Page 94 of Fallen Star

Which means I’ll never behissummer fae. Not really.

He kisses me again, quick but fierce, then straightens, as if that part of business—the part where he opened his heart to me completely—is done. “Let’s find Ghost.”

I nod, pushing aside my fears and focusing on the task at hand.

Finding Ghost. Doing my part in helping make Riven—the man I love—whole again. Well, as whole as he can be, given everything that’s happened to him.

So, we set off across the snow-covered landscape, our boots crunching through the fresh powder, leaving a path in our way.

Subtly, I call on air magic behind us, using as little as possible to send a breeze over the snow to cover up our tracks.

Hours pass. The sun sets. Stars emerge, their light clear and bright—perfect for following the map in the sky to lead us to the ancient woman.

Perfect for continuing our quest to find the ancient woman who might be able to help us save Riven’s father.

Instead, we’re still here, growing more desperate with each passing minute.

We have to try harder. Be less cautious.

I call Ghost’s name softly, not wanting to draw attention to us. But my voice carries across the snow and is swallowed by the silence.

Riven tries as well. “Ghost. Come on, boy,” he says, undeniable panic flashing in his eyes.

There’s nothing. No sound, no movement. Just the endless trees and snow.

Our calls grow more frantic, bouncing off the ice-covered branches. And with every step, the frustration inside me builds. Not just because of the growing hopelessness of this search, but because I can feel my hunger sharpening, the ache in my bones intensifying.

My fangs threaten to descend every time I glance at Riven—every time the memory of his fresh blood seeping out of his skin yesterday flashes through my mind.

His pulse… his warmth…

Stop,I tell myself.I have to stop.

“Ghost!” Riven stops, planting his hands on his hips as he stares out over the snow. “Where the hell is he?”

“He was here during the storm. He has to be somewhere,” I say, but the words feel hollow, since while he’s definitely here somehow, there’s no way of knowing if he’s alive or not.

I glance back up at the sky.

The stars are fully out now, shining brighter.

Riven follows my gaze.

Anger swirls in his eyes, and he raises his hands, blasting spears of ice at the nearest tree and splitting it in two.

“Ghost!” He splits another tree with his magic, the crack echoing through the clearing. “Ghost, where are you!”

A shadow shifts through the trees.

A flash of black.

“Riven—” I start to warn him, but the dark angel is already there, her black wings spread wide against the starlit sky, her eyes fiercely determined as she dives toward us.

Sapphire

This dark angelis different from the male who attacked me and Zoey. Smaller, but faster, her sleek form gliding through the air with practiced precision.

The sword she’s carrying is long and dangerous, the wind propelling her forward like a storm unleashed.

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