Page 39 of Light

Chapter 27

Adalaide

Forever .

It had sounded perfect in the moment, his arms wrapped around hers, their souls singing at the union of their bodies.

Now, she was alone. Alone with her thoughts and her aching heart. This was to be eternity?

In the time she’d known him, they had only spent a handful of days together. And she’d concocted that brilliant plan to convince him to bond with her so she could be tethered forever to an angel.

Why hadn’t she asked more questions? Learned more about what eternity with an angel entailed? She knew he was busy, but Jophiel managed to come to see her nearly daily. Jophiel had been with her more days than not.

Why was she able to spend her time by her side while Gabriel could not?

When would she see him again? In a week? A month?

It had already been nearly fourteen days. How she’d ever thought that was the pattern he followed was baffling. He came on no schedule, and now that he’d taken what he wanted, she may never see him in this life again.

Jophiel appeared behind her, and she whirled. “You.”

Jophiel landed, wiping a hand down her white coat. “Me?”

“What are you doing here again? Will Gabriel never come to see me?”

Jophiel’s iridescent eyes softened at the edges as she strode forward, clapping Adalaide on the shoulder. “I understand, dear. The life of a bonded Naphil is not easy. But—”

Adalaide tore her arm free from Jophiel’s grasp. “But nothing. You can move through space and time to be anywhere in the world you want. He chooses not to see me.”

Jophiel opened her mouth to make another excuse for him, but Adalaide cut her off. “Nevermind. You’re here to babysit. I’ve seen or heard nothing from the nasdaqu-ush since our last encounter. Sanura seems to have redirected her attention elsewhere for the time.” She waved a hand at the space before her. “Help me set the wards, then you can be on your way.”

Jophiel looked as though she may argue, but instead, she dipped her head once before moving up the stairs to begin her work.

Adalaide lifted her arms, preparing the wards downstairs. A faint, cool breeze brushed along the nape of her neck, and she shivered. Something was coming. She doubled her efforts using just a bit of blood magic as added protection, knowing she would need it.

Jophiel appeared behind her, and her brows drew together, forming a vee on her forehead. “Blood magic is not something to be used lightly, Ada.”

Adalaide bit her lip. “I find it to be my strongest defense.”

The vee in Jophiel’s brow deepened. “The cost of using such magic is greater than your mortal life.”

Adalaide’s gaze drifted to the star etched in blood over her door. “Something vile is en route this night. The wind has spoken of it.”

Jophiel moved beside her, staring at the star painted over the door. “Very well. Tonight, we fight, and if you should perish, remember that your death is not the end.”

Adalaide swallowed the lump rising in her throat, and the warmth pulsing in her chest gave a tiny spasm. Somewhere, Gabriel knew she was afraid and had sent her a bit of strength.

As if summoned by her thoughts, he appeared in the foyer, dressed in a soldier’s uniform, wings draped over his shoulders in the form of a cape. His broad shoulders and face were splattered in green goo, and something dark oozed from a wound at his side.

The wild panic in his eyes banked when he took her in, seeing nothing wrong. “What happened?”

Adalaide slid forward, pulled by some invisible cord, and touched his cheek, wiping a thick smear of mud from it with her sleeve. “You look dreadful.”

He barked a laugh, and the tightness in her chest loosened.

You’re a sparkling star in the darkest night’s sky, Light.

Her cheeks flamed. “I never knew you were a poet.”

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