Page 60 of Tear of Destiny

He shakes his head. “Visiting a friend.”

I can guess who that was, and I’m surprised to discover that it doesn’t give me the usual stabbing pain. Maybe this is really a first step.

“Okay, uh, have a nice night,” I say as I open the door.

“Tess, wait,” he calls after me.

I pause, then I turn around and see the inner conflict in his eyes. I only look at him for a moment. All too quickly, I feel my heart contracting again, and images that belong in the past flash through my mind.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

“Why do you ask?”

“I just want you to be okay,” he mutters eventually. I can see it’s not the whole truth, but I’m tired of agonizing over that.

“Yes, I am. Finally. And I’m glad to be able to say that. I drew a line in the sand, and I’m happy to be starting over with someone new.”

I guess he knows what I mean because his eyes darken for a moment. He nods and says, “I’m happy for you.”

I don’t look at him again, don’t search for some clue in his face about what he really means. We’ve both found somebody new. And that’s how it should be.

“Have a good life, Ayden,” I whisper, unsure whether or not he can hear me. It’s a final parting of ways and a step in the right direction. Toward Noah, who I really care about.

I notice Ayden twitch slightly, but he stays where he is. And I’m glad. There’s no going back to that time, which was so full of pain and heartache for me.

Chapter 26

My eyes are closed, my arm is outstretched, and I can see the door in front of me – always that same damn door, which I’m determined to pull toward me, whatever it takes.

Noah’s with me this time. He’s just standing there saying nothing, but I can feel him near me. And that’s all I need right now. He’s giving me the space I need, and for the first time in ages, I feel a sense of inner calm that’s eluded me for so long.

My hand begins to shake as I focus on the door and nothing else. Like last time, I imagine it moving. And sure enough, it’s not long before it glides forward a few millimeters as if pushed by an invisible hand.

My heart flutters. I try not to let the excitement affect me, try to stay focused. The door moves. It’s actually gliding toward us bit by bit.

Noah moves a step closer as the door finally reaches us. Again, he places his hand gently on my arm, and it instantly causes a sweet shiver to run through me. His fingertips brush over my sleeve, and part of me wishes there was no fabric between us. His fingers close around mine, and he murmurs in my ear, “I knewyou could do it. You couldn’t have done better. You can let go of the door now. It won’t move back until you push it away with your hand.”

I nod slowly and lower my arm. My eyes are on the door that’s finally standing in front of me. But my attention is on something else entirely: Noah standing behind me, holding me in his arms and awakening a feeling in me that’s really not appropriate right at this moment. But I lean back against his chest, feeling his muscles shift with each subtle movement, and I inhale deeply, trying to get a whiff of his delicious scent.

He just smiles and nestles his head against mine. “Shouldn’t we check what’s behind the door first?”

“Didn’t you just say it won’t snap back?” I ask, slowly turning to face him. I lean in, sling my arms around his neck and tentatively place my lips on his. It’s incredible just to taste him, and I give myself over to it. We’ve only been together two weeks, and in that time, we’ve had so few opportunities to be close.

Noah’s fingers wander up my spine and trace the contour of my waist, so light and tender that it’s almost unbearable. My lips have open, and his tongue plays with mine, igniting a surge of happiness like I haven’t felt in a long time.

I let my hands move over his torso, taking pleasure in the slightest touch that allows me to explore and get to know him. I wish I could stay like this forever, together with him, every other thought extinguished and relegated to insignificance.

It’s Noah who eventually pulls back, cups my face in his hands, and looks at me with an amused expression. “I hate to be the voice of reason, but we can’t stay here forever. We’re in too much danger of being detected by the fallen. And the door is waiting for us.”

He nods at it, and I know he’s right.

I let go of him with a sigh and turn toward the door. I’ve finally succeeded in summoning it. “I can’t wait to see what’s on theother side.”

“Well, there’s only one way to find out,” he says, stepping forward and reaching out to turn the handle. I can make out a street and the front of a house. Without hesitation, I join Noah, and together we step through the door.

I find myself on a sidewalk. The house looming in front of us is impressive. And I only need to glance up at it to know where I am.

“This is Alessandro’s house,” I murmur, and Noah’s just as surprised about this as I am.

---