Page 68 of Beyond the Storm
Although nearly imperceptible, shock flitted across the angel’s face, taking away some of the rage. “Humans are such curious creatures. You think yourself strong enough to stand against me?”
“I fear no one.”
“Elasus.” I grabbed his arm. He turned to look at me. That’s when I noticed the worry present in his eyes. He didn’t fear for himself though. He worried about what would become of me. “Please stand aside. This is not your fight. I… I committed a wrong and must face the consequences.”
“No,” Elasus said. “You’ve done nothing wrong.”
The bite mark on his neck said otherwise. Even after I’d used my powers to heal it, the mark remained. Had I harmed him that badly?
“You deserve to be punished,”Melancholy said.“You bring only pain and misery wherever you go.”
Breathing deeply, I stepped forward and bowed my head to Lazarus. “I accept whatever punishment you see as fitting.”
“You’ll be punished over my dead body,” Castor said.
“The mortal clearly enjoyed being bitten,” Bellamy said. “Where is the harm?”
“All of you, be silent,” Lazarus said. “You are making my head ache.” His cold eyes came to rest on me. “Tell me why.”
“Why?” I then regarded Elasus. The center of my chest ached. “I cannot say. All I know is it felt as though my soul were restlessly searching for something, and the only way to soothe it was to…”
“Bite him,” Lazarus said, bewilderment shadowing his face. A touch of understanding existed there too.
Alastair’s brow tapered. “You know the reason.”
“I am unsure at this time. I need to speak to the others.” Lazarus came closer, his intense gaze moving from me to Elasus. “His scent marks you.”
“I sense it too,” Bellamy said. “Lust is conflicted.”
“Conflicted?” Alastair asked.
Bellamy nodded. “He has no desire to seduce the Spartan. Kallias has claimed him for his own.”
Castor huffed. “That has never deterred you before. You’ve bedded many mortals who were wed to others.”
“This claim is stronger.” Bellamy cocked his head at me. And then something happened that never had before: his irises swirled, and the color changed to a familiar shade of brown. “Intriguing. You now see his eyes when you look at me.”
“I see his when I look at you too,” Elasus said. “What does it mean?”
Alastair shook his head. “That is a thing you cannot know. You have already seen too much.”
My heart sank to my stomach. I would accept whatever consequences for any wrongdoing. But I prayed that Elasus would be spared any repercussions for involving himself with me.
“I will let this matter rest for now.” Lazarus looked at Alastair. “Keep the mortal in your sights and ensure he doesn’t tell anyone what he’s witnessed this night.”
“Yes, sir.”
The angel then released his wings and lifted into the air. “All of you should retire for the night. I will return at daybreak with a decision on how to proceed.”
He flew higher in the sky before vanishing from sight.
Elasus exhaled. “He truly has wings. And he flies.”
“Easy, mortal.” Bellamy clasped his arm to keep him steady. “I’m sure it’s quite the shock.”
It was a shock for me too. My newfound feelings. The confusion over biting Elasus. Confusion that deepened when seeing the mark on his neck pleased me, as though it sated a possessive need. I pressed closer to his side, uncertain of either of our fates. He rested his cheek on the side of my head.
“Lazarus is right,” Alastair said in a stern tone. “We should retire for the night. It has been a long day for all of us.”
