I suddenly had a thought. Turning to address Marcus, I asked, “You mentioned a teacher? Maybe she could help us.”

She.

Why did that bother me so much? It definitely shouldn’t. Right? Right.

Right?

Marcus frowned, deep in thought. Then, after a beat, he shook his head slowly.

“I doubt she would hear me. And besides, I would have to go to her. I couldn’t leave you or Hell unattended for so long.”

I cocked my head, “But, this is far more important. I’d be fine here with Ammi and Lucifer.”

“I won’t leave you.”

Really? There was absolutely zero logic in that answer.

“But if this is for the wellbeing of us all, then shouldn’t it rank higher than-”

He cut me off on a snarl, “This is not up for discussion, little girl. Enough.”

I flinched backwards at his tone and the fierce expression he wore. It was actually…blood chilling.

“Alright, you’ve officially crossed the border between assholeville to douchelvania,” Ammi declared, glaring daggers at Marcus. “Why don’t we discuss this tonight? It’ll give us time to think on it and get over our incredible dickishness.”

“Sounds good to me,” Raphael jumped at the opportunity. “It’s obvious nothing is getting done, and besides, Meg will probably want to be involved in serious strategy talks.”

Lucifer nodded. “Good point. We’ll meet tonight in the War Room. Come with new ideas.”

He held out his hand for Ammi to take. She hesitated, looking at me with concern. I released her, hand, pushing her gently towards her mate, wearing what I hoped to be an encouraging expression. No reason to ruin her day because Marcus had decided to be a…butt.

Apparently, my expression wasn’t all that convincing, because she turned to Lucifer and shook her head.

“Kai-Kai, Meg and I are going to have a girl’s day!” She announced, ignoring the instant frowns that overtook every male in the room’s face. “It’ll be fun! Kaiah, have you ever had a pedicure?”

“No, absolutely not!” Lucifer growled, shaking his head vehemently. “You aren’t going to the surface anytime soon, Rika.”

“And neither are you, babygirl,” Marcus agreed.

“I don’t want Meg up there without me,” Raphael chimed in, all the males so much more insufferable now that they were in cahoots.

“I liked it better when you were fighting,” Ammi said, only half joking as she spoke the thoughts in my head aloud.

Then, seeing they weren’t budging, she sighed, rolling her eyes so hard I was sure she would collapse in a dead faint.

“Luce, I understand with Michael around you’re nervous, but Meg will be with us. Didn’t you say even you couldn’t see through her wards?”

The archangel huffed, “Well, yes, that’s true, but-”

“And can’t you show up instantaneously if I speak your name?” She pressed, not allowing him to argue.

“Yes, but Michael is also-”

“Can you,” she interrupted gently, her eyes soft, “give me a valid, non-mate related reason for us to not nip up to the surface to get pedicures and talk things over?” She shook her head, "Besides, if you want battle strategies, this is the way to go. Spa days are our war councils."

Lucifer was silent, but his jaw clenched so furiously I was sure his teeth would fly out of his mouth from pressure. Still, he said nothing, and that was good enough for Amirykal.

Narrowing her eyes at Raphael and Marcus, she continued, “If it’s good enough for overbearing mate extraordinaire, it should be good enough for you two. Meg’s a big girl, Raphe, she can handle herself. And remember that whole spiel about not being suffocating, Marc? Now would be the time to put that into action.”

“Now? You’re calling me suffocating now?” Marcus growled, glowering so effectively at Ammi that even I quailed back. She, however, was unaffected.

“Yes,” she shot back, “that’s exactly what I’m saying. Michael or not, this is just as safe as Hell. Restricting her freedom purely so you’ll feel better is suffocating.”

Marcus stood there, opening and closing his mouth like a fish. Again, taking a non-answer as an affirmative, Ammi beamed at him.

“I’ll be safe Marcus, I promise,” I assured him. Despite him scaring me, he had a good heart, and that hadn’t changed.

His countenance softened, and he stepped forward. Pressing something into my hand, he whispered, “Take this, at least. It’ll protect you briefly in a confrontation…from most.”

Looking down, I scrunched my brow when I saw a golden pendant embossed with a snake-haired woman wreathed in odd symbols. I felt no hum of magic emanating from it, no buzz of energy. I didn’t understand how this was supposed to help, but if it set his mind at ease, then I’d happily humor him.

I snapped it around my neck, smiling reassuringly up at him.

“I’m told this whole ‘girl’s day’ thing is important. But I’ll be back before you know it,” I promised, grabbing his hand and squeezing. “And then we can spend a day together.” Overcome by a bout of embarrassment at my forwardness, I blushed furiously. “I mean…if you want to.”

The smile he gave me back could conquer nations.

“I would like nothing more, babygirl,” my Champion replied, bringing me in for a sweet embrace. “I’ll be thinking about you. Every damn second you’re gone.”

“Shouldn’t you be thinking about strategies?” I accused, my voice muffled by his shirt.

His laugh shook his chest against me, “You’re far more pleasant to think about.”

“Alright, alright, this is getting cavity-inducing,” Ammi grinned, “time to scram!”

After many whispered thank-you’s and a loving kiss on Lucifer’s cheek, Ammi whisked me out of the room.