31. Lyla

Sage might only be letting me stay in his room because his sister is still here—or because I haven't voluntarily left—but I hope not. Reed is leaving today, and the fact that things might change leaves a heavy weight over me. I open my eyes and my chest tightens at the sight of him lying beside me.

The blanket's low on his waist, and he's on his back with his tattooed body on display. He's still asleep, and I take him in.

His arms were already covered in ink when we were younger, but his chest was still a work in progress. Now there's not an inch of skin that doesn't have something scribbled on it.

Sage's tattoos are chaotic and colorful, and there doesn't seem to be much rhyme or reason for them. But somehow, they all manage to feel like him. Like pieces of his life he's placed all over himself. Jokes or memories he carries with him. I'd like to lie here and trace each one. Hear every story.

I'd like to break my heart a hundred times over all the things I've missed.

Down the hallway, I hear voices coming from the kitchen, so I quietly slip out of Sage's bed and try not to wake him up. My jeans and shirt are dirty from him fucking me on the side of the road last night, so I grab one of his T-shirts and pull it over my head.

It covers me to the middle of my thighs as I tie my hair up in a bun.

Sneaking out of the room, I glance back at him a final time before closing the door.

He's at peace when he sleeps, and I wonder if I ever wake him up from my restless kicking and nightmares.

Making my way down the hallway, I find Reed and Mason sitting on opposites sides of the kitchen island. Reed's drinking coffee, and Mason's eating a bowl of cereal. He's shirtless, and when he turns to look at the clock on the microwave, I don't miss Reed perusing his tattooed muscles.

She and Mason have spent her entire visit teasing each other and swearing they have nothing in common. But it's clear there's tension, and it pisses Sage off.

Like he's one to talk with what we've been doing behind Kane's back.

Besides, Reed has a boyfriend. She might appreciate Mason's obvious godlike physique, but she's loyal to the core.

"Good morning." I step into the room and Reed quickly glances down at her coffee.

Her eyes dart from me to it, and I'm sure she's wondering if I caught her staring at Mason, but I don't call her out on it. Even if I do plan on asking her about it sometime when it's just the two of us.

Mason glances back at Reed, and she tucks her brown hair behind her ear, pretending not to notice him watching her.

From what I've gathered of Mason, he's definitely a fuckboy. He keeps himself entertained and has no shortage of female company. But he also has a sweet side that only comes out if you really get to know him. And the way he watches Reed is a lot more intently than when he's checking out random women at the shop or club.

"Coffee?" Mason asks, lifting off the counter and grabbing my favorite mug.

It's another thing I appreciate about him. He's observant and is always doing little things to take care of those around him.

"Thanks."

He hands me the purple mug with the third eye on it, and it's steaming. I slide out a stool to join them at the counter. Mason glances from me to Reed and then grabs his cereal, walking over to the couch.

"Scared of a little girl talk, Mason?" I tease, glancing over at him turning on the television.

"Just being a gentleman." He grins at us before dropping onto the couch.

Laughing, I turn back to Reed, who's lost in thought as she stares down at her coffee.

"I can't believe you're already leaving. It feels like we haven't had enough time to catch up."

"I know." She frowns, moving her stool closer so she's sitting right next to me. "My boss needs me back a few days early."

"And I'm sure your boyfriend misses you." I nudge her arm.

She twirls a lock of brown hair around her finger. "I guess."

"You two okay?"

"We're fine." She lets go of her hair, rolling her shoulders back. "He's just stressed lately."

Something about her answer feels off. Or maybe it's her energy. I've been too preoccupied to notice, but there's an imbalance I'm just now seeing clearly, and it's only when Carter comes up.

"But enough about me." Reed bites back a smile. "What's going on with you and my brother? I've barely been able to get you alone these past couple of days."

"I'm sorry." I frown.

"Please don't apologize." She rolls her eyes. "You two have been destined since we were kids. I get it. I don't blame you. I'm just surprised. These past few years Sage has been—"

"Flirty? A fuckboy? All things I already know." I laugh, finishing her sentence.

"Well, yeah." She rolls her eyes. "But also, in love with you."

Her comment has my smile dropping. "I don't know if I'd take it that far."

"Lyla, I know my brother. When you left, it fucked him up in ways I think he's still trying to figure out. And the way he worked through that wasn't the healthiest…" She sighs. "But that was him coping, and now…" She waves her hand at me.

"I'm back."

"Exactly. I don't think he can handle it again."

