“No, don’t go.” I groped around blindly for Rowen as he slipped from the bed. The movement of the mattress had roused me. Cracking open an eye, I made out the blurry numbers on the clock. It was just past eight in the morning. We’d slept for just a few hours. No wonder I felt like a wet sock. Was that a thing?
“I have to. Arrow needs to be picked up, and I have to get to the shop by ten. I’ll take care of your car when I get off work.” He tugged on his black jeans and searched the floor for his Sons of Anarchy reaper t-shirt that I had tossed in the dark.
Rolling into the middle of the bed, I grabbed the pillow he’d slept on and hugged it close. “Aren’t you tired? Feels like we barely slept.”
“I’ll grab a coffee on my way. Go back to sleep.” Spying the shirt partially hidden beneath my rumpled pants, Rowen pulled it over his head and sat beside me on the bed. He ran a finger over the pillow creases in my cheek and laughed. “You look adorable. Let’s take a picture.”
At his teasing, I hid my face in my pillow, fearful that I’d look up and find him with phone in hand. “No pictures. Just kiss me before you go.”
“I wouldn’t even think of leaving without one,” he said, leaning over me. “The kiss, I mean, not the picture.”
I peered up at him with a sleepy smile. His hawk fell in a mess of blue. He rocked bedhead like he’d planned to look that way. The tip of his black feather tattoo peeked out from his shirt collar, curving up the side of his neck. The intensity of his fiery amber eyes cut through me, searing to my soul.
He claimed my lips in a gentle kiss. As every day passed I expected the tingles and excitement to wane, but it had yet to fade even a little. If anything, every moment I fell a little harder for him, if that were possible.
“I’ll call you later,” he murmured, lingering as if reluctant to go. “My car keys will be on the counter if you need them. I’m taking Arrow’s drug machine.”
“Be careful.” I frowned at the thought of him driving that narcotic wagon.
I followed him to the door where we shared an embrace that left me chilled when he pulled away. After another knee-knocking kiss, I locked the door behind him and crawled back into bed. The web design job that was due in two days called my name, but I ignored it, choosing instead to chase after some much needed rest. The rock n’ roll life didn’t allow for a lot of sleep. Between work, the band, and now demons, I seldom managed more than a few hours at a time.
Rolling into the middle of the bed, I breathed in Rowen’s scent and sighed. My bed felt so empty without him. Though we didn’t spend all of our nights together, the time spent together in my bed had been increasing in frequency. Hugging his pillow, I drifted off, hoping for a few solid hours before I had to get up and tackle some design work.
My dreamless sleep brought the haze that fogs the mind after reaching total exhaustion. I resurfaced from the depths of slumber to voices coming from the kitchen. Because I recognized one of them as Cinder, I wasn’t alarmed, merely curious.
“This is getting out of hand,” Cinder said. “I’m afraid that perhaps she’s not ready for this. Am I needlessly endangering her?”
The cobwebs that clung to my brain scattered. I clutched my blanket, afraid to move.
“There will always be danger,” a low, smooth voice replied. “The longer you keep her out of it, the greater her chance of failure. You’re not usually so protective of them. Do you not think she can rise to the challenges that lie ahead? Or do you think that maybe you’ve grown too close to her?”
My lungs burned as I held my breath. Cinder was one of my best friends, a confidant whom I trusted with my life. I didn’t like our closeness as a topic of discussion.
“Ember is my charge, but she is also my friend. Of course I care for her. If I didn’t I wouldn’t be doing my job.”
After a pause, the low voice said, “You know my intent was not to question your dedication. I only seek to ensure that you don’t let your emotional attachment conflict with her calling.”
A rumble followed by the sound of metal clinking indicated that Cinder had taken a pot or pan out from the drawer beneath the oven. The brief suction noise as the fridge opened helped me to picture him in the kitchen, whipping up some kind of mouthwatering meal.
“I’ve no doubt Ember is more than capable,” Cinder spoke like a proud parent, bringing a warmth to my chest. “I’m just sorry that she has to be. Dash is a greater threat than I had expected. I know she feels the fate of Rhine’s sons is in her hands, and it overwhelms her more than she lets on.”
“Well,” the other voice paused as if in thought. “It is in her hands. She was chosen. Her father is…was among our greatest warriors. Of course she feels the pressure of such a calling. They are two of the most powerful nephilim on earth. It would be a great tragedy to lose them both to the dark. It’s a shame about the firstborn.”
A held breath puffed out, and I sucked in another, certain they would hear and know I had awakened. Eavesdropping wasn’t wrong when the conversation happened in one’s own home, was it?
“Ember is to be their leader, not their savior.” Cinder’s tone took on an edge sharp enough to cut. “Arrow made his choice, and as long as he’s living, there is hope for him. This is not all on Ember. There is only so much she can do.”
