I took a deep, shuddering breath, but he was already turning away, stalking to the balcony, where he snapped invisible wings open and leapt into the sky.
I was practically stumbling as I made my way into the elevator, my eyes blurry.
Not tears. There was no way I was crying over the demon.
Right, because you’ve never cried over Samael before.
I’d messed that up so, so badly.
Every time we were close to laying our cards on the table, one– or both– of us dumped the entire deck on the floor. Neither of us wanted to admit we were vulnerable, and so we danced around the subject, waiting for the other person to put it all on the line first.
“Are you okay? Danica, wait up.”
Vas grabbed my arm and turned me as I strode from Samael’s tower. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing.” I wiped my face and he simply raised one eyebrow.
“Uh-huh.”
I couldn’t help but smile, and more tears fell. “Why does it all have to be so fucking complicated? I spent over two years with one goal: Figure out who killed my mom. And then I met Samael and he’s done nothing but complicate my life. But at the same time, I can’t imaginenothaving met him. Ugh, listen to me, I’m all over the place.”
Vas shook his head. “You’re not.”
We were both quiet for a moment as I attempted to pull myself back together. Then he sighed.
“I think sometimes it’s meant to be complicated, for it to be worth it. Maybe the complication and the struggle and the heartbreak is the price you have to pay to have that one person who fits you.”
I let out a shuddering breath and wiped the last of the tears off my face. “You really believe that?”
He shrugged. “I’m trying.” He gave me a crooked grin. “You want me to drop you home?”
“I need to go to Mere’s.”
He stiffened and I winced. “It’s only a few streets away. I was planning to walk.”
“I’ll drop you outside. I’m going that way anyway.”
“Have you thought about talking to her?”
“She’s made it more than clear that she doesn’t want to see me. Another one of those ‘complications,’ I guess.”
“Vas…”
“It’s fine. Let’s go.”
Vas stepped back, his wings rustling as soon as my feet were on the ground in front of Meredith’s. “You want me to stay and wait?”
“Nah, I’ll take a Lyft. But I’ll still see you in the morning.”
He nodded. “I’ll bring breakfast.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I sure do. You have nothing to eat in your apartment.”
I laughed as he swept into the sky, flying faster now that he wasn’t hauling me around.
Meredith’s was a staple in Durham, located in neutral territory on Main Street. The bar itself was also neutral territory, and it was one of the only places in the Triangle where paranormals could let down their guard and relax. Infighting was banned, and anyone who started shit in Meredith’s immediately paid for it.
