Page 20

The journey back to Houston was a blur. Kadriel had insisted on sending one of her angels to escort us safely through the forest, but I barely registered the trek.

My mind was still trapped in the Reflecting Pool, replaying the horrors I'd lived through over and over again.

The weight of it pressed down on me, making each step heavier than the last.

Levi tried to speak to me several times during the trip, his voice gentle with concern, but I couldn't find the words to respond.

What could I say? That I was fine, when the memory of Molraz ripping my wing from my body felt as fresh as if it had happened yesterday?

That I was okay, when I could still hear Rachel's final scream echoing in my ears?

At some point, Levi had called Aspen, who had opened a portal for us to go back to Houston, and even though we crossed the portal, I didn’t remember seeing Aspen.

By the time we reached Levi's apartment, exhaustion had settled deep in my bones. I moved mechanically through the motions of showering, of changing into clean clothes, of pretending to be whole when I felt shattered inside.

“Sweetheart,” Levi said, hovering in the doorway of the bedroom as I sat on the edge of the mattress, staring at nothing. “Talk to me.”

I looked up at him, wishing I could explain the storm raging inside me. “I'm just tired,” I managed, the words sounding hollow even to my own ears.

He didn't believe me—I could see it in his eyes—but he didn't push. Instead, he crossed the room and sat beside me, taking my hand in his. “Then rest. I'll be right here.”

I nodded, allowing him to guide me under the covers. The weight of his arm across my waist felt like an anchor, keeping me from drifting too far into the darkness that lurked at the edges of my mind. I closed my eyes, surrendering to exhaustion, and slipped into unconsciousness.

But sleep offered no escape.

In my dreams, I was back at the clifftop, Molraz's claws digging into my wings.

But this time, instead of falling into the ocean, I was trapped in an endless loop of pain, unable to escape, unable to die, forced to feel my wings being ripped away again and again.

Rachel and Jeremiah appeared, bloody and broken, asking why I had abandoned them.

And behind them all stood Rhodes, holding the dagger, his smile cold and triumphant.

I woke with a gasp, my body drenched in sweat, my heart hammering against my ribs. The room was dark, quiet except for the soft sound of Levi's breathing beside me. I tried to steady myself, to push back the panic clawing at my throat, but the nightmare clung to me like a shroud.

“It's not real,” I whispered to myself, pressing my palms against my eyes. “It's over. It's in the past.”

But it didn't feel over. It felt like the wound had been reopened, raw and bleeding, every detail sharpened by the magic of the Reflecting Pool. I wondered if I would ever sleep peacefully again, or if these memories would haunt me forever.

A strangled sob escaped me before I could stop it.

Levi stirred, instantly alert. “Ariella?” His voice was rough with sleep, but his eyes were clear as they found mine in the darkness. “What's wrong?”

“Nothing,” I tried to say, but another sob betrayed me. “I just—I can't?—”

He didn't need me to finish. In one fluid movement, he pulled me against his chest, his arms wrapping around me like a shield against the world. “It's okay,” he murmured into my hair. “I've got you. You're safe.”

I clung to him, my body trembling. “It felt so real,” I whispered. “Like it was happening all over again.”

“I know, sweetheart.” His hand moved in soothing circles on my back. “But it's over. You survived. You're here, with me.”

“I can still feel it,” I admitted, my voice breaking. “The way my wings tore, the sound it made. Rachel and Jeremiah dying while I ran. All of it.”

Levi's arms tightened around me. “You didn't run, Ariella. You did exactly what Soren asked you to do—you protected the dagger. And it nearly killed you.” His voice hardened with anger. “What that witch made you relive… I wanted to tear the place apart when I saw what it was doing to you.”

I looked up at him, catching the fierce protectiveness in his eyes. “You couldn't have stopped it. I chose to do the trial.”

“Doesn't mean I had to like it.” He brushed a strand of hair from my face, his touch impossibly gentle. “You're the strongest person I've ever met, sweetheart. But even you don't have to carry this alone.”

I let out a shaky breath, resting my forehead against his chest. “I don't know if I can do this, Levi. Face Rhodes again, knowing what he did. Knowing what he's capable of.”

