Chapter 18

We didn't snuggle or pretend to be anything more. After having sex, we got dressed and left the restroom. Levi had become unsettled again and insisted on checking on Lacey. And I went with him.

I hesitated when he reached for the curtain. He turned to me and frowned. "It's not your fault."

"She went there because of me."

"She was helping a friend," he said. "I bet that even if she knew what would happen, she would have chosen to go anyway."

He pulled the curtain halfway and stepped around it. I took a handful of slow steps and stood beside the bed. Lacey was sleeping, her skin pale, but otherwise, she was clean, wearing a hospital gown, and a white blanket was folded to her chest.

I touched her covered legs. "I'm sorry for this but thank you for helping me." I glanced at Levi. "You too. Thank you."

A corner of Levi's lip curled up. "Anything for you, sweetheart."

One of the strings around my heart pulled hard. I knew that was the bond talking, and what I felt toward it was also the bond, but I couldn't help being confused.

With a sigh, Levi sat down in an armchair.

"When was the last time you ate something?" I asked.

"Last night? Maybe breakfast this morning."

I frowned. "I'm starving. I'll go get something for us."

He nodded, his eyes half closed. I knew that the moment I turned my back, he would fall asleep. I was tired, but I was still on cloud nine for having my magic back, and I couldn't stop thinking about the next steps. I needed to act now.

I stayed there for five seconds, taking him in, imprinting his beautiful face on my mind. I was going to see him again, but it was probably when we were ready to break the bond.

I smoothed my hand over Lacey's knee and whispered, "See you later."

As silently as I could, I walked out of the infirmary and headed to the dining room and stood by the table. A second later, two plates with yummy sandwiches appeared, along with a glass of juice.

I smiled, always in awe that the hall knew what we wanted.

"Myg?" I called, knowing that the hall would warn the goblin if she was far. Thirty seconds later, Myg shuffled her big feet into the dining room. "Could you take this sandwich and drink to Levi in the infirmary, please? If he's sleeping, just leave it beside him."

"Yes, angel," the goblin said, deadpan.

"Thank you."

Myg snapped her fingers and Levi's food disappeared. She turned and left through the back door, but I was sure she could get to the infirmary from there. Somehow.

I sat down and ate my sandwich by myself, while desperately trying to just enjoy the amazing food and keep my mind clear, which was almost impossible.

I swallowed the last bite and went to my bedroom, where I packed my stuff. I made sure to take the aura-muting potions with me, at least a handful, in case my magic was unstable.

I also borrowed a couple more leggings, shirts, and sweaters from the vast closet. I doubted they would miss these pieces, and I was in desperate need of more.

I slung my duffel bag over my shoulder and turned to the doorway, dreading going to the library and facing the witches. I opened the door and came face-to-face with Abbie.

"I was coming to find you now," I said.

"I know."

I frowned and stepped back. "What do you know?"

She walked in, her gaze fixed on my bag. "That you're leaving and that you would rather do it quietly than say goodbye to everyone."

I did hate goodbyes. "How do you know that?"

"I'm connected to the hall in more ways than you think." She halted a few steps in and faced me, her delicate brows curled down. "Your magic is unstable; I can still feel it. You're welcome to stay and train with us until you feel you have control over it."

A small smile spread over my lips. "Thank you for the offer, really, it means a lot to me, but I think I'll ask someone else to help me." I had just the angel in mind.

"I see you've made your decision."

I nodded. "I have."

"Well, if you're ready, I can open a portal for you. Where do you want to go?"

Since I hoped to ask for help from someone located at DuMoir castle, I probably should be close to them. "Hartford in Connecticut. Ever been there?"

Abbie shook her head. "No, but I've been in Boston or New York."

"I think Boston would be closer."

"I remember the Public Park very well. Will that work?"

I nodded. "It'll probably be easier to hide a portal there than in a museum or library."

"I can make portals invisible, so that's not a problem."

My eyebrows shot up. Seriously, these witches, this place … it kept on amusing me.

Without ceremony, Abbie opened a portal and gestured toward it. "Here you go. Just … take these." She deposited a handful of silver coins in my hand. "You're welcome here anytime. Just say fores. A portal will open and you'll arrive at the library."

