Bewitching Jolene (Book 3) Jacobs Broken Mercenaries

chapter 11

Elliot

I enter the heavens at Jacob’s request. I have no idea what's so important that he can't tell me himself, but he’s the boss, and I'm on thin ice, so I don’t argue. Jolene is safe. She's got Grayson, Jace, Estevan, and Tally. Besides, no one in their right mind would ever cross Jacob. Sphere’s familiar harsh features come into view, and I take a seat at the chair that appears before me. I guess he’s back. I really have been out of the loop.

“What's this all about, Jacob?” Sphere demands in an annoyed tone. He conjures a desk and two more chairs, seating himself on the opposite side. How very formal. Angels are weird, always edgy, and distant. I couldn’t live my life that stuck up, never cracking a smile.

“It's about Tally.”

Whaaaat? Okay, that was unexpected. What the hell does this have to do with me personally?

“We’ve found another phoenix... is there any chance your oracle’s visions are of her?”

Whoa, I snap at attention. If this has anything to do with Jolene or Tally, I'm all ears.

Sphere looks at Jacob sympathetically. I don’t like where this is going. 

“I know who you 're speaking of and Jacob. I'm sorry but were confident it's Tally.”

Okay, what did I miss? I cut in.

“Sorry guys, but I'm in the dark here.”

Its Sphere who speaks first.

“Does he know who she is to you?”

Jacob shakes his head vigorously, glaring at Sphere.

“No, and he doesn't need to know. None of them do.”

Sphere Finally looks at me.

“Fair enough. So my guess is you would like him to be in the know?”

In the know of What? I'm getting nervous. The conversation is cryptic, but the mood is dire.

“I'm going to tell them all soon enough. This can't be put off much longer. We haven't had any luck locating the ring, and since none of you will help us. Lucifer is pushing back; we owe him many favors. I was just hoping, by chance... never mind. Although this is the last favor I want to grant... it's the only one available at the moment. You just better be sure there's no harm that comes to her... can you bet your life on that?”

Sphere’s smile is vicious. He doesn't seem to be enjoying himself.

“You know I guarantee nothing, but my oracles are never wrong. There's only one safe play here, and I agree, time is running out... would you like me to tell him?”

Jacob nods at Sphere. I swallow a hard lump in my throat. This entire conversation has my insides twisted as I wait for the shoe to drop.

“Tally Must wed Lucifer. My oracles do not see any alternatives. If she doesn't, things do not end well for anyone.”

He can't be serious! Jacob can't seriously be considering this? It's ludicrous! There's no way. There's no way we'd hand over Tally to the devil, literally the devil. I look over at Jacob, who gives me an aggrieved look, leaving no room for argument. Then it dawns on me. He was trying to pawn off Jolene. I can't say I blame him; I love Tally too, but I'm a little pissed at his double handedness.

Sphere gets up, buttoning his pristine white jacket.

“I trust you're going to tell the others, without my help?”

Jacob clears his throat.

“Yes, of course.”

Sphere nods, satisfied. All I can do is sit silently, bobbing my head back and forth between them.