Page 34 of Angel Lost

With a gasp I open my mouth. For half a second Farrell hesitates, then he’s pressed hard against me, sandwiching me between him and Chano, his mouth insistent, fingers tangled in my hair, while Chano strokes down my arms, across my stomach, teasing my waistband.

Chest heaving, Farrell steps away. The cold observatory air hits me, and I shiver, missing his heat immediately. Chano spins me, peering into my face, and I can’t help it, a tiny yawn slips out.

In one swift movement he’s swept me up into his arms. “She’s exhausted, and it’s freezing in here.”

Out the corner of my eye I catch Farrell nodding. “Your rooms, demon boy.”

I should protest. My legs work perfectly fine. But my limbs are like lead, and the heat from Chano’s body has me snuggling into his chest for just a moment.

Chano’s door creaks and my eyelids flutter open. He rights me in front of the bed, concern in his expression.

“Holding up?”

“It’s just a lot,” I say, rubbing the back of my head. “The whole thing. The Angel King threat, the blood oath, the slave bond.”

He reaches out, smoothing my brow, and jerks his chin at the bed. For the first time I realize that he’s wrangled a single room this year, with something that’s anything but a single bed. King, super king, giant?

I gaze at it before I feel the weight of the guys’ stares on me.

“Maybe…” Farrell shuffles his feet, looking uncharacteristically uncertain. “Maybe another night?”

His disappointment is obvious, both of their disappointment. Shit. “It’s all just so…raw. I don’t know what we’re doing together and then on top of that I can feel you. Like some kind of omniscient presence. Inside my head.” Chano frowns and I rush on. “I know you won’t abuse it, but just the idea that you could tell me to do something, anything, and I’d have to obey. It’s making me feel a bit sick.”

Farrell pales.

“I didn’t know it would feel like that. Zephyr never said…” He trails off. “You know we can’t command you unless the majority of us agree, right? That’s why the bond with all of us was safer than a bond with just one. You need at least three out of four of us to agree to compel you. Plus, it won’t come to that.”

Chano reaches past me and flicks the cover back on the ginormous bed. “Get in, chica. Rest. Sleep.” He yanks his own T-shirt over his head and shambles toward the other side of the bed.

Farrell tugs at his shirt collar before turning and heading for the door.

“Wait,” I say.

Farrell stops but he doesn’t turn.

“Can you…Can we…” This shouldn’t be so difficult to ask for. “Can we all just…cuddle?”

I sit with a softthump.

Farrell darts toward the bed. Chano chuckles before pulling me backward, into the middle, making room for Farrell.

It’s not romantic in the slightest. It’s not sexy. Shit, I’m still in my tee, barely managing to wriggle out of my academy skirt before two sets of large male limbs drape over me. But somehow, I feel cared for. Somehow, it’s exactly what I need.

Chapter Eleven: Lorelei

The portal flickers shut behind us, and I clench my fists inside my pockets. For the first time in my life, I’m not in Venez. It should feel good. Except I’m trapped. And the Angel King is waiting for me somewhere.

Slicking my palms down my stupid plaid skirt, I take my first few tentative steps into Elystria, the king’s own country. The country of my ancestors. The cobbled path is made of some kind of super shiny white marble, so bright it’s blinding. I trace the path away into the distance, between a few coppices of elegant trees, toward white spires stretching up into the base of the clouds. The Sanctoria. My destination, and the seat of the Priests of the Royals.

Kai smirks down at me, fingers tightening just above my elbow. He tugs me forward firmly, marching me away from the portal—away from my escape.

It’s an act. He’s acting.My heart rate picks up and I take furtive sideways glances at him. Gone is any hint of his boyish smile. His purple hair is scraped out of sight, hidden under a dull khaki cap. He sports the academy uniform, but his blazer’s lapel is adorned with several badges. I eye the shiny decorations balefully. Military accolades?

Did I just walk in here with one of the Angel King’s generals?

There’s nowhere to vanish to. No shadows to hide in. Even if I could get out of his grip, the only way back is the portal, and I can’t make it work without him.

Tiny circular movements brush the inside of my arm, cutting through my panic. His thumb moves soothingly, hidden in the crook of my elbow. It’s enough to settle my nerves, just. Enough to stop me from bolting.

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