Page 44 of Wicked Angel
“I can still feel it,” I admitted, my voice breaking. “The way my wings tore, the sound it made. Rachel and Jeremiah dying while I ran. All of it.”
Levi's arms tightened around me. “You didn't run, Ariella. You did exactly what Soren asked you to do—you protected the dagger. And it nearly killed you.” His voice hardened with anger. “What that witch made you relive… I wanted to tear the place apart when I saw what it was doing to you.”
I looked up at him, catching the fierce protectiveness in his eyes. “You couldn't have stopped it. I chose to do the trial.”
“Doesn't mean I had to like it.” He brushed a strand of hair from my face, his touch impossibly gentle. “You're the strongest person I've ever met, sweetheart. But even you don't have to carry this alone.”
I let out a shaky breath, resting my forehead against his chest. “I don't know if I can do this, Levi. Face Rhodes again, knowing what he did. Knowing what he's capable of.”
“You can,” he said, his voice steady with conviction. “Because you won't be facing him alone. You have me. You have the Lost Legion. You have all our friends.”
He held me until the trembling stopped, until my breathing evened out, until the horrors of the past receded just enough to let exhaustion pull me back toward sleep.
“Don't leave,” I murmured, already drifting.
“Never,” he promised, and the word followed me into dreamless oblivion.
* * *
I blinked awake slowly,my body aching but my mind clearer than it had been since the trial. Levi was already up, the scent of coffee drifting from the kitchen. I stretched cautiously, taking inventory of myself. The nightmares had retreated for now, though I suspected they were merely waiting for nightfall to return.
“Look who's finally awake,” Levi said, appearing in the doorway with two mugs in hand. He crossed to the bed, offering one to me. “How are you feeling, sweetheart?”
“Better,” I said, and was surprised to find it wasn't entirely a lie. I accepted the coffee, letting its warmth seep into my palms. “Thank you. For last night.”
He settled beside me, his hip brushing mine. “Anytime, sweetheart.”
We sat in comfortable silence for a few moments, sipping our coffee, the sounds of the city filtering in through the partially open window. It felt almost normal, almost peaceful.
“I sent messages to Abbie and the others this morning,” Levi said eventually. “Letting them know about the Lost Legion.”
I nodded, gratitude warming me more than the coffee. He'd taken care of it without me having to ask, giving me the space I needed. “What did they say?”
“Abbie's thrilled. Lacey too. They're making good progress on the elixir, by the way.” He took another sip from his mug. “And Kadriel reached out.”
That caught my attention. “She did? Already?”
“Apparently, she knows how to make the elixir from the golden lilies. She's offered to help, says she just needs to refresh her memory on some of the details.”
“That's… unexpected.” Though perhaps it shouldn't have been. Kadriel had been one of Adona's most trusted archangels. It made sense that she would know about the elixir used to let other supernaturals in for special events.
“She's sending one of her angels to the Hall today to work with Abbie and Lacey. With her help, they should have the elixir ready soon.” Levi's expression turned thoughtful. “It won't be much, but it's better than nothing.”
“It's more than we had yesterday,” I pointed out, feeling a flicker of hope ignite in my chest. “And with the Lost Legion on our side…”
“Our numbers are looking better,” Levi agreed. “Still not great against what Rhodes has in Elysium, but it's a start.”
My phone buzzed with an incoming message. I reached for it, expecting another update from Abbie or perhaps Kadriel. But the name on the screen made my heart leap into my throat.
“Ezekiel,” I breathed, quickly opening the message.
I have your mother and sister. They won't go further without knowing what's happening. Meet us just outside the eastern gate of Elysium. Come quickly.
My hands trembled slightly as I showed the phone to Levi. “He did it. He actually got them out.”
Levi's brow furrowed as he read the message. “Eastern gate? That's one of the minor entrances, isn't it?”
I nodded, already sliding out of bed, my mind racing. “It's less guarded, easier to slip through unnoticed. Smart of him.” I paused, a thought striking me. “I wonder how he convinced them to leave. Especially Adriel. She can be stubborn.”
