Page 85 of Premonition of Peace

Bad Nat patted my shoulder awkwardly. “I’m not good with the touchy, feely shit. Go back to your mates and heal. That’s what you do. Leave the loci to us.”

“I don’t know if I can . . .”

“Don’t make me yeet you,” Bad Nat deadpanned.

“What the fuck is a yeet?” Rage asked, scrunching her brow.

“It sounds like a vegetable,” Little whispered.

Bad Nat winked at them. “I’ll catch you up.”

I sighed softly, looking between the three familiar faces. They were the pieces of me that were still intact. My young self. My passion and power. My truth.

I was missing my strength, my peace, my love for others, and my brilliant mind.

But they would be back. They had to.

Eventually.

twenty-six

NATHALIE

My eyes fluttered open,and the first thing I saw was a trio of concerned faces peering down at me. I grinned up at Marcel, Lucifer, and August, the familiar warmth swirling in my stomach as they looked back at me with hard expressions. I tried to sit up, eager to shake off the remnants of sleep and disorientation, but Lucifer’s hand pressed firmly against my chest, gently but unmistakably forcing me back to the bed.

Marcel stuck out his hand and snapped and a black flame flickered to life, licking ominously over his skin, casting eerie shadows on his face. He gazed down at me with unmistakable distrust and hesitancy, and it didn’t take a genius to realize that black flame was definitely a silent threat.

August was the one who spoke up, his voice carrying an edge of caution. “Prove you’re Nathalie.”

I felt the bond between us. Why didn’t they?

“Now,” he commanded.

“Juniper,” I said, the codeword slipping off my tongue as I looked at Lucifer with a soft smile.

“Wouldn’t The Morrigan know that information if she took over Nathalie?” Marcel asked, keeping his harsh gaze on me.

“Probably,” I answered, groaning as I felt my muscles ache. “But I’m not her.”

August narrowed his eyes, glancing at Lucifer. They both nodded to each other slightly.

“NATHALIE!” A voice roared in my head, and I was startled, my eyes going wide.

“What! Jesus! I’m right here!” I cried out, clasping my chest and sitting up in a flash.

“It’s her,” Ronan said, tapping his temple as he stood by the door.

My heart was racing. “Asshole.”

Lucifer’s stern expression softened into one of profound relief. He enveloped me in a tight hug, his arms strong and reassuring around me.

“Little witch, you made me question if my immortal life can withstand this much stress,” he murmured, his voice vibrating against my ear.

I laughed softly, my arms wrapping around him. Peering over his shoulder, I took in the familiar sight of my bedroom, and I wondered vaguely what happened while I was out. Finding the clock on the nightstand, I read the time.

“It’s four p.m.? How long was I out?”

August answered immediately. “Nearly nine hours and twelve minutes.”

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