by G. K. DeRosa
My eyes darted toward Asher. His expression was completely unreadable, like he’d slipped on an emotionless mask.
“You should know you can’t hide from us,” Razer hissed, wrapping his forearm around my neck. “You smell delicious by the way.”
I opened my mouth to answer, but my words got lost under the crash of glass smashing on the floor. My eyes snapped up, and all the air in my lungs evaporated.
Blazing maroon eyes drank me in, the intensity burning through his irises stealing my remaining breath away.
Declan.
Massive wings unfolded filling the small café in a heavenly glow. Declan’s angel sword flickered to life in his palm, and he stalked toward Razer in all his avenging angel glory. “Release her now,” he roared.
“I don’t think so.” Razer’s hold tightened and he tilted my neck, brushing my hair aside. “I’d love to have a little taste before I kill her.”
Two gleaming fangs descended, and a growl reverberated in my captor’s throat.
Declan’s gaze bounced from me to Asher then back to Razer. He must’ve been thinking the same thing I was. Why wasn’t Ash helping me?
Declan arched his sword and blue flames danced along the sharp blade. He glared at Razer and moved closer. “Do you want to die today?”
“Take another step, and she’s dead.” Razer ran his tongue over the tips of his fangs, making my skin crawl.
“Liv, do it.” Declan’s words yanked me out of a paralyzing haze.
Do what? I followed his line of sight to my hand at my side. The cold metal of the dagger’s hilt pressed into my palm. In all the commotion, I’d completely forgotten about it.
I shot Declan a quick nod and jammed the dagger into Razer’s thigh. His chokehold immediately released and I tumbled to the ground, ducking as Declan’s sword sliced the air.
The thunk of something heavy hitting the floor turned my attention to the floor. Razer’s severed head rolled across the broken tile, coming to a stop at the edge of the counter.
Oh gross.
“Liv, are you okay?” Declan’s strong arms pulled me up and into his chest. His crisp woodsy scent enveloped me, bathing me in warmth. It was short lived. He released me much too soon to glare at Asher.
He stood frozen, staring at the floor.
“Ash?” My best friend seemed miles away.
He lifted his gaze, but refused to meet mine. Instead, they settled on Declan. “Take care of her. Promise me you’ll always keep her safe.”
Declan nodded. “Always.”
Before I could force my brain to form a sentence, he zipped out of the store in a dark blur.
Chapter 22
Declan’s smoldering gaze pinned me where I stood. His perfectly sculpted jaw twitched as dark irises roamed over me, setting my skin ablaze. I tried to normalize my erratic breathing, but the fire in his eyes stole my breath away. I rocked back on my heels, the intense crackle in the air overwhelming. It was like everything faded around me except for him.
Finally, Duke broke the tense standoff. He ran over to Declan and jumped up on his hind legs, covering his face with slobbery licks.
Declan grunted and then chuckled as he shoved my over-eager companion off him. “Okay, dog, I missed you too.”
I laughed, melting away the thick tension between us. Duke rolled over on his back, oblivious of the glass scattered across the floor and Declan rubbed his tummy. He whined happily, kicking his leg out.
I crouched down on the floor beside them and searched Declan’s eyes. There was so much I wanted to say, but my tongue was tied in knots. “I guess I owe you a thank you.”
He smirked. “You can add it to the long list of times I’ve saved your cute butt.” He rose and pulled me up with him, his gaze traveling over my arms. “You’re hurt?”
A few shallow cuts marked my forearm and shoulder. I had barely noticed them. “It’s nothing. I’m fine.”
His brows furrowed as he scanned the broken window. “We gotta go. I doubt Razer and Asher were the only ones out searching for you.”
I followed Declan to the door, where he stopped and surveyed the streets. His expression tensed, and I had a feeling he was using his super angel hearing to search for Zeke’s men. After a few seconds, he turned to me. “Let’s not risk the streets. We’re going to have to fly.”
“With Duke?” My voice cracked.
