Page 13 of Galen

A somber silence stretched between us. Falling in love with a human. Inevitably losing them. It was something we’d all experienced at least once. I had sworn off love long ago. Alastair had too. For a while, at least.

And then he’d met Joseph.

Alastair unbuttoned his shirt and slid it off his shoulders before tucking it against his arm. He unfurled his wings, the six-foot wingspan casting shadows behind him on the grass. The black feathers shone under the silver light of the moon as he flapped them once, then shot up into the night sky.

“I’m going to follow him,” I said, gently moving Gray aside. He latched on to Castor, who stood beside him. Gray was so much like the animal named after his sin, a little sloth who clung to anyone close enough.

Once outside, I removed my T-shirt and spread my wings. Sometimes I forgot to undress first, especially if I was in a hurry. I had destroyed countless shirts over the years because of it. I took off into the air, keeping a small distance behind Alastair. I was certain he sensed me, but he didn’t say anything.

Minutes later, I dropped down in the grass at the edge of the hospital and tugged my shirt back on.

“Why did you come?” Alastair asked, staring at the entrance where a middle-aged woman was outside the doors talking on the phone. She laughed about something. “I can do this alone.”

“I know you can.” I placed a hand on his shoulder. His hard exterior cracked a little beneath my touch, and he trembled. He was barely holding himself together. “But you don’t have to.”

He nodded and stepped from the shadows toward the door.

The woman blabbing on the phone gawked at us as we walked past her into the hospital. With me being six foot eight and Alastair at six five, we tended to turn heads when we were among humans.

Alastair and I took the elevator up to the hospice floor. He stared ahead, blue eyes unfocused, then stepped out when the doors opened. The nurse smiled at him, recognizing him from his frequent visits. He had said he was Joseph’s grandson in order to get in and see him so much. Fubbing any necessary paperwork was easy too.

“Perfect timing,” she said. “He just woke up. Go right on in.”

“Thank you.”

I followed Alastair down the hall, seeing the tension build higher in his body. Joseph had weeks to live. Maybe a few months if he was lucky. The cancer had spread through his entire body. Dementia also had hold of him. Some days he knew who we were. Other days… not so much.

Alastair stopped outside the door and took a deep breath.

“I can save him, Galen,” he whispered, hand on the closed door. “Iwillsave him.”

We both knew he couldn’t, but his pride wouldn’t let him admit it. To me or to himself.

Machines beeping reached my ears as we stepped into the spacious room. Alastair had paid for everything, making sure Joseph had the best room with the most beautiful view. The large window allowed him to watch the sunsets he loved so much.

Joseph lay in the hospital bed, his once red hair now snow white. An IV was in one arm, and he was hooked up to monitors. At seventy-two, he had lived a good life. But short, just like every other mortal. Seeing Alastair, he held out a shaking hand, reaching for him.

“I’m here,” Alastair said, taking his hand and sitting beside the bed.

I stayed near the wall, giving them space.

“Blond hair so pale it looks white,” Joseph said, brushing his fingers across Alastair’s bangs. “When I was your age, I fell in love once. He had hair just like yours. He was an angel, you know.” Joseph looked toward the window. “He had the most beautiful wings. Like raven’s feathers.”

Alastair softly smiled and kissed Joseph’s knuckles.

A single tear rolled down his cheek.

Chapter Four

Simon

“Oh, honey, look,” a woman said to her husband, holding up the clown doll that came from the Ravenwood Mansion. “Jasmine would love this.”

God. Please buy it. Get that evil thing out of my store.

“How much?” the man grumbled.

She checked the tag. “Forty dollars.”