“Tell me what happened,” I say, pleased when my voice comes out calm. “Leave nothing out.”
Lyklan raises his eyebrows. I’ve surprised him.
Maybe I’m not the only one administering a test.
He clears his throat, nods, then tells me a horror story I’ll never forget.
Torture, Malach’s desperate plan to bring my father down from the inside, and the botched vote that got him caught. Lyklan doesn’t spare my feelings. His voice is impassive as he explains his decision to go against Malach’s wishes and contact me. It was that or let him die. From his trembling fingers, Lyklan is almost as horrified by that as I am.
Every word rings true, and my eyes fill with tears. This was never Malach’s burden to bear, and he’s carrying it all alone. I’ve got to fix it.
“I believe you,” I cut him off. “We need to go now. Every moment we wait, Malach endures more pain.”
Lyklan frowns. “Your father is still at the estate.”
“I don’t give a fuck!” I drop my magic and take a step toward him. “I’ll rip out his spine and hang him from the roof with it.” Lyklan rolls his eyes, and I narrow my own. “This isn’t a joke. I can’t leave him alone any longer.”
“I’m not suggesting a lengthy delay.” Lyklan glances around and lowers his voice as he says, “Your father returns to thethatshasummit tomorrow, Celine. We’ll be able to get in and out while he’s away.”
“What about guards?” Riven’s question surprises us both.
Lyklan tilts his head. “Nothing you can’t handle.”
I glance behind Malach’s guardian at the simple white house. It’s moderately sized with sharp angles and raised geometric designs scattered along the outer walls. “Is this your home?”
Lyklan hesitates before dipping his chin.
“And you set up a gateway in your front yard?” I hiss. “He’ll kill you if he finds out.”
“You think I’m a fool?” Lyklan spits. “I already got my family out. If I thought I could get Malach to safety on my own, I would, but we both know I cannot.” He glances back at the house, his eyes swimming with regret. “I know the cost of doing what’s right, and I’m prepared to pay it. Tomorrow, I’ll leave here for the final time.”
My wings dip, and the tips graze the pathway. “Maybe you won’t have to.”
“I told you the truth,” he grunts. “The least you could do is extend me the same courtesy.”
I nod, accepting the implied criticism. Lyklan wants to help Malach, and I know he hates my father, but beyond that, I suspect he does whatever’s in his best interests. It’s a popular mentality in the Fringes, and I don’t fault him for it. Only here in the celestial realm will he find censure for putting himself first.
Maybe we’ll even learn to be friends.
Lyklan clears his throat. “Malach’s been gone a few weeks, yes? And you’ve already replaced him in your bed.” He narrows his eyes at Riven. “You work fast,thatsha.”
Never-fucking-mind on the friend part.
I grab him by the collar, and my wings burst into flames.“Thrak’nol sith.”There’s no direct English translation for the common tongue idiom, but it’s a cross between ‘none of your damn business’ and ‘go fuck yourself.’ There’s no way he missesmy meaning.
Lyklan glances at my flaming wings, and a wry smile curls across his lips. One side is higher than the other, giving his grin a crooked look I’m sure he thinks is charming.
“Grath’nak, veyk thatsha.”He dips his head.
He’s full of shit, calling me a classythatshalady, even in a mocking tone. I roll my eyes. If I want to curse like someone from a lower echelon, I will, and I won’t be judged for it by a two-faced meathead guardian.
“English,” I insist, cutting my eyes to Riven.
Lyklan shoots him a surprised, suspicious look, finally figuring out that the average-looking guardian angel behind me is anything but, then leads us into his plain, white home.
My eyebrows shoot up. The inside couldn’t be less like the outside if it tried. Vibrant colors cover every surface, creating a chaotic sort of cohesion that’s not easy to pull off. The yellow walls have brighter spots every few feet—pictures recently removed?—and the furniture is lived-in, as if someone loved it well and left it behind in a hurry.
“We’ll go first thing tomorrow,” Lyklan says stiffly. “My apologies about the accommodations. My mother gave the beds away.”