"I'm not trying to hurt him." I hate the idea that I ever did.

"Lyla, I know that, okay?" Reed rests her hand on my shoulder. "That's not what I'm saying. I know you went through unspeakable things, so I don't blame you for leaving. I mean look at me, I got out the second I could too, and I didn't go through what you did. You tried to stay longer than either Ellie or me, and we both know why that is."

"Sage."

She nods. "What I'm saying is that it doesn't matter whether it's been eight years or just one. Time heals different wounds at different speeds, and you're both still raw from everything that was left unresolved between the two of you. So just be careful. I don't want my brother on Kane's bad side unless you're sure about what you're doing."

I'd like to tell her I am because I want to be. But it's been so long since I've stayed in one place, I barely remember how—even for Sage.

"I love you, Lyla. You're like a sister. You and Ellie made growing up in that place bearable."

Tears well up in her eyes and it brings my own. "I still miss her every day."

Reed takes my hand. "Me too. But I also missed you. And so selfishly, I'm not just talking about Sage right now because I don't want to lose you again either."

I squeeze her hands, and she pulls me in for a hug.

Family.

That's what Reed is when I don't have much left.

Hugging her tight, I speak low so Mason can't hear us. "I love you too, Reed. So be careful, please. I sense something's off with you."

Reed pulls back.

"You don't have to tell me what it is right now." I shake my head. "When you're ready, we'll talk."

"Thanks, sis."

"Sis?" Sage's voice comes from behind me, catching my attention. "Hearing shit like that makes me feel dirty."

"If anything should make you feel dirty, wouldn't it be what you did to me last night?" I wink at him as he rubs his eyes.

Mason bursts out laughing from the couch and Reed squeals with disgust. "Gross."

But Sage just grins at me because he likes that I have no filter.

"On that note, I'm out of here." Reed hops off the stool.

"No, don't go. I take it back." I grab her hand.

She smiles at me. "I really do need to go, and not just because I can't listen to my brother and my best friend have any more sex."

Mason laughs again because I'm sure he's been hearing it too.

"Fine." I release Reed's hand.

Reed grabs her purse, and Mason climbs off the couch to meet her at the front door.

"Later, Reed." Mason stops in front of her, and they look nervous.

Reed's cheeks burn bright red as Mason pulls her in for a hug, which has Sage's whole body stiffening.

"Bye, Mason." Reed hugs him quickly, pulling back and clearing her throat as she watches him disappear back into the living room from the corner of her eyes.

Sage opens his mouth like he's about to say something, so I squeeze his hand and stop him.

"It's fine." I roll my eyes.

His mouth snaps shut, even if it does nothing to wash the irritation from his face.

Sage and I walk over to where Reed stands at the front door, and he lets go of my hand to open it. But when he does, we're met with a black box sitting on the doorstep. It's odd, considering there's a gate at the bottom of the stairs to keep people out.

"What's this?" Reed reaches for the tag and then glances up at me. "It's for you, Lyla. Looks like my brother has some competition."

But Sage doesn't smile. His eyes haven't left the gift, and his shoulders are tense as he reaches down and picks it up.

He and I both know he doesn't have competition and that this isn't a present. But he doesn't say anything to Reed for the same reason I don't. We don't want her to worry.

"I'll try to make a trip back soon," Reed says, giving me a final hug. "You'll still be here hopefully?"

I nod, even if I'm not sure, meeting Sage's eyes when I do.

"Good," she cheers, then turns to Sage and hugs him as best as she can when he's holding the box. "Be good to her."

"Like he has a choice."

"Fair point." Reed grabs her bag and gives us a final wave before disappearing.

Sage carries the box inside and shuts the door, and I follow him to the counter. Mason doesn't give it a second glance as he sets his bowl in the sink and disappears down the hall to his room.

"Who's it from?" I ask Sage when he opens the note on top.

"Doesn't say."

But the look on his face tells me he has some guesses.

Sage unties the ribbon, and it slowly falls away as he opens the gift. It's no larger than a box of roses, but when he peels back the lid, flowers aren't what's inside.

My heart seizes and all the air leaves my chest as I look down at the item in the box.

"Wings." I take a step back.

My vision blurs, moving in and out as I stare at the fake set of angel wings. They're sitting in a bed of rose petals and drenched in blood. I don't know if it's human or animal. But the metallic scent triggers my memories, dragging me back to the basement, so I know it's real.

There's no denying what's sitting in front of me.

Someone is determined to finish what they started.