Page 64 of Wings of Death

Lacinda slams her fist on the desk. “That sneaky bitch.”

I shush her once more. “Keep it down, please. Anyway, she removed Kyle’s wings and his memories and threw him down to Earth. He woke up in a field all alone, with no idea who he was. He was only thirteen.”

Demetros leans back in his chair, stretching his arms above his head. “Wow, this is insane.”

“Yep,” I agree, “the sacred golden fountain bonded me to Kyle, as my human.”

Lacinda’s mouth practically hits the floor. “Shut up. Seriously?”

“Yes, seriously. After I went to Earth, watchers attacked. They have attacked here a few times now too, and something tells me it’s all connected. Kyle has powers, and I took himback here to the sacred golden fountain, and he got some of his memories back. He remembered that we knew one another. Finlay knows, and I have been trying to figure out a way to get Kyle’s wings back.”

Demetros leans forward. “Do you think that’s why someone was leaving you clues about your mother’s murder? Because they knew Hethenos did it?”

I glance at Lacinda, and she shuffles uncomfortably in her chair. “Sorry, I told him about the notes. I hope that’s okay.”

I smile at her. “It’s fine. Oh, and I have a weapon made by the gods, and I think Kyle might be my fated mate. I think that’s about it.”

They both stare at me through wide eyes. I’m not sure if I’ve left anything out, but it’ll do for now.

“Can I meet him?” Lacinda finally asks, her voice laced with excitement.

I laugh, relieved they’re taking this so well. “Not yet. We can’t tell anyone about any of this. There’s something seriously bad going on, and I think it’s all connected. My mother’s murder, Hethenos, Kyle, the watchers attacking. Everything.”

Demetros scratches his head. “Wow, this is crazy. That’s a lot for you to be dealing with on your own.”

I pick up the third book on dark magic and flip to the page showing the clearing in the Dark Forest, and then spin the book around to show them. They both read it before Lacinda’s eyes snap up to meet mine.

“No, no, no. Don’t tell me you’re thinking of going there?”

I understand her concern. The Dark Forest is a dangerous place, but after my encounter with the Zelons, it doesn’t feel so scary to me. And at this point, I’m prepared to do anything to help Kyle. I can’t send him off into the Dark Forest. This is something I have to do.

“Oh no, she is,” Demetros says, reading my expression.

I raise my hands. “What? Tell me what other choice I have.”

They glance at one another, and Demetros shrugs. “Okay, I get it. But the Dark Forest is dangerous. Imagine if you ran into a Zelon. What then?”

I bite my lip, and Lacinda claps her hands together. “Oh. My. Gods. You already have, haven’t you?”

I smile, pressing my teeth together. “Yeah, maybe. I kind of rode one.”

Demetros whistles. “Damn, girl. You’re full of surprises today, aren’t you?”

I can’t help but laugh, and the relief I feel is unreal. I literally feel fifty pounds lighter after finally spilling the beans to the both of them, and I’ll have to remember to thank Lissian.

“So when do we go?” he asks.

“Oh, you’re not coming,” I say.

Lacinda glares at Demetros. “Yeah, we’re not going, are we?”

I can sense her anxiety after her last experience in the Dark Forest with the Zelon, and the last thing I want to do is to put my friends at risk. This is something I have to do alone, end of story.

“No. Absolutely not,” I say as I get to my feet and put the books about dark magic away.

Demetros and Lacinda stand.

“Ah, yes, we are,” Demetros firmly states.

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