"Thank you." I closed my hand around the coins. "And thanks for everything. Please thank your sisters and everyone else. What you've done for me, I won't forget it."

"You're very welcome."

I hesitated. Should I hug her? Say more stuff? I wasn't good with goodbyes. I hated them, but I couldn't leave without her help.

In the end, I nodded my head once at her and walked through the portal.

I glanced around, but only saw trees. Great. No humans had seen me. The portal disappeared and my chest tightened.

It was okay. This was part of the journey. We were moving forward.

I channeled my magic. It trembled in my veins, but I felt it right there, alive as if it had been switched on. Inhaling deeply, I dug deeper and felt as if it muted my aura. Perfect. Now, hopefully, no angels could find me.

But as far as I knew the reward was still on my head and I could walk by a bad-intentioned supernatural at any time.

So, I pulled my leather jacket's hood over my head and hid all of my hair before walking past the trees. A few yards away was George Washington's statue. All right, now I knew where I was. I found an empty bench under a tree, sat down, and fished my phone from my pocket.

Soon, I would fall from exhaustion, but until then, I didn't allow myself to stop. Why go bury myself in an inn and sleep while I could get something done?

I didn't have his phone number, but I knew someone who had it.

The phone rang once before her voice came from the other side.

"Ariella? Is that you?"

"Hi, Queen Thea, yeah, it's me."

"Holy night, we've all been worried about you," Thea said. She was the Witch Queen of the Silverblood coven, and fated mate to Drake, the Lord of DuMoir castle. Together, they were probably the most powerful supernatural couple of this century.

Stronger than them, only their daughter, Aurora—a half vampire, half witch destined to be the Queen of All Witches. The little, beautiful girl was probably eight now, maybe nine, and she already had a big destiny laid out in front of her.

"I'm fine; everything is fine," I said. "Before you ask anything, just know I'm innocent of whatever is being said about me."

"Oh, we know that, even though the angels won't say what crime you committed. Just that you're guilty and dangerous." She scoffed. "So much bullshit." Then she gasped. "Never thought I would say that about angels."

I chuckled, though there was no pleasure in it. "I know. I've been having contradicting feelings about them for years now, to be honest."

"I'm sorry. It's not easy to feel like an enemy to your own kind."

I nodded, knowing she spoke from experience. "Thea, you've probably guessed I called because I need something."

"I did. What do you need?"

"I would like Zadkiel's phone number, please."

"Of course. I can send you his contact via text, is that okay?"

"Yes, that works."

"May I ask why you want to talk to him?"

"Well, I got my magic back."

"You did? That's wonderful!"

"Yeah, but it's unstable, and I need to train it a little before I try using it."

"Oh, so you thought Zad would be a good choice, since he's also an angel."

I nodded to myself. "Exactly."

"Well, I'll send you his contact information, but he and Elisa are on a mission for the next two days. Try calling him. If he doesn't answer, leave a voice message, or send him a text. I'll warn Drake you're looking for him, so when Zad reports, Drake can tell him. If that's okay?

My shoulders deflated. So even if I spoke to Zad, he wouldn't be available for the next two days. "Oh, yeah, that helps for sure."

"Wait, where are you staying?"

"Hm." I glanced around, but only saw more of the park. No inns or hotels or anything like that that I could see from here. "Nowhere at the moment."

"Then come to the castle. Are you near?"

"I'm in Boston."

"Oh, that's an easy two-hour drive. Get a car. Borrow it if you have to. Come here."

"But … if I go to you, the angels will see it as you choosing a side."

"Which was chosen long ago when we befriended you. Ariella, you want to train with Zad. Where else will you do it? Just come here."

It did make sense. Instead of holing up in a hotel waiting, I could go to somewhere I knew, where I felt safe, where my friends were.

"All right," I said, feeling suddenly lighter. "I'll borrow a car."

"Great! I have a class at my school soon, but I'll make sure everyone knows you're coming. If you're arriving here in two hours, then you'll arrive before dinner. You can have dinner with us!"

"Sounds good. See you soon."

I turned off the call and let out a long breath. Then I called Zadkiel. Like Thea guessed, he didn't answer, but I left a voice message, and I sent him a text.

