“Afraid not,” Solas answers.
“Coward,” Eric grumbles.
“What do we do with them?” I ask, indicating the macabre scene surrounding us.
“Evelyn's contacted Michael, and your father's on his way,” Alice says. “They'll take care of them.”
Solas wraps an arm around my shoulders and pulls me to his side. “This won’t be the last of them. Ivy’s vision has yet to play out. We can rest for now, but we need to stay alert for their next attack. I’m sure it won’t be for at least a few days.”
As our troop trudges through the snow back to the manor, I regard the bloodshed and fragments of angelic bodies. Thea informs us that we've lost many of our Griffins in the battle, but doesn’t seem daunted by the loss. My body begins to tremble from the cold as my adrenaline dissipates, and I hug myself tight to keep from shaking.
After entering the house, no one speaks. I ascend the steps to the third floor alone. My thoughts are empty as I enter the bathroom and start the hot water of the shower. I want nothing more than to wash the dry blood and dirt from my body along with the images of the battle flashing in my mind.
Once cleansed of the evidence of battle from my body, it remains a stain on my thoughts. I rest in a chair on my balcony and light a cigarette as I watch the sky darken against the line of trees at the edge of the property. All proof of the slaughter's been eliminated. Michael and Azrael had worked swiftly during my reprieve. Now, over a hundred Griffins are erecting white tents and encampments that blend in with the snow across the expanse of the estates acreage. I take a drag of my cigarette and attempt to release the tension within my body. The scene from the balcony gives the impression of watching a medieval film where armies prepare for a war ahead. And war there will be.
My serenity is short lived when Cassius flies up the balcony with a bottle of whisky in his hand. He gives me a knowing grin. “Thought you could use a drink.”
“You thought right,” I chuckle, and he passes the bottle to me after opening it. I throw the bottle back and let a large amount of its burning liquid pour down my throat. Dropping the bottle from my lips, I cough and pass the bottle back to Cass as he takes a seat beside me. My eyes begin to water, and I take another drag of my cigarette.
“Michael's waiting for us in the basement with Evelyn,” he announces. Something in his tone makes me feel there's more trouble to come.
“Do you know what it’s about?”
He passes the whisky back to me, and I take a smaller sip this time. “No. I imagine he has something to say about the amount of carnage we left for them to clean up.”
I sigh and put out my cigarette in the ashtray on the table. “What did he expect?” He shrugs in response. I roll my eyes. “Whatever. Let’s get it over with then,” I say as I stand.
Cassius follows suit, leaving the bottle on the table. “I’ll meet you down there.” I nod to him and watch him jump over the balcony to land in the snow three stories beneath us.
“Show off,” I mumble under my breath. His laughter rumbles through the quiet air as he veers around the side of the house.
Chapter 27
I'm the last to arrive as I join Michael, Evelyn, Solas, Eric, Alice, Cass, Beck, and Thea in the basement training room. Their backs are turned to me as they stare in silence at a large mass covered by a thick white sheet. For a fleeting moment, I wonder if they'd captured a handful of Fallen to interrogate.
Michael smiles in greeting as I approach the side of the unit I now call my family. He inclines his head, “Ivy.”
“Michael,” I nod with a slight bow. I can’t seem to help it when I'm in his presence. As if the gesture's ingrained in my subconscious and acts upon reflexive instinct.
“I have something for you. I apologize for the delay. I wish I could have had it to you sooner, but with the revelations of your visions, there were alterations to be made.”
Eying the mass, I wonder what could possibly be hidden beneath it. “What is it?” I ask with shy confusion, crossing my arms nervously over my chest.
He extends his palm, presenting the reclusive mass, “Take a look.”
I step forward and hesitate as I reach out to touch the canvass. I grasp the sheet in my fingertips and take a deep breath through my nose. Jerking the sheet away, it scrapes against the object beneath as it flops into a crumple at my feet. Gasps echo around the room, including my own. There's not one large object beneath the sheet, but seven. Images of my vision flash behind my eyes with a wave of nausea. I gawk at seven empty black armor suits. They're exact replicas of the armor I wear in my vision when Lucian takes me hostage, save for the added helmet. “I…I don’t understand,” I stutter without taking my eyes from the hollow army. “Why are there seven?”
