Chapter 20

Desperation clawedinside my chest as I ran out of the building into a deserted parking lot and cloudy skies. I inhaled deeply, trying to cleanse my mind. I wanted to forget it, pretend I had never seen it.

If I still had my magic, I would have fought Levi, immobilized him, and freed the angel. But as it was, I wasn't strong enough to fight, and if I tried to free the angel with brute force, Levi would overpower me.

I did what any coward would do. I walked away.

The building, clearly now an abandoned plant, was lonely on a rural road in the middle of nowhere. I pulled up my phone and checked the map app—we were around Lost Hills, California

Following the road, a couple of miles down, there was a small town.

I glanced at the car in the parking lot. Apparently, while I was out, Levi hadn't just captured an angel. He had gone back to the diner and retrieved the car with our stuff.

I could take the car and go to the small town … and do what?

I didn't know.

All I knew was that being near Levi was giving me whiplash. One second, he was sweet and charming, and I could almost see the goodness in him. The next, he was a demon.

It was confusing and scary.

I could go, but what good would that do? Because of the damn bond, I would make Levi suffer and he would have to follow me.

Unless I broke the bond.

I still didn't have my wings and my revenge, but I knew the collector's name, I knew where he lived. I could get there by myself.

How would I get my wings back? I had no idea, but I was certain I could figure something out.

I unlocked my phone and called Hazel.

She answered in two rings. "Ariella, holy shit, finally! I was so worried."

I frowned. We had lots of friends in common, but Hazel barely knew me. Why did she care?

"I'm okay," I said, my voice tight. "I'm guessing you saw the reward."

"Unless a coven or a pack is hiding from the world, the entire supernatural society saw it." She sighed. "Your friends are losing their minds trying to find you. I confess I almost gave them your number, but I thought you wouldn't want me to."

"You did well. I don't want to talk to them. Thank you."

"Though, Ariella, I have to ask: What happened? Why are they after you?"

"I … I don't want to talk about that. Would you just believe me if I told you whatever they are saying, it's not true? I'm innocent, I promise."

"I believe you. And for the record, they aren't saying much. Just that you committed a grave crime and you need to be captured ASAP."

"Captured? Not killed on sight?"

"No." She paused. "Why would they kill you?"

"To silence me." I cursed under my breath. "I"ve already said too much, and I'm putting you at risk by calling."

"But you called for a reason. What can I do for you?"

"Have you figured out how to break the bond? Between Levi and me?"

"I have! It shouldn't be too hard to break it." I heard the shuffle of papers. "I wrote a list of ingredients down, but there's one thing: You'll need a witch to perform the ritual."

"Shit," I muttered.

"I mean, I can try to modify the spell and you can try to do it yourself, but without a witch's magic, I'm not sure it'll work."

I would need Lacey for this.

"Just tell me the two versions, I'll figure something out."

"Okay. I'll take a picture of the list and send it to you. I'll also text you the instructions. If you have any questions, you know where to find me."

"That sounds great. Thanks."

"And, Ariella … if you need anything, not just for this spell, but for any other trouble you're in, I'm here. Your friends are here. I know that if you called them, they wouldn't hesitate in helping you, no matter what."

I knew that too, but I really didn't want them involved in this mess.

"Thanks," was all I said before I turned off the call.

A second later, my phone dinged with a picture and a short text of instructions.

Perfect.

I stashed my phone in my pocket and turned to the car.

I was so out of here.

* * *

At first,I drove to the small town. I wanted to put as much distance between Levi and me as I could, even if that caused him pain. He deserved it.

Then I searched on my phone where I could find all the ingredients for the spell. Thankfully, it was nothing too crazy and I found most of it in a tea and candle shop, a garden supply shop, and a grocery store.

Finally, around five in the afternoon, I stopped by a quaint coffee shop and got me a caramel latte and two blueberry muffins—I hadn't eaten since yesterday and I was starving!

All the while, I had my hair tied in a low bun and a baseball cap we had gotten in Vegas over my face. I also bought a pair of cheap sunglasses at the grocery store and wore them even when inside.

Now with the entire supernatural world after me, I had to be extra careful. That was why, after getting my food, I didn't stay at the coffee shop. I drove to the nearest park—a corner field with a playground, half a basketball court, and a skate ramp—and sat on a stone bench under a tree.

There were a handful of people in the park, but from what I could tell, none of them were supernaturals.

I was fine for now.

I tried to keep my mind clear as I ate, lest my thoughts spoil the food, but once I was done, I couldn't help it anymore. I needed to figure out what to do now.

I would go back to Levi, ask Lacey to join us, and break the bond. Of course, he wouldn't protest. In fact, he would be glad since he then could get rid of me. We would perform the ritual, I would ask him to drop me off at the nearest train or bus station, and then both of us would go on our merry ways.

And somewhere in there, I would free the angel he had captured.

Perfect.

Then why did I feel such a deep hole inside my chest?

I stood, ready to go back, when the hair on my arms stood on end. I turned and found the source: a group of supernaturals on the other side of the park, looking for something.

Or someone.

Shit, they had found me. The angels had probably announced my last-known location, and supernaturals in all directions had been looking for me.

I lowered my head and hurried to the car.

I heard a chilling howl from behind me, then some growls and grumbles.

A force slammed into my side and pushed me against a thick tree, shadows forming around me. A hand closed over my mouth, while a powerful body pressed against mine, keeping me in place.

I stared at Levi's face, so damn close, his intent blue eyes locked on mine.

"Stay still," he whispered against my ear. "They smelled you but didn't see you." He lowered his hand from my mouth and shifted his murderous gaze to the supernaturals as they came this way. "My shadows will confuse them."

I remained still, my mind and body divided between the panic of being found and having to fight again, and the warmth of Levi's figure against mine. The way his heavy breathing moved his chest and it touched mine. How his thick leg was wedged between my thighs, keeping me in place. His strong neck so close to my nose and his delicious musk scent fogging my mind.

This wasn't right. He was a demon, an evil one. I had to keep reminding myself of that.

The incredible night we shared, how hot he was, had nothing to do with this. I couldn't let it get into my head, in my body, in my veins.

Levi adjusted himself, pressing more of his body against mine, his breathing heavy against my ear, his lips touching my jaw.

"Those feelings aren't appropriate for this moment, sweetheart," he whispered, his voice husky.

By the light.

"She isn't here," a voice said and I froze.

Levi lifted his head and then I could see. About seven supernaturals walking a few feet from us, looking all around, and yet, they couldn't see us.

"Her scent was stronger here a few minutes ago," one of them said.

"It was, but she's gone," another one said.

"Let's spread out," a third one suggested. "She can't be far."

They walked away. One of them stopped right beside the car, which was enveloped in shadows too, but he couldn't see it. Levi and I remained still and hidden, while the supernaturals fanned out and disappeared.

Finally, the shadows disappeared and Levi stepped away from me. He rubbed his chest. "Do you have any idea of the pain you caused me, sweetheart?"

I had, and it had been on purpose. Seriously, I wasn't in the mood to talk to him. All I wanted was to get to the car, drive somewhere safe, perform the ritual, and break the bond before other demons came after me to claim their prize.

A lightbulb went off in my head and I stared at Levi, my eyes wide. "I know how to get Duncan to invite us to his house."