Gates of Paradise (a Blue Bloods Novel)

It felt great to be back in Paris—and with a pang, Mimi realized it was a life she and Kingsley had never had the luxury to experience. Come away with me, he had asked her, right before her bonding to Jack. She had said yes—but by then it was too late.

In Paris she felt like her old self again, checking into the Ritz in her usual suite, sinking into those heavenly sheets and lush pink towels. She’d even found a little time to steal away and do some shopping; there was nothing that made her feel more confident than a fabulous new outfit from Lanvin, with Louboutins to match. Suitably attired, she went back to business.

The two couples had managed to find twin apartments as well—they lived side by side in a building that had once been a house, carved into beautiful apartments. And they must have felt safe there, since they’d done nothing supernatural to protect themselves—no spells, no enchantments. Just locks that were easy for someone like Mimi to pick.

She spent a couple of days quietly following them around, breaking into their apartments when she knew they weren’t home. No sign of Kingsley, but they’d obviously gotten comfortable. The apartments were structurally identical, like Deming and Dehua, but they were furnished completely differently. Deming and Ted’s apartment was decorated in soft pastels, with gauzy curtains and a feeling of openness and warmth. Fitting for the Angel of Mercy, Mimi thought. Sam and Dehua’s apartment was sleek and modern, with furniture made of steel. Indestructible, for the Angel of Immortality.

Ted and Sam both had their own offices, as well. Ted’s, in keeping with his detective instincts, was covered in maps and corkboards that detailed his investigation of Lucifer’s plan to destroy the gates. Sam’s was filled with the most expensive computer equipment.

The one thing the apartments shared was that they were both covered in photographs. Pictures of the couples at their bonding, on their honeymoon, wandering around the streets of Paris together. They all seemed so happy.

And the whole time, Mimi was growing furious.

Why was this happening to her? Why was she embroiled in this crazy plot to double-cross Lucifer when all she wanted was what she’d been willing to go to Hell for: the chance to be with Kingsley? She’d lost her bondmate and found a way to move on, but she still wasn’t permitted any happiness. The stone around her neck felt heavier and heavier every moment. No matter what she did, the Dark Prince would know.

She decided to wait in Ted and Deming’s apartment and surprise them when they returned. She’d always gotten along a little better with Ted, and she knew Deming better than Dehua, from the time Deming had helped them catch the hidden Nephilim at Duchesne.

There was a pale blue wingback chair that faced the front door of the apartment, so she could sit and wait for them and be sure she was the first thing they saw. Mimi touched her chest, confirming that the small needle of her sword was safely tucked into her bra. She never knew when she might need it. Hopefully they’d cooperate, but Venators could be tricky. Even the friendly ones.

To their credit, Ted and Deming didn’t look all that surprised when they came home to find Mimi there. It was as if they’d been expecting her. Now it was just a question of figuring out how much they knew, and how to get them to do what she wanted.

“Congratulations,” Mimi said. “It must be nice to settle down and not worry that our world is ending.”

Deming appraised her coolly. She didn’t seem the least bit afraid. “After Egypt we hunted the Nephilim for months, to stanch the demon invasion. The Gates of Hell remain standing, no thanks to you. I don’t recall seeing you at the battles at the Gate of Sorrow, and the Gate of Justice when we lost Octilla and Onbasius.”

So the Nephilim continued their relentless assault. It was as Jack had worried—back when he’d still worried about this sort of thing. The Dark Prince would keep the vampires and Venators on the edge, on the brink of exhaustion, and when their forces were weak and unprepared, Lucifer would reveal his true plan: to reclaim the throne of Heaven.

“Sorry we didn’t invite you to the bonding. We’d only just moved to Paris and we seem to have lost your address,” Deming said with a shrug.

“Now, darling, I think we have Mimi to thank for bringing us together. Let’s not be rude to our uninvited guest,” Ted said with a guarded smile.

“I would have thought you’d be wondering what I’m doing here,” Mimi said.

“We’re definitely curious,” Deming said. “There are some pretty amazing stories going around about you right now. Care to tell us which ones are true?”

Oh, for the days when it was fun to think about the things people said about her. “What have you heard? Let me guess. That I’ve gone back to the Dark Prince, that Jack and I have revealed our faithless natures—just as everyone always said we would. Am I right?”