The color must be draining from my face. I glance at the ground, and my mind begins racing.
What happened to him while he was down here? Is this why he didn’t return? Did a demon get hold of him and wipe his memory—
Suddenly, his rich laugh interrupts my spiraling. I drag my eyes up from the stained pavement to meet his gaze, not missing the mischievous glint in his eyes.
Then, his eyes soften. “Angel.C’mon.How could I everforget you?”
He reaches out to stroke my arm, to which I don’t move a muscle.
So, he did leave me.
Knowingly.
I gulp, then he knits his brows—he’s confused. Of course, he’s confused. I’d have to let down my shields to let him in to read me, and I won’t be doing that ever again.
The Archangels gave me a specific mission to accomplish while down here, but they didn’t give me a timeline to adhere to. They did punish me, though. I close my eyes for a second longer than I should, thinking about what’s at stake if I don’t fulfill their request.
Because I don’t have a deadline for this assignment, I have time. I have time and a plan.
“Great to see you, too.”
“Aw, that might be the sweetest thing you’ve ever said to me.” He grins, moving in closer, wrapping his arm around my neck, and kissing my forehead.
Embarrassingly, I have to fight my body not to melt into him. I didn’t realize how much I missed his tender touch and relentless flirting. Maybe acting won’t be as complicated as I thought it would be.
We’re facing an old-fashioned bookshop now. I peek through the wide glass window, noting warm-toned brown bookshelves lining the walls. Several rectangular tables featuring what I imagine are bestsellers take up the middle space of the shop. Behind the tables, I see a narrow wooden staircase leading up to a small second story, complete with a banister on either side. Peeling my eyes away from the beautiful shop in front of me, I gaze at him.
When entering the realm, I wasn’t sure where to find him. The Archangels were practically useless. They said I 'deserve the challenge for allowing him to venture down here.' So, I’ve been playing the role of bounty hunter for the past several hours—quite well, I might add. I mean, I pinpointed where he was within a day.
Of course, I teleported to Chrysocolla Cove first, and after having a good mind-to-mind chat with a particularly sassy fluffy feline, I learned hehadvisited the Cove. I barely missed him, but I was on the right track. Ultimately, I have my very own memory to thank for helping me find him. I recalled one of our last conversations before he abandoned the realm.
“How about we get out of here?” he asked nonchalantly.
“And go where?”
“Anywhere.”
“What do you have in mind?”
“How about New York City?”
Brilliant place to hide. He’s essentially hiding in plain sight, given the number of Guardians in this city. Because I was his Watcher at one point, I tried tapping into our old thread bond. My intuition told me to start with Manhattan of all places.
I eye his outfit—a brown coat, a cream sweater, navy jeans, and a pair of brown hiking boots. His style is timeless, so he’s certainly blending in well. Almost a littletoowell. I may have missed him if I wasn’t searching for him so avidly.
Unfortunately, though, when I claimed it was good to see him, I meant it.
Itisgood to see him. Despite how terribly frustrated I am with him, I’m relieved he’s okay.
“What happened to your wings? I know you can tuck them away, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen your back looking quite as bare as it does now.”
“That’s not important,” I quickly quip.
I’d rather not talk about that. He hesitates before nodding slowly.
“Well, what brings you down here? You said you don’t like to visit this realm. Did they put you up to this?” He cocks an eyebrow.
Quick on my feet, I shake my head. “I’ve chosen to run away with you.”
