It felt like a knife had been stuck right into my heart. “But… not even for a visit?”
Skye’s face was void of all emotion, like she was trying not to show how much this affected her. “It takes a lot of soul magic to keep popping in and out. Magic I pull from Avalon. I’m not sure Cael would let me waste it on a social visit.”
“Skye.” My throat tightened with emotion as I fought back the urge to hug her. Ghosty hugs were just not satisfying.
“I gotta go,” Skye said suddenly, and then popped out of view.
I stayed there a moment, staring at the wall and processing everything she’d just said.
Once I completed my mission, Skye would really be dead.
A fresh wave of grief washed over me. I knew at some point I would need to tell the Angel Gang. Even though they couldn’t see her, they got comfort from knowing Skye was always around and that I could relay conversations. To them, and to me, it was going to feel like losing her all over again.
I shook my head, not wanting to think about it.
My phone pinged with a text, and my heart fluttered wildly when I saw it was from Gage. I’d been out of range while in Avalon, but it looked like he’d sent a text a half hour ago.
Gage:I’m just going to go to bed early. Tired. See you tomorrow.
I’d told him I would stop by after this training and he totally blew me off. It was freaking eight p.m.! What guy in his twenties went to bed this early?
I didn’t know my mood could get any lower, but my heart sank into my stomach at the thought that my boyfriend was afraid to be alone with me.
But could I blame him? He’d attacked me the first time Apollyon forced him to shift.
My boyfriend wouldn’t make out with me, Skye was going to leave and never come back, I’d stolen a freaking life book from Avalon, and Cael was probably looking down on me with a facepalm and plotting to take my wings.
“Screw this day,” I muttered in anger. “Screw it hard.”
Another text came through and I was relieved to see it was from Drea.
Drea:My mom is pretty pissed we left without permission during a lockdown. But she said if we all carry tranq darts that Gage can roam freely.
Oh great, as if I needed another thing to worry about. Aurelia had been nothing but kind to me and I felt like I’d betrayed her a little. I’d have to apologize later.
Another text came through.
Drea:Lockdown is over but all Lumens must travel in groups when off campus. Oh, and Dash is totally okay like you said.
Well, that was the best news I’d had all night. It still didn’t make the other stuff any better though.
Exiting the sanctuary, I crossed the courtyard in a fury, taking long heavy strides to the armory with Apollyon’s life book clutched between my hands. My sister was about to see bad mood Tatum, and if she gave me her usual crap, I was going to let her have it.
I stormed into the armory and nodded to the armory master, who waved me past without bothering to check if I had clearance. I’d come and gone from the building enough in the last few days that she was used to seeing me by now.
I’d worked myself up pretty good, stomping down the stairs that led to the prison level. Hopefully, my mom had made headway with Harley and we could work as a team, but if not—
“Oh, look who it is,” Harley sneered from inside her jail cell when I entered the room. “My evil little kidnapping half-sister.” She sat on the bench at the back of the cell, her arms crossed over the bodice of her black gown as she glared at me.
My mom looked at me and shook her head, indicating she hadn’t been able to get through to her.
“Thanks, Mom, I appreciate you trying,” I said calmly, all the while a storm was gathering inside of me.
My mom’s gaze dropped to Apollyon’s life book in my arms and her eyes widened. I think she knew what it was. I’d told her about the first time I’d gone into it and found out about Harley, but she didn’t ask why I carried it now. I was glad because I didn’t want to have to explain how I’d stolen it from Avalon.
“I’m gonna head out,” she said with a wan smile and squeezed my shoulder as she passed. “Your gran is waiting on dinner for me. Let me know if there’s anything else I can do. Be careful,” she whispered, and paused for a moment, casting a quick glance at the life book and then back at Harley before leaving the room and shutting the door behind her.
Harley stood, grabbing the bars of the cell. “Listen, you little—”
