“Thank you for doing this.”
“I wish someone had offered the same when Amber took off.” Once again thinking that she might be alive if they had. “I’m not sure what good it’ll do, but I can give a decent description.”
He pressed a kiss to her forehead as he pulled her into him. “Thank you for this. Asmia’s family,” he said softly. “She’s only been here for a century or so, but she’s…”
“You don’t have to explain,” Orianna said when his words drifted off. “I get it. Family’s family. And we won’t stop looking until we find her.”
Eclipse pulled back and peered down at her. His hands cupped her face and she saw something glittering in his eyes. Not heat. No, not like they’d experienced before. This was more than that. Something powerful, all-consuming.
“Come on,” he finally said, breaking the eye contact. “Let’s go downstairs. My brothers are arriving, and I’d like to see where we’re at.”
Without argument, Orianna headed for the door, allowing him to steer her with a hand on her lower back. The first thing she noticed was the sounds had amplified in the house, more conversations, more movement. Definitely more people.
As they headed down the stairs, they passed several men and women—or were they angels?—coming out of rooms or going in. On the main floor, they had to weave through bodies. Dozens of people were scattered about, some sitting, others standing. Her eyes wandered from each one, taking stock. Some she recognized, many she didn’t. Based on the way they greeted Eclipse with warm smiles, Orianna had to assume they were all family. She couldn’t help but wonder what it would feel like to have a family like this. One that was there for one another—in good times and bad.
Speaking of family, she really needed to call her mother, let her know she was all right. She’d been dutiful in her conversations, but admittedly, she’d missed a few here and there. Every time she did, guilt racked her.
“Orianna, I’d like to introduce you to Stygian and Aphotic. Two more of my brothers.”
Pulling herself from her thoughts, Orianna smiled and held out her hand as was an appropriate greeting. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Stygian smiled, his gaze dropping to her hand. “Forgive us if it seems rude, but trust me, you do not want us touching you.”
Feeling shunned, Orianna dropped her hand.
Eclipse chuckled and pulled her against his side, hugging her tightly. “The touch of another male will cause you pain,sezari.”
“Pain?” She peered up into his face. “Seriously? Is that an angel bonding thing or something?”
He chuckled. “Or something.”
Well, that certainly explained a lot. And made her feel a little less like a leper.
“What about you? Will you feel pain if a woman touches you?” she asked, figuring it was only fair.
“Yes. The touch of a female would be unbearable.”
Orianna patted his chest and pulled out of his arms. “Good.”
Aphotic chuckled. “She suits you, brother.”
“That she does,” Eclipse agreed. “More than you’ll ever know.”
“Have you seen Shadow or Piceous?” Stygian asked, his gaze locked on Eclipse’s face.
“Not yet, but I’m sure they’ll be here shortly.”
“Good. Because we need to get a plan underway. And fast.”
Hoping she could contribute in helping to bring their family member home, Orianna clutched Asmia’s brush tightly in her hand and remained on the periphery. These people knew Asmia best, knew what they were up against. If she wanted to help, she had to take direction from them. Something she wasn’t familiar with but was relieved to have. When it came to her search for Amber, she’d been on her own the entire time.
Chapter Twenty-Four
The shouts sounded from the entry, drawingObsidian’s attention and that of everyone currently in residence. They’d gathered in the sunroom to discuss preliminary plans, but before they could get underway, the ruckus had redirected their efforts.
Leading the pack, Obsidian came to a stop in the hallway at the front of the house, his brain processing what he was seeing.
“What did you do to him?” Rinc seethed, going chest to chest with Valterri, the two enormous males glaring daggers at one another.
