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“A noble warrior does not look into the face of death with indifference.”

Connor’s voice drops to barely a whisper, and if it weren’t for my elevated hearing, I would have missed it. “I–I have killed before,” Connor begins. No part of me feels any less safe with him. If it did, I would be a hypocrite. I ache to tell him my truth so he feels less alone, but I can’t.

I feel like I know Connor, and I know he wouldn’t have done something so drastic without a proper reason, unlike me. Plus, my best friend has definitely killed multiple people, likely somewhere close to legions.

“It was a demon, but I ended it quick, painless. But what was done to Gia… They obviously tortured her. Even in death, she looked…” His jaw clenches, and he rubs at his eyes. “Agonized.”

I stroke his back, my eyes stinging with tears. “Shhh, big guy. I’m here.”

The memory of that fae male’s body slumping on me fills my head, and I have to work to force it away.

Connor pulls back, his eyes completely wrecked. “I know we have rules about sleepovers, but can I stay here tonight?”

I nod, not even hesitating. If he hadn’t asked, I would have insisted on it, anyway. I had to know that he was okay. Is this growth? Connor exhales in relief and buries his face back against my neck, but his stomach growls loudly.

My lips twitch. “I ordered pizza. It’ll be here in five minutes.” Alice had handed me my phone after we’d eaten breakfast, and I had anticipated that Connor would wake up hungry.

Connor squeezes me and inhales deeply. “Thank you.”

The silence echoes between us. Each pass of my fingers through his hair is as loud as a scream. Every breath is a metronome, keeping a rhythm. I just hold him until someone knocks at the dorm door. “That’s the pizza, big guy.”

Connor squeezes me harder and nuzzles my neck.

“I’ll be right back. I promise.”

He reluctantly releases me, and I climb over him and out of bed. Alice is passed out on the couch, and after I’ve grabbed the pizza, I turn the television off and cover her with a blanket before returning to the bedroom. I close the door. “Con?”

“In here,” Connor replies, stepping out of the bathroom. He looks a little fresher, though his eyes are still haunted.

I hold up the pizza box. “Meat lovers with extra bacon. Your favorite.”

Connor’s lips tilt into a small smile. “Thanks, you’re the best.” He walks to me and kisses me softly before taking the pizza box and sitting on the bed. His head falls back against the wall as if he is too tired to keep it up. “Fuck.”

I sit beside him, watching him from beneath my lashes, trying not to hover. Beingtherefor someone else is new territory for me.

“I feel weak. If I saw them, I could have?—”

“Connor, no,” I interrupt, taking his hand.

He glances at me, his eyes sad. “I’m supposed to be an archangel. A great warrior.”

I shake my head, cupping his cheek. “No. Con. You’re a university student.”

Great destinies are not for the present. They are for the distant future.

Connor sighs and takes a bite of pizza. I shift to sit beside him, and he relaxes into me. We sit in silence while Connor eats three full slices of pizza. When he’s done, I pick up the pizza box and put it to the side. “You should take your pants off. You’ll be more comfortable.”

He gets up to slip them off before lying back on the bed again. I pull on the sweater he was wearing earlier and curl up beside him. I watch him as he stares at the ceiling.

“Con?”

He glances at me and then turns to face me, wrapping his arm around me and pulling me in close. I rest my hands against his chest and nuzzle his nose with mine, sharing his breath. His lips twitch, but he closes his eyes and drifts off to sleep. The rune on the back of his neck should still be active, but I brush my fingers over it, testing the power in it. I exhale and relax when I feel the pull of the rune, knowing it’ll last all night.

Not ready to sleep yet, I grab my phone and start to scroll throughNexus. I click on the 1015 account to look at their blank profile again. They continue to watch all my stories and have a strong presence on my account. Whoever they are, they are always watching.

My phone pings.

1015 wants to send you a message.