So Aspen was back to hiding things. And Oliver, like always, was here by my side, making me smile and helping me through it.
“Sam would be lucky to have you.”
Oliver pulled me in close and rested his head on mine. “I am a pretty great catch.”
I snorted. “Now you sound like Alexei.”
I hoped Sam was able to salvage his wings.
“Yeah. Only issue is I’ll be cleared to leave the healers’ wing tomorrow.”
“How is that an issue?” I felt like jumping for joy and clapping my hands.
He ran a hand through his hair, staring at the wall. “Besides the fact that I’m still unsure if my feelings are one-sided, Sam isn’t happy about the idea of me leaving Hell to find my sister.”
Heavenly Hell yeah!
Oliver side-eyed me. “Get that stupid grin off your face,” he said as one spread across his own.
Now it was my turn to tilt my head and put my hands beneath my chin. “Oli and Sam sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i?—”
He ripped the pillow from behind my back and shoved it over my face. “What are we, twelve?” he whispered harshly in my ear. “He could hear you.”
“You did think I was thirteen.” I laughed, my voice muffled in the scratchy pillow fabric.
“I’m already regretting mentioning anything. I’ve never…” He trailed off, removing the pillow. “Melanie’s still out there.”
I took his hand. “I know.”
I could see he was torn. He was scared to pursue Sam. Even more so knowing Sam didn’t approve of him leaving. Honestly, I wasn’t sure leaving was the right move either. We had no idea where his sister was. We couldn’t go back to the Tenebrous Kingdom and just hope to find her like we did with Aspen. And Oliver deserved some happiness. Hedeserved to have someone else look after him, especially an angel who never once called him “Nephilim.” I was all aboard the Sam train.
A different plan began to form in my head. One that seemed safer, but one I wasn’t sure Oliver would go for. “What if I tried to dream-walk to her first? See if I can either find her in the past or talk to her before we decide to make any quick decision to escape Hell again?”
His silence was my answer.
“And maybe we’ll figure out she escaped or is safe after we killed Lilith,” I added.
Nope.
Fine. “The last time we left Hell without a plan and direction, my mom died. Now her soul has two months until she ceases to exist. I can’t lose anyone else, Oli.”
His face paled. “You didn’t mention that earlier.”
I shrugged, faking my nonchalance. “Hurt to tell. Because it’s my fault.”
Oliver squeezed me super tight, and I willed that stupid, useless lump in my throat away. “We know whose fault it is. And one day you’ll make him pay, Lucy.”
“Until then, I’ll try to find your sister.”
He nodded, and we fell silent.
Cato would teach me everything he knew. I’d find Oliver’s sister, save my mom, and everything would be okay.
Chapter
Twenty
Ronen
