Her gaze filled with sadness. “Yes, I willingly fell from there many, many years ago. The majority of our forces did as well, unless they were born here like Steele, of course. Although, there are a select few that found their way to us after the new law passed that took their wings from them.”
My heart clenched thinking of the torture those particular fallen must have endured. I couldn’t imagine the feeling of not having that piece of themselves that they had to live with now.
I nodded in understanding. Her words only solidified that this was the right move, despite the confusion and tension we currently faced. I’d rather deal with all of this than to have my wings torn off. I let out a slow breath as I watched Gabe move past us to walk next to Steele. Their energy was still tense, though our group walked in peaceful silence for a couple more minutes.
I fought the urge to look back at Ronan, Bastian, and Niz. I didn’t want to offend Amelia and let her see that I was scared for their safety, but their safety here wasn’t the only thing that had me worried. Bastian and Ronan weren’t meshing yet, and with Bastian’s…quick mood changes, all I could hope was that things didn’t go sour back there.
We turned down a private path toward what could only be described as a glass and metal castle—the luxurious modern nature of the structure seeming to both blend into the surroundings with its warm wooden base, but also stand out with the black accents. Even with rain drops fighting to obscure my vision, I could appreciate the beauty of it.
“What an interesting choice,” the woman murmured so quietly under her breath that I almost didn’t catch it.
Before I could ask what she meant, Gabe opened the large front door. Steele stepped to the side without approaching the entrance, moving away from us and keeping his gaze on the surrounding forest. I turned to say something to Amelia before going in, wanting to thank her again for stepping in on our behalf, but she was already walking toward Steele.
I approached the door instead of approaching Amelia, knowing they likely were having a private moment. I walked up the stone steps before pausing in the doorway by Gabe. Ronanand Niz stepped past me to head inside, gravitating toward what seemed to be a large kitchen to our right. What made me stop and gawk, though, was the sight of Bastian kicking his feet up on the white couch in the living room in front us, eyes fixated on a screen secured to the wall.
His clothes, much like the rest of ours, were soaked from the rain. I wanted to growl at him to stay off of the furniture until he was dry, but the damage was already done.
Gabe offered me a tired but affectionate smile. “I need to go talk to Steele and Amelia. Make yourself at home and feel free to use whatever you want. My room is on the third floor, first door to the right.”
This was where he lived, all by himself? I’d have to ask later, especially when there was a more pressing question on my mind right now.
“You’ll come back, though?” I asked quietly, briefly wondering if I came across as needy. The minute I saw affection filling his gaze in return to my question, I decided it was worth the risk of sounding a bit clingy.
I barely understood the emotions filling me right now. All I knew was that today had drained every fiber of my being, and I was left feeling empty and emotionally fragile. It was like some magical tie between us had drawn me to find solace in his arms.
“I’ll always find you, Kieran.” With the softest kiss to my forehead, following what really sounded like a promise, he jogged down the stairs, meeting Steele and Amelia.
Steele offered me a dark look before issuing an order that made me rankle. “Do not leave until someone comes and gets you—I’ll be posting guards outside. Try your best not to fuck up my home.”
Scowling at his tone, I didn’t acknowledge his words and the revelation that this washishome. Instead, I turned to walk inside, allowing the doors to slam shut behind me to punctuatemy feelings about him. I released a long exhale and looked around the space, finding Niz flying in small circles before landing on a nearby railing on a set of stairs that led upward. The open concept showcased the luxurious space, all the way to the back of the house where a pair of double doors led to a beautiful deck. It reminded me of the balcony I had back home, and my wings suddenly itched to launch off of the unfamiliar balcony, allowing me to lose myself in the trees for a bit.
That would have to wait until it wasn’t raining…and when I didn’t think Steele or one of his subordinates would have my head for it. I sighed heavily. I needed to be grateful that we’d even made it here in one piece.
“So,” Bastian began conversationally, his hand wrapped around a small black item covered in buttons that he was pressing repeatedly. The screen hanging on the wall seemed to change images each time he pressed a button. “Tell me the juicy gossip. Whose bed are you staying in tonight?”
A piece of bread sailed through the air toward his head, but before I could react, Bastian opened his mouth, catching it between his teeth. Ronan grumbled, and I had to stifle a laugh with my hand. He’d definitely wanted to hit the Caster in the head.
My mind switched focus to Bastian’s question, though, and it hit me that I really hoped there were enough individual beds for us all. Otherwise, I’d end up on the couch so as to not hurt anyone’s feelings or give the wrong impression.
I dropped my bag to the ground and closed my eyes, taking a few deep breaths as I soaked up the momentary peace while I still could. This was going to get complicated, really fast.
GABE
The night sky was dark and heavy. Rain cascaded down, seeming to match Steele’s shitty mood.Lucky us. I didn’t know what had gotten into him to make him a complete ass to Kieran, but I wasn’t going to accept it, even if he had become like a brother to me since I fell.
As I made my way to Amelia and Steele, the darkness was occasionally interrupted by flashes of lightning as the storm's intensity increased. I wanted to make this quick so I could get Kieran settled in. The bruises showing on her skin as the rain washed away some of the makeup that covered them only grew my rage, and an unsettled feeling clawed its way into my chest. I needed to hold her—to do everything possible to ensure she knew she’d never have to face that kind of abuse again.
Seeing Steele’s dagger pressed to her throat looped through my memory, and I had to clench my fists at my side to not knock him the fuck out. She’d been through too much already, and he’d only added to it.
As I approached, I watched Amelia standing tall and strong, her weathered face illuminated by the flashes of light. She had a confident posture, exuding a constant air of wisdom and grace. I couldn’t recall a time in my years here that she’d ever lost hertemper or misstepped with anyone. How Steele was related to her was beyond me.
His face was contorted with anger as he glared at me. The rain glistened on his furrowed brow and soaked his clothes, making him appear even more menacing. I offered him a cocked eyebrow and gruffly asked, “Do you want to fight this out? Because I promise you, today is the day I lay your ass out flat with how fucking much you pissed me off back there.”
He took a step forward, and something in me surged to life at the prospect of smashing my fist into his nose until I felt the cartilage give way beneath my touch.
“Stop it!” Amelia demanded, glaring at us with disappointment shining in her eyes. “I don’t know what has gotten into you both with the arrival of that young lady, but it needs to stop. Now. Do you understand me?”
The fire rolling through my veins fizzled with her scolding, and I nodded my understanding as Steele murmured, “Yes, ma’am.”
