Chapter 17
ISOLDE
The lobby bar of The Abyss was quiet tonight. Kastiel and I sat at the far end of the mahogany counter, sharing a single glass of demon-fire whiskey between us. I couldn’t hold my liquor, so I limited myself to small tastes.
His arm rested along the back of my stool, his fingers occasionally brushing my shoulder absentmindedly, as though he wasn’t even aware he was doing it.
He lifted the glass to my lips, letting me take a slow sip before he drank from the same spot. His dark eyes watched me with the softness that was reserved for me. “You look happy.”
“Because I am.” I leaned into his side. “For the first time in my life, I’m exactly where I belong.”
He pressed a kiss to my temple, his shadows curling gently around my ankles beneath the bar like a silent promise. The deepened bond between us hummed steadily, a living current that made every touch feel like coming home.
Then the air above us cracked.
It was much smaller than the vicious rifts we had faced before, but the familiar tear in reality still sent a chill down my spine.
I had full control over my powers, but a tiny rift had begun to form on the level above the lobby, a jagged little wound pulsing with dark energy near one of the balconies.
Before I could even gasp, my aura reacted on instinct.
The lightning rose smoothly, reaching upward without hesitation.
It flowed from me like liquid starlight edged with soft electricity, wrapping around the tiny rift and sealing it closed with precise power.
There was a satisfying snap as the tear knitted itself shut permanently, and the latest threat to the gate was gone as quickly as it appeared.
The situation lasted only seconds, but it felt monumental.
A quiet thrill ran through me. Kastiel’s hand found mine on the bar, squeezing gently. When I turned to look at him, his dark eyes were filled with pride, and one of his rare smiles tugged at the corner of his mouth.
“Look at you.” His voice was rough with emotion. “You did that without even thinking. Just trusted your skills and let loose before anyone else could react.”
With Kastiel’s pride wrapping around me like his shadows, I finally acknowledged what I’d learned to be true—I was no longer a threat.
Even better, I was an asset to The Abyss. And it was my home, the place where I’d always belonged. At Kastiel’s side.
The quiet thrill of closing the rift still buzzed under my skin as I turned to my mate, a wide smile breaking across my face. “I have to tell Lirael what just happened.”
Adan’s voice carried from across the bar. “Lirael isn’t here.”
I blinked, turning to find him striding toward us. “What do you mean? She didn’t say anything about leaving when I had my lesson this morning..”
“She had to leave suddenly,” Adan explained. “Right after that tiny rift formed. It looks like she inadvertently triggered it as she left in a rush, looking more troubled than I’ve ever seen her. She only said she may need to return…once she deals with whatever pulled her away so urgently.”
Concern for the woman I’d come to call my friend tightened in my chest. Lirael had been nothing but patient and encouraging with me, even when my power was volatile and unpredictable. The idea of her rushing off because of something that clearly weighed on her felt wrong.
“I hope she comes back soon. I wanted to thank her. She helped me more than she’ll ever know. Without her guidance, I wouldn’t have been able to close that rift so cleanly.”
Adan dipped his chin. “She knows.”
“And she was proud of you, Isolde,” Kastiel added. “She’s bragged to anyone who would listen about how your progress was faster than she expected.”
“I wonder what called her away,” I murmured.
Adan shrugged. “She wouldn’t go into specifics, but it seemed personal.”
I leaned into Kastiel’s side, gratitude and curiosity swirling together inside me. Lirael had become more than a trainer in the short time she’d been here. The thought of her facing something troubling on her own made me want to help, even if I didn’t know how yet.
Kastiel pressed a kiss to my temple, his shadows curling a little tighter around us both. “She’ll come back when she’s ready. And when she does, you can thank her properly. For now, focus on what you just did.”
I nodded, letting the warmth of his pride and the steadiness of our bond settle over the mix of emotions. Lirael’s sudden departure left an unanswered question in my head. But tonight, the victory was mine.
And I was ready to celebrate it with the man who had stood beside me through every spark and storm.
Adan moved a few feet away from us, his presence commanding without effort as Calliope joined him.
“Isolde.” His voice carried the quiet authority that made The Abyss itself seem to listen.
“After what you just did, there isn’t any question.
You are officially part of The Abyss security team in an advisory capacity.
Your unique aura sensitivity, that storm-succubus hybrid gift you’ve worked so hard to master, will be invaluable.
If you’re up for it, I’d like for you to help monitor the gate and detect instabilities long before they become threats. ”
His offer was completely unexpected.
I stood a little straighter, clasped Kastiel’s hand more tightly. “Me? And adviser to the security team?”
Calliope’s smile was bright. “Yes, you. Everyone has seen how far you’ve come in such a short time.”
“My mate is correct,” Adan agreed. “Your power is precise, responsive, and protective. That’s exactly the kind of strength we need guarding this place. You’re not an outsider anymore, Isolde. You’re family. Part of the team that protects The Abyss and everyone in it.”
Kastiel’s arm slid around my waist, pulling me against his side. I could feel the pride radiating from him, his shadows curling gently around my ankles in silent support. He didn’t need to speak. The way he looked at me said everything I needed to hear.
I felt my cheeks warm as an overwhelming sense of belonging washed over me. I had felt like a danger for so long. A liability that had to be contained. Now I was being welcomed—not despite my power, but because of it.
“Thank you.” My voice was steadier than I expected. “I won’t let you down. I want to help keep this place safe for all of us.”
Adan inclined his head, a faint smile touching his lips. “You already have. And you will continue to. Welcome to the team, Isolde. You’re family now.”
Calliope stepped forward and pulled me into a gentle hug, mindful of her belly. “We’re so glad you’re here. Truly. You belong with us.”
When she released me, several nearby staff members of The Abyss offered their congratulations. Lyra came out from the reception desk to give me a hug. Thomas would’ve done the same except Kastiel’s glare sent the bartender scurrying away.
“Jealous much?” I teased.
“With you, yes.” His reply held no embarrassment as he turned me toward him.
“I suppose that’s fair since I am with you as well,” I admitted with a grin.
“Which I love.” He cupped my face in both hands and pressed a tender kiss to my forehead.
I leaned into him, letting the warmth of his body and the steady hum of our bond wrap around me. The lobby bar felt brighter somehow, the weight of old fears finally lifting.
I wasn’t an outsider anymore. I was part of the family that protected this extraordinary place. With Adan and Calliope’s genuine welcome still ringing in my ears, I felt truly accepted.
For the first time, I wasn’t just surviving the storm.
I was learning to dance in it.