Someone’s watching, using the decoration as cover.
With a casual step, pretending I had all the time in the world, I slowly retraced my passage down the sidewalk. I circled the marble bust, rubbing my jaw as if in thought, but stretching out a thin tendril of power to poke at the stone.
Someone pushed back.
Malachi.
I bit back a growl.But why?A sheen of sweat popped on my brow.
Because he wants to be the one to take the prize to Lucian, which will keep me from getting my wings and put him in Lucian’s good graces.
“She’smine,” I snarled, barely containing the anger and passion shooting through my blood. An insane urge to ball my fists and punch his smug face raged through me, even if I couldn’t see him yet.
Straggling students continued to walk past, some rubbing their bare arms, and others looking over their shoulders with a frown.
I refocused on the frozen form of the marble, but I couldn’t see anything else. Until I was made Chosen, Malachi would always win, and I deeply hated him for it.
A low chuckle floated on the wind, but still, he did not reveal himself.
Frustration and anger spurred my irritation.I’ve always been at their mercy.How they shunned the weak, despised human otherwise known as Cain. It maddened me I had no wings or well of power as they did.
To make my plight worse, fear pulled at my heart, imagining what Malachi would do to Phoebe if he captured her. That was the only reason he was here...I was sure of it.
I’m putting her in danger with my presence.
If I left, Malachi wouldn’t pursue her today. Yes, he could delve the minds of the faculty to find her location, or even disguise himself to appear human, go inside, and hunt her down, but that wasn’t his style. He preferred to gloat and grandstand, and without me as an audience and to shame, the victory would be worthless.
No, he’ll bide his time to ensure I see every moment of his triumph.
Malachi lived for the thrill of the hunt, and the more pain he caused, the more he reveled in it. He’d love nothing more than to steal her from under my nose then flaunt the victoryin front of my face.
Mustn’t let it happen. Phoebe is mine, not his.
I turned on my heel and marched away, straightening my shoulders and adjusting my sunglasses.
He can’t be allowed to have her.I’llbe the one to deliver Phoebe to Lucian. Not one fingertip of Malachi’s will touch her skin.The thought of his flesh near hers made me clench my jaw.
It disturbs me because I want to ensure she makes it in one piece, so Lucian doesn’t renege our deal, that’s all.
One innocent girl’s life for long-coveted wings, bestowal of Chosen status, and entry into Heaven would never be overpowered by the strange warmth flooding my veins at the mere thought of Phoebe Blutengel.
If she ever remembers our first meeting, though...
She wouldn’t because no one else had been there and I’d been the one to perform the memory wipe.
I inhaled a calming breath, hardening my heart. She didn’t stand a chance against what I wanted, what I deserved, what Icraved. I’d gain her complete and utter trust, get the information Lucian sought, and be done with the confusing woman.
After all, I owed everything to Lucian. I’d been discarded, judged not fit to live among those of the light. God had been so blinded for his love of my father he’d allowed Adam a high seat in Heaven as a trusted confidante.
Malachi had passed on this little tidbit of info, and in private, Lucian had confirmed it as truth.
Hate coiled deep in my heart, but I forced it down.
It’s not the night for rage.But tomorrow?
Tomorrow will be an evening made for hiding, for lies...and for wings.Phoebe—though she didn’t know it yet—would be my ultimate vengeance and salvation, proof I could shed the last of my humanity and avenge my exile.
I blinked home and enjoyed the quiet serenity of my study, sitting on a comfortable recliner near the bookshelf and forcing my shoulder muscles to relax. Giving the dark power in my veins free rein, I smiled and twisted my fingers in a complicated pattern.
