Chapter 34
Istep out of the bath with the sun low on the horizon and glance in the mirror. My blue eyes shine brightly, and my skin glows—as if something within me has changed. I look at my forearms and swear I can see Crew’s black blood churning in my veins for a moment.
The bond between us hums when we touch as if it’s alive, ready to burst from our veins.
My lifeforce is now intertwined with Crew’s, both of us swimming in our bodies, tingling when we are in the same room together.
It’s a good and odd feeling all the same, but I don’t regret saving Crew’s life, and I know he doesn’t regret saving mine.
We are bonded in more ways than one now, and the thought of going back to Halcyon City pains me.
I cross the bathroom floor, running a brush through my hair, and feel an ache settling in between my legs.
I’m incredibly sore from that fuck session, but I’m happy, and I can’t remember the last time I felt this way.
I try not to dwell on the fact that this feeling is temporary—that we have to head back to reality.
Instead, I focus on what has happened and block out what’s to come.
As much as joining the Voids could be great for angels within the Order, I’m scared of what’s going to change when we leave this apartment.
I replay the insanity of everything that’s happened since I stepped beyond the limits of Halcyon City.
I am bound to Crew Bannermin, the demon heir to the Jade Order, and I’m about to head to the warehouse district of Hilna City to meet with someone I killed a year ago—or so I thought.
This is normal.
I walk into the bedroom as Crew slips on some fresh briefs.
His black hair is soaked, and his toned back moves with his body as he slides them up.
I pause, enjoying the view of his ass as the water from the bath still trickles down the cuts in his muscles.
He feels my presence and glances over his shoulder.
“Are you staring at my ass?”
“No.”
I walk forward, letting my towel fall to the ground, and push past him, feeling his gaze burning through me.
“Are you staring at mine?” I respond.
“Nope.”
He moves closer, wrapping his arms around my bare body, and tucks his face into the nape of my neck.
He inhales deeply, and the bond tingles in my veins from his proximity.
His rough hands slowly trail down my hips, and I draw in a breath, taking in his intoxicating scent of smoke and deadly nightshade.
“Maybe we should move the meeting tonight?” he whispers.
I turn around, wrapping my arms around his neck as I stand on my toes to kiss him.
“You know that isn’t an option,” I respond.
Crew places a hand on the side of my face, rubbing his thumb across my lips as we part ways. I look at his body pressed against mine, my gaze landing on the large butterfly tattoo on his neck. The artwork is beautiful as I study the insect—one wing white and the other black.
“Why do their wings differ?”
Crew touches the ink as though he can feel its beauty on his body.
“The black wing represents death,” he says. “And the white represents life.”
“Do you need that reminder?” I ask, angling my head.
He takes a breath. “There is a balance between life and death. I believe it’s vital we always remember life is valuable, even when death is near. Even as immortals.”
I run my fingers down his chest, brushing against each of the other three butterflies—all with black wings—aware that they signify only death for him.
I sigh as I meet his gaze again. “I’m afraid of dying. I’m even more terrified of losing someone I love.”
Crew responds, “You aren’t stupid for fearing the unknown.”
“It’s held me back for years.” I lean into his touch. “I’ve killed and killed, doing exactly what Lowell asked me to do, because I thought if I could wipe out these horrible people one by one, there would be one fewer person in the world who could harm those I love.”
“My blood slinger is afraid of something she excels in,” he whispers.
“I think that makes me insane.”
“Hardly,” he says, gently. “Fear is a powerful tool that some people wish to control. It pushes people to do crazy things. Use your fear to keep you moving forward. Let it drive you insane.”
I let his words sink in, and a smile curls my lips. He’s right. Instead of fearing what’s inevitable, I should embrace it, take control of what I can, and protect what I can’t.
“What are you afraid of?” I ask.
He smiles. “I seriously don’t like sharks.”
I burst into laughter.
“It’s not funny,” he snaps.
I lean forward, tears pouring out of my eyes. I can’t breathe as the laughter takes all my oxygen.
“We live in a city!” I boom another laugh.
“I mean, yeah,” Crew shrugs. “Thank God. I don’t trust them.”
“So, we won’t be watching shark documentaries?”
“Fuck no,” he says. “Damien will watch with you, though.”
