Chapter 24

"How kind of you to present yourself for punishment." The angel didn't appear at all surprised by Desmond's appearance.

"There will be no punishing today. Erela and I are leaving." He helped Erela to her feet, anger simmering at the sight of the manacles binding her ankles.

"No one is leaving until we are done." The angel lifted her hand and, having seen the result thus far, Desmond knew he'd run out of time. But standing in front of Erela, at least she knew he'd come for her. Hoped she took comfort in that knowledge. Wished he could do something because he'd known from the moment Raphaella arrived that they were in trouble.

Deep, deep trouble.

Unlike the others on the tribunal who gazed in awe at the angel, blinded by her beauty, ignoring the cold ugliness inside, Desmond was not fooled. Because who but an ugly race would condemn a child for being born.