me, but it's out of my control. We have to trust in the prophecy or Tally’s life, and everyone else's, for that matter, will be blood on our hands...”

The trip into the heavens puts everything into perspective. I realize how single-minded I've been. Selfishly worrying about myself while things play out around me has kept me in the dark. Jacob is putting together a meeting tonight. I suspect that's when he's going to tell everyone, including Tally. Standing outside the library, I listen to Jolene's steady breaths and imagine her curled up in a chair. My hesitation has nothing to do with her sleeping and everything to do with her wellbeing. I don't know how to protect her anymore. I realized something today. In my world, there are bigger things happening. Things I can't control and if her being with me results in her experiencing one of those things. I don't think I could live with myself. I should have left it the way it was. Watch her from a distance while always protecting her the best way I can, but no, I had to make myself known. Just had to have her, taste her. Now there's no turning back, and it's all I can think about.

“Stop beating yourself up. It’s simple physics.”

Grayson stands beside me and puts a hand on my shoulder.

“You have no idea what you're talking about.” I tell him.

“Don’t I? What happened today is fated. If something like that should happen to your mate, do you really think you could intervene one way or the other?”

I glare, looking down at his hand on my shoulder.

“You're not helping.”

Grayson chuckles, nudging me.

“Listen, I know there's no stopping a mated male. You had no control over the situation, I'm surprised you lasted as long as you did. The same can be said for prophecies and fate.”

Okay, I get it; I'm wasting my time on what ifs. Easier said than done. Anyone mated would never throw caution to the wind when their mate is on the line.

“How did you know what I was thinking?” I ask, even though I know the answer is obvious. We grew up together for Christ sakes and were very similar. It's not hard to put two and two together. Grayson looks toward the door, shrugging his shoulders.

“It's what I'd be thinking.”

Another realization clicks into place, and I turn to Grayson, accusingly.

“How long have you known about Tally?”

He grimaces, looking at his feet.

“Long enough to know there's nothing I can do about it... Wrath was the first to find out, he told Austin and Jacob after the whole Robert debacle. Jacob told me, Estevan and Jace not long after Sphere made an appearance. None of the girls know and of course... Tally doesn’t. Did Jacob mention Roberts dead? They buried him in some deserted world no one has access to.”

Fuck, I've really been out of the loop.

“Anything else I've missed?” I say sarcastically. He gives me a sad smile before quickly dropping it.

“I get it, man, they may not, but I do... Move on. She's here.”

He’s right and I know it. Pushing my shit behind me. I try to change my mood, even though my outlook is blurry. I've got Jolene. She will be mine; she just doesn’t know it yet. That should free my mind and get me back in the game. Grayson punches me in the shoulder and begins to roughhouse, making me laugh.

“Theres the Elliot I know.”

He grunts, trying to place me in a chokehold; I block him with a knee, flipping him on his back. The commotion must have disturbed Jolene because when we break apart, I see her standing against the door with an unreadable expression.