Page 26 of Frosted Torment

I let a sliver of hope creep into my voice. “Did we pass Saint Mary’s?”

“Yeah.” His voice was low and distant.

I thought about our exchange earlier in the day, and I took a deep breath. Biting my lip, I looked at him and said, “I’m sorry about before. You’re not a jerk.”

Leaning back against the seat with a relaxed smile, he responded, “No need to apologize.”

“But I do. I overheard you the other night telling Jossy I wasn’t the one.” I sat up straighter and turned to him, clenching my hands together. “I thought you were saying I wasn’t good enough for you. With everything that happened back there at the wreck by the church, I lost it.”

He shifted and pinned his slate eyes on me. My breath hitched at his sudden closeness. I pulled back, but his hand, rough with calluses, clasped mine.

It was the first time he had willingly touched me, and I let him. My emotions churned like a cyclone in my belly, but the flutters I expected didn’t come. Odd. Exhaustion must have dampened my reaction, but I wasn’t completely sure.

Lex’s eyes sparkled as assurance claimed his face. “You’re more than good enough for anyone, Noa.”

The words I’d longed to hear spilled from his lips, yet I still felt inadequate. “Except I’m mortal. A human.”

“We can choose a human, but you were an assignment to us at first. None of us will cross the line of duty.” His gaze flickedto Ivy, one brow quirked. “No matter how much one of us might want to.”

I sucked in a breath. “She loves me.”

“Yes,” he murmured. “Hopelessly.”

“Damn,” I exhaled and turned to watch her sleep.

Lex swallowed and leaned close to me. “She’ll kill me if she finds out I told you.”

I drew my fingers across my lips in a zipping motion, then smiled. “What did you tell me?” I asked with a shrug.

My heart surged at the sentiment of Ivy’s devotion, then turned heavy with the weight of what she masked so well. Surprise and confusion about her feelings for me made me rethink our entire relationship. She knew I was only attracted to men, but it didn’t excuse my self-absorption and inability to pick up on my best friend’s clues.

In that moment, I decided to banish whatever thoughts I had about Lex to the recesses of my mind. He’d never betray his sister. I didn’t think he had a sliver of romantic feelings for me, but his duty wouldn’t allow it. If I couldn’t return what Ivy felt for me, I’d never hurt my best friend to date her brother.

“How much further?” I asked, my voice carrying a hint of melancholy.

Lex held onto the grab handle and sighed, “A few minutes.”

Apprehension pumped through me as I replayed the day’s events in my head. I somehow created a portal to keep us alive after a Lurker demon tried to kidnap me, and fallen angels were my best friends. A spasm shot through my neck, recalling the demon’s skin melting from her bones.

Lex pointed to the bracelet on my wrist. “That’s new,” he commented.

“It was my mom’s.” I ran my fingertip over the etchings, a smile crossing my face. “It’s hideous, isn’t it?”

“No. It looks unique. Like you.” He nodded and turned to look back out the window.

My pulse quickened. A gnawing reminder of the countless moments I had spent dissecting his every move, every glance, and every fleeting smile.

No. I needed to ground myself, to tether my thoughts to reality and not let them drift into the tumultuous sea of memories. He had occupied too much space there for far too long. He wasn’t worth losing my friendship with Ivy—our bond was stronger.

Much stronger, I told myself.

As if sensing my turmoil, Ivy opened her eyes and raised her head, her gaze scanning our surroundings with intensity.

“Everything okay?” I asked, my voice laced with concern that only heightened my sense of entrapment.

“Yeah.” Her hand found my leg to offer reassurance. “I’m ready to get inside the protection of the gates.”

“Why are we safe in there, but not out here?” I pressed, glancing back and forth between her and Lex.

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