Page 102 of Reckless Witch

I release a breath. I hope the damn blood pact doesn’t give Leilah an ability to see more deeply into my soul. I grimace. She would most definitely flay me alive if she could read my thoughts.

I round the rear of the Admin building and sense an angel’s presence before I catch sight of Zadkeil, standing on the path up ahead. Speak of the devil. Angels pride themselves on maintaining a heavenly image: long, flowing hair, loose robes, armor and, of course, wings. All of which are absent in Zadkeil. In jeans, a tight t-shirt, a heavy leather jacket and black boots, the angel could be the leader of a rock band. Women would go mad for him.

I squint as I approach him, then stop. “Did you cut your hair?”

His expression doesn’t alter. “You know that is forbidden.”

I shrug. “Sure looks short to me.”

With a sigh, he turns his head. His dark hair is held with a tie low on his nape.

“Ah. Your news must be important to have risked a public appearance dressed like”—I grin—“one of us.”

“It is after midnight. We are alone,” he replies. “But, yes, it is important. Your witch left quite a mess for us to deal with.”

I raise a brow. “Indeed?”

His lips compress. “The Shadow remnants you recovered from Miriam Crowe’s home represent only a fraction of The Shadows she used.”

Only a fraction? I keep my expression neutral. “What exactly does that mean?”

His expression hardens. “It means you should thank my Lord that she didn’t blow a hole large enough to take Westchester County with her on her way to Hell.”

That would be one way to get around breaking the spell that keeps the Hell Gates closed. What the bloody hell was Miriam doing with such powerful Shadow magic?

“I assume you found no trace of her?” he says.

“Not so much as a hair follicle. I had hoped you would.”

“We must discover what spells she used.”

I found no spell book in her home. That doesn’t completely surprise me. Magic was first nature to Miriam. She had more magic memorized than a dozen talented Margiddians combined. She likely memorized any magic she used and didn’t risk writing down spells. Still, I’m disturbed by the complete lack of remains. How does a witch blow herself to Kingdom Come and leave no trace?

“We cannot have her finding a way into Hell,” Zadkeil says.

“What?” I blink. “You aren’t serious in thinking she was trying to blow a hole big enough to enter Hell? That isn’t possible.”

“I never said it was possible,” Zadkeil shoots back.

But he had. Then I realize what else he’d said. “What do you mean, ‘We cannot have her finding a way into Hell?’” I stare. “You don’t believe she’s dead.” My mind races. We’d found the hole she’d blown in her basement and assumed… I narrow my eyes on Zedkeil. “What aren’t you telling me?”

“We must have the spell she cast.”

“The spell to enter Hell?” I say slowly.

He gives a curt nod.

The angel has gone mad.

“I’ve gone over that house with a microscope. There is no evidence she was trying to reach Hell.” I shake my head. “In fact, the idea is ludicrous. Which means, you have information from another source. Has your god finally involved himself?”

The god of angels has good reason for not wanting the Hell Gates open. His once-favorite son is the ruler of Hell. The longer The Morning Star stays locked inside, the less trouble Elyon has to deal with. Even if it is possible to find another way into Hell, why would Miriam Crowe, a powerful white witch, want to enter?

And why is Zadkeil so worried about the possibility of someone entering Hell? If Miriam did get into Hell—something I don’t believe for an instant—in no way does that— My thoughts freeze. If a powerful witch is inside Hell, might she be able to open the gates from that side?

The possibility is too bloody fantastical. Even if it were possible, why would a white witch want to open the Hell Gates? Another, even stranger question: if Miriam found a way into Hell, why would Zadkeil worry about how she’d done it? Why not worry about reinforcing the gate so that she can’t get out? Maybe Elyon has someone else working on that issue and tasked Zadkeil with finding out how Miriam accomplished the feat.

“You will report any new findings to me,” Zadkeil orders.