Azrael's head snapped up. His eyes widened as he stared at Athena.
Oliver… dead?
Her boyfriend?
And this woman was saying it so casually, so proudly.
Athena's legs gave out completely. Azrael lunged forward just in time, catching her and sinking down with her, pulling her tightly into his arms.
"You can't challenge me, Athena," Jianna added calmly before ending the call.
The moment the line went dead, something inside Athena broke.
A sharp gasp slipped from her mouth, then a terrifying scream echoed through the room.
Azrael held her tighter, ignoring the ache tearing through his own chest, and the lump burning in his throat.
"Let it out," he whispered hoarsely. "Viper… just let it out."
She fought against his hold, her body shaking violently as sobs tore from her throat.
"You can't do this to me."
"Oliver…" she cried, words stumbling over each other. "You can't leave me like that. You promised we'd burn pancakes together…"nHer voice dissolved into broken sobs.