“Unless you want to leave him here?”
I shot him a narrowed glare.
“Didn’t think so.” He winked and bent down, hauling Duke up under his arm. I could’ve sworn my dog rolled his eyes as he whined. “Believe me, it’s no picnic for me either, dog.” Declan held out his other hand to me. “Come on, jump on. I may be strong and all, but I’d rather not hold this big guy any longer than necessary.”
I draped my arms around Declan’s neck, placing my feet on top of his and he secured his arm around my waist. Pressed up against the entire length of his body, heat unfurled in my core. Excitement tingled through my veins as his beautiful wings unfolded, and we shot up into the sky.
Cool air caressed my cheeks as we ascended, the feeling of weightlessness exhilarating. For the first time in days, my heart was light, my soul free. We soared over the skyscrapers, circling for a while until Declan decided the coast was clear.
Passing the Met Life building, Declan swung a quick right. “Where are you going?” We were almost directly over Grand Central Station again.
“My place.” His words were drowned out by the whooshing wind, but I was pretty sure I’d heard him right.
The scorched fields of Bryant Park appeared below us as we started our descent. He went slow at first, his eyes intent on the ground, then dipped down so fast, my stomach leapt up to my throat.
We landed in a narrow alley just across the way from the park. Lowering Duke and me to the ground, Declan turned to a rusty black door. I hadn’t even noticed it; it faded so perfectly into the black wall. He tugged on the handle, and it swung open. “This is it,” he said as he held out his hand, and a flicker of light illuminated his palm.
I followed Declan into the dark building with Duke on my heels. He led us up more floors than I could count, and I was panting by the time we reached the top. The darkness gave way to a skylight, and a massive loft-style apartment.
Declan lit a couple candles, and the large space took shape. A kitchenette lined the far wall with a worn-in but comfy looking leather couch in the center. At the far right corner was a divider, which I assumed concealed the bedroom portion of the place. Declan moved across the room and yanked the curtains open unveiling sliding glass doors and a wrap-around balcony.
Light flooded the loft, revealing finer details of the industrial-looking space. Exposed brick covered three out of the four walls and metal pipes ran across the high ceiling. I walked toward the glass doors and stepped outside to take in the cityscape. My eyes widened. The balcony had a direct view of Vamp Central and more specifically, the attached hotel.
“You’ve been here the whole time,” I breathed out. It came out as more of a statement than a question.
He nodded, peering out into the distance.
“You didn’t leave me. You were always here watching over me.” For some reason I needed to say the words out loud. The past week had been pretty horrible, and knowing he’d been only a couple yards away the entire time somehow made it better. The ache in my heart lessened at his presence.
“I told you I couldn’t leave you.” Declan regarded me with his hands shoved in his pockets. There was an uncharacteristic look in his eyes. Doubt. Uncertainty. The cocky guy I first met in the woods was nowhere to be found.
He ran his hand over the back of his neck and rocked back on his heels.
There was something so vulnerable about his expression. It tore at my insides. Before I could stop them, my feet took off. I looped my arms around his neck and warm hands fastened around my waist. “Thank you,” I whispered in his ear and brushed my lips against his scruffy cheek.
“I’d never leave you with them, Liv. No matter what happened between us.” He squeezed me against his chest. “And I understand why you stayed. It took me a few days, but I get it. I know I’ve kept the truth from you more than a few times, but I swear that was it. You know everything about me now. I want you to know it all.”
I tilted my head back to meet his eyes. For some reason, I really believed him this time. Maybe I was naïve or maybe the feel of his arms around me was just too good not to.
After a few beats of silence, I summoned up some courage. “I’m sorry for your mom, Declan. I’m sorry for letting you go. You’ve been there for me since the first day we met, and I wasn’t there for you when I should’ve been.”
He stroked my cheek with the soft pad of his thumb and swept away the single tear that rolled down. “It’s okay. I needed some time to grieve her on my own anyway.”
