A Touch Mortal

Chapter 48





The fire burned. Logs popped as they dissolved into ash. Eden was studying the room, much as she had been for the past two hours. Nothing had changed since the last time she’d been there, the same trinkets collected from who knew where.

Kristen lounged in an overstuffed chair, her head resting on one of the armrests, legs hanging over the other. One of her feet pendulumed, the heel drilling into the crushed velvet upholstery, the momentum carrying the toe of her boot en pointe before it fell again.

Stretched out away from the warmth of the fireplace, Gabe rested his head on his hands.

“Gabe, there’s something you should know,” Eden said, breaking the silence. “I met with Luke.”

Gabe shot ramrod straight on the floor. “What do you mean you ‘met with him’?”

She lowered her head. “Libby convinced Adam and Az to let us have a girls’ night. We were supposed to go to the movies and grab something to eat, but we didn’t. She took me to Aerie and he was playing. He talked to me.”

Gabe shook his head, unbelieving. “Eden, what were you thinking?”

“The second time…” she whispered.

“The second time?” he yelled as he stood, throwing his arms down. “How could you not tell me this?”

“Like there aren’t things you didn’t tell me!” she yelled back, her cheeks burning. The fire popped, sending a flurry of sparks up the flue. “Luke said you weren’t trying to protect me from him, that you were more worried about the Bound. He said you would be the one to tell the Bound. That if you don’t you’ll be punished.” She’d only intended to find out the truth, but he looked absolutely shattered. Only he wasn’t looking at her. He was staring at Kristen.

“Gabriel?” Kristen’s legs swung slowly to the floor. “What is she talking about?”

“I’m the Messenger, Kristen. You know that. It’s my job to go between the worlds, report back.”

“Exactly. So what the Hell does she mean you haven’t told Upstairs about us?” Kristen said, her voice uncertain. “Az told me you said they’d decided to leave us alone if we behaved, didn’t upset the balance.” She froze. “Az. You had Az lie because you couldn’t.”

His eyes flashed to Eden, before going back to Kristen. Gabe sat up with a pained smile. “Perhaps we could change the subject, Kristen?”

“No! I blathered on to Eden about keeping a low profile, staying safe. I thought if she did, they wouldn’t see she was different. But we’ve been in danger of being discovered the whole time? You’ve told me stories of how the Bound can be when they’re crossed! Gabriel, if they find out you knew about the Siders and said nothing.” Kristen looked ready to weep. “And then the new information, what Eden can do. You’ve been resisting this whole time? How?”

“Resolve.” He smiled. “I’ve had a good teacher.”

Eden watched, confused at the range of emotions flooding over Kristen’s face. “But if you get wings, can’t you just go back and explain?” Eden asked.

“It’s not that easy, Eden,” Kristen answered for him. “He could be banned from here.” Gabe climbed off the floor, sat down on the armrest of the chair, and took Kristen’s hand.

Kristen squeezed. “You did this for me, didn’t you?”

“You will never get as bad as you were when we met you. I promised you, Kristen. I’m trying so hard to keep it.” Gabe put his fingers to Kristen’s temple.

Eden opened her mouth just as her phone rang.

She pulled the phone from her pocket, forcing herself to let her ring tone nearly finish before connecting the call. She racked her brain for something to give her the edge, but finally seethed, “Where is he?”

“Easy,” Gabe whispered behind her.

“First things first. Most importantly? Az is still alive and he’s not Fallen,” Libby said.

Eden closed her eyes, stifling her moan of relief. “Fair enough. If he hasn’t Fallen, I owe you.” She could practically hear Libby’s smile.

“I’m hoping we can still be friends after this, Eden. I’m really hoping we’ll be on the same side. Which brings us down to business. We’re going to meet at your place. Luke’s not in the mood for trouble. The easier the exchange is made, the better. You for Az. If he Falls before then, the deal still stands. Two o’clock tomorrow.”

“Two o’clock,” Eden repeated. Fourteen hours? Her eyes went back to the clock. Why would they want to wait so long? Libby spoke again, breaking her thought.

“Oh, and Eden? Silence is golden. Understand?”

A chill ran through her. “I understand,” she said, though the phone had already gone dim in her palm. She didn’t close it as she spun to Gabe and Kristen.

