Page 56 of Underworld

Although I didn’t need more weight on my back. “Can he make himself any lighter?” I complained. “My back is sore.”

Kaito’s gaze slid to my wings. “Are they heavy for you?”

I glowered. “You could say that.”

He hummed in thought. “I’ll have to talk to the Dean about that. Maybe there’s something we can do.”

A spark of hope lit in my chest, only to be crushed under another wave of rage.

It didn’t matter if I learned how to fly. Cole had wings, too, and he’d rip me out of the sky given the chance.

Which is why I needed to take care of him before this went any further.

Before he hurt anyone else.

A slow, steady heartbeat filled my ears, only I realized that it wasn’t a heartbeat at all.

“Are those drums?” I asked, squinting into the darkness.

“It’s Cole,” Kaito said grimly. “He’s preparing tonight’s attack.”

Seven days.

That’s how long Cole had given me, but he hadn’t promised that there wouldn’t be any Demonspawn attacks during that time.

“What time is it?” I asked.

While I had gone to shifter class in the morning, I had fallen asleep in Logan’s arms. Surely I hadn’t napped for that long?

“It’s nearly midnight,” Kaito informed me, making me curse.

“They’re gathering in the tunnels,” Kaito said. “I sense that Cole has been holding them back, but he’ll lift his restraint soon.”

That lined up with the letter I’d received.

“Then why are we up here?” I demanded, shoving upright. My anger burned hot inside me all over again.

“He's a demon of rage, Lily.” Kaito rose and turned to face me. “Whatever it was he did, you’re responding exactly how he wants—and you’re feeding him more power in return.”

Hissing with frustration, I spun away and paced the long span of the room.

He wasn’t going to win so easily.

Won’t I?

The deep murmur pressed against my thoughts. In sheer, bloody determination, I shoved him out.No, Cole,I thought, arrowing my thoughts toward him in a focused stream.You won’t.

Cole backed off, laughing.

I’m waiting for you, little angel. Come to me where you belong.

I managed to push him out of my head, but it was only because Cole allowed it. We were already connected the moment I called him as my Virtue. At first, that had enraged him, but now he had come to terms with it.

He’d gotten arrogant about it, too, deigning that my Virtues weren’t good enough for me and only he could stand with me against Calamity.

Against his brother.

“The moron really needs to get his head out of his ass,” I growled. “By doing this, he’s only helping Lucifer take the throne.”