“You can,” he said, his voice steady with conviction. “Because you won't be facing him alone. You have me. You have the Lost Legion. You have all our friends.”

He held me until the trembling stopped, until my breathing evened out, until the horrors of the past receded just enough to let exhaustion pull me back toward sleep.

“Don't leave,” I murmured, already drifting.

“Never,” he promised, and the word followed me into dreamless oblivion.

* * *

I blinked awake slowly, my body aching but my mind clearer than it had been since the trial.

Levi was already up, the scent of coffee drifting from the kitchen.

I stretched cautiously, taking inventory of myself.

The nightmares had retreated for now, though I suspected they were merely waiting for nightfall to return.

“Look who's finally awake,” Levi said, appearing in the doorway with two mugs in hand. He crossed to the bed, offering one to me. “How are you feeling, sweetheart?”

“Better,” I said, and was surprised to find it wasn't entirely a lie. I accepted the coffee, letting its warmth seep into my palms. “Thank you. For last night.”

He settled beside me, his hip brushing mine. “Anytime, sweetheart.”

We sat in comfortable silence for a few moments, sipping our coffee, the sounds of the city filtering in through the partially open window. It felt almost normal, almost peaceful.

“I sent messages to Abbie and the others this morning,” Levi said eventually. “Letting them know about the Lost Legion.”

I nodded, gratitude warming me more than the coffee. He'd taken care of it without me having to ask, giving me the space I needed. “What did they say?”

“Abbie's thrilled. Lacey too. They're making good progress on the elixir, by the way.” He took another sip from his mug. “And Kadriel reached out.”

That caught my attention. “She did? Already?”

“Apparently, she knows how to make the elixir from the golden lilies. She's offered to help, says she just needs to refresh her memory on some of the details.”

“That's… unexpected.” Though perhaps it shouldn't have been. Kadriel had been one of Adona's most trusted archangels. It made sense that she would know about the elixir used to let other supernaturals in for special events.

“She's sending one of her angels to the Hall today to work with Abbie and Lacey. With her help, they should have the elixir ready soon.” Levi's expression turned thoughtful. “It won't be much, but it's better than nothing.”

“It's more than we had yesterday,” I pointed out, feeling a flicker of hope ignite in my chest. “And with the Lost Legion on our side…”

“Our numbers are looking better,” Levi agreed. “Still not great against what Rhodes has in Elysium, but it's a start.”

My phone buzzed with an incoming message. I reached for it, expecting another update from Abbie or perhaps Kadriel. But the name on the screen made my heart leap into my throat.

“Ezekiel,” I breathed, quickly opening the message.

I have your mother and sister. They won't go further without knowing what's happening. Meet us just outside the eastern gate of Elysium. Come quickly.

My hands trembled slightly as I showed the phone to Levi. “He did it. He actually got them out.”

Levi's brow furrowed as he read the message. “Eastern gate? That's one of the minor entrances, isn't it?”

I nodded, already sliding out of bed, my mind racing. “It's less guarded, easier to slip through unnoticed. Smart of him.” I paused, a thought striking me. “I wonder how he convinced them to leave. Especially Adriel. She can be stubborn.”

“Runs in the family,” Levi muttered, but his eyes were serious. “Should we call Abbie, have them send a portal to the Hall first?”

I shook my head. “No time. We need Aspen to open a portal directly to the gate.” I was already dialing his number, my heart pounding with a mixture of anxiety and anticipation.

After everything I'd been through, the thought of seeing my mother and sister again—of bringing them to safety—was almost overwhelming.

Aspen answered on the third ring, his voice tense. “Ariella? Is everything okay?”

“I need a portal,” I said without preamble. “Again. Sorry.”

“No worries. Where?”

To the eastern gate of Elysium. Ezekiel has my mother and sister there, and we need to get them before Rhodes's people notice they're missing.”

There was a brief pause, then, “I'll be at Levi's apartment in ten minutes.”

“Thank you,” I said, relief washing through me. “We'll be ready.”

I ended the call and turned to find Levi already dressed. “Aspen's on his way,” I told him, moving to get dressed myself.

“Good.” Levi's voice was carefully neutral. “And you're sure about this? Meeting right at the edge of Elysium?”

I paused, one arm through the sleeve of my jacket. “What do you mean?”

