Page 20

S omehow there was a part of her that couldn’t really believe any of this was real. Not as she stirred awake in Akash’s penthouse, surrounded by people who were still asleep. Not when she realized she was engulfed by warm hands and a head burrowed deep in the back of her neck. Ray blinked her eyes open, the movement dreary and drugged by sleep. Still, the sunlight shone down upon all of them like a golden halo, forcing her to drag them open.

Last night, all of them had ended up back at Akash’s place and had barely gotten to the living room before passing out. Ray had been the last one awake, tending to each and every one of their wounds, before and after they all went to sleep. And Angel, he’d really tried. Had gotten almost close to keeping his eyes open until she was done with all of them. But one touch from her and somehow, he’d fallen asleep while she was tending to the bruises on his face.

After that, it’d become easy for her to lie down on the floor next to him and just… sleep. Now, however, as she opened her eyes and saw all of them– all she could do was... breathe.

Because hell, it was all over.

Akash lay a few feet away from her, his hands sprawled under Myra’s shoulder. Myra had her back to him, curled towards Irene as the other girl lay in Akash’s open palm with her hands tucked under her chin. Neera and Cameron had taken the couch right above her and Angel, each with their head resting on either end as the former snored loudly .

The twins were in the kitchen, Noah embracing an empty bottle of vodka as Sorin curled against Kyle’s asleep figure.

Kyle?

Ray let out a muted groan and shifted in Angel’s arms. Her brows arched when she caught the dark blonde hair mingled with Chrisina’s dark hair. She smiled as she looked down to see Jack’s hands tighten around Christina’s shoulders and saw her burrow her face further in his chest in response. On the contrary, Luke was asleep on a chair, his head lolled back at a dangerous angle as his mouth remained open.

A silent laugh rumbled through her chest at the sight.

“Somethin’ funny?”

Angel’s voice was far too sleepy to have that insane effect on her this early in the morning. Still, she felt the tingles reach her toes as he pressed a kiss to the back of her neck and pulled her closer,

“Go to sleep.”

Ray let out another laugh and turned in his arms to stare up at him. Angel’s eyes were closed, his beautiful face cast in an odd golden glow. This close, she could see the exhaustion weighing him down, could see that one mole right below his right eye. She reached up to touch it softly and smiled when Angel twitched in surprise but didn’t move away. Ray tilted her chin upwards as his hold on her tightened. A small furrow appeared between his brows as she leaned back.

“Hey, Angel?”

Those amber eyes opened, blowing her mind with the stark alertness shining in them. Still, a lazy grin tilted his lips as he hummed.

“You remember the first deal we ever made?” she whispered, and he nodded, his brows rising. Ray subdued a grin, “I broke that promise. ”

Angel’s lips stretched into a beautiful smile, his dimple showing with the action as he bumped his forehead with hers softly, “I know.” He whispered and placed a small kiss on her head. Ray’s eyes shut, “This is so much better than dying.”

A laugh burst out of her, “Thanks?”

She could feel his grin as he pulled her flush against him, “Because now I can do this.”

His palm dropped down to the side of her neck lazily then, his thumb sliding up her skin until it reached the underside of her chin and tipped her face upwards. Ray’s lips parted deliriously as he filled the gap with his own.

She could feel the steady beat of his heart as he kissed her softly. Quietly. Fervently. Like it was all they needed. Ray’s hands fisted around his t-shirt, a soft gasp leaving her as he angled her face up further and leaned closer. Slid his lips across hers as if he could do it all day. And sent terrible butterflies fluttering in her chest and stomach as he swallowed any sounds she made like he was drunk and–

Thud!

Ray broke away from him with a start, her eyes flaring wide as she turned over her shoulder and ignored Angel’s groan as he flopped on his back.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

“Where the hell is he?”

