Once he finished dealing with Uriel, Gavriel hurried back to Althea’s side. The thought that she could open a portal made him uneasy. No matter how tightly he chained her, she could vanish from him in an instant.

Dawn was just beginning to stir. Before he went inside, he ordered the servants to prepare breakfast for both of them. Then he handed three small bottles to Rudy, Trudis, and Ben.

“Drink these, now,” he said flatly. Without hesitation, the three of them uncorked the potions and ...