The corridor outside the cabin bustled with excitement. From the portal window, the high rises of the Honolulu skyline and the iconic Diamond Head cone in the distance came into view. We’d made it. We were safe. Except…
I stifled a sob as Val’s limp body flashed through my mind.
I crawled back into bed, pain weighing heavily on my chest. It should’ve been me, not Val. Val was the heart of the angels. She was wild, fierce, and brazen. She was a natural leader, a Throne. And I…I was a liability.
I shut my eyes against the bright sunlight shining through the portal. The world should be dark and in mourning. Instead, there was light and laughter. Did they not know they had lost their greatest champion?
I didn’t deserve to be here. When Tristan had left me with Ian to join Val, I’d wanted to stay. I had pleaded with Ian to help me find a way to help them. The moment Ian disappeared from the deck to find Zac, Caim had snatched me up. How could Tristan not hate me for putting him in that position?
The gentle kiss he’d given me before he left, still lingered on my forehead. He hadn’t said a word when he’d brought me back to the cabin. He’d simply placed me on the bed, his warm hands splaying over my cheeks. His sapphire eyes had searched my face for what had seemed like hours. Had he been searching for meaning to justify saving me over Val? Had he regretted his decision the moment he caught me?
I’d seen the look on his face when he realized Val loved him. The torment of those final moments, when Thalos had counted down, forcing Tristan to make a decision, had been unbearable.
I sucked in a breath, the agony of Tristan’s choice washing over me.
He’d chosen a daughter of traitors over the fearless angel who loved him.
Something wet slapped over my face. I jerked up out the bed.
“What the hell, Lucy!” I flung the washcloth back at her.
“I’m making sure you’re alive. You’ve been asleep for over twelve hours.”
“I’m tired. Drowning does that too you, you know,” I grumbled.
“Geez, sorry. I didn’t mean to piss you off. Look, I brought you a cinnamon roll and OJ. Aunt Marmie told me to make sure you eat something.” She pointed to the plate of pastries on the nightstand.
“Thanks, but I’m not hungry. Where is she?”
“She’s helping Nacho in the galley.” Lucy sank on the edge of the bed. “Is it true? About what happened to Val?”
I bit my lip, fighting back the wave of grief. “Yes.”
“Blaze said they took her wings. Did they…is she dead?”
“Yes,” I said in a hoarse whisper.
“If angels can die, why are they fighting in a war for us?”
And for reckless Gibbor like me.
I blinked, quickly pushing back the tears threatening to spill over. “I’m not sure.”
There was a scream followed by yelling in the corridor.
Was it them? The warrior angels? I rushed to the window, but the skies were still clear.
“It’s not them,” I murmured in relief.
“What’s going on?” Lucy asked as I made my way to the door to check.
“I don’t know. Stay inside.”
“No way. I’m coming with you,” she said as I stepped out into the corridor.
“Lucy, just do what I say for—” I stopped cold.
There once was a time when I had faith in the goodness of angels. They healed our bodies as well as our souls. They were our saviors in an imperfect world. Even when I’d stumbled into their world, I held on to the belief all angels had good in them, even those like Ian. I’d ignored the hushed whispers spoken among the Gibbor, ignored their warnings. Angels didn’t trust Nephilim. To them, we were the enemy.
They’d tried to warn me, Hunter and Dorian. Everything they had said was true. I’d crossed a line, taken one of their own. And now…
The angels were coming for me.
The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end as the Archangels made their way down the corridor. I could see every detail as if time had slowed.
Ian’s cold eyes bore down on me as he led the pack. His powerful body moved with angelic grace as the other Archangels marched behind him. Their trench coats billowed behind them like bat wings.
Ian’s lips curled into a wicked smirk as he moved to the side. Slowly, the group parted. Raffi shuffled through, his face pale as he joined Ian.
Blood drained from my face, and the corridor swayed as Tristan emerged. Lifting his sword, his face hardened as he took over Ian’s lead.
This was it. My one-time savior was now my enemy. There was no escape, no mercy for what I’d done. All his promises and kisses meant nothing. It had all been a lie. His words echoed in my mind.
I don’t care what the others say. I won’t ever let you go. I promise.
“Lucy, go back inside the cabin,” I said, my voice sounding unusually calm.
Lucy turned to Tristan, slapping my hands away when I tried to drag her back. “What the hell are you doing? I thought you didn’t want to fight.”
Tristan’s eyes held mine, his handsome face emotionless. “I’ve learned that sometimes we have no choice, especially when the enemy is among us.”
“Tristan, don’t do this,” I whispered.
“Who are you calling the enemy?” Lucy snapped.
Hali and Jo’s cabin doors flew open. In one swift move, Hali slammed her door and rushed to my side. She nudged the dagger against my thigh, signaling she was ready for anything.
Jo poked her head out. Her eyes widened when she saw Tristan holding the sword to me. “Are you okay, Karenna?”
“Josette, love, this is none of our business,” Dorian’s smooth voice emerged from the cabin. Before she could say anything, the door slammed shut.
“Lucy, get back inside, now!” I demanded.
“No way! I’m sorry about your sister, Raffi, but this is not cool. Tell your friends to step off.”
“Hey, hey, what’s all the racket out here?” Hunter came out of his cabin. He took one look at the angels and moved a grumbling Lucy behind him. “Okay, I see y’all got a burr up your saddle. I’m sure it’s all a misunderstanding. Let’s talk this out, all right?”
“Our quarrel is not with you, Gibbor,” Ian said. “Our ship was put in danger by that one. Because of her, we lost one of our own. She can’t be trusted.”
Hunter scowled. “Karenna is as honest as the day is long. There isn’t a mean bone in her body.”
“Her parents are with Belial. Even some of the Gibbor don’t trust her,” Ian barked.
“I can’t speak for them, but all I know is Karenna is sweet and kind and—”
“Please, don’t defend me,” I said to Hunter before turning to Tristan. “I don’t deserve it. What happened yesterday with Val. That was—”
“Not your fault!” Lucy cried. “Tell him, Raffi.”
“That’s enough!” Tristan snarled. “There’s nothing you or anyone can say to change things. We are taking you into custody for the angelic council to decide your fate.”
“Hali?” I whispered frantically.
“I’ll watch Lucy,” she said, latching a hand onto Lucy’s shoulder.
The corridor erupted as Lucy screamed at Hali to let go as she dragged her into the cabin.
Hunter dove for Tristan as he moved toward me. With a flick of his hand, Ian shoved Hunter away. Hunter flew back into the air, crashing into the wall at the end of the long hallway.
I stumbled forward, tears blinding me as Tristan half dragged me through the ship and down the steps to the Guardians’ quarters on the lower deck. The Archangels laughed as I tripped and fell flat on my face. With one hand, Tristan jerked me up, placing me back on my feet.
A salty, metallic taste coated my tongue. A warm sensation trickled down my nose onto my chin. Tristan slapped my hand down when I tried to wipe it.
I stifled a sob. There was nothing left of the Tristan I’d fallen for, no flicker of remorse. Nothing.
Ian opened a door to a windowless room, and Tristan shoved me inside.
“Please, Tristan. Don’t let them hurt Lucy. She’s innocent.” I could feel blood rolling onto my lips, lips he’d once kissed with affection.
Tristan glared, his cold eyes drifting down to my lips. He smiled and then slammed the door.