All of them jerked awake at the muffled yell from the other end. Ray shot up from her seat, her hands going to the knife hanging in the waistband of her jeans when a movement stopped her. She looked down in amusement as Angel wrapped a calm hand around her waist and placed his head in her lap ,

“It’s Verana,” he said and yawned. Ray blinked in surprise and barely got a word out before she heard the silent click of the door. Could do nothing but watch as Verana Smith whipped her door open and rushed in. Ray’s eyes widened as her head whipped around in search of–

The snoring idiot who was still asleep on the chair.

Her lips parted as she saw, everyone saw, Verana literally step over her cousin and stride in the direction of the chair where Luke was lying with his head hanging back.

Verana stopped a few inches short of Luke, her eyes narrowed in leashed rage as she breathed out harshly. And placed a hand on the chair, right beside Luke’s asleep face.

“ HEY!”

Luke jerked up so fast that he almost collided with Verana’s face. Verana watched him calmly though, her eyes aflame as she waited for him to settle. Waited for him to wake out of his daze and realize just where he was.

They all saw the moment realization dawned upon his face.

For a moment, Ray could see the stark surprise on his face. As though he thought he was dreaming. But then he blinked. Once. Twice.

“Vera?”

Verana’s shoulders stiffened,

“You’re an asshole for calling me last night.”

Luke’s brows furrowed, “I didn’t call you.”

“Yes, you did. Drunk out of your fucking mind.” Verana snapped in response, her hold tightening until her knuckles went white, “And you said shit I didn’t want to hear – ”

She stopped short when she saw his lips curl into a satisfied grin.

“Verana Smith. ”

Ray had to bite her knuckles to keep herself from laughing when the girl’s eyes twitched in annoyance.

“Where you concerned for me?” Luke asked cheekily, his eyes sparkling as he watched her seethe, “ Worried?”

“Fuck. Off.” She growled and jerked away from him to run a shaking hand through her hair.

“Were you worried?” he drawled and leaned forward, propping his chin on his fist, “Is that why you’re here?” he gasped, “Did you sleep last night? Or were you too busy worrying?”

Verana’s glare was dark enough to send a normal person scurrying away. Luke only laughed and shook his head, looking absolutely smitten as she looked away and said something inaudible under her breath,

“Vera,”

“ Don’t.”

A clap had all their attention directed elsewhere. Ray’s lips threatened to break as she grinned and saw Akash looking at his cousin in deadpan. Clap his hands went again, his lips thinning as Vera’s brows arched,

“I feel so loved.”

Ray pressed her lips together when she felt Angel muffle his laugh against her waist. His shoulders shook further when Vera just turned away from her cousin and looked at Luke,

“I was worried.”

“Wow.”

Ray had to look away when she heard a faint wheeze leave Angel’s lips. She could tell the others were trying their best not to break as Luke’s grin widened,

“I know. ”

Vera’s eyes flashed, a growl leaving her throat as she took a step forward and mimicked strangling him from a distance. Luke didn’t even lean back. Just angled his face upwards to give her higher access.

Ray put her face in her hands, breathless with attempts to keep herself from bursting out laughing as Angel shook against her waist.

“Jesus,” she whispered just as she heard Angel’s murmur against her skin,

“Fuck.”

Ray peeked through her fingers to see Vera take a step back and turn away from Luke without another word and grinned when she saw the boy get off his seat and stretch his hands above his head before following her calmly. Vera shook her head again and snapped over her shoulder,

“Don’t fucking follow me.”

“Okay.”

And continued to follow her out the door.

“ Luke, I swear to fucking G–”

Luke only nodded solemnly before placing a hand on her lower back and leading her out calmly,

“Yeah, yeah, I know.” He murmured as if he were talking to a child and led both of them out of the penthouse. The door shut behind them with a soft click, leaving them awake and enthralled. A curtain of silence fell upon them. Ray breathed out, biting her lower lip to keep herself from saying anything when a sound broke through the atmosphere.

