Page 108 of An Unexpected Ascension
He shrugs. “I didn’t know I did either, but I was starting to like whatever was happening.”
I finally look back up at him, at the lines between his furrowed brows and the small frown marring his beautifully handsome face. I really hate how beautiful he is. How days can crawl by, and his trimmed scruff never grows out of place. He’s just permanently perfect.
“Hermes, are you admitting that you like me?”
I flash a teasing smile.
“I’ll admit that I like you enough to hate the way myname sounds on your tongue.”
I raise a brow in question. “What else would I call you?”
“My real name.”
The smile I hold falters and my heart thuds a few beats faster.
“Why?”
“Because you said it yourself. To you, I’m not some soulless demon.”
“And what am I to you, then?”
“Right now? My partner in crime. Let’s go.”
I roll my eyes before my body stills as a firm kiss is placed in the center of my forehead. Confusion clusters behind that kiss, swarming inside my flustered mind, but I don’t dare question it right now.
For we have a truce; the demon and the angel.
This time, we descend on the opposite side of the cliff than we usually do, which will hide us from anyone coming from the way of the Market. One sight of the demon and angels usually run, minding their own business.
There’s only a small distance between the pool beneath the waterfall and the forest leading toward the Garden of Eden, but in that glaringly open land we are completely vulnerable.
Just as we reach the edge of the trees, I hear a voice from behind me. Spinning on instinct, I’m met with a familiar face from across the water. Fear rattles me inside out as Will’s features contort with confusion.
“Briar?”
“This isn’t real,” I whisper to myself.
I turn back around, Lynx no longer in view, but his voice reaches me.
“It is and he saw you. He might not realize you left, but he’ll recognize me.”
With a subtle nod, I face Will again who’s now running along the edge of the pool.
Fuck.
“Jessie!” His voice reverberates around the Falls.
Double fuck.
His sister appears wide eyed and stunned. He grabs the edge of her sleeve, and they race toward me. I have no choice but to meet them halfway.
“Will! Jessie!” I shout back, feigning excitement.
The three of us reach the end of the pool where more green land turns to forest. Jessie pulls me into her, wrapping her arms around me. Wisps of her blonde hair catching in my open mouth.
“Where have you been? We’ve been worried sick!”
“Oh.” I couldn’t think of how else to respond.
