“Sounds like you’re all caught up. This is your dream come true, Liv. You’ve always wished for magic and monsters to exist, and well…they do.” I shrug, gripping her shoulders and forcing her to sit.
Wait, two celestials?
“Your boyfriend will live to see another day, Nora. My man Ro always saves the day.” A stranger plops down between Olivia and Kairos, tucking his wings in tight and wearing a bright, wide smile.
“Who are you?” I glance at the man and then at Katie, who doesn’t seem surprised to see him here.
Katie takes a seat in the recliner on the opposite side of the room. “You haven’t had the pleasure yet of meeting Bromios.” Her nose scrunches up as she gives him one of her fake, forced smiles.
I get the feeling she doesn’t like him, but I’m not sure why.
The man leans forward and extends his hand. Katie rolls her eyes but smiles as I slowly offer my hand to him, assuming he’s just going to shake it.
“Call me Mio.” He lifts my hand to his lips and kisses it once, just a soft quick brush of his lips before leaning back and throwing his arm over Kairos’ shoulder.
“Olivia, this is Kairos. Kairos, my sister Olivia, which I’m sure you already know.” I shake my head, glancing at Ere and hoping he’ll wake up soon.
“If you want me to wake him I can.” Mio stands and comes to my side as I take a seat on the edge of the couch where Ere lays, staring down at his still body. “We weren’t sure how much you wanted him to know of this… of us. But it’s your choice.”
If this is a part of my life now, these creatures and magic and monsters, then I need Ere to be a part of it. I don’t want us to keep secrets from each other.
“Please wake him. I have a million questions, but I’d prefer he be here with me. I need him to be.” My vision blurs as tears prickle at the corners of my eyes.
Kairos stands and makes his way over to me, placing his hands on my shoulders. “If it’s what you think is best. But we have a lot to share with you.” His eyes shift to Katie, and she nods. “If you think he can handle it then I’ll wake him myself. If he freaks out, though, I give Mio full permission to knock him back out so you aren’t pissed at me. You terrify me a little.” His crooked grin makes me smile, even with all the madness that’s happened tonight.
He’s so close to me, and as I look up at him his eyes swirl and hypnotize me in a way that makes me never want to look away.
I need to look away.
“Wake him. He can handle it. He loves me and will accept anything that’ll be a part of my life.” I turn away and he sighs behind me.
“As you wish, princess.” Bright, white light pulsates in his hand, swirling around his fingertips as he places them to Ere’s temple.
Olivia jumps up, covering her mouth with her hands as she steps up closer. “Holy shit. I can’t believe this is real,” she breathes. “I always hoped the world was a magical place, but seeing all of this… it’s unbelievable.” She huffs a laugh.
I shouldn’t be surprised that Olivia is taking all of this new information about the world we live in so well, considering her love of all things creepy and strange. But she’s handling it better than I am. I’m freaking out on the inside, just hiding the fear and confusion running rampant in my mind. But this is what she has always dreamed of. She hoped to one day stumble upon something weird and magical, and she has. I get why she’s thrilled. Ere on the other hand, I’m not sure how this will play out. All I can do is hope for the best and believe in us always. I’m not even sure how the hell I’m taking all of this without the comfort of tequila or the rush of adrenaline in my system.
It’s going to be okay. Everything will be just fine. It has to be.
Part Two
FATED
Chapter Sixteen
Truths and Lies
KAIROS
I should have let him die in that alley. I should have jammed the dagger into his throat while I had the chance. Mio shouldn’t have offered to wake him. Bastard. I planned on letting him sleep until my magic wore off, letting him drift in a sea of nothingness so I could spend more time with Nora without him in the way. For her, I guess I’ll let him live… for now.
“What do you remember happening in the alley outside of the club?” Nora turns to him, placing her hand on his knee as his eyes shift around the room.
“I remember it all. What were they and why did they attack me?” His eyes meet mine and drift up to my wings. “What the hell are you two?” He swallows, putting his arm around Nora and pulling her in close as Mio gives him a wide, proud smile.
I wish I didn’t hate him, but I do. I’m playing nice for her only, but gods is it hard to ignore the looks and the touches between them, knowing she’s fated for me. I want him gone. Fuck Nyx for sending her demons to attack him and dragging him into this. I know this is a message. A threat. Next it will be Nora.
I lean my elbows on my knees. “They were demons from the Underworld, and there are plenty more where they came from. They’re after Nora and they were simply using you to hurt her.” I clench my fists as Nora caresses his knee with her thumb. “Mio and I are celestials from the Realm of Darkness. I was ordered to protect Nora here on the Earth Realm. I’m her guardian.”