The strangled sound echoed through the room as Angel tried and failed miserably in muffling his laughter against her skin. And with that one sound, the entire room broke .

Ray grinned widely and looked to her side to watch Angel roll to his back and laugh out loud, his body shaking as he placed a hand against his forehead. Other laughs and hoots followed him soon enough, lighting up the room like never before.

“I have never – ” Christina wheezed, her voice erupting another round of breathless laughter as she got up and winced, “ Never, seen Luke so satisfied.”

“Ah,” Jack said and covered his eyes with his hand, “This is crazy.”

Ray bit her lip just as Angel moved to sit up beside her, leaning against the sofa as his shoulders shook in muted laughter. She was about to continue when another series of knocks followed their laughter. Her head tilted as Jack barked out a laugh,

“Back already?”

This time it was Irene who twisted on her back to get up and look through the peephole. Ray watched as her tense shoulders loosened and she opened the door wide. Ray wasn’t ready for the surprise, but it came running into her and Angel’s arms like a whirlwind.

A gasp left her throat as Ira ran through the doors and pounced in Ray’s and Angel’s arms. She buried her head against Ray’s shoulder, one of her hands twisted around Angel’s body beside her as she squished all three of them together. Angel shot Ray a glance above her head, his hands hovering away from Ira’s body hesitantly. Ray’s brows furrowed, a wave of panic washing over her as the previous atmosphere washed away,

“Ira?”

The young girl only sniffed loudly against her shoulder.

Ray matched Angel’s calm glance this time, and both moved forward to engulf the girl in their arms .

Grief seemed to knock all breath out of her lungs at the reminder of the timid body. Of the young eyes. But it was slightly better with Angel’s hand reaching behind Ray’s shoulder to rest on the back of her head calmly. Like he knew. Ray heard Ira’s sob again and her heart, it just, broke as Ira shoved her face further against her.

“She’s been insufferable.” Micah’s voice was emotionless, but Ray could swear she heard a tint of relief in his tone.

It was only when she looked up that she realized her eyes were blurred by unfallen tears. It reassured her somehow, that they had truly, truly gotten out of this alive. It was enough for her to twist Ira deeper into her arms and breathe out calmly.

“We made it.” She whispered in Ira’s ears and watched as the girl pulled away from both of them. Somehow, Ray knew Angel’s exact expression. It was the only reason why she didn’t turn to look at him. Not even as she laced her hands and looked at Ira’s scarred face. Her eyes crinkled in pain, “I’m sorry you didn’t–”

“You’re,” she interrupted, sniffing once like a kid, “ Late.”

Ray’s lips split into a smile, “I know. I’m sorry.” She said softly and touched Ira’s face lightly. Her wounds were still healing, the one line below her eye obviously leaving a scar as it healed. The one on her nose, on the other hand, seemed to disappear bit by bit. But Ira’s beauty, her eyes, her face, everything was untouched by the violence she’d seen so far. Instead, the other girl looked brighter than ever as she beamed at both of them.

Ray didn’t think she’d ever seen her this happy.

“So,” Ira began, recovered surprisingly quickly as she hastily wiped her tears away and faced Angel,

“I heard you proposed? ”

Angel’s brows shot in the air as Ray whirled to face him with crossed arms. He looked at her for help and found nothing but don’t you dare.

He turned back to Ira and shrugged,

“I’m ready to marry her anytime she wants.” He began and turned to her with a grin as she scoffed in surprise,

“I’m not planning on going anywhere.”

Ray heard Neera mimic gagging behind her but didn’t turn to shoot her a glare. Just leveled that look on Angel as Ira murmured loudly,

“Obsessive much?”

Angel clicked his tongue, a touch of annoyance in her eyes as he stared at the younger girl,

“It’s called romance.”

“Oh yeah?” Ira countered, “And how many women have you dated to know what that is?”

Angel’s eyes narrowed, “Are you testing me right now?”

