“Because the battle wasn’t mine to fight.” Carmella’s sweet voice was starting to annoy her. It was that whole lack of emotion. Would a little bit of passion really kill an angel? “It was yours, and the end result—that result determined your fate.”

Her fate? Marna’s chest had begun to feel hollow. “I was supposed to die.”

“Or become a guardian.”

Why wasn’t Tanner talking? “Say something,” she gritted, angry. “Talk to me!”

His eyelids flickered. “I’ll miss you.” Growled. He’d said that before. Each time he said those words, she felt as if he was ripping into her soul.

And, what? That was all he had to tell her? He’d miss her? How about . . . “Baby, don’t go. My heart will be torn out if you leave me”? Couldn’t he just growl those words instead?

Because if she left him, that’s how she’d feel. The wings didn’t matter. Nothing mattered but being with him.

Well, he could stand there, look all stoic and strong, and act like this was the big dramatic end for them, but she wasn’t playing that game. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Now that got his attention. His eyes widened and suddenly, his hands were gripping hers hard enough to bruise. Good thing she wasn’t human. He might have just accidentally snapped some of her bones if she had been.

“You’d choose me?” He shook his head. Looked stunned and thrilled and hopeful all at once. “But . . . with your wings, you can have everything you ever wanted. You can have your life back.”

“I don’t want that life back.” It had been so cold and empty. And she didn’t want to be a guardian—just watching life pass. She wanted to keep living and loving. “I want what I have with you.” Didn’t he understand? “Tanner, I meant what I said. I love you.”

Love. Not just a human emotion. Shifters loved. Vampires loved.

So did angels.

Now only hope lit his face. His lips curved in a smile that took her breath.

“I’m sorry, Marna,” Carmella said, voice still soft. “But that isn’t how this works.”

In a blink, Marna found herself across the room and at the angel’s side. Tanner stared at them in confusion for an instant; then he lunged toward them. “Marna!”

Wind ripped through the room and tossed him back against the wall. The same wind seemed to grab Marna and lift her up. Up and toward the open window.

“Marna!” Tanner was fighting against the wind, roaring his fury and slashing out with his growing claws as he tried to reach her.

And Marna fought. She kicked and clawed with her own hands against the unseen force that lifted her higher and higher. She didn’t want to leave. She belonged on earth, with Tanner. This was her life. She wouldn’t go back to that cold, emotionless existence. Not now.

The wind beat faster. Tanner was fading from sight. She was losing him, and the last thing she heard him say was, “Stay with me! I love you, Marna. Stay. With. Me!”

But fate had other plans. Fate ripped her away and lifted her so high that she couldn’t even hear his roar anymore.

The wind died away, slowly freeing him from its unbreakable grip. Tanner hit the floor when the last of that powerful blast faded, but he was on his feet a mere second later. He raced for the window. His claws sliced into the wall. “Marna!”

She wasn’t outside. Not on the ground. Not above him where the angel had been.

She was just . . . gone.

The beast inside was snarling with fury. Wild and desperate, he seemed to be clawing Tanner apart from the inside out.

Marna hadn’t wanted to leave him. I love you. Her words echoed in his head. She’d been so beautiful when she said them. Eyes clear. Face lit with happiness. She’d been choosing him.

And then she’d been taken away.

He leapt through that window and landed on the ground. His bones were already popping and snapping. The panther wasn’t being held back on a leash this time. He was free, and he was pissed.

As pissed as the man.

No one took his mate. Marna had been afraid. She’d been fighting.

She wants me.

And he’d kill to get her back.

His feet raced over the earth. He had Marna’s scent. He’d track her, find her, f**king break down the door to heaven if he had to, but he was getting her back.

Heaven couldn’t take her, and if the angels thought they were finished with him, then they’d better think again.

The panther threw back his head and screamed his fury to the night.