“Then prepare her to do it, as you’re supposed to.” Calm and gentle, Cinder’s visitor sounded utterly unmoved by his defensiveness. “The demon activity in this city is hardly limited to Dash. Why not send her on a recovery mission? It may be a good way to hone her skills.”
The sizzle of something hitting a hot pan made my stomach rumble before the aroma of bacon reached me. Hunger warred with curiosity for my attention.
“You should go,” Cinder said, calmer now. “She’ll be up soon. Thank you for coming.”
Curious as to whom he was rushing out of my apartment, I rolled out of bed and slipped into a pair of fuzzy PJ pants and a KISS t-shirt. Moving as silently as I could on the carpet, I poked my head out the door.
Cinder stood over the stove. Alone. Damn.
He glanced up with a smile, as if he hadn’t known I was coming, though he obviously knew I was awake. Why else would he rush his friend away?
“Good morning,” Cinder greeted me brightly, his gaze lingering on my bruised cheek. “Or afternoon, I should say. Hungry?”
“Yeah, thanks.” Shoving a hand through my disheveled black locks, my gaze traveled over the stovetop as I spied scrambled eggs cooking on the burner next to the bacon. “Who was just here, Cinder?”
He turned back to the stove, avoiding my gaze. “How much did you hear?”
“Enough to know you’re worried. Should I be worried too? And what’s a recovery mission?” I moved about the kitchen, preparing coffee and doing my best to stay out of Cinder’s way as he cooked.
“I’m not worried, merely cautious. You should most definitely not worry yourself. Worry is useless.” Cinder made a noise of irritation as grease crackled in the pan, splashing his arm. “Recovery usually involves powerful objects, newly made or incredibly old, some a mild nuisance, others quite deadly. All of them sought or possessed by demons. We send teams to recover these items, and then we lock them away.”
Two level scoops of cane sugar and some steamed milk made my coffee smell almost divine. With a contented sigh, I sat at the table, angling my chair so I could face him.
“Does Edmonton have many recovery jobs?” I asked. It wouldn’t surprise me to find that the city was littered with objects of evil. It hadn’t received the nickname Deadmonton for nothing.
“More than you might assume. The city is built on the empire of a powerful demon queen. It draws and feeds evil. Although she’s no longer here and her empire is sealed, the power emanating from it can’t be fully contained. It’s turned the city into a trading post of sorts, a place where demons come to create, obtain, and exchange such goods.”
“Sounds interesting and a bit scary. Sign me up.” I took my first sip of precious caffeine, almost missing Cinder’s raised brows.
“Are you sure? It’s not an easy job, Ember. It comes with risks.”
I mulled over what he’d said to his friend, finding it to be too true to keep denying. “You were right when you said I’m overwhelmed. All I know is that I’m supposed to be some leader of nephilim, helping them escape the dark. The only experience I have is with Arrow, and if that’s anything to go by, I’m already off to a bad start. Honestly, I don’t see how I’m supposed to liberate anyone. I could use something else to do.”
A deep frown marred Cinder’s brow. He remained silent as he scooped scrambled eggs onto a plate. Bringing me a plate of eggs and bacon with a banana and yogurt on the side, he set it before me and took the seat across the table.
“It is much too early for such discouragement. You’re playing right into the enemy’s hands. If you’d like to try your hand at a recovery mission, I can make that happen, but by no means should you doubt yourself in any manner. We all have a job to do, a job we were chosen for. Try to have a little faith.” Hands clasped, violet eyes narrowed, Cinder studied me.
His searching gaze made me squirm. To break his analytical stare, I turned his remark back on him. “I thought you didn’t know who my father is. But your friend just said he was a great warrior. What aren’t you telling me?”
Cinder’s gaze never wavered. “I didn’t know him personally, but yes, I know of him. He was said to be a great warrior before his fall. But you are not him. You are your own person, and I daresay you have the potential to be greater than even he was.”
My fork clanked against the plate before sliding with a screech that made me shiver. While I appreciated Cinder’s honest, straight-forward nature, such declarations were a tad nerve racking.
“No pressure though, right?” I managed a smile as I recovered the forkful of dropped food.
“The only pressure is that which you put on yourself,” he said with a thoughtful head tilt. “All that is expected of you is that you do your best.”
The eggs, usually delicious, grew tasteless in my mouth. My appetite fled, and I shoved the plate away with a grimace. “I’m not sure I even have a best. Dash came to The Wicked Kiss. He threatened me. I feel backed into a corner, like there’s nothing I can do.”
There it was, the confession I hadn’t wanted to share with anyone. Learning so recently that I had a calling, a purpose that included both Rowen and Arrow, it had been both a blessing and a curse. I longed to be all Cinder thought I could be, but I didn’t know how.
“When you’re backed into a corner by a foe, there are only two choices,” Cinder said, reaching to take my hand. “You can accept defeat or come out fighting. I suggest you fight.”