“Why, for each of you, of course,” Michael boasts and begins to circle the armor. I follow his leisure steps around the hunks of dark metal to examine them better, and he continues, “You must understand, Ivy. I have been around a very, very long time. I have fought and led countless efficacious battles. I know and understand the enemy better than they do themselves.” He pauses and grins over his shoulder before resuming his promenade. “Lucian is a petulant child. He wants what he wants when he wants it. Presently, he wants to take his father's place as King of Sheol. To accomplish this, he needs you. He is impatient and will not wait for the right time to attack. This, I am sure of. In consequence of the attack today, he realizes he does not have a chance against your army, and his confidence in his legion has faltered. Lucian’s pride will get the best of him. He believes if he wants something done right, he should do it himself. He will come alone and when you least expect it.”
We stop between the armor and our onlookers. Solas mumbles under his breath, “The Ball.” We all turn our attention to him as he continues to stare at the hollow army in a daze.
I point out, “Why would he do that? We'll be surrounded by humans. There's too much exposure.”
“Exactly,” Michael says, pointing his index finger in the air.
Eric fields the questions he reads across my face, “We won’t be able to use any of our angelic abilities to defend ourselves. But Lucian’s gifts are to influence the underlying corruption within human souls. He may use them against us. What he doesn’t know is how hard it'll be for him to find you in a crowd so large when there will be seven of us wearing the same thing.” He indicates the armor.
I set off pacing as I examine the armor again. The helmet covers the neck with leather, and from the jawline to the bridge of the nose is black metal. It guards the tops of the cheekbones, framing the eyes. More black metal lines the cowl to frame the face with a peak at the crown of the head. From the crown to the back of the neck, the cowl is leather and attaches beneath the back plates of the armor for removal.
I formulate a plan aloud, “Alice and I won’t be able to wear this on stage. He'll pick us out easier. We should wear the costumes we bought for the show. We can change after our set. And we can’t all show up at the same time. We don’t want him to know how many of us there are. We should separate, come in at different times, and from different locations of the colosseum after Alice and I get a chance to change. No one should be in their armor before then.”
“Your friends seem to be rubbing off on you,” Evelyn coos with delight.
“Yes. Well, I’m tired of this game. If Lucian wants me, he can come and get me. It'll be the last thing he does,” I snarl as the heat in my body rises.
Michael explains, “The layers beneath the folds have been reinforced so there is no chance of vulnerability.”
“You mean, he won’t be able to puncture my lungs through the scales of the armor now?” I sigh with chagrin. His vague explanations are getting on my last nerve.
“Yes.”
Solas steps forward, “I would rather you avoid capture and we take him down without a chance of losing you.” The Griffin brothers grunt in approval at his statement.
“Agreed,” Evelyn says.
; Glaring defiantly into Solas' eyes, I lament, “I’m not running.” His unwavering gaze and the tension between us lingers.
He relents with exasperation, “If this is what you have to do, then I'll stay close by. I won’t let you out of my sight.” His anger is palpable as he pivots on his heels and storms out of the room.
Evelyn disperses the tension in the room. Clapping her hands together once, she directs, “Alright. The Griffins should be finished setting up their lodgings. We can all rest easy tonight. Lord knows we need it. You may find provisions in the kitchen. Please, help yourselves.” She rolls her eyes and mumbles under her breath, “As though you need to be told.” She grins at the triplets and continues, “Thea, I have your room ready for you on the second floor. Let me know if you need anything. As for everyone else, go rest up. We'll continue planning strategy tomorrow.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Cassius concurs with a bow. He slaps his brother on the shoulder and directs him towards the stairs. “Come, brother. Let’s eat.” Thea, Eric, and Alice follow them out.
“Do you need anything, Evelyn?” I ask, stepping closer to her.
