Page 110 of Angel Lost

“That mongrel chewed my Gibson shoes, stole my grandfather’s soul stone. And you want me to…” Camille stalls as Flirty saunters over. “Oh, hello.”

Suddenly she’s all fluttering eyelashes and charm. In under an hour we have a dorm party in full swing, fae liqueur and goblin beer on tap, and banging music. Zephyr would love this.

I swirl my drink, perched on the edge of the pool table, half out of the way but still able to watch the chaos unfold. Chano leans beside me, one boot propped against the leg of the table, arms crossed as he surveys the party. Close enough that our shoulders brush, but he doesn’t say anything, just lets me sit with my thoughts.

I haven’t been to see Zephyr. The hospital staff assured me he was recovering, but actually talk to him? Nope. He doesn’t have a phone. And even if he did, what would I say? That I tried? That we tried—Chano and I both—to persuade Farrell to shift, to save him? Zephyr doesn’t know that. All he knows is that Farrell refused, and his hatred for that choice bled onto us, too.

Fuck Farrell. And fuck you too.

I tip back my drink and down it.

A shadow moves at the edge of my vision. Broody strolls over, hands in his pockets, watching me like I’m some interesting puzzle he hasn’t figured out yet.

“Not like demons to sulk at a party,” he observes. “Although, being half vamp, I’ll excuse your miserable face. What about you, Maverik?”

Cheeky sod. Before I can think of a suitable put-down Chano reaches over and fist-bumps him. “Amigo, so good to have straighttalk. It’s my sister. She’s missing.” He glances awkwardly at me and adds, “We finally got a message from them. Said they’d made a mistake. They need help.”

Are you kidding me?

“But so far, it’s untraceable. I shouldn’t be here, enjoying myself. Not when she could be…”

I elbow Chano in the ribs, and he shrugs, smoothing my hair with his big hand.

“Didn’t have time to tell you, chica. We all got a little busy with the rip. Raff and Alairik are on it, but…”

I swear Broody didn’t move, didn’t signal. But suddenly all four of the big guys are crowding around, demanding details.

“We’ll keep an ear open once we’re back,” Broody promises. “Beyond intel, not much more we can do from there. Best make the most of your next couple of years, brother. The angels are in power just like the prophecy. When you ascend…”

Chano nods curtly, his gaze flicking to me. I slip my hand into Chano’s, offering him a squeeze.

When he ascends, what?

Worse for wear, I trail behind the demons, my allegiance at my back, silent. The cold wind whips my hair, clearing some of the haze from my mind. Isla clutches my arm, her tweed jacket bunched over my best pair of pajamas. I eye them ruefully. Once she steps through that portal, I’ll never see them again. Guess I’ll have to steal more, or sleep naked. Not like Chano will mind.

We halt in front of the portal, its shimmering surface rippling like disturbed water. Tiny circles my legs, wrapping his leash around my ankles.

Isla grabs my hand. “Can I get your number? I’ll have your clothes washed, send them back. And…I’d like to keep in touch.”

“Don’t worry about the clothes.” I finger the silky sleeve with longing before sighing. “Not sure about signal here, either.”

I glance at Farrell, the most traveled of us, but he shrugs. “It’s spotty. Texts should get through…eventually.”

I flash Isla a grin and punch my number into her phone, slipping in Eltanin’s prefix when she’s not looking.

Behind her, Grumpy looms. “You sure you want to keep that mutt? I’ve got a pack just like him. He’d fit right in.”

Tiny presses into Isla’s legs, baring his teeth. For a split second, his eyes gleam red. I blink, rub my face, and the illusion vanishes. Hairy hell, I’m too tired for this.

“Forget it, asshole,” Isla snaps, stepping back, and for the first time, Grumpy does too.

They kissed last night. But now, Isla looks like she wouldn’t spit on him if he was on fire.

Tiny tugs her forward, ears flat, and without another glance at Grumpy, she steps through the portal. The air shimmers, folding around her and the dog, and then they’re gone.

From the portal I head straight to the infirmary. Time to face the music. Maybe a night of being looked after will have calmed Zephyr’s anger.

“Zephyr Engill?” The nurse taps her keyboard impatiently. “He discharged himself.”

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