I squeezed him tighter, reveling in his warmth. Too soon he released me, and all the day’s grueling events bubbled back up to the surface. “I need to tell you something else.”
“That sounds ominous.” He shot me a smirk, and the old Declan was back.
I rolled my eyes and lowered myself onto the couch. “I met this human girl, Trinity.” My chest tightened. Was she still alive? Refocusing on Declan, I continued. “She had a birthmark exactly like mine and had visions like your mom. She had magic too, I think.” I hadn’t even had time to process the note that fell out of the sky in a burst of fire and smoke. If that wasn’t magic, then I was going crazy.
“What kind of visions?”
“Of us.”
His dark brows perked up.
“It sounded a lot like the cryptic stuff Sammarah used to say.”
His jaw hung loose. “Tell me exactly what she said.”
There wasn’t that much to tell, but I repeated her words as best I could remember including the part about finding Darcy’s body in the dumpster. I was worried Trinity would be next.
“So my mom wasn’t the only one with these outlandish notions?” He chewed on my words, his jaw grinding. “Do you think she knows anything else?”
“I don’t know.” I choked back a sob. “I’m not even sure she’s still alive.”
Declan jumped to his feet, the sudden motion startling Duke awake. He’d already found a warm corner to curl up in.
“What are you doing?” I slid to the edge of the couch.
“I have to go back and see if I can get her out of there. If my uncle finds out what she knows, you could be in terrible danger.”
A rock the size of a bowling ball sank to the pit of my stomach. “What if he already knows?”
“Huh?”
“I wondered why he was so nice to me even after you left. What if he was trying to keep an eye on me or something? Figure out what I knew.”
He shook his head. “It’s not possible. No one knows about your connection to the bloodline besides me.”
“And your mom,” I muttered.
“Well, she’s not talking to anyone any time soon.” His lips twisted bitterly.
Sammarah’s confession about her relationship with Azazel replayed in my mind. “What about your other uncle?”
“Azazel? What about him?”
I chewed on my lip. “He and your mom seemed close. What if she told him something?” A handful of knowing glances had passed between the two of them while we were there.
“They weren’t that close.”
I suddenly felt very hypocritical. Here I was mad at Declan for lying to me, and I hadn’t told him the truth about his mom’s affair with his uncle. I squirmed, adjusting my position on the couch. “Declan, there’s something I need to tell you about your mom.” I paused, fidgeting with my fingers.
“Spit it out, Liv.”
“I didn’t feel like it was my place to tell you. Your mom wanted to come clean about it, but she didn’t get the chance.” I stared down at the hardwood floor. “She and Azazel had a thing.”
His eyes widened. Crimson swirled within the maroon depths, which I now recognized as his vampire side attempting to break through. “What the heck does that mean?”
Ugh, this was awkward. “They were romantically involved.”
Declan grimaced, his face paling. He looked like he was about to be sick. “It can’t be. She’d never…”
“I’m sorry, Declan. She told me right before we got to his place in Chicago. She was probably waiting for the right time to tell you.”
He ran his hands through his hair, pulling at the curly tips. “Looks like I wasn’t the only one with secrets.”
Tidbits of overheard conversations whirled in my mind. Sammarah didn’t know about Declan’s vampire half. He’d tried to talk to her about it, but he never revealed the truth. And that middle of the night discussion with Azazel that I’d eavesdropped on—he’d admitted the truth to his uncle.
“I can’t believe you never told your mom…about the vampire thing.”
“It’s not really an easy topic to bring up. Hey mom, I haven’t seen you in ten years, but I died. I’m a vampire now but with angel powers.” He shrugged. “You weren’t the only one I kept it from.”
Somehow that made me feel slightly better. “But you told your uncle?”
“I thought he might know how it was possible that I kept my powers. Plus being a fallen angel makes him easier to talk to. He’s got no room to judge.”
“So you trust him?”
He nodded, but I couldn’t help but notice a slight hesitation.
