“Kai!” she screeches with tears in her eyes as he lifts her off the ground. I extend my hand to grab hold of hers, but they ascend to a height I can’t reach.
Because I don’t have wings.
I jump and try to wrap my fingers around her ankle, but I miss.
Damnit. This isallwrong. I didn’t expect them to apprehend us this quickly. This isn’t normal behavior for the Archangels from what I’ve experienced.
As the angel carrying her in his arms soars higher, I fixate entirely on Cleo. I’m running up the stairs as fast as angelically possible, but it’s no use. No matter how many stairs I climb, how loud I cry out for her, I’m not any closer to reaching my angel.
You’ll be okay, little angel. I promise,I whisper into her mind, watching her grow smaller and smaller in my line of sight.
Kai. Look at me. Quick.
I squint my eyes to focus on her luminous face.
“I love you,”she whispers into my mind, mouthing the words.
My lips part in awe.
Then, an excruciating pain erupts in my head, and my entire world fades into darkness.
Twenty-Eight
Kai
"Fine.I’m glad you showed up for Trivia Tuesday this time, Kai,” Jasper drawls while leaning back in a wooden chair near the stage, then takes another swig of his beer. “Iris has been wanting you to come for months. Where have you been anyway? Baseball can’t be keeping youthatbusy every single Tuesday night.”
I pause, feeling a bit lightheaded but attributing my dizziness to the beer in my hand. I glance into his gray eyes. “Bro. How many of these have I had? I’m feeling… off.”
“Um. I haven’t exactly been keeping track of your beer count. Apologies.”
I shake my head and sigh, fixating my gaze on the black sweater he’s wearing. “It’s probably nothing. Anyway, I haven’t been to Trivia Tuesday in a while, because I’ve been a bit wrapped up.”
For some reason, I can’t pinpoint what’s been keeping me away, but I figure it’s not worth it to focus on that. Wouldn’t want Jasper to worry.
“Hey. You okay?” His brows raise in concern when suddenly, a burst of high-pitched, loud laughter I’d recognize anywhere ripples through the air in front of me.
I glance up at the stage to see my sister, Irie, uncontrollably laughing at something. She’s wearing an oversized beige sweater and leggings, her hair pinned up with a vintage-looking claw clip. I bet she got the clip from Aged Emporium.
Jasper gazes up at her reverently, a smile creeping up on his face. “Damn. I love that girl.”
“You better.” I punch his arm jokingly when suddenly, someone wraps their arms around my shoulders. I turn around in alarm and see… her.
Katherine.
“Sorry I’m late! Got caught up at work, some appointments ran long.” She bends down to kiss my cheek and greets Jasper. “What did I miss?”
“Well, Iris is having the time of her life hosting Trivia Tuesday tonight.”
Upon hearing her name, Iris cuts a glance at our little group and crinkles her nose as she grins at us.
“The role definitely suits her.” Katherine settles into the empty seat next to me and rests her hand on my thigh.
Wrong.
Wrong.
Wrong.
