Page 29 of Knight’s Salvation

Chapter 7

Mia stoodin the middle of her new apartment. It was huge, modern…cold.

She liked color, not that she’d gone crazy with a paintbrush at any of her other places, but still. Whoever decorated the place really had a thing for the whole minimalist vibe. White walls, big black marble fireplace, white carpet, and an oversized black leather couch. She kind of wished she was back in her tiny apartment—at least there she didn’t feel like a guest in her own home. None of the furniture was hers, and yeah, it was the nicest place she’d ever stayed, but it was just another place to sit and wait, wait for her real life to begin.

Her plans to move to Chicago were on hold indefinitely, at least until this power block thing cleared itself up, or was released, or unlocked, or whatever the hell had to happen so she could leave Roxburgh behind her.

After lugging her suitcase into the bedroom, she dumped it on the bed, flipped it open, and emptied it into the black lacquer dresser. Her very un-designer clothes looked about as out of place in the expensive-looking piece as she felt in the apartment.

Did Zenon have a place like this, a place to escape? She’d looked in every open door, down every hall, hoping for a glimpse of him as she’d left, even though she knew she shouldn’t, had promised herself she wouldn’t.

But that kiss.

She didn’t get it, didn’t understand how one minute he was shoving her away, telling her he didn’t want her, then the next pinning her to the wall, surrounding her, making her feel more desired, more wanted than she had her entire life.

She had to stop thinking about him. Yes, he’d kissed her, but he’d also made it clear that was all they would share. She hadn’t glimpsed him on her way out because he’d made sure he wasn’t around. That was for the best. It was.

All she knew was that she had to work out how to unlock this block on her powers so the knights would take her off their radar. Then she could put this all behind her—move on.

This thing, this pull she felt toward Zenon made no sense and went way beyond her fascination with the wild and untamed. Maybe it was some kind of hero worship? She’d fantasized about what the knights might be like, long before her sister came into her power, then she’d heard so much about them from Chaya after she had. She could admit to a small—okay, massive—amount of curiosity in regards to the half demon, half angel warriors entrusted with keeping not just her kind safe but humans as well.

But if that was the case, why Zenon? Why not Rocco or Chaos? It wasn’t like he was open or even friendly.

She shook her head. Enough turning this over and over in her mind. She had a bed to make and dinner to prepare. Tomorrow she’d start the hunt for a new job. She didn’t know how long she’d be stuck there, and living off the knights didn’t sit well with her. She paid her own way. Always had.

Dinner consisted of a grilled cheese sandwich and a can of Diet Coke, and after a quick text to Chaya, she showered, pulled on a pair of boxers and an old T-shirt that was worn and soft, and got ready for bed.

Her bedroom felt huge. It really was an amazing apartment, but she felt like a fish out of water in all this luxury. She could appreciate it, but it wasn’t her.

When she flicked off the lamp, lights from the city drew her to the small balcony off her room. Slipping on a sweater, she pulled open the doors and stepped out. The air was crisp and she wrapped her arms around herself. The light breeze ruffled her hair, making her shiver. Sounds of a city alive and humming drifted up to surround her.

She’d never felt more alone in her life.

Leaning against the railing, she looked down at people walking along the sidewalk, mice scurrying to their next destination. They had a purpose, a life. She should be with Chaya in Chicago right now. Instead she was stuck. Stuck in a city she didn’t know. Stuck in limbo. Again.

Then it all became too much, pressing down on her, a crushing weight she had no hope of escaping.

She didn’t hold back, let the emotion of the last few weeks come flooding out, and by the time she finished she was trembling and not just from the cold. Wiping the tears from her eyes with the back of her sleeve, she turned to go back inside. But a feeling of being watched sent tingles across her skin, and she turned back to the railing.

She looked up and sucked in a breath.

Perched on the ledge of the opposite building was Zenon in all his full demon glory. The lights from the city glinted off his dark red skin, leathery black wings, and shiny horns. His white fangs looked almost fluorescent, and his bright yellow eyes glowed through the shadows.

He was magnificent. Terrifying and beautiful all at the same time.

Unmoving, he watched her right back. She stood frozen, couldn’t have moved if the building was burning down around her. His wings spread wide, revealing their impressive span, and with two powerful beats he lifted off and disappeared behind the clouds.

Mia ignored the low throb of need that flared in her belly, the urge to call after him. He wouldn’t welcome it. The knights had told her they’d keep an eye on her—that was all this was. It was the only reason he’d come.

Going back inside, she closed and locked the door and climbed into bed. She wrapped the heavy comforter around her to chase away the cold, a bone deep chill that she knew had nothing to do with the cool night air and everything to do with the male who had turned his back on her once again. How could he be so indifferent when everything in her screamed out for him?

She couldn’t think anymore tonight; it hurt too much. Closing her eyes, she let blissful darkness claim her.

Mia had been crying.No, she’d been sobbing. And he’d felt her pain across the short distance as if it were his own.

His gut twisted as he flew up into the cloud bank. Seeing her like that killed him, made him want to go to her. But even if he could, what would he do? He didn’t know the first thing about soothing females.

He’d said his goodbyes, even if she didn’t know the significance, would never know what she was to him. None of it mattered. He couldn’t keep her for himself. If Helena got even a whiff of Mia, she’d be out for blood—Mia’s blood. He didn’t care what she did to him, could take her punishments, but he would never put Mia in that kind of danger.