Page 2 of Crimson Soul
“I—I can’t live without him.” I sucked in a breath on a hiccup of tears. “I won’t live without him.”
Gabriel’s hand landed on my shoulder as his detached warmth spread from his palms. “Lilith. There’s nothing you can do.”
I jerked my shoulder away from him and whipped my head toward his uncertain gaze. “Do not interfere. I’m fucking saving him.”
Kai obliterated the last abandoned in the building, and Thaddeus helped Aziel and Titan hold down Viktor. My demons surrounded them, making a barrier between us and them. I had their support, and that was all I needed.
I wasn’t complete without them all, and I wouldn’t accept Blaise’s death. He wouldn’t accept mine.
A surge of peace combusted inside my chest before it trickled through to my hand. The sensation wasn't hot or cold, and it didn't feel like anything but static tingles buzzing through my fingertips. I dropped my tearful gaze to Blaise’s chest.
His depleted heart mended itself in my hold, becoming full and shaped like a heart again. Slowly, I unwrapped my hand as his body took back the organ. Pulling my hand out of his healing chest, the bones of his rib cage snapped back together, and his flesh closed around my hand as it came out.
The breath that escaped me was soft and sinless; a sound almost pure.
Blaise’s otherworldly gray eyes snapped open, and he sucked a long pull of air into his lungs as his chest inflated. His eyes bounced around the room frantically before settling on me.
"You have wings, Poppy," he croaked, his trembling hand reaching up to cup my wet cheek.
Tears filled my eyes once again, this time in a good way, as I laughed. "I don't think I was ever human."
"I don't think so either," he chuckled and pulled my face down to meet his lips. “But I wouldn’t want you any other way.” His dry blood was rough against my lips, but I didn't care.
He’s alive.
We broke the kiss, and Blaise got to his feet and outstretched a hand to me. “Thanks to you.”
I grasped his hand and hoisted myself up. “How do you feel?”
“Better than ever. Whatever you did was bloody brilliant.”
A relieved smile made its way on my face as I made eye contact with the guys. Relief was plastered on each of their faces too as they held on to a thrashing Viktor, but that momentary lapse was something he took advantage of.
“Don’t underestimate me!” Viktor’s bellow rang out again, and the warehouse shook with violent tremors.
Chunks of debris flew around the room as the concrete floor cracked open in multiple spots. I wobbled on the unsteady floor as Blaise’s hand wound around my arm to steady me.
“Fuck,” Aziel snarled as Viktor slipped out of their hold and vanished.
My breath caught, and Blaise’s hold on me tightened. The earthquake-like reaction to the bellow had subsided, and we were met with a suffocating silence.
“Where the fuck did he go?” Titan growled.
Everyone in the warehouse went still as our gazes darted around the room, unable to locate the biggest threat.
“Behind you guys!” Kai shouted, and we turned in time for Viktor to materialize before us.
“I told you not to underestimate me.” He flashed his wicked grin before lunging forward with his claws up in an attack stance, but I flicked my wrist and used my new found telekinesis to hold him in place.
“No, Viktor. Don’t you underestimate me.”
Disbelief crossed his expression. “You’re a hybrid that shouldn’t have been possible to create. You think the higher authorities will let something like you live? You’re a dead bitch.”
“Shut up!” I squeezed my hand tighter.
He squirmed against the invisible restraint, and emitted an awful, guttural growl as his jaw snapped open and closed like a cornered, rabid animal.
My nose scrunched up in disgust. “Do the honors, Blaise.”
