Page 63 of Frosted Torment

Lex moved my dagger back and forth between his hands and said, “Remember when I told you about that burial site? That’s the valley.”

I cleared my throat and stepped up to the map to get abetter look. “So, you want me to walk through a fallen angel burial ground to find this tree?”

Lex handed me back the knife as his lip curled into a teasing smirk. “You can always wait around here for hell to drag you under.”

I snatched the dagger from him and slapped his arm with the back of my hand. “Not funny.”

Ignoring us, Jossy placed my coffee cup on the kitchen counter and walked back over to the map. “There’s nothing but mountains around our burial ground.”

“Lovely.” I threw my hands up in frustration. “Now what? Because if the wards aren’t stable, we’re exposed, and if that angel dies,” my breath shook. “I’ll never get my soul.”

“You will, Noa.” Lex raked his hands through his hair as he stared hard at the map. Then, turning to Jossy, he asked, “Will you and Nakoma stay here and help guard the house?”

Jossy nodded and gave Lex a reassuring pat on his back, letting his hand linger. “Of course, but what are you up to?”

“We need to split up. The wards failing isn’t safe for any of us, but if there is a lull we may have an opportunity to see the tree,” Lex admitted with a smile.

“And that’s why you’re one of the best leaders we have here, Lex!” Jossy slapped his brother’s back with a nod.

“Nevaeh,” said Lex, walking away from us and into the living room. “I need you and Dawson to assist Father O’Neil. Secure everything back in the vault downstairs and add whatever supplies you can muster.”

“Sure,” she acknowledged, pulling one last gun from a bag. “But I’m telling you, only one other angel ever knew the location of the tree and the steps to perform the soul ceremony.”

“Who’s that?” asked Jossy, tilting his head with a quirked brow.

Everyone stood tall as we waited in suspense for her to tell us.

Nevaeh glanced at me, her eyes worrisome. “Vallen,” she said.

“Fuck!” I exploded and started pacing, clasping my hands behind my neck. “I’m screwed. We’re all screwed.”

“Breathe, Noa.”Baz stood in front of me, his breath of pine and lilacs brushing against my skin.

“Not that easy,”I argued as fists formed at my sides.“Dark angels and demons have completely ruined my life and my family’s lives, Baz.”

“Noa,” Lex interjected, “Ena should be back any minute with some clean clothes and a coat for you.”

“I don’t need a coat,” I said, walking back and forth in front of them.

“Didn’t look that way to me earlier,”Baz remarked.

“Chilled, yes, but it’s like sitting in an air-conditioned house. I’m not freezing,” I retorted.

“Strange, but it could be everything you’ve experienced today,” offered Jossy with a smile. “It’s got your blood pumping.”

“Regardless,” Lex continued, “Baz will take you to his camp for the night while we plan the trek.”

Nakoma placed his hand on Jossy’s arm. Inclining toward him, Nakoma whispered, “I’m going to prep Lulu. Let me know when you need me.” He smiled and walked off, leaving Jossy and Lex with me and Baz.

Lex wrapped his arms around me and placed my headunder his chin. It stopped me from pacing and stilled the twinges of electricity running through my body.

“Ena and I will meet you both in the morning and head out,” he reassured me.

A calm settled over me, and I began to think of Ivy and how she calmed me after I killed the Lurker demon. But she betrayed us because I couldn’t feel for her the way Jossy and Nakoma felt for each other.

She was the key for me to open my mind to these secrets and learn about my family. As angry as I was, it terrified me to think about what Maros had done to her. But it was Vincent and Vallen I needed to focus on destroying first.

CHAPTER 24

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