Page 141 of Sixth Sin

Crossing the floor, I move toward the rear spiral staircase and stop to glance at the floor. “Two.”

I take six steps up and stop again. “Three.”

Three more steps. “Four.”

One step. “Five.”

Slowly, I make my way back down the staircase and across the room to another staircase. One by one, I climb each step until I reach the top.

The east wing.

Passing each door, I stop at the only one that’s important, turning the doorknob and walking inside only three steps. “Six,” I whisper. Then, I turn toward the corner where a dresser and bed once stood and shake my head. “You were never six, little one. I made sure of it.”

When all have been accounted for, I leave the east wing for the final time. The past has finally been laid to rest, and the truth heard.

I’m free.

Making my way back to the bedroom, I watch him sleep. He’s so beautiful. Beautifully bitter just like he was when he saved me.

My Angel of Death.

He destroyed me to save me. He doesn’t understand. He never has.

He created Angel Smith. Because of him I spread my wings and flew into the sun. The place I’ve been ever since.

But before I went, I made a promise to myself to find him again in another life. This beautiful, bitter boy with long black hair and sad eyes. And when I did, his pain would be mine. His heart would beat for me. I’d set him free.

The first time I kissed an angel, I died.

Leaning over the bed, I brush my lips softly over his cheek as my finger curls around the trigger.

The second time, he did.

CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE

ALEXANDRA

Tilting my head back, I stare up at the night sky and smile.

It’s Christmas.

After fifteen years, the day finally came for me. I stepped out of the shadows of Christmas Eve and spent Christmas morning with the sun on my face. It was heaven.

Now it’s night again, and it’s almost over. I assume lots of people are looking for me at the moment. I can’t blame them. I’m sure they know what I did by now.

The concrete is cold on my bare feet, so I wiggle my toes, hugging the envelope tighter against my chest.

“You’ve kept me locked away all day.”

I look beside me where Angel leans against the rail, her arms braced behind her and the wind blowing the bottom of her dress around her calves.

“I needed to be alone.”

I guess she understands what I mean because she doesn’t ask me to elaborate. Not that I would anyway. We may be the same, but there are still things that are just for me.

She stares out at the moon. I think she’s always liked it as much as me. “Merry Christmas, Alexandra.”

I nod. “Merry Christmas, Angel.” My nails scratch the thick railing behind me. I’m not as good with words as she is, but it’s time I try. “I want to thank you.”

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