Page 110 of Gray
“Not yet.” Just one more kiss. One more touch.
“You have a bunch of monster ass-kicking to do,” he said, forcing a smile. “You’ll be so busy saving lives you won’t even know I’m gone.”
“Yeah, right.”
“I heard you’re gonna patrol town with Kyo tonight. That’ll be fun. Just don’t get bitten or anything, ’kay? Because I won’t be here to heal you.”
Alastair had given us patrol schedules in their absence. Because of course he’d think to do it. Kyo and I were hitting the downtown area later, while Warrin, Lev, and the twins covered the harbor and residential areas. Konnar and his coven had things covered in the warehouse district and outskirts of town. They had even mentioned something about the werewolves joining the hunt too. Clara was working on a spell that would create a protective barrier around Echo Bay to keep the worst of the monsters away.
When a knock came at the door, my insides twisted, and I held him tighter.
“Put your dicks away,” Bellamy said from the hall. “It’s time to leave.”
“You gotta let me go,” Gray whispered against my lips.
Although every muscle in my body protested, I released him and watched as he slid off the bed and grabbed his backpack. Anime characters covered the front of it. He’d worn a pair of black-and-blue Converse. “To match my wings,” he had said earlier.
“I’ll walk you out.” I stood and grabbed the backpack from him. He had packed light, only bringing some clothes. His sword would be sheathed at his hip.
“You better,” he said with a toothy grin.
With each step downstairs, my heart ached more and more. I knew he had a mission, but I didn’t want him to leave me behind. I wanted to fight right alongside him. We joined the others outside.
Simon pushed his face against Galen’s bare chest, arms around him.
“Don’t leave the mansion.” Galen combed his fingers through his husband’s sandy-brown hair. “Promise me.”
“I promise.” Simon moved his glasses up to wipe at his eyes.
“Leftovers are in the fridge,” Raiden said, sliding his sword into the sheath. “There’s also frozen pizza in the freezer and a buttload of snacks in the pantry.”
Bellamy snorted. “Leave it to you to worry about them starving. They’re grown-ass adults. They know how to cook.”
“Well, the world’s gone to shit right now. Fast-food places and restaurants are closed.”
I pulled Gray closer, and when he tipped his head back to peer up at me with his innocent brown eyes, I nearly lost it right there.
Don’t leave me.
However, I couldn’t say that to him. It would be selfish. So I said the only thing I could. “I love you.”
He smiled. “I love you too. Don’t miss me too much.” He rose up to kiss me before stepping backward, our hands sliding apart. He hooked his arm through the backpack loop since he wouldn’t be able to wear it on his back.
Alastair spread his wings, the feathers black with shades of purple. Bellamy had royal blue hints in his, while Galen had red. Raiden had orange. The color of their sins. Sky-blue feathers rippled through Gray’s wings as he released them. And it was so fitting.
He loved sunny days with clear blue skies.
And I lovedhim. Every part of him.
As Gray lifted into the air, I stepped toward him, my hand twitching at my side. He flapped his wings once and drifted toward me. He caressed my cheek before lowering his face and kissing me again.
“Take care of things while we’re gone,” Alastair said before rising higher into the air. The other Nephilim followed.
Gray was the last to leave. When he lifted higher into the night sky, our gazes remained locked. He dashed to the side, joining his brothers. And then he was gone.
“I know it fucking sucks,” Kyo said, coming to stand beside me. “I’d like to say it gets easier, but it really doesn’t. Two days without Red, and my heart’s still fucking messed up. It’s like my soul can’t breathe again until he’s back in my arms.”
Warrin stood silently beside the back patio, arms crossed over his chest and expression unreadable. He didn’t say so, but I knew he was missing his mate too. He turned and walked back into the mansion without a word.