She gives me a tight smile, “No, dear. There is something I wish to speak to you about, but it will keep. Get some rest and we'll talk tomorrow.”
I hug her before turning to Michael and expressing my appreciation, “Thank you, Michael… for everything.”
“You are quite welcome. Safe travels, Ivy.” He bows out and disappears in a blinding flash of light. I bid Evelyn goodnight and return to my room.
The flames in the hearth dance and illuminate my dark room with a warm glow. Solas’ silhouette stands motionless as he gazes out from the terrace. Closing the distance between us, I wrap my arms underneath his biceps to grip his shoulders from the front and rest my cheek against his back. Heartache, worry, fear, love, regret.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper against his unmoving frame.
“You have nothing to apologize for. This is your choice alone. I can't keep you from fulfilling your destiny. Nor can I sit idly by, knowing you're in danger.” He hangs his head in dejection.
A realization hits me like a bag of rocks, and I kiss his shoulder. “I don’t want you to worry, Solas. You won’t lose me like you lost your love before you fell. The moment of my vision is meant to be. I have no choice. But, I will return. I promise I will.”
Removing my grasp from his shoulders, he turns to me and squeezes my hands. His expression's full of worry as his husky voice utters, “History has a way of repeating itself, princess. And I can't keep from wondering that, although your capture's meant to be, maybe we… are not.”
“Don’t say that,” I whisper. “I'm here. I love you. I will survive this, and I will come back.” I push up to the tips of my toes, wrap my arms around his neck, and claim his full lips as I drive my feelings for him through our kiss. I want him to know how much he means to me and understand that I mean every word that I say.
Solas returns my touch with eager passion as his hands slide around my bottom and wrench me closer. He lifts me up, and I wrap my legs around his solid waist. He growls low in approval, and it sends chills of pleasure through my spine. The world falls away. Everything's right. I lose myself in his touch as he carries me into the dim lit room and lays me on the bed. His heartache turns to delight, worry to serenity, fear to assurance, regret to confidence, and through the night, his love never falters.
gh
“We have a problem,” Alice laments. She stares me down as I chew my raisin toast breakfast. Her eyebrows are raised, and her arms are folded over her chest as she taps her foot in irritation.
I lay the toast down on my plate and finish chewing what's in my mouth. Alice doesn’t seem like she wants to enlighten me on the problem until I ask. “What’s the problem?”
She throws her arms out and shouts, “Cass and Beck have dates to the Ball!”
I'm puzzled by her outburst towards the situation. “Ok,” I drawl. “How's that a problem? They had to get dates in order to get into the Ball. We knew this.” My crooked smile grows at her over exaggerated surprise—eyes wide, jaw to the floor.
“Well,” Alice throws her hands up and lets them drop to slap her thighs. She begins to ramble, “We don’t know who they are! They could be anyone! They're sorority girls, of course, so the guys would be invited, but we don’t know who they are. What if they’re evil little winches who just want to use our guys? What if they just want to start some drama with they’re ex-boyfriends by showing off that they’re with them?” She points a finger at me, “We should do recon. We need to be sure they are who they say they are. We have to be sure they’re not going to use them.”
My cheeks burn as I try not to laugh at her. “Alice, slow down. Since when are you so worried about Cass and Beck?”
She freezes in surprise. “I… I… I don’t know.” Bewilderment settles over her, and she speaks softer, “I guess… It’s like they’re family. You know? They’re like our brothers.”
I nod my head, understanding exactly where she's coming from. “I do know.”
“So, will you help me do recon?” she whines.
“Do you really think it’s necessary?” I roll my eyes. “They’re big boys. They can take care of themselves, and I really don’t think they would mind being used.” I chuckle under my breath.
“It is completely necessary,” Thea demands, barging into the kitchen. “They are my brothers, and as much as they want to think they can just do whatever they want, they are wrong. I will have to approve of their dates. If I don’t like them, then we will convince the women to find someone else.”
Alice's violet eyes twinkle as she stands up a little straighter. “See? So, are you going to help us or not?”
I roll my eyes again, “Fine.”
