"Why do you have to do this to him?" Lizzy asked. "He loves you." Then she followed him inside.
Gradually, the others followed, some casting glances my way, but no one else said anything. The air turned heavy around me, like I was watching a funeral progression.
And I guess I kind of was. My own.
I stood there for what seemed like a long time, my thoughts going a mile a minute and in no way keeping up with everything I was feeling. Rage, relief, sorrow, fear, loss...it formed a funnel of emotions inside of me like some kind of sick tornado. It gathered strength, growing larger and larger, until it took up all of the space inside me and I couldn't draw air into my lungs and my heart felt like it was being squeezed by a giant fist. Still, it grew. It grew until I couldn't hold it in anymore and I threw my head back and released it with a roar that shook me to my bones as I fell to my knees on the brick pavement.
Even when I could breathe again and my heart resumed beating, I didn't have it in me to get up. I don't know how long I stayed like that before two pairs of feet appeared in front of me, both wearing black boots.
"I don't know how long you plan to stay down there feeling sorry for yourself," Kenya told me. "But I'm going with Alex to try to save Angel. If you decide you want to get up and come help your mate like any real male would, you're welcome to ride with us."
"You have two minutes," Alex said. "We'll wait in the car."
Walking around me, they went out through the gate.
Son of a fucking bitch.
I closed my eyes. I just wanted it to be over. Wanted to forget this life and everyone in it. The things I'd been through were things no man, woman, or child should ever have had to endure. I just wanted to forget...
I'm sorry.
My head rose and my eyes darted around the empty courtyard, and it was only then I realized there were tears clouding my vision. I wiped them away with my forearm and looked again. I'd heard the words as clearly as if she was standing right in front of me.
I'm so sorry...
My fangs ached to slice through skin and my blood began to burn as it raced through my veins. Hazel green eyes filled my vision, sad, afraid, and yet accepting of what was about to happen.
"Leeloo?" I was on my feet, driven by instinct, before my mind could catch up to my actions.
Jamal...
"No!" I was running now. Afraid I wouldn't make it on time. I didn't stop to think what I was doing, or why. All I knew was there was this force inside of me urging me to get to her. "Hang on, Leeloo," I said out loud. "I'm coming."
"Jamal! Get in!"
A dark blue Jeep with an open top slowed down beside me and I looked over to see Kenya waving me over. With a glance around to make sure no one was watching, I followed them, cutting across the intersection and jumping into the back. "Get me to her."
"On our way," Alex answered.
As he maneuvered through The Quarter and out toward the swamplands, I kept a tight grip on the invisible bond between my blood and Angel's, and hoped she could feel it, too.
Chapter 23
Angel
I'd been ordered to meet the coven at an undisclosed location far outside of the city. And if I hadn't already been positive they knew what I'd done, that right there would've told me. There was only one reason the coven ever met away from civilization, and it hadn't happened since before my time.
To rid the coven of a dangerous member.
And that member was me.
I couldn't run. I couldn't hide. That order was magically enforced. If I tried to leave the area, they would find me and haul my ass right back to the city, so there was really no sense in it. All I could do was confess what I'd already told Lizzy and beg for their forgiveness.
My hands were gripped so tight on the steering wheel my knuckles were white and I wasn't sure if Mike would be able to pry them off. I'd brought him with me, hoping the coven could help him once they were done with me. I hadn't told him what was happening, only that we were performing a special ceremony. I don't know if he believed me. He'd been especially quiet ever since we'd left the apartment. Maybe he could feel something wasn't right and was afraid to ask me.
When we arrived at the clearing, I didn't get out right away. Neither did Mike. I felt him staring at me, but I couldn't look at him. I couldn't do anything but sit there with my hands still wrapped around the steering wheel.
I inhaled deep and released it, slow and steady.
