Page 27 of Written In Flesh

My teeth worry my lip, and my gaze swings between the two women. “I have some money saved that I can use for next month. And I’ll get another job when I get there.”

Loreli tilts her head. “I’m sure your dad–”

“No.” I hold up my hand. “I know I lived another life where supposedly I lived with him, and things were fine, but that isn’t my reality. All I know is that now he wants me there. Now he cares. I don’t want anything from him. I don’t want anything that has invisible strings attached.”

Baylee’s frown deepens. “I can feel the truth in your words.”

“I don’t know him enough to trust him right now. Any of them,” I tell her, our eyes meeting. I can see the instant solidarity in her gaze.

The shadows in my room shift slightly, and my lips curl into a knowing smile. With my unexpected visitor, he stayed away all day, even knowing it is one of my last here in California. Slowly, I slip from my bed, careful not to wake Baylee, and make my way to the outside patio. Azriel is standing half in the shadow and half in the moonlight. When he sees me, noticing how calm I look, he visibly relaxes.

“I take it the visit was good?”

I laugh softly and shake my head. “It was informative.”

He watches me with those purple eyes, reading what I’m not saying out loud. “Does it change how you feel about going back?”

My shoulders lift and fall, and I make myself meet his questioning gaze. “Even if it did, you and I both know I don’t have a choice. He wants me there, for whatever reason. Ego, I’d assume, but don’t really care.”

“You plan to find out what his endgame is?” Azriel catches on quickly.

A smirk plays on my lips. “I plan to find out what game they’re all playing. Those pictures that Baylee showed me…I don’t remember anything; I can look at myself, and I don’t recognize the girl in the images. She looks blank. Nothing about the heels, bows, and boat dresses is anything like me. She was comfortable around Madden, and I’ve learned that he is the last person I should be comfortable around.”

“You didn’t do what they said you did,” he reminds me softly, his hand gently gripping my arm. The arm with the scar and tattoos that I’m still slowly getting used to.

“Baylee offered for me to live with her on campus. I’m going to keep as much distance as I can,” I tell him, my voice soft and scratchy. Taking the hint that I need a change of topic, Azriel nods in agreement.

“Sounds like a good plan, S.” He turns my body to his and wraps his arms around me tightly. I instantly relax into his grip, the security that I’m going to miss, and my eyes sting with unshed tears. Azriel pulls back and pushes a pendant into my hand. A purple gem held with a thin brown leather string. “Anytime you need me, I don’t care about the consequences, I’ll come to you.”

My hand closes around the pendant tightly, knowing how much that promise costs. He isn’t allowed to leave this area, not when his job is too important, and the souls who need him to claim them would be left vulnerable. “I can’t ask you—”

“You can, Skully. You’re my family,” he cuts me off, his hand gripping tightly over mine with the stone inside. “This will only work for you. It just needs a drop of your blood on it, and I’ll be there as soon as I can. I promise.”

Warmth floods my chest, and a tear slides down my cheek. I flick it away as soon as I can and wrap my free arm around Azriel. “Thank you.”

He grips me back just as tight. “I have to go. It’s been a busy night.”

I pull back, concern pulling my brow together. “Is everything okay?”

Azriel’s gaze slides from mine, and the corner of his jaw ticks lightly. “I’m not really sure. There’s been a small surge since the blast. We’re not sure if it’s connected or not, but I’ve been busier…collecting. Same with the others.”

“My phone will still work on the East Coast,” I joke lightly, “Call me if anything happens. Call me if things are good, too.”

His lips twitch, and he steps back fully preparing to leave. “You’ll never get rid of me that easily, Sis.”

I laugh and watch as he slowly vanishes from my sight. I’m alone again in the dark, the moon the only thing shining down on me. Change is already in the air, the feeling tingling under my skin. My magic brushes against my insides, reminding me how strong we are. Strong enough to face whatever is coming. Strong enough to head back to River Falls.