Page 41

"I'm not going anywhere."

I curl against him and rest my head on his chest. Listen to his heartbeat steady and strong beneath my ear. His arms wrap around me, and hold me close. Protective without being possessive.

This is what safety feels like, I realize. This is what it means to be with someone who actually cares about your wellbeing instead of just controlling you.

"Goodnight, Gabriel," I murmur.

"Goodnight, Paige."

My eyes drift closed. Sleep pulls at me. For the first time in months, I'm not afraid of what tomorrow will bring.

Because tomorrow I won't be alone.

Tomorrow I'll have Gabriel. And the Iron Phoenix. And a chance to build something new from the ashes of everything I'm leaving behind.

I fall asleep wrapped in his arms, and for once, I don't have nightmares.

Chapter 9 - Priest

I wake to pounding on the door.

Not gentle knocking. Full-force hammering that makes the cheap frame rattle in its hinges.

Paige stirs against my chest. "What—"

"Ignore it," I murmur. Pull her closer. "Probably someone at the wrong room."

The pounding stops.

We both relax slightly, then the door explodes inward. One violent kick and the lock tears free from the frame. The door slams open and bounces off the interior wall.

I'm on my feet before my brain fully processes what's happening. Naked. Fists raised. Positioning myself between the bed and whoever just broke down the door.

Phoenix stands in the doorway. Wraith is right behind him.

Both of them freeze when they see me. Take in the situation with widening eyes—me naked and ready to fight, Paige scrambling to pull the sheets up to cover herself, the destroyed door hanging at an angle.

"What the fuck?" I demand.

Wraith lets out a low whistle. "Well, this explains a lot."

Phoenix just shakes his head slowly. "Jesus Christ, Priest."

Paige has the sheet wrapped around herself now. Her face is bright red. She's staring at the two men in the doorway like they're a nightmare she can't wake up from.

"Can you not just stand there?" I snap. "She's half-naked."

"So are you," Wraith points out. He's grinning now. Clearly finding this hilarious.

"Wraith," Phoenix says without looking at him. "Outside."

"But…"

"Now."

Wraith holds up his hands in surrender and backs out of the room. Phoenix follows but stops in the doorway. Doesn't quite look at either of us directly.

"Get dressed," he says. His voice is calm. Level. The president voice he uses when he's trying not to lose his temper. "Then come outside. We need to talk."