AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I don't wait for his nod; I push through the heavy door and step into the hallowed space. Star is asleep, vulnerable as she sprawls across the pew. Her chest rises and falls, slow and steady.
She looks so small and pale, makeup streaked from the rain, her lavender-dyed hair still wet, and pale blonde at the roots.
She's shivering, even though she's asleep.
I reach her side, hesitate, then touch her shoulder. "Star."
She doesn't stir. I shake her, firmer this time. "Star!"
Her eyelids snap open, shock etched into her pale features, periwinkle eyes wide. "Gunnar? What are you..."
"Easy," I say, lowering myself to one knee to meet her eye level. "You're safe. I'm here."
"How are you..." her eyes dart toward the door, and she sighs as she clutches the blanket closer and looks back at me. "I knew, somehow. I knew you would find me here."
I give her a comforting smile. "It's my friend's place--Luka Petrov. He's one of us, an Angel."
"Good," she says. "Good...I needed to find you. I'm not safe. People are after me."
"Luka is good people," I say. "You can trust him. He might call our other friend, Rook...but you're safe, okay?"
"Okay," she says. She grips my arm, getting closer to me. "Sorry...I'm freezing, and you're warm."
"Let's get you a hot shower and some dry clothes, then we can talk."
"Are you sure?"
I glance over at the door, where I can just barely see Luka's shadowy form outside. "Luka!" I shout. "You mind if I take Aisling for a shower upstairs?"
"Go crazy!" he calls back.
I guide Aisling upstairs to Luka's apartment. The space is lit in gold, the warmth of a crackling fire emanating from the old brick fireplace. The scent of sandalwood fills the air, enveloping us in a comforting embrace. Luka burns incense all the damn time, and normally it bugs me a bit...but I find it oddly calming tonight.
I guess that's why he does it.
I grab a spare t-shirt and sweats from Luka's dresser and hand them over to her, then gesture at the bathroom.
"I'll be right here if you need anything," I assure her. "Take your time and let me know if you need help with anything."
Aisling nods appreciatively, offering me a small smile before disappearing into the bathroom. As I wait outside, my mind races with questions. How did she manage to escape? Why did she come to Luka's church?
And most importantly, who is after her?
My thoughts are interrupted by the sound of footsteps behind me. I turn to find Luka standing there, his arms crossed over his chest.
"What the fuck is going on, Finch?" he asks quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Girl shows up looking like hell, you act like you're already mated...and now what? She belongs to the Eclipse."
"I told you not to talk about her like property."
"Wishful thinking won't change the fact that she is," Luka mutters. "We can't harbor an Eclipse refugee--do I need to remind you that your dad fucking died in a street war against the Angels?"
"I get it," I say. "But he...he wouldn't have wanted us to give her back."
Luka lowers his voice and shakes his head. "She was fucking bleeding and trembling when she came in, scared shitless," he growls. "We're not giving her back."
"Yeah, we're in agreement on that--so why are you giving me shit?"
"Because the situation is fucked."
