CHAPTER 12
Tino
Angel was never innocent, and I had no chance at redemption.
Then why, after all the fantasies came crashing down into bitter truths, did my hands freeze around her neck instead of forcing that one last breath out?
Why did all I feel, as I sniffed out the light from her eyes, was a shattering pain as if my soul was being split in half?
Damn you, Angel. More than you’re already damned. More than you damned me. “Why can’t you just let me go?” I asked her as if she was the one strangling me, not the other way around, as if she was the one with the unbreakable hold on me that wouldn’t budge no matter what.
I stared at my fists that wouldn’t obey me anymore. Even my own flesh couldn’t put an end to the tragedy we’d become. Nothing could save either of us now.
Taking a step back, I swore in defeat, as my fingers dropped from her throat.
She collapsed on the floor, coughing wildly, treacherous life breathing back into her. One hand on her neck, she reached out to me with the other, still urging me to save her.
“No more saving you, Angel. I’ve tried everything and failed. I’m done.”
“Tino,” she rasped.
I crouched down and caressed her cheek. “Forgive me, my sweet Angel. The darkness won.”
She held on to me. “No.”
“You still don’t believe me? Allora, I’ll prove it to you when I come back.”
“Don’t…leave.”
“I have to. You destroyed my path to redemption, but it doesn’t have to be the same for Michele. I need to help him save his girl before the darkness swallows her, too.” I pressed my forehead against hers and then took one last kiss while what was left of her old soul lingered on her lips. One last kiss before it was all gone. “Rest, little girl. You’ll need it. Ci vediamo.”