“Tomorrow?” Gabe asked.

“Do you think he’ll last that long?” Kristen adjusted in the chair, turning to face them. The phone was at Eden’s hip. She ran her finger down the side, thumbing the Volume button until she was positive it was on silent. Snapping it shut, she slipped it into her pocket.

“If he makes it through the night,” Gabe answered. “Where do they want to meet?”

“At the apartment. I’m not sure if they think we’re still there. But that’s going to cut down on how many of yours we can bring,” she said, turning to Kristen.

They’d hammered out a loose plan by two in the morning, when Kristen insisted Eden and Gabe try to get some sleep. Eden finally looked up at Gabe. What she saw of his eyes between long blinks had faded to pale amber.

Kristen turned to her. “You can take the room at the top of the stairs. I’d offer your old room, but it’s…occupied at the moment.”

“Not a chance. I’m taking the couch.” Eden let her come to the conclusion she knew Kristen would, but Eden wasn’t thinking about the Screamers. Or the locked doors lining the upstairs hall. Only of how close the couch was to the front door. “Gabe can have the bedroom.”

Gabe gave his head a halfhearted shake. “I’m staying with you. I’ll sleep fine on the floor.” Eden opened her mouth to argue but Gabe cut her off. “Don’t. Please?”

She nodded, hoping he was exhausted enough that he’d sleep like the dead.



With the lights out, she concentrated on the sound of Gabe’s breathing from the floor until it grew steady. She clutched the warm phone in her fist, under the pillow.

She was trying to make out the hands on the tiny clock on the mantle when numbed vibration hummed against her ear. Slipping the covers over her head to dull the glow, she flipped the phone open. One new text message. With a shaking hand, she hit the OK button.

Change in plans. Roof. Just you. 10 minutes.

A second message popped up. It was an address, not far from the apartment.

Not at home. She typed out. Be there in 40 minutes.

She waited for a reply, the soft tick from the clock on the mantel counting off the seconds. When a full two minutes had passed, she decided to go. Either they had gotten the message and accepted, or she was wasting time.

Eden slid her foot to the hardwood floor, easing across it to keep down the creaks and groans of the boards. Every move seemed to take an eternity. She was almost to the front door when she heard a swish of fabric behind her. She turned.

Kristen arched an eyebrow as Eden’s shoulders dropped.

What are you doing? Kristen mouthed. Eden pointed to the door, put a finger to her lips, and stepped out onto the porch. Kristen followed.

“They want me there now. Don’t tell Gabe?” Eden whispered, casting a glance through the tiny window to the still sleeping form next to the couch.

“It’s too dangerous, Eden.”

“They want me alone. We don’t have time to come up with something better.” Kristen closed her eyes. “Kristen, I’m going.”

“Where are you meeting them?”

Eden hesitated. “They gave me an address.” She pulled her phone from her pocket, flipped it open, and showed her the text. Kristen stared at the screen until Eden slipped the phone back into her pocket, pivoting to head down the porch stairs.

She startled as Kristen wrapped her arms around her, twisting her back around and pulling her to her lips.

Eden’s stomach careened, the Touch Kristen passed into her rocking her onto her toes. She would have fallen if it wasn’t for the grip on her wrist.

Every movement shimmered with pain. Eden clutched her stomach with her free hand, trying to find her equilibrium again.

“Focus. Take it in,” Kristen said, her voice trembling as she pulled away. “I’ve been storing, having the Screamers dose me. That’s everything I have.”

The yard looked sharper, everything different. Eden took a long breath.

“Better now?”

Eden nodded slowly, and the world wobbled. Kristen slumped, her knees giving out, caught herself on the doorframe before she fell. Eden moved to help her, but she shook her head, leaning heavily against the wall.

“Luke doesn’t make deals out of the kindness of his heart, Eden. Do not trust him,” Kristen whispered.

Eden took a careful step down, still dizzy. “Thank you,” she said.

Kristen looked over her shoulder, to the floor beside the empty couch. “I’ll have to tell him where you went. The best I can offer you is a head start.”

Eden turned, ready to head down the darkened street when Kristen’s voice cut through the silence.

“‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers—/That perches in the soul—/And sings the tune without the words—/And never stops—at all.”