I quickly dress, still laughing as I slip into my tight black shirt and pants, fasten my belt, and lace up my familiar black boots.
Crew dresses silently behind me as I walk into the living room. I clean up a few things, tossing towels into the wash and rearranging the furniture we moved during one of our many encounters.
Crew walks up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist.
“I’m afraid of dying, too,” he says. “Before I’m ready.”
I turn and look at him, taking in his beautiful features. “Then we have a lot in common.”
He nods and presses his lips to mine.
“What if you die from a shark attack one day?” I ask, unable to stop the laugh that breaks from my lips.
His jaw slackens. “Oh, fucking Christ. I’m never going to sleep again.”
“Or get in the bathtub,” I respond.
Crew pales, and I die laughing again.
I glance out through the curtains, and the dipping sun begins to paint the sky in light and dark pink hues.
The clouds move rapidly, and I narrow my gaze, noticing the small shadows moving across the sky—Voids.
Nerves dance in my stomach, and I can’t shake the unsettling feeling of doom that lies ahead of us.
Our time is running out, and Sam expects us soon. He wasn’t bluffing. Sam has them circling in case we decide to flee. Crew steps around me, glancing out the window as well to spot the same small shadows behind the clouds.
“Sam is so fucking dramatic,” he says.
“You didn’t think he was being serious about having them circle the apartment?”
“Oh, I knew he was serious.” Crew laces up his boots as he speaks. “He doesn’t trust anyone, but he won’t do anything to us.”
“How do you know?”
“Because he may be theatrical, but he’s not an idiot.”
I look back out the window and notice twice as many shadows as I did before. They are watching us, and I don’t let a trace of fear flow through my veins, because we aren’t fleeing. We are going to face him head-on and figure out what is truly happening.
Crew glances at me, “We need to keep our composure as best we can.”
I nod.
“But,” he starts, “if anyone even thinks about stepping your direction in a threatening way, I’ll rip their goddamn head off.”
“Good.” I smile.
I concentrate on my true form and unfold my wings, allowing their weight to fill my bones as I stretch them wide across my body. Crew watches me as the bright light dances through the apartment.
He steps forward, wrapping his hand around mine, and leads me toward the door. The cool night air fills my lungs as we step outside, the stairs creaking beneath our weight. The shadows buzz in the sky, and the nerves build within my chest.
“Ready to go insane?” he asks, smiling.
I look at him and step forward, taking in the beautiful sunset around me. “Always.”
I widen my stance and spear into the open sky, Crew following right behind me.
I take in my surroundings as the world below fades into the distance.
I glance to my side and see Crew catching up to me, flying slightly above on my right to get a better view of anything around us.
Our eyes meet, and a grin brighter than the sun lights up his handsome face, and my racing heart settles.
The wind rushes past as we navigate the small town, moving toward the large warehouse that stands like a dark beacon for what lies ahead.
My eyes catch something beneath me, and I see a man with black wings flying low to the ground.
Another shadow darkens my vision to the left, followed by yet another behind me.
I jerk my gaze to Crew, who has also noticed the company, as the men and women come into view—the Voids hired by Sam to escort us to the warehouse.
It serves as a threat and reminder that Crew and I are outnumbered in this part of town.
Crew flies closer to me, extending his black wings wider to protect me should the need arise.
As we approach the worn-down warehouse, I glance at Crew, who gives me a confident smile that assures me we’re fine.
With that, I take off, landing first on the roof of the building.
A familiar feeling from my last visit here surges through me, and even though Crew is with me this time, I can’t shake my nerves.
Crew lands beside me, resting his hand on the small of my back, and positions his body in front of mine to shield me from the Voids.
He tenses as the others descend, and I notice his eyes darken as if a threat lurks among us.
Men with large leather wings mingle with a few women adorned with feathered wings.
Before me stands a group of Voids—demons and angels coming together because they had nowhere else to go.
They were thrown out for refusing to commit to an Elder to rule over them, and for the first time, I see them differently.
They are men and women who wouldn’t risk their own lives, souls, and peace to conform to an Order, and suddenly I envy them.
Crew steps forward as an older man approaches—a demon with hair almost as white as mine. His leather wings glisten in the moonlight, and his face shows no kindness in his soul.