Page 99 of Conflicted

“Excellent. Then you won’t mind us accompanying you.”

I didn’t move an inch. “What are you implying, Lyle? That I can’t be trusted to carry out orders? Or that I for some reason need your protection? If it’s the former, I have no issue reminding you who’s actually in charge here. And if it’s the latter?” I let my powers pulse brighter around me. “I shouldn’t need to remind you that I don’t needanyoneto protect me.”

That was laughable really, considering that what had got us into this situation in the first place had been Nox protecting me. That was different though—I hadn’t fought Emilio because I’d thought I deserved those punishments.

I’d have no issue fighting and overpowering these angels. I was the leader of the Seraphim for a reason, and if necessary, I could easily remind them why.

“Umm, Lyle?” The angel I didn’t know stepped forwards, his eyes darting between us uncertainly. He was as tall as Rami, his dark hair falling in waves to his shoulders. “Maybe we should go. I’m not sure why we were sent here in the first place.”

“Rowan’s right,” Atlas said. “Micah clearly has this under control. I say we just leave him to it.”

Lyle rounded on them both, his power wreathing his hands. “Micah might be pulling rank on me, but I’ll also remind you that I outrank the two of you. Fall in fucking line before Imakeyou.”

My brows shot up as the two angels immediately ducked their heads. I couldn’t believe Lyle was speaking to members of his unit like that. Even when I’d had to reprimand the Seraphim, I never would’ve addressed them like that.

Suddenly I had a list of questions for Noah, starting withwhat the fuck is happening over at Juniper?

The approaching angel suddenly arrived, landing gracefully a few metres away. His eyes were flashing as he stormed over to us. I stepped back, letting Noah shove between myself and Lyle.

“Showing your true colours to someone outside of Juniper? How novel of you, Lyle. I thought you saved that vile side of yourself for us.”

If I’d thought Lyle was angry before, it was nothing compared to the fury now rolling off him. “Really, Noah? You’re going to stand against your unit?”

“Myformerunit,” Noah retorted. My eyes widened slightly at the cutting hatred rolling through his voice. The easygoing angel I’d come to know at the compound was nowhere to be seen. “I’m a member of the Seraphim now.”

“Oh forgive me, there I was thinking that the hundreds of years you’ve spent at my side meant something to you.”

Noah’s response was chilly. “It does. It means to me exactly what it means to you. It means what you told me I meant to you that last night after you fucked me before kicking me out into the cold. Absolutely fuckingnothing.”

Shock rippled across Rowan’s face, while Atlas looked almost…proud. Like he’d been waiting a long time for Noah to stand up for himself.

Behind me, I felt Nox’s power start to quietly hum. Fuck. The wrath Noah was feeling coupled with Lyle’s envy must have been refuelling Nox’s stores faster than I’d anticipated. My heart rate ticked up; I needed to get him out of here, and fast. They’d notice his powers long before he reincarnated, and while I knew I could subdue the other angels, even without Noah at my side, I didn’t want to drag this out any longer than necessary. I couldn’t risk reinforcements arriving before I had a chance to get us to safety.

“Spouting lies again, Noah?” Lyle taunted. “Always playing the victim. The whole unit knows I’d never touch you.”

“Oh, I’ve been lying alright.” Noah went toe to toe with his former leader. “But those lies were ones you forced me to tell. Ones you used to poison my relationship with the others in Juniper. Well no more. I’m done being your dirty little secret, Lyle. I’m done lying for you.”

Lyle flinched but didn’t stop Noah from continuing. “And I’m done fighting for you. Micah is my leader now. I’m loyal to him, not you. You didn’t deserve my loyalty in the first place, and you’re sure as shit never getting it again. Now, Micah has informed you of what’s going to happen, and if you want to question his authority, you’ll have to go through me first.”

Noah stepped back, spreading his wings wide and blocking my view of them. I knew immediately what he was doing—giving me time to get away. I had no idea what he knew about the situation or me and Nox, or if he was just backing me up out of loyalty. Or maybe even just as a middle finger up to Lyle.

Whatever the reason was, I wasn’t about to squander this opportunity.

Gathering Nox into my arms as carefully as I could, I shot into the sky. Droplets of his blood flew from his still healing cuts, spattering over my face. I didn’t slow to wipe them off, just focused on getting him as far away as possible. I didn’t bother with teleporting, knowing I needed to get further away than it could take me. Besides, it’d be a drain on my powers.

I’d need to be able to access all of them if we had any hope of surviving this.

Below me, Lyle tried to follow, but was stopped by Noah lunging at him. He tackled his former lover to the ground, fists and powers flying.

Lyle roared at Rowan and Atlas to come after us. I kept my eyes on them as I flew higher, but they didn’t move.

It appeared it wasn’t just Noah’s loyalty that Lyle had lost today.

Still, I didn’t stop watching until they were nothing more than specks in the distance. I didn’t stop flying hard until I’d put hundreds of miles between us.

Even then, I barely eased my pace. The whole time I flew, I watched Nox’s wounds knit together. I felt his powers gradually grow as his body healed.

As I watched, I plotted. I wasn’t stupid—I knew everything Nox had said was right. They’d come after us. We’dhave to fight. I might have to lose the Seraphim or my immortality.

---