“You don’t think he could’ve told Zeke about us?”
He exhaled a breath and slouched down on the couch beside me. “I don’t know who is capable of what anymore. I didn’t think my father or Azazel knew Zekiel was alive, but my dad must’ve known. He kept that from me even when I was on his side. Maybe Azazel knows too.”
I propped my head on my elbow, the jumble of thoughts making it too heavy to hold on my own. When did my life get so complicated? I thought the angel and vampire war was bad enough, but the more I discovered the more convoluted it all became.
“You’re right though,” I said. “If Trinity is still alive, we have to get her out of there.”
“We?”
“I’m not sending you in there by yourself. You don’t even know what she looks like.”
“I’m sure I can figure it out.” He took my hand and pierced me with his stunning eyes. “I made a promise to your former best friend that I intend to keep. You’re staying here, and I’ll go back for her.”
Anxiety filled my chest, seeping its way to my extremities. I’d only just gotten Declan back. I couldn’t lose him again. But it was my fault Trinity had been caught. Someone must have overheard us. I wouldn’t leave her at the mercy of those monsters.
“Okay,” I finally said. “Please be careful.” I unraveled my fingers from his and placed my hands on his chest. The steady beat of his heart under my palm soothed my frazzled nerves.
He stepped away, dropping a gentle kiss on my forehead and I suppressed the urge to pull him back. Stopping at the door, he turned to me. “I’ll be right back.” He threw me a megawatt smile, and a horde of butterflies took flight in my belly.
The door closed, and the momentary sense of security vanished along with him. I clasped my hands together, willing myself to remain calm. My palms still tingled from his warmth.
And heartbeat…
Declan’s heart still pulsed. How was it possible if he’d died?
I was instantly transported back to the vampire nightclub and the disastrous night with Asher. Nothing stirred in his chest. It had been a horrifying revelation—one I wouldn’t get over anytime soon.
But Declan? He still had a beating heart. Did that mean his soul was intact too?
My mind raced with the possibilities. I jumped off the couch to stand by the sliding glass doors. I took a few deep breaths and attempted to still my erratic pulse. Everything would be all right. Declan would find Trinity and be back in no t
ime. We’d figure it out together.
Chapter 23
Wringing my sweaty hands together, I crossed in front of the sliding glass door for the thousandth time in the past twenty minutes. What was the point of a bird’s eye view of Grand Central if I didn’t have enhanced angel eyesight? I peered out at the hotel’s tinted reflective windows, squinting to focus. “Ugh!” I smacked my palm against the glass. It was no use.
Duke trotted over, joining me by the balcony. He offered his paw and cocked his head to the side. “Thanks, buddy.” I scratched behind his ears and he lay back down. I continued my pacing.
The crash of wood against a wall sent my head spinning toward the entryway. Declan barreled in with Trinity limp across his arms. My eyes flew to the blood—blood coating both Declan and Trinity’s clothes, soaking them in a crimson cloud. I gasped and raced over.
“Are you okay?” My panicked gaze scanned his body for wounds.
Declan gently lowered Trinity onto the couch, and my eyes landed on the bloodied gash her body had concealed across his torso. “I’ll be fine. It’s her I’m worried about.”
Trinity’s deep mocha skin was a sickly yellow. Black and blue splotches marred her face and arms. Her eyes were shut, and the expression she wore was much too peaceful for my liking.
“Is she alive?”
“Barely.” He clenched his jaw and raised his hands over her body. Radiant light pulsated from his palms, bathing her in a warm golden hue.
As Declan administered his angel light, I surveyed the damage the vampires had inflicted on my new friend. I counted over a dozen puncture wounds, mostly centered on her neck and wrists, but not a single inch of her exposed skin had been left unscathed.
A thick lump lodged in my throat. I never should’ve left her.
The heavy thud of Declan falling to the floor yanked me from the suffocating remorse.
“Declan!” I crouched down beside him as fear sucked the air out of my lungs.