Angelbound

Adair sighs. “Whatever they’re called, I’m glad they saw ‘real warriors’ in action today.” She grips Lincoln’s bicep tighter.

More fury flows through me. I set my feet apart, ready to pounce. My tail arcs over my shoulder. Lincoln watches the movement, the ghost of a smile curling his full lips in a way that says ‘how cute; the little demon wants to fight.’ My blood pressure skyrockets.

The Prince steps past me through the archway. “Yes, I’m sure it was quite an education for the poor creatures.”

That does it.

Mindless rage blasts through my veins. My eyes positively beam with red light. I rush forward, ready to tackle them both behind the kneecaps.

Instead, it’s Walker who pounces on me, knocking me straight into a portal. We tumble through space, coming to a landing in the empty parking lot outside my school.

“Walker? What in blazes are you doing?” I ball my hands into fists. My eyes burn bright red.

“You’re asking me?” Walker shakes his head in disbelief. “You were about to flatten the thrax High Prince. A hundred of his best warriors were standing nearby. Even you can’t fight that, Myla.”

I pace the parking lot. The movement helps the anger seep from my body. My eyes cool a bit. “Okay, you’re right.” I pause and take three deep breaths. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Walker rubs his sideburns. “That was some look on your face, Myla. I’ve never seen your eyes turn that red.”

“I guess I lost my temper big time.” I shift my weight from foot to foot. This incident has gone from rage-inducing to totally embarrassing.

“I understand. Ghouls are the same way. We’re quiet enough and then–KABOOM–we lose our cool.”

Maybe that’s a genetic trait I got from my father. Barf. A heavy sadness seeps into my bones. I slouch and hug my elbows.

Walker tilts his head to one side. “Is there something wrong, Myla?”

I meet his gaze, seeing his black button eyes fill with concern. I start blabbing everything. “I’ve been getting these dreamscapes about Mom’s past from the angel Verus.”

Walker nods. “Your mother told me.”

“Well, I think my dad may be a ghoul.”

“Have you asked your mother about this?”

“Not yet.” I slump a bit lower. “Maybe I don’t want the answer to that question so much anymore.”

“I understand.” Walker rubs his sideburns thoughtfully. “Perhaps a change of subject is in order. I’ve learned the Scala will perform an iconigration soon.”

“Really?! Will you sneak me in?” Iconigrations are when the Scala transfers souls in a huge group. So cool.

“Of course.” A wisp of a grin rounds his mouth. “And where would you like to go now?” He opens a portal.

I soak in Walker’s warm smile. A knot of emotion forms in my throat. “Thanks again, Walker. For everything.”

“No need for thanks.” Walker sets his hand on my cheek, his touch is warm and grounding. “You’re very important to me, Myla.” He glances at the black portal. “Now where to?”

I check my watch. “Well, school ended an hour ago. Can we go to the Ryder library?”

“Absolutely.” Walker takes my hand in his. Together, we step into the portal. For once, I actually don’t feel ill as we tumble through space. We step out right by the mansion’s front door.

I give Walker’s hand a little squeeze. “See you at the iconigration.”

Walker nods. “Until then.” He steps into the dark portal and disappears.





Chapter Nine


I take a deep breath, walk up to the front door of the Ryder mansion and knock. No answer.

I jiggle the handle. It’s unlocked. I turn the knob and step inside.

“Cissy? Zeke?” I nervously bite my lower lip. I’m totally late after that fiasco at the Arena with Adair. If after all that, I can’t go to the library today, I will definitely need to kill something. Hopefully, not Zeke.

Soft giggles sound from behind the corner to the West Wing.

“Zekie, don’t!” It’s Cissy.

Oh, they’re here alright. Ick.

I stand in the center of the reception hall. “Cissy, I’m going over to the library. Is that okay?”

More giggles.

“I’ll take that as a ‘yes.’” I walk down the hallway to the East Wing and hike up the stairs. I stop at the second floor.

This is the exact spot I saw in my dreamscape. This is where Mom met up with her family–my family–before she was sworn in as Senator. I stare at the closed door, knots of nervous energy forming down my spine.

Here goes.

I slowly set my fingertips on the knob and twist. It’s open. I step past the threshold and flip on the lights. Inside is an ornate wooden conference room with mahogany tables and chairs. Huge paintings of the Oligarchy hang from the walls.

I frown. None of this looks like it did in my dreamscape.

Another door stands ajar at the back of the room. I walk through it and enter a long, open space dripping in cobwebs. My breath catches. This is the old senate offices, exactly the way they were before the war. My heart starts beating like crazy.

“Hey, Myla.”

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