Page 147 of To Ashes and Dust
I frowned, lifting my eyes to her. “What do you mean?”
“I don’t know. He’s been like... secretive and nervous, but not in the cheating sort of way. I don’t know how to explain it. I think he’s going to propose or something,”
I bit my lip. Was he going to propose, or was he going to tell her he was immortal? Damien said he was going to reveal everything to her at some point. A combination of emotions bloomed in my chest, causing my heart to race: excitement, unease, fear. How would she react?
I shrugged. “I haven’t talked to him in a while. He hasn’t mentioned anything to me.”
She chewed the inside of her lip, as if that statement disappointed her. “I was hoping he’d reach out to you to help him pick out a ring.”
I blinked. “Wait, are you saying you’d say yes? You guys have only been together for like what, five months?”
“Honestly?” She went quiet for a moment, as if she couldn’t believe she was admitting it. “I think I would. I don’t know what it is, but it just feels... right. I never get tired of seeing his face, even when he’s annoying me. I’ve never felt like this with any other guy I’ve dated. I’m just... drawn to him.”
Her admission had me contemplating something: was the mating bond only limited to immortals? Could immortals find the other half of their soul in a mortal? It was heartbreaking to imagine, but the way she described it, it was very similar to what I felt for Damien. I couldn’t talk to her about this stuff, though, which only frustrated me.
“You better call me the second he does.” It was all I could think to say.
She tilted her head, as if pondering that notion. “Nah, I’ll probably call Jessica and tell her first.”
I threw my half-empty water bottle at her, and she snickered. “Shut up! You haven’t talked to her since high school when she hit on your boyfriend.”
She burst out laughing, throwing the bottle back at me. “Bitch, of course I’m gonna call you first!”
“Okay, no more distractions. You have a big test tomorrow.” I grabbed the stack of flashcards I’d set aside and read off the next question.
I hoped Cody told her, and I prayed she took the news well, that she’d accept him. There was so much I wanted to talk to her about, wanted to show her. I wouldn’t have to erase her memories. I could keep her in my life. I just hoped he’d do it sooner rather than later.
Before I ran out of time.
53
DAMIEN
Ipulled my coat on as I stepped out of the main building of The Outpost and into the training yard. The echoes of warriors barking instructions and the grunts of parring filled my ears. More initiates had joined The Order over the last few weeks, each house sending more with each day, and it was a relief to see everyone coming together to help. They were training harder than ever, picking up extra shifts. Even those who couldn’t fight were offering up their services to help in any way they could. I was afraid the attack on The Complex would break their spirits, but it seemed to have lit a fire within them.
You’re still driving them forward, Barrett.
It wasn’t the same here without him. I’d never thought I’d miss his annoying taunts, and I’d give anything to hear him crack a joke at Cas and make her cheeks redden, to see him hop over the bar at Stokers and drive Semele and Eiko crazy mixing his own drinks. Melantha may have failed in breaking us, but she’d taken something, taken a part of us, and we’d never be the same.
“Ah’m gunna go check oot eh buildin’ we discussed, see ‘ow much work it’ll take tae mek it secure,” James said as he slid his laptop case over his shoulder.
I nodded. “Keep me updated. I’m going to head home, try to spend some time with Cas.”
He halted at the mention of her. “‘Ow’s she doin’?”
Everyone knew she’d been seriously injured, but only our inner circle knew the full extent of what she’d suffered. “She’s doing okay. Went for a walk to Kat’s house to get some exercise and fresh air.”
I sounded optimistic, but unease remained anchored in my gut. She’d been exhausted, her body using every bit of energy to heal itself. The exhaustion in her eyes, though… it was an exhaustion that went beyond her injuries. I feared her body was waning, that I was running out of time.
“Mibbe we’ll all get together fer breakfast when she’s feelin’ up tae it. Ah’m sure she’s no’ happy aboot stayin’ home,” he said, patting my shoulder.
She hadn’t been. She hated that she couldn’t be here helping the recruits train or go on patrols anymore. Sasha, Liam, and Zach asked about her every day, eager for her to work with them again, always understanding of how long it would take for her to heal, excited to see her back when she fully recovered.
But I feared she might not be able to return to training even after her healing was done.
“Ah’ll see ye later,” James said, and I waved as he left.
I shoved my hands into my coat pocket as I headed for my car, the few warriors who took notice of me dipping their heads in a quick bow as I passed.