“It's risky,” he said, checking the edge of a blade before sliding it into his boot. “Very close to enemy territory.”

“I know, but Ezekiel said they wouldn’t go any further.” Which was understandable. My mother and sister had probably never left Elysium before. They would be suspicious of everything.

Hopefully they would listen to me, forgive me, and let me hide them for the time being.

Levi nodded, though something in his expression remained troubled. “Just stay alert, sweetheart. I don't like how exposed we'll be.”

“I always stay alert,” I reminded him with a small smile.

By the time Aspen arrived, we were both dressed and ready.

I told him the location, and he frowned as his hands began to weave the complex pattern of the portal spell.

The air shimmered and split, revealing a swirling purple doorway of magic.

We walked through the portal, to the forest where one of the gates to Elysium was located. Because the portal was protected, we emerged half a mile away from it.

Even though I hadn’t been here in while, I remembered the way, so I led our party. With every step we took, I tensed a little more. We were walking toward Elysium, toward my mother and my sister … and I worried how our reunion would be.

Finally, the trees became more spaced—not an actual clearing, but enough space for the two tall white pillars that stood against time among the trees.

The portal.

I looked around, expecting to see Ezekiel waiting with my mother and sister. But the space was empty, silent except for the rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze.

“Something's wrong,” Levi said, his voice low, his body already tensing for a fight.

Too late, I realized he was right. The clearing was too quiet, too still. No birds sang in the trees, no small creatures moved in the underbrush. It was as if the entire area was holding its breath, waiting.

“Ezekiel?” I called, though instinct was already screaming at me to run.

A figure stepped from the shadows of the trees—Ezekiel, his face pale, his eyes wide with something that might have been fear or regret. “Ariella,” he said, his voice strangely flat. “You came.”

“Where are my mother and sister?” I demanded, my hand moving to the hilt of my sword.

Ezekiel's form flickered, like a reflection on disturbed water. “I'm sorry,” he said, and then his image dissolved completely, revealing nothing but empty air where he had stood.

An illusion. A trap.

“Aspen, open the portal!” I shouted, but even as the words left my mouth, I knew it was too late.

Angels materialized around us, emerging from the trees with weapons drawn and wings spread wide. Not just any angels—Archangel Haines, Rhodes's right hand, stood at their center, his cold eyes fixed on me with predatory satisfaction.

“Ariella,” he said, his voice silky with triumph. “So good of you to join us. Rhodes will be most pleased.”

“I doubt that,” I growled, my sword appearing in my hand with a flash of light. Beside me, Levi's darkfire crackled to life, casting eerie shadows across the clearing. “Where are my mother and sister?”

Haines laughed, the sound devoid of any genuine humor. “Safe in Elysium, where they belong. Unlike you, they remain loyal to the true vision of our realm.”

“You mean Rhodes's twisted version of it,” I shot back, trying to buy time as I assessed our situation. There were at least a dozen angels surrounding us, all armed, all ready for battle. Not impossible odds, but not favorable either.

“You still don't understand, do you?” Haines shook his head, a mockery of pity in his expression. “Rhodes is saving Elysium. Adona's leadership has made us weak, vulnerable. The old ways are dying, Ariella. Join us, and you can be part of the new order.”

“I've seen what your 'new order' looks like,” I said, my voice tight with controlled fury. “No thanks.”

Haines sighed, as if I'd disappointed him. “I expected as much. Rhodes thought you might still be reasoned with, but I knew better.” He gestured to the angels flanking him. “Take them. Alive, if possible. Rhodes wants to deal with the traitor personally.”

The angels moved forward in perfect synchronization, their weapons gleaming in the dappled light filtering through the trees. I shifted my stance, prepared to meet their charge.

“Any suggestions?” I muttered to Levi, who had positioned himself back-to-back with me.

“Fight like hell,” he replied, darkfire dancing between his fingers.

Aspen moved to complete our triangle, his magic already weaving complex patterns in the air around us. “I can get us out of here,” he said, his voice tight with concentration, “but I need time to reestablish the portal. Cover me.”

I nodded, gripping my sword tighter as the first wave of angels closed in. “Be quick.”

The angels charged, and the clearing erupted into chaos.