I know Angel understands my need for vengeance, but that doesn’t stop him from worrying about how facing my tormentor might affect me. He’s become even more cautious and protective of me ever since he saw how my time with the coven still haunts me.
At last week’s council meeting, Angel made it clear that there would be no room for error on this mission. I was fine with it until I saw the way he kept glancing at me during that speech.
I still don’t know why he singled me out when Seiji is the one who brings all kinds of snacks and drinks everywhere we go, like it’s a picnic.
Of course, when I pointed that out, Seiji, my dramatic princess, acted like I’d committed treason. He was so ‘offended’. The guy even managed to shed some crocodile tears, crying about how it wasn’t about his milkshakes but aboutrespect.
And then he sobbed through, ‘My milkshakes bring all the boys to the yard.’
Seiji is tone-deaf. My ears are still ringing from his horrific performance.
Harvey was so close to tears that hebeggedSeiji to stop singing—if you could even call it that. Hazel pulled out a dagger and almost threw it at Seiji’s head, but Grace snatched it at the last second.
I don’t usually condone violence… but maybe a warning stab wouldn’t have been the worst thing in the world.
About an hour later, I finally woke Angel with a flurry of kisses all over his face. The way he smiles at me, eyes crinkling at the corners, convinces me this is the only way I’ll be waking him up from now on.
Angel freshens up quickly before braiding my hair, just like he promised. He’s fast and precise, basically a pro at this point.
“Nevaeh? Promise me you won’t let your emotions cloud your judgment today. I need you to stay vigilant,” Angel says, fastening the elastic at the end of my braid.
“Hey, when am Inotcareful?”
Shit.I instantly regret the slip-up. I’ve handed him the perfect ammo to shoot my ego to hell.
“You split your palm open trying to make a sandwich, sweetheart.”
I knew he was going to bring that up again!
“It was the knife’s fault!”
Of course, it was my fault. I’m a disaster in the kitchen.
Angel thinks my stubborn denial is hilarious and laughs before kissing the top of my head and ushering me out of the room.
Everyone is already waiting outside except August, who’s spending the day with Seiji’s parents. I know his pseudo-grandparents will have him in a food coma from authentic Japanese food by the time we get back.
In a truly baffling turn of events, Angel’s so-called mother, Kiara, barged into the Horsemen castle yesterday anddemandedI leave August in her care while we’re gone. Before I could tell her where to shove that idea, Angel shut her downand dragged me away from that conniving woman.
That woman and her audacity.
I’m not sure what she wants with August, but I’ve warned the Nakayas, and they promise not to let Kiara or her husband anywhere near my son.
I brush Diamond’s mane gently, admiring how his wings flap against the breeze, making tiny particles of ash gather at his feet. His wings are so large, I imagine someone getting smacked by them.
If this were a cartoon, they’d slide down like paper with just one hit.
I need to stop watching cartoons with August.
Everyone is gearing up, strapping on armor, and grabbing weapons. Grace slings a crossbow across her back and seals her quiver. Seiji breaks down his whips and wraps them around his arms like an extra layer of armor.
Hazel, obsessed with hoarding weapons, is of course tucking yet another dagger into her boot when Angel snatches it and hands it off to a passing warrior.
Yeah… that was a mistake.
“But now I only haveninedaggers. I can’t go out there with an odd number of weapons!”
“You still needmore?” I ask her in utter disbelief. “Where the fuck are you even stashing them?”
