Chapter 35
Days of continuous planning between groups and tense night watches to ensure Sena and Karine did not arrive unannounced had everyone on edge. Even Hendricks had been brought in to keep the littlest Saint occupied while everyone else readied defenses and offenses against Karine.
“Oh, come on. I’ve already apologized twice for giving you to her. Three times if you count this,” Nicoletta grumbled, while pointing to the massive scar on her throat from Sena’s attack. “You’re the only one in here who still has a problem with me.”
Josi pouted and continued to scratch Hendricks’s ears. Even the cat turned his nose up at the gangster.
Sterling scoffed. “You threw her to Sena. She’s allowed to be upset.”
“We’re allies now. All past strife is forgotten.” Nicoletta’s face lit up at the sound of Jamie explaining one of her explosives to a group of rogues nearby. “I’ll finally teach you how to use my explosives?” She plucked the weapon from Jamie, who blinked in confusion.
“She’s ten years old,” Sterling said sternly. He tried to take the weapon from her, but Nicoletta ducked away.
“It’s better for her. Right, tiny one?” Nicoletta asked.
Josi nodded eagerly. She released the cat and moved closer to the gangster. “I’m scared of my venom.”
Jamie glanced between them. “We could use more of those.”
Nicoletta eyed the sleek metal of the explosive while nodding.
“Karine initially wanted to blow the graves out of the ground with poison-tainted grenades so it was easier to get to the dead, but the blast was too strong and destroyed many of the bodies. So, instead, she had me create an emergency detonation system for her island. We can find the rest of them there or scavenge the bombs left scattered around the city.”
“What is she hiding on that island…?” Jamie’s voice trailed off.
“Layla? Are you paying attention?” Celie’s voice brought Layla back.
She stared down at the vials of venom she had taken from her dresser at Celie’s command.
“Elise had the idea to roll Saint bullets in her tainted blood to create a sedative. We combined it with the antivenom, and we’re sure it will slow Sena down enough for us to capture her. ”
Layla nodded, but her mind stuck on only one thing. “Where is Elise now?”
“Oh…” Celie glanced toward the stairs that lead down to the cathedral’s sanctuary. “She said something about doing her rituals—”
Layla was out of the sitting room and down the stairs in an instant. She expected to find Elise deep in her harmful self-soothing rituals; Layla never could have guessed what the Saint put together in the sanctuary.
The holy space, full of pews and stained glass, had been turned into one of the most beautiful rooms Layla had ever seen.
Lit candles covered the surface of the altar, casting a delicate glow over the space.
Elise jumped, dropping the extinguished match when the door closed behind Layla.
She frowned and placed her hands on her hips. “You weren’t supposed to see this yet.”
White drapes hung on the cross and saint statues, some dangerously close to the candle flames heating the altar.
The sun had just begun to set, casting a golden glow around the place that only added to the lovely sparkle in Elise’s eye.
Even while peeved, she looked so beautiful, Layla wanted to cry.
Her mouth stretched into the biggest smile while her eyes roamed the capped-sleeve white gown that hugged her body and shone the most pristine pearlescent shade in the evening light.
She wore a pearl headpiece and matching earrings, her face a painting crafted with the carefulness of a loving god.
No matter how good the red lipstick looked, Layla could think only of kissing it off her.
She was sure her jaw had been unhinged for far too long and her eyes were wide enough to move the planets, but Layla continued to stare while Elise spoke.
“Do you remember when we were little and you used to be afraid of the dark, so whenever our parents would turn out the big light, I would light a candle for you?” Elise asked.
Layla nodded, forcing her gaze away from Elise and to the space between two large candles, where various jewelry pieces sat.
“Of course I remember. I remember everything.” It was a twisted blessing to be able to say that.
In this moment, Layla was glad for all the human lives she had taken to use their blood to keep her human memories.
She might have been an unfeeling beast that withered away to bone dust with time by now otherwise.
But, instead, her best friend stood before her, and Layla recognized all parts of her and the past that hung between them because of her taste for humanity.
Elise led her to the altar and gestured to a candle. “Remember how I told you I would always light a candle for you?”
Layla pursed her lips against the rise of tears in her eyes. “You said you did it because you loved me.”
“Because I love you.” Elise trailed a finger along a thick dripping of wax.
“I’m sorry I broke that promise on your darkest night.
I know we’re years past that time, but I want you to know I never intend to leave you in the dark again.
I promise, for as long as we are together, I will do my best to bring you light. ”
“Oh, Elise,” Layla said quietly. She eyed the jewelry covering the wooden surface before them.
It had all belonged to Sena, the collector of all things luxurious and beautiful.
She wondered if Sena had collected her earnings through vengeful acts of self-reclamation.
Her taking of the Clarice had been vicious and coldhearted, but in the end, it had brought to life a place for reapers to stay.
A place where they would never have to sell themselves just to live.
Now Layla sniffled a bit as she recalled the things she had done to keep herself alive.
Everything—whether cruel or kind—had brought her to this moment with the person she loved the most. Elise Saint, her one constant, even through all the pain and darkness.
Layla took Elise’s hand into her own. “You are my light, Elise. You always have been.”
Elise let out a shaky breath. “Layla.”
Layla could practically feel Elise’s blood pulsing against her flesh. “Why are you so nervous?” she asked.
“Because I am about to sin on sacred ground,” Elise whispered.
Layla wanted to tell her that her that she did not believe in God, not like she believed in Elise. And her sins were always sweet to Layla, no matter the severity. Instead, she stepped closer to Elise and lifted her hand to her lips, kissing her knuckles.
Elise released a heavy sigh. One of bitter expectations and unjust weight. “I know things are not ideal now. But I’m in no rush to create our life together. We have time. We may not have forever, but we do have time.”
“The mortality of our time makes it just a bit sweeter. We will never be better than we are in this moment,” Layla said in agreement.
“Exactly.” Elise asked Layla to pick out a ring for her, and Layla chose the one she found the most beautiful—a sapphire ring to match the loveliness that was her best friend.
Elise chose an amethyst one for Layla, and even after she slipped it onto her ring finger, she continued to hold her hand, admiring the sight of them intertwined and connected with two promises set in brilliant stone.
Layla’s gaze lingered on Elise’s dress again. “Is there a particular reason why you got to dress up properly and I didn’t?”
“You interrupted my plans. But don’t worry.” Elise gave her the most innocent smile. “I intend to have you rip this off me in a moment.”
Layla swallowed as her mouth went dry with hot anticipation. “As you wish.”
Elise squeezed her hand. “You are my favorite person.”
Affection sprang into Layla’s chest like the warmth she had been waiting years for, since reaperhood’s frigid hold on her life. She returned Elise’s smile and tugged her closer. “You are my best everything.”
They closed the remaining distance between them with a kiss that started fires in Layla’s stomach.
She knew none of this was a permanent fix for any of their problems. They would emerge from this kiss and from this room to a world that was still on the brink of war.
Humans would still die, and reapers would still suffer all the same.
But Layla knew, with Elise by her side and her promise tied to her heart, that she could die happy. And that was all she needed.