Page 42 of Reine's Salvation

Chapter Eighteen

Mystique gaped. Surely, she was dreaming. The vision before her could not be Reine. She rubbed her eyes. She had always believed in fairies and magic, but this had to be her imagination playing tricks on her. The angel that looked like Reine started to move in her direction. She stood up. Should she run? Her feet seemed glued to the ground and her eyes fastened to the moving figure.

He was no angel of light, but of darkness. His dark hair curled slightly below his shoulders, caressing the tattoos that covered his chest, arms and back. His muscles rippled in the moonlight and he appeared to be like a large cat slinking through the darkness. His eyes were like beacons in the gloom, carefully observing her. However, his wings were what commanded attention. The large appendages were outstretched. The dark feathers giving the appearance of silk, touched by snow-white moonlit tears.

“Reine.” Her voice came out no more than a trembling whisper.

“Yes.” Reine’s gaze softened and his lips lifted into a smile even his beard could not hide. “Don’t be afraid,” he said.

“I’m not,” Mystique said. “Well, perhaps a little.” She tried to give Reine a confident smile.

“But you’re nervous,” Reine said. His gaze dropped to her mouth. “You’re licking your lips.” His eyes darkened and filled with hunger. Mystique’s pulse jumped. She wet her lips. Reine emitted a low growl.

“Sorry,” she hurried to apologize.

“Don’t be. It’s not your fault I want to devour you.” Reine gave her an impish grin and sat down on the ground. He cocked his head toward the rocks she’d been sitting on, inviting her to join him. Mystique sat. Her heart sounded loud to her ears in the silent street. Her hands itched. She couldn’t discern if she felt nerves or something deeper toward the creature in front of her. Hundreds of questions tumbled through her brain. What was he? Why was he here? Had he bewitched her? Could she kiss him? She wanted to know everything, but she knew he would only speak when he was prepared. She folded her hands, placed them on her lap, and waited. She observed Reine from beneath her lashes. He had folded his wings behind his back as if they were second nature to him. He appeared relaxed, but his gaze darted back and forth, from her, to the remnants of the buildings, back to her. She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself. Could he see something in the shadows?

“I went to your house to look for you,” Reine said.

“I couldn’t sleep,” Mystique explained. Her gaze dropped to her shoes. “I was a bit of a mess after we said goodbye. Keith, my boss, said I could take the rest of the evening off.” She sniffled. “Max walked me home. He’s a good friend.”

“He is,” Reine agreed after a moment. He turned his head to look at something she could not see. He sat up straighter.

Mystique took a deep breath. Tears prickled at the back of her eyes. She clasped her hands tightly together until her nails dug into her palms. She had already cried enough for one night.

Soon after saying goodbye to Reine, she had broken down sobbing. Her heart ached as if she’d ripped a piece and thrown it into molten lava. Pain had raced across her veins. She had made a mistake. Except, she hadn’t. She had made her choice. She didn’t want to live in fear of triggering off a negative reaction from someone ever again.

Yet now, here he was before her. Regardless of what he was, the sight of him had made her hold onto the thin thread of hope she always carried with her. She didn’t want to believe and have him burn the string, but there was no way in heaven or hell he had mastered control of his anger in just a few hours. Yet, the little voice in her head spoke up, why was he here, if not? Why had he sought her out? Was he ready to confront his anger?

“So what are you? An angel?” she asked, unable to take the silence any longer.

Reine chuckled. “My kind doesn’t truly believe in the concept of angels or religion. We are caretakers, Guardians. We watch the worlds to keep the balance between good and evil.”

“Worlds? Good and evil? Got it. I suppose you’re the good side?”

“Of course.”

Mystique smiled. “Well, those black wings can be a bit deceiving.”

“That’s because you humans associate black only with despair. Both good and evil can be found in the most unexpected places.”

“You keep glancing behind me and I don’t know if it’s because you don’t want to look at me or you’re seeing something there.”

“There are creatures akin to demons lurking amid the rubble. They are watching us.” Reine spread his wings. “My presence frightens them, but only for a bit. I think they haven’t noticed this.” Reine pointed to his missing arm.

“You know, that’s not the first thing people look at when they see you.”

Reine sucked in his cheeks and averted his gaze. She waited for him to say something else, but once more he lapsed into silence. She ran her fingers through her hair. Nerves settled in her stomach.

“You know, I used to live here when I was a kid. We had a tiny little garden and I liked sitting outside and looking for ladybugs. My mom didn’t think the neighborhood was very safe so she’d always be yelling at me to come back inside whenever I went outside to play. The problem was, being in the house with her was also dangerous. It was like walking on eggshells.” She met Reine’s gaze. “That was not life. I don’t want to go back to that, Reine.” She swallowed.

His gaze darkened.

“Why have you been looking for me tonight, Reine? I told you I couldn’t deal with your constant anger. I haven’t changed my mind.”

“I know.”

“Then why have you come? You said I couldn’t help you.”

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