Thea adds, “I may also need to find a date myself. Would you happen to know of anyone?”
Alice jumps up and down with excitement, clapping her hands, “Oh! I do! I do!” Thea makes a face. She doesn’t know how to handle Alice’s hyper outbursts.
“Alright, Alice. First stop's the coffee shop. For me. You… get chamomile tea,” I chide.
I grab my phone, sending a text to Solas as I pluck my keys from the table in the foyer, and the girls follow me out.
Me: Running n 2 town with A and T. B back later.
Me: Let me know if u need anything. I love u.
My phone beeps as we drive past the gates.
Chief: Be careful. I love you too.
The coffee shop's surprisingly bustling with students for a mid-Wednesday morning. I lead Alice and Thea through the front door, and we're assailed with the aroma of pumpkin spice. It's so harsh it drowns out all other smells. “Jeez! It’s fucking pumpkin overload in here,” I mumble.
Thea looks as though she'll be sick. Alice scrunches her face, “You order, and we’ll wait out back.”
“What would you like, Thea?” I ask over my shoulder.
“I do not know how to answer you. I will have what you have,” she says with boredom.
I chuckle. “Alright, I’ll be out there in a sec.” I walk a few paces and take a spot at the end of the line to order. Five minutes pass before I make it to the counter. I recognize the barista as Emily, who seems to be the single employee that’s remained through the semester as others have come and gone. “Can I get two large mochas and a small chamomile with honey?”
“It’ll be eleven eighty-seven,” Emily tells me as she punches keys on the register. I pay before stepping aside to wait for my order, and glance around the crowd to assess the patrons.
“Ivy!” Emily yells while placing my order on the pick-up counter.
I retrieve the three drinks and take them outside. Alice and Thea are sitting at a table on the deck against the wall. I place the drinks on the table and drop my keys and wallet beside them, “Here ya’ go. I’ll be right back.”
“Where are you going?” Alice asks.
I call back to her as I jog backwards, “I forgot so
mething!” I don’t want to announce to everyone that nature calls.
As I sit down to relieve myself in the restroom, I hear Alice and Thea having a conversation on the other side of the wall.
Thea says, “My brothers tell me you do not trust Solas. May I ask why?”
I'm completely intrigued with her question and find myself eavesdropping as I stand and pull my jeans up. I don’t flush yet, because I want to hear her answer.
Alice hesitates, but finally says, “I do trust him. I just don’t trust him with Ivy.”
“Why would you not trust him with her?” Thea questions.
“He's keeping things from her she needs to know, but it's not my place to tell her what he's hiding. It makes me question his motives.”
“You are speaking of his past with Ivy, no?” There's a pause in conversation and I'm puzzled with her statement. What past? Thea continues, “So, it's true he has not told her?” There's another pause.
“She has no idea who he really is,” Alice answers.
“She does not know she is the reason for his fall?” Thea questions in surprise. It's the first time I've heard her speak with emotion.
My entire body freezes with her revelation. I can’t move. I can’t breathe. I think my heart's stopped. I can’t feel. I have to get out of here. I reach back and flush the toilet. Leaving the restroom, I storm back to our table. Unfortunately, I left my keys and wallet with Alice. I try to regain control of my anger before I reach the table. It spews out of my mouth as I connect eyes with Alice and snatch up my belongings. Through gritted teeth, I growl at Alice, “You should have told me.” She looks confused at first, but I watch the realization hit her. She knows I overheard their conversation.
Before she can reply, I turn my back on her and run to my car. I rip the engine and peel out. My phone starts ringing with Alice’s ringtone. I hit ignore and crank up the stereo, driving out to the cliffs overlooking the city. When I park on top of the mountain, I shut the engine off and glance at my phone. I have six unanswered text messages from Alice. With a heavy sigh, I get out of the car and stomp to the edge of the cliff. This place has become my getaway when I've needed it. The cool breeze on my face carries memories of Jack, of my father, and now Solas. The story Solas told me in this exact spot floods through my mind.
MIDNIGHT DIVINE (The Helio Trilogy Book 1) Page 35