My plan was to hopefully train with him for a day or two, enough to get a handle on my magic again, and then I would be able to go to Elysium.

Excitement bubbled in my veins as I stood from the bench and walked toward the street. I needed to find a quiet parking lot, choose a car, and borrow it.

If Levi was here, he would rent one for me with his endless fortune?—

I halted those thoughts before they went further. I wouldn't think about Levi, even if the bond was faintly tugging at my chest for me to go back and check on him.

I had a mission to focus on.

I didn't have to walk far to find a three-story parking garage. With a trick of magic light, I slipped through the main entrance without drawing attention. I hid behind a pillar, pointed my finger at the lights overhead and the only security camera there, and blasted them with magic. It was a little stronger than I wanted, and instead of flickering lights, the bulbs exploded.

It got the attention of the two guys in the main office. When they went to check on the exploding lights, I grabbed a handful of keys, and moved to the back of the garage, where there were no security cameras.

Hoping the guys couldn't hear it, I pressed the keys and listened for the beep. After about five tries, a car near me beeped—a black, compact crossover. More than enough for me.

I dropped the other keys beside a pillar and reached for the car's door.

A tingling sensation traveled up my spine and I froze.

Slowly, I turned.

Five supernaturals stood several yards from me, spread out in the open space, blocking the exit.

Shit.

I inhaled deeply and allowed my magic to do its thing. The two women were vampires, one of the men was half fae, and the other two were demons, or half demons.

"We found her," one of the women said.

"You're the angel they are looking for, right?" the half fae asked. "What's your name? Adrienne? Andressa?"

"No, Chris, it's Ariella," the other vampire said.

Chris, the half fae, nodded. "Right, that. Ariella."

"You know what we're here for," one of the demons said. "So, let's skip the part where you resist and we kick your ass, and just come with us."

A little excitement warmed up my blood as I channeled my magic. Even if it was unstable, I could use it. And if it got out of hand, I had my sword.

I let light cover my hands. "You should skip the part where you talk."

I threw bolts of light at them. I hit one of the demons, while the others spread out. The vampires were on me in two seconds, while the demons created darkfire. I summoned my sword and slashed the vampire's arm before she could reach me. The other lunged for my throat, but I lifted my hand and blinded her with my light.

I spun away from the darkfire and used the blinded vampire as a shield. Several bolts hit her chest and she trembled with the impact. The vampire with the arm cut groaned and swiped a claw at me. I swung my blade up, cutting her arm again. She rammed into me. I let go of the other vampire, who was unconscious, and turned my blade to her. When she leaned into me, I plunged it into her chest, right through her heart. I knew that was probably not enough to kill her, but that should be enough to stop her.

A darkfire bolt zipped past my head and I again used the vampire as shield. I pulled my sword back and she fell at my feet.

The demons cast bigger bolts and I created a light shield in front of me. Beside the demons, the half fae recovered. He joined forces with the demons and threw fire at my shield—a Blaze fae.

The bolts kept coming and my magic trembled in my veins. I tried holding on to it, but it fizzled out. Then it exploded and a bright light erupted through the parking garage.

I stumbled back over the car's hood, my head a little dizzy. Dang, that was strong. I blinked fast, trying to recover before my enemies did. The explosion had hit them. One of the demons was on the ground, struggling to get up.

The fae and the remaining demon renewed their attacks, sending more darkfire and fire at me. I tried creating another shield, but my magic didn't obey me. I ducked out of the way and hid behind a column. Their bolts chipped away bits of cement with every hit.

I couldn't count on my magic right now. I needed to find a way to get closer to them and stop them from using their own magic, so I could use my sword and get this over with.

I lifted my hand and called my magic. Even if I could cast a bolt of light, or blind them, that would be enough time for me to get to them.

My magic flickered around my fingertips. I yelled, stepped away from the column, and threw a bolt of light at them.

Just then big light bolts came from their side and took them down. They groaned, trying to come up, but the bolts kept coming. After a short volley, they stayed down.

What …

Then someone rushed forward but halted when she saw me.

My eyes widened and I whispered, "Ylena."