Page 72 of Wings of Death

“Trust me.” I take Kyle’s face between my hands and close my eyes.

I visualise Kyle’s wings emerging from his back as heat seeps from my fingertips. Kyle’s breathing intensifies, and my eyes snap open. He’s trying to hold it together, but I can see the agony twisted in his features.

And then I notice something else. Thick, black, smoke-like magic is swirling from my fingertips and into Kyle. He screams as it transfers into his head. I remove my hands slightly, but he grabs them, pressing them back against his face. He takes ragged breaths as his eyes meet mine.

“Please don’t stop,” he says, his voice strained, “no matter what.”

I bite my lip and nod. As hard as it is to see him in pain, I have to keep going. I close my eyes once more and continue to visualise his wings.

Kyle screams and drops to his knees, pulling me down with him. He maintains his hold on my hands so I don’t lose my grip. A sob ripples through my chest as I try to hold it together for Kyle.

His body shakes, and he roars in pain. Tears streak my cheeks as I helplessly watch him. He curls his back and hunches over, and I follow his movements to ensure I don’t break contact.

After a few minutes, something tells me it’s done, and I release my grip, slowly removing my hands from his face. My body’s weak, as though I’ve seriously depleted myself.

“Kyle,” I breathe, my voice nothing more than a whisper.

He slowly sits up, and his eyes meet mine. I pull him into me, holding him close as his breathing returns to its normal pattern.

Black wings emerge from his back, and they’re enormous. I take in a sharp breath and shuffle back. We stare at one another for a moment, and then he gets to his feet and glances over his shoulder. He runs up the porch steps and stares at his reflection in the glass as his wings spread out wide at his sides.

I slowly stand, and he turns to me and shakes his head, his face showing the utter joy he’s feeling. He swoops down to me, a little wobbly, but not bad for a first try, and lands at my feet. He grabs my face and kisses me.

“Thank you,” he whispers against my lips.

My legs almost give out, and he grabs me around my waist to steady me. The dark magic has taken a toll, and I’m starting to feel the effects. My energy is dangerously low, like I’ve used it all up, and I feel like I could sleep for a week.

“Your wings are beautiful,” I say, my voice a bit strained.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

I stare into his eyes, his features laced with concern, and I can see just how much he cares for me.

I give him a weak smile. “Just a bit tired.”

“How did you do that?” he asks.

I hesitate for a moment, biting the inside of my lip. “It was dark magic.”

His forehead creases into a frown. “That doesn’t sound good.”

I blink a few times as my eyes grow heavy, and he scoops me up and carries me back up the porch steps. His wings disappear into his back before he steps inside the house. He sets me down on the couch next to the fire, and the warmth feels magical against my skin when I close my eyes for a moment. He drapes ablanket over me while I struggle to keep my eyes open, and then I drift into darkness.

I blink my eyes open as the morning sun beams through the windows. I glance around, but Kyle’s nowhere to be seen. My body feels heavy when I sit up and stretch just as he enters the room.

“Morning,” he says as he walks over and gives me a kiss on the cheek. “How are you feeling?”

“Morning.” Warmth fills my heart at being able to say that, and being here with him in his home feels so right. “I’m feeling much better.” I shuffle off the couch and follow him into the kitchen.

“Coffee?” he asks as he presses buttons on a machine.

I frown, taking a seat on one of the barstools. “What’s that?”

He laughs, taking two glasses from the cupboard, and then makes the coffee. “You’ll see.”

After a few minutes, he places a small glass in front of me filled with dark liquid and a white froth on top. A nutty scent fills my nose, and it smells wonderful. I pick it up as he blows on his glass then takes a small sip.

“Careful, it’s hot,” he warns.

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