A strange energy coursed through me and my vision blurred.Heat overcame me and I had to grip the cabin door frame to keep from falling.My chest tightened.
“Val, are you okay?”Endor’s voice cut through the panic.
My shoulders tensed and I sucked in a breath, and the wave passed.
What was that?
“I’m fine,” I said, as I felt his heat behind me.
Every nerve in my body stood at attention.His fire was like a living, breathing thing.He settled one hand delicately on my hip and where he touched me lit up like he himself was made of flame.
But it was a comforting burn.I didn’t want to lose it, but I knew inevitably, I would.
Because soon enough this...mission...would come to an end.Mercy would reunite with her body, and she would make her choice.
Whatever that choice was, I would stand by her, but...
After she did so, she would leave us.
And as badly as I wanted to hold Endor captive in my little slice of heaven, I knew I couldn’t.
He didn’tbelongin Heaven.
Celestial law bound him to Hell because of his DNA.Because of the circumstances he had no part in.
From youth, we were told demons were soulless.That they did not value human life or things that were inherently good.
But in these last few days with Endor, I found myself wondering if those stories were the mere weapons used to keep us from questioning the truth.
Making the lines simple and contrasting, because in reality...they were hazy at best.
Endor claimed to be soulless, but in just three days, he had shown himself to be righteous, selfless, andgood.
How could someone so perfect be soulless?
What did that say about someone like me?
Someone whose soul was so tainted with the touch of velveteen black feathers and smooth kisses and whose heart was so stained by thedesirewithin her, she would give up her very soul to have him?
Perhaps Mercy’s lost soul was not the only mistake fate had made.
The train came to its stop, but Endor did not move his hand.His face settled next to mine, his breath warm on my neck.
“We have arrived,” I said, my voice shaky.
Mercy did not speak, but I could feel her gaze on us.Watching us intently like some daytime soap opera.
Endor let out a soft breath.“So, we have,” he said, and then he let go.
I hated that my skin still felt warm, like his touch had burned through every layer of skin and bone down to my mere essence.
He stepped outside of the cabin, his shoulders broad and straight, and that moment of vulnerability, of truth disappeared.
He turned, offering Mercy his hand.
“Lead the way, Mercy,” he said.“It is time to take you home.”
CHAPTER9
