Chapter Three

I paced Balthazar's kitchen while he spoke angrily in French to whomever was on the other side. All I was getting from the conversation was David was in trouble, and it had something to do with Balthazar's less than stellar past.

Not that I could by any means judge, but I was not about to sit idle while David was in jeopardy. I secretly hoped and it came to fruition that Balthazar assumed it was to dangerous for me to come along with him to get David.

~0~

I waited exactly all of five minutes after Balthazar left before pulling out my work cell. I admittedly felt bad about not telling Balthazar the truth about myself, but I couldn't let anything happen to him, and I had far more experience in this type of work.

"Talk to me Amanda." The voice was monotone as usual.

"Good to hear your voice to Rufus." I drawled, feeling mildly unappreciated.

He sighed. "You know girl, you only call me ten minutes after all hell has broken loose, so why don't we cut to the part where you ask and I tell…"

"I need a name, and a place. The plane that had a mishap" I sneered the word "had one David Garrett on it, and word on the street is that our black eyed Betty had something to do with it…"

"Gimme five minutes."

Ten minutes later I was making my way into the alley behind Balthazar's condo. I knew it had been risky bringing the Aventador, but now I was relieved I had.

I quickly changed into my gear, and double checked my crossbow. It had been a bit of an ordeal getting it blessed, but completely worth every stolen penny.

I checked my reflection in the rear-view mirror. Meow! Rita Ora eat your heart out, I thought. Although my suit was similar, it was a solid black, save for the silver angel wings on the back. I slipped the necklace over my head; the silver cross nestled between my ample cleavage.

A deep breath and a quick prayer, and I was off, heading balls out towards New Orleans.

~0~

Balthazar tightened his grip around the demon's throat sinisterly.

"I am not liking your answer, so you've got all of 10 seconds to rectify the situation before I send you back to whence you came."

The demon barely managed to choke out "New Orleans" before he crumbled into a dust pile at the angel's feet.

The angels blue eyes would have been terrifying to even the bravest of souls at that moment. He absentmindedly brushed the dust from his black blazer, and then with a rustle of wings was gone.

~0~

I blew past the city limit sign while going well over a hundred, thankful of the police scanner Ash had 'fixed up' for me.

I almost swerved off the road and into the ditch, when I was suddenly no longer alone in the car. Slowing down, a death grip on the steering wheel, I swallowed hard as Balthazar spoke.

"I believe you and I need to have a little chat… Seraphim."

I somehow made it to the side of the road, and put the car in park. I looked up into his face, only to notice his eyes were slowly roaming my outfit.

When his eyes finally reached mine, they were dark and unreadable. His hand slid across my upper thigh as he leaned in closer, his breath hot in my ear.

"And where exactly, my lovely little hunter, were you going in such a hurry?"

~0~

David whimpered and weakly struggled with the shackles on his wrists. His face ached, and he could still taste the blood from his split lip. He drew a ragged breath, trying to not think about how many of his ribs were broken. He heard the door swing open, and tried to press himself further into the corner, fear coiling in his belly.

David squeezed his eyes shut as his captor drew closer, and tried briefly to think of Balthazar and Amanda… would he ever see them again?

He forced himself to not cry out as his captor grabbed a handful of his hair, forcing him to look up.

"Well don't you just have the prettiest little mouth," his captor whispered, lewdly licking his lips. "All tied up with no one to save you, I think you are going to be my new favorite toy…"