“How?” My voice sounded hollow, weak. “What do I do? He’s a demon, and I’m…”
“You’re a warrior. You just don’t know it yet. And he’s not infallible. All demons have a weakness. Find it and find victory.” Cinder squeezed my hand, and I gasped as pain shot through my sore wrist. “You’re hurt. What happened?”
Clutching my mug with my free hand, I muttered, “Skylar happened. We had a little run in with her last night. It’s fine. Nothing some ice and time can’t take care of, I’m sure.”
He nodded, his gaze darting across my face. He assumed the bruise on my face was from Skylar, and though I would never lie to Cinder, I didn’t correct that assumption.
“Perhaps.” Cinder turned my arm over, studying the bruise that spread across my inner wrist. With a gentle hand he traced a finger over the swelling. At his touch the bruise faded and the swelling receded. “You need to be able to swing a sword if you’re to go on a recovery mission.”
I gasped as a strange sensation tickled through my wrist and up my arm. “No argument here.”
“Speaking of that sword, I’d like to see it, please. Oh, and you have to finish your fruit and yogurt.” With a crooked grin, he nudged the banana closer.
Laughing I went to my room and grabbed the Midnight Star from where it sat propped in the corner by the closet. The moment I touched it, I felt its power. It was lighter than it appeared and absolutely gorgeous. The inscription in the blade was in a language I couldn’t read, but Cinder said it spoke of the one meant to carry it: The Flame Bearer. Right now that was me.
Yeah, no pressure at all.
I brought the sword to Cinder who took it with both hands, a small smile playing about his lips. Placing it before him on the table, he laid both hands on the blade and closed his eyes. Watching in silence, I was surprised when the atmosphere warmed. A white light engulfed the sword from handle to tip then went out.
Cinder opened his eyes and handed the sword back to me. “I’ve been meaning to do that. You need to be able to carry it with you all the time. It can’t serve you if it’s not with you.”
“What did you do?” I picked up the banana when he inclined his head toward it.
“I cloaked it. Much the way my wings are cloaked from human sight right now though they’re still very much present. Now you can carry the Midnight Star in public without drawing unwanted human attention. Demons, however, will very much be able to see it.”
I hefted the sword in one hand, chewing a mouthful of banana. “Why can I see it then? I can’t see your wings. I mean, I am half human.”
Cinder quirked one brow up and pursed his lips in a comical expression of disbelief. “Can’t you? Look closely. Use the part of you that knows nothing of human limitations.”
Setting the sword down on the counter, I focused on Cinder, having no idea how to do what he’d said but willing to try anyway. At first he was just human-looking Cinder. I reached for the part of me that was more than human, and my palms began to tingle. Then I stared at him until I was sure I’d gone cross-eyed. The buzz in my hands crept up my arms until my body was one giant tingle.
Just as I was about to tell him it was useless, the outline of his wings shimmered into sight. As I continued to stare at him, they solidified into brilliant white wings tucked close to his body.
“You didn’t make them visible?” I asked, uncertain.
“They’re always visible,” he said with a soft laugh. “To those who can see. Can you see them?”
“I can. How have I not figured this out already?” No wonder I felt so incompetent. This seemed like beginner stuff, and I had yet to master it.
Cinder rose and began to tidy the kitchen. He was again dressed like a model from a men’s fashion magazine, his favorite look it seemed, and the wings just seemed so out of place with his trendy shirt and perfectly tailored pants.
“Stop being so hard on yourself,” he admonished, pausing to point at the yogurt. “Now that you can do it, you’ll be surprised at how easy it comes. And about this recovery job, are you sure you’d like to give it a try?”
I scooped the yogurt into my mouth and pondered his question. “I would. My schedule may already be overflowing, but I need to start feeling useful.”
Cinder stuck a pan in the dishwasher and sighed. “Ember, if we needed to feel useful in order to be useful, not one of us would find our place here. In the midst of life, it’s impossible to see the big picture. And it’s not for you to see. One day at a time, my dear one.”
The hot sting of tears pricked the back of my eyes. I blinked fast in an attempt to dry them before they could spill over. “I love you, Cinder. I hope you know how much I appreciate you.”
“I do.” The dazzling smile he turned on me shone in his eyes. “The feeling is mutual.”
After finishing the yogurt, despite having little to no appetite, I joined him in the kitchen to clean up. Even though he seemed to enjoy such mundane tasks, I felt bad sitting on my ass watching him clean. So together we tidied the kitchen, making light conversation. It was nice to chat and laugh with Cinder after so much serious talk.
Promising that he would be back soon with a recovery job for me, Cinder took his leave, and I was alone. A shower and a clean change of clothes was all the preparation I needed to be ready for work. After feeding Seth I cranked up some tunes and settled at the table with my laptop.
The web design job ate up the afternoon. It was just what I needed to get out of my head and into the moment. For the first time in days, I felt calm, almost relaxed, as I focused on something that had nothing to do with demons or destiny.