Ray’s head darted between them, her eyes lit in amusement as she watched the two of them banter. A tap on her shoulder had her shying away from the conversation and she looked over her shoulder to see Cameron hovering behind her.

He had a few bandages on his cheek and one around his head from when he’d slammed his head against some bricks when the ceiling had fallen upon them. But overall, he looked way better than he was last night. Ignoring her pang of relief, she arched a brow in question, and he just lifted his hand and pointed in the direction of their destroyed kitchen.

Her head lifted and turned in the direction of the kitchen. And her eyes widened when she saw Kyle sitting upright with Sorin asleep beside him .

Sorin’s head draped on his shoulder as the other boy fixated his green eyes on her. Ray tipped her chin upwards, her brows furrowing as she relayed her question silently.

Kyle didn’t move an inch though. Not when Sorin was curled against him like a cat. He didn’t stop glaring. Ray tilted her head in question and began signing,

“What the hell do you want?”

Kyle’s eyes lit up in recognition and he lifted his hands in the air,

“What happened last night?” He signed back and Ray looked at Sorin once before looking back at him.

“Didn’t he tell you?”

Kyle frowned, “No, he was half dead last night.” He signed angrily, “He said it was you who barred me from heading there.”

Ray shrugged, “I couldn’t trust you to not kill him.”

An outraged sound left his throat, and he began signing more aggressively, “He’s my fucking boyfriend. Are we going to have a problem with that? You might as well get used to it because I’m going to make your life – ”

Ray blinked in surprise when she saw Sorin slap Kyle’s hands down. And laughed silently when Kyle shot him a dirty look. Sorin didn’t open his eyes, just yawned and curled further against him. Ray could practically see Kyle melting as the blonde boy turned to face her again, calmer than before.

“Who was behind this?”

“Mia Andrews.” Ray spelled out and saw his eyes flash in surprise, “You remember the phoenixes?”

Kyle nodded.

“Miranda Andrews – Angel’s stepmother – was the leader’s wife. And Mia their daughter. ”

“So, revenge?”

Ray nodded, “Something like that.”

Kyle took a second to process it. But turned back to her with the same sold calculative look in her eyes, “Are they dead?”

Ray had to press her lips together to not relive it all, but she responded nonetheless, “Yes.”

The relief in Kyle’s eyes wasn’t surprising, but it jarred her still. Somehow, she still couldn’t bring herself to accept it all. Miranda’s death didn’t bother her as much as Mia’s did. Mia had been mourning her father, and then a mother. Maybe she didn’t deserve to die, but Ray’s gut had told her to end it right there. She’d given her a chance, she told herself, one chance.

And then the rest of them took care of it.

A warm hand landed on her shoulder in a show of comfort and Ray looked over her shoulder again to see Cameron’s still and calm face.

“Stop.” He signed and Ray let out a sigh, “There’s no point.”

It was Neera who continued beside him, her eyes grave, “And there’s never any safety in being merciful.”

Never.

Ray nodded and looked back down to see Angel’s eyes trained on her. She realized then, that after Angel had let her murder his father after he’d let her take what he’d been wanting for so long now, that something had changed. Angel shifted closer, like he could read her thoughts as they were, and placed a soft kiss on her cheek.

“I’m sorry.” She breathed out, low enough for only him to hear, and saw him pull back in surprise, “I shouldn’t have taken Martin’s death from you. Shouldn’t have ruined your lifelong plans just like that– ”

He stopped her by pressing a kiss on her lips. Ray paused as saw his amber eyes narrow in understanding,

“I have a new lifelong plan now.” He whispered and Ray’s lips threatened to break into a smile as he leaned in closer and closed his eyes just as she did,

“She might swear a lot. And she might be a tad bit crazy.” He whispered and Ray shook her head, a smile ghosting across her lips, “But she’s my lifelong plan now.”

“Is she?” Ray taunted, her voice soft. And Angel’s smile was utterly hers and devastating when he said ,

“She is.”