Page 102 of Frosted Torment

“Vincent and I...” He trailed off, biting his lip and looking away for a moment before finally planting his gaze on Nakoma, “we’re the only ones who know.”

“And he was hoping you’d be dead and unable to tell anyone,” confirmed Nakoma bitterly and pulled the walkie-talkie from the clip on the back of his belt. “I’ll radio someone down at camp to get on this.”

The chair next to the table where Baz lay healing scratched against the surface of the floor as Father O’Neil settled into it. He carefully opened an aged Bible and began reading to Baz. A feeling of relief washed over me as I made my way back to Vallen, a genuine smile tugging at my lips.

“I saw how hard that was for you,” I commented, placing my hand on his chest.

He released a nervous laugh and shook his head. “He’s yoursignati, Noa. I can’t interfere in that bond. But he’s going to freak when he finds out about you and me.”

My laughter echoed around the room as I tossed my head back, earning me a glare from Father O’Neal. “Sorry,” I whispered. “Is there a you and me?”

Vallen’s eyes took on a playful glint as he lifted the corner of his lip. “Could be, but we need to finish this with Maros and Vincent. Tonight.”

“I’m ready, but I have a question.” I gestured for him to step outside with me, and when we were alone on the path, I took a deep breath. “You said I can hold the secrets, but I’m pretty sure I don’t have Callum’s or your essence in me anymore.”

Vallen cupped my face in his hands, and his eyes bore into mine. “Our essence helped you, but your human and angel sides are competing against each other when they need to work together.”

“I can do that without essence?” I asked, leaning into him.

“You have your own essence,” Vallen offered as his thumb brushed against my jaw.

“And to think you strung me along and were going to kill me,” I teased with a sigh. “Just to keep that information to yourself.”

His eyes began to devour me, and he closed the small gap between us. Pressing against me, his craving hardened against my belly through the sweatpants he wore. Then, without waiting a moment longer, Vallen crushed his lips to mine.

His scent of cedar and lilac filled my senses, and my lips instinctively parted for his. I welcomed him with my tongue, and he obliged with a sly flick and swirl of his. I eagerly matched his fervor by exploring every inch of his mouth, while one handfound its way into my hair and the other around my waist, pulling me closer.

A small moan escaped me as his touch sent volts of electricity between my thighs. His taut muscles flexed under my touch, and the desire radiating from him tempted and terrified me at the same time. Sparks shot across my skin as I traced the rugged contours of his face, then down his chiseled chest.

Each graze of teeth across my bottom lip sent a wave of raw pleasure over me. We were lost in each other when my hands released a jolt against his skin, matching my excitement. He jumped back in surprise, eyes wide as he studied my body from head to toe.

“Vallen!” I screamed, horrified at what I had done to him.

“I’m all right.” He winced and, as he rubbed his face, a mischievous smile formed on his lips. “You’ll be able to handle this just fine.”

My vision began to blur, images flashing through my mind like vicious lightning strikes. The past, present, and future melded together into an overwhelming onslaught of visions that threatened to drown me entirely.

I saw my mother, her face creased with love and worry. I saw angels hidden behind the Veil, their actions a mystery. I saw the devastation if Vincent succeeded in enslaving humanity with his fallen angels.

“Help me!” I cried, clutching my head in agony as the images continued to flood my mind.

“Focus, Noa,” Vallen urged, his voice firm as he reached for me and took my hands. “You can shield it.”

My body shook, my heart raced, and I felt like I was teetering on the brink of madness. As much as I tried torespond, the words remained lodged in my throat. Out of the corner of my eye, Vallen unfurled his wings, a mix of black and white with tips of green casting shadows under the moonlight.

“Stay with me, Noa,” I heard him call out to me, then pulled me into his chest. “You’re stronger than this!”

“Please,” I pleaded, my body trembling under the weight of the disturbing visions flooding my mind. “Make it stop.”

In a blur of motion, Vallen wrapped his wings around my trembling form. The strength emanating from him was like a lifeline, keeping me tethered to reality even as my consciousness threatened to shatter beneath the pressure.

Vallen whispered urgently into my ear, his breath hot against my skin. “Breathe, Noa. You can do this.”

As Vallen held me in his arms, my body trembled violently, but I focused on his heartbeat. Images grew more intense and overwhelming than the last, pulling at my sanity. But gradually, they began to slow down until they were mere flickers, fading into darkness.

In this darkness, my mind was suddenly filled with boundless space, stretching out in all directions. I could see the interconnectivity of everything in existence, like an intricate web woven by unseen hands. And within this expanse, I could feel a power coursing through me, unfathomable and awe-inspiring. With a single thought, I could manipulate reality itself.

“I...I don’t understand,” I stammered, awestruck by the knowledge that now coursed through me. “What’s happening to me?”

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