“Come with us.” The words are out of my mouth before I even realize I’ve said them. But it’s obvious how much this pains him to do.
Aamon shakes his head. “I can’t. There’s more to this than just Evangeline. I need to find answers. I need to take care of it, or I’ll never forgive myself. Besides”—he huffs out a forced laugh—“Andras would believe it if I tell him you and Sterling took off with her. But I’m bloodbound to him.He won’t let me go. Not ever. Coming with you would only put her in more danger.”
I pause at the door, hand poised on the knob as I take in the sight of him. He’s always struck me as powerful, but seeing him now, in this light . . . He’s every bit the leader he’s been forced to be. That he tries to deny. More so than I’d ever previously realized.
“Go. Prepare.” He waves me away. “I’ll give you two hours before I wake her. But you need to be ready when I do.”
I watch him carefully, but I can tell by the firm set of his jaw that there’s no use arguing with him. He’s made his decision. Just as I have made mine. I’d sacrifice anything to keep Sterling safe by my side. I see the same determination in his eyes to protect the girl.
"Aamon,” I call out, just as I twist the knob to open the door. He lifts his gaze to meet mine one more time. “Make it believable. Make it real."
Isit frozen, staring up at Zeke after his explanation. Sterling is just as still behind me, and I know based on his silence that he’s as shocked as I am.
“Andras was—” I choke out. “Working with my father? To return me to him?”
Zeke’s face is tight, but he nods firmly. “When he relayed to Raziel the extent of your unique value, the difference Aamon’s blood made in your condition, he piqued Raziel’s interest. They—” Zeke’s words cut off, anger simmering through him. “Struck a deal. To buy you back from Andras. He was keeping you close so as to not lose his investment before the time came to return you. Or to use you in other ways, should your father choose not to workwith him.”
My fingers press absently against my mouth, my head shaking slowly. “Why would he want me back? He’s the one who exiled me.”
“Because, Angel. As I said before, you are unique. Raziel panicked. He thought leaving you the way he did would end your life. But he underestimated you. And now that he knows you’re still alive, he’s realized the grave mistake he made by handing your power over to the ungoverned district.”
“But if what you’re saying is true, then how could it be dangerous to him for me to be in Andras’ hands?” I ask, trying to make sense of this tangled web.
“They may be semi-civil with one another.” Zeke shrugs. “But that doesn’t mean Andras wouldn’t take the opportunity to blackmail Raziel if it fell in his lap. Or use you against him, if Raziel refused. Not to mention the rest of the Arcane-touched that are desperate for a chance to fight back against the Watchers.”
“I can’t believe it,” Sterling whispers behind me. “Fuck, imagine what would have happened if we hadn’t—”
“I know,” Zeke interrupts. His eyes are trained on me. There’s intent in his look as he steps forward. He runs his hand up the length of my leg stretched out before him, landing at my hip. “You see, Angel. None of us wanted to hurt you, but the risk was too great. We needed to get you away. We needed to keep you safe.”
He’s so close to me now that his broad body fills my entire field of vision. All I can see is chiseled, corded muscle and swirls of black ink. He did this for me. He set this whole plan in motion to save me.
I reach my hand out, tracing over his ink. His eyes stay on me, filled with the same look he gave me when I did this to him in the kitchen, back at the clubhouse. Before, I thought it was indifference in his eyes. Maybe even hate. But now I can see it’s desire. Raw, intense, nearly uncontrollable want.
A realization hits me all at once. If what he's sharing is true, then Aamon’s cruelty was fabricated. My heart leaps with hope.
“And what about Aamon? Quinn?” I breathe, barely able to contain my concern. “Will they be safe?”
Zeke nods, reluctantly. “Aamon is bloodbound to Andras, he couldn’t leave. But he’s promised to be careful. All that mattered was getting you out. I’m sure they'll reach out when they think it’s safe to do so.”
I don’t like the answer, but I close my eyes and nod. I am under no impression that the gods would lend their ear to me, but I send up a silent prayer for their safety all the same.
“What matters now is how you feel.” Zeke hooks a finger under my chin, lifting my gaze back to him. “Do you believe me? Do you trust me now?”
I take a minute to mull it over. So much has happened these past few weeks. Zeke has questioned me, ignored me, insulted me. Hells, he’s even flat out rejected me. Buthe’s also tried to save my life twice now. And no matter how cruel he’s been, it never once made me not want him. Something about his attention, both positive and negative, feels like a lifeline worth chasing.
“For what it’s worth,” he adds. His eyes drift from me to Sterling. “I am sorry. So incredibly sorry.”
I blink, a single tear trailing down my cheek. He leans down, his tongue darting out to lick at the path it’s blazed. My eyes flutter closed again and I’m suddenly overcome with how badly I want this. Wantthem.The noise in my mind has cleared, the fog lifting to provide a moment of clarity, and I realize this is exactly where I’m supposed to be. Just as it had felt right to be caught between Aamon and Quinn, it feels equally accurate to be here. Between them.
“What do you say, Angel?” Sterling leans in, his silken voice wrapping around me as Zeke’s lips work their way over the left side of my face. “Should we forgive him?”
I hum, enjoying the feel of Zeke’s doting attention. “Under one condition,” I breathe.
Zeke snickers. I can feel his smile against my cheek as he shakes his head. “You and Aamon. You two are truly more alike than I think either of you would ever admit.”
He pulls back, just far enough to see my face. “Name your price, Evangeline.”
“I want the three of us to be bloodbound. To complete the loop fully. No more secrets, no more offset power.Sterling drinks from me, you drink from him. We start with a clean slate.”
