Gilded Wings(37)

“Holy crap. You can’t even begin to understand the insurmountable stress you’re putting me through right now.” He paused and grabbed the sides of his head with his hands. “You better come back, or I am dead. Dead. Dead. Dead,” he repeated, rocking back and forth.

“I promise. I’ll be back way before sunrise. No one will ever know.”

“Fine. If I don’t get my wings, it will be because of you. And if you get caught, I will blame you for all eternity.”

“Deal, but it won’t happen. I’m just going to get some answers and smooth things over to buy us a little more time. That’s it.”

He let out an exaggerated sigh. “Dammit. I can’t believe I’m going to go along with this,” he said, shaking his head in disbelief. “Do you have your dagger?”

“Yes,” I answered, touching the tip.

“I’m only doing this because I believe in you, but you have to make me one promise,” he said, thrusting his pointer finger at me.

“What’s that?”

“Do not seal that bond,” he said, his blue eyes were cold and dead serious.

“I promise. No bond sealing.” I drew a cross over my heart. “And I will be back soon.”

“You better be because I’ll be freaking stressed out, not sleeping, watching the windows, waiting for you.”

“Thank you, Thomas,” I said, hugging him.

He grudgingly tapped my back.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.”

I didn’t blame him. He was really putting everything on the line for me. But my mission was to make sure everyone stayed safe.

Against his better judgment, he escorted me down the stairs, sighing stressfully every few seconds. When we reached the bottom he stayed hidden in the darkness and I quietly went the rest of the way to the front door. As soon as my hand touched the knob, I felt him. A rush of tingles and euphoria surged through me. I quietly opened the door, when as I stepped outside, Ethon landed directly in front of the barrier.

His crimson eyes glowed in the darkness as he held out his hand to me. I ran to him, stopping a foot from the barrier.

“You actually came,” he said, almost surprised.

“Did you have any doubt?” I questioned, with a grin.

“Maybe,” he smiled, his hand still open and waiting.

I placed my hand in his, and he yanked me against him, wrapping his arms tightly around my waist, pressing our bodies together. I gasped as the bond sent a wave of electricity over me.

I heard him chuckle. “Are you ready?”

“Yes,” I breathed.

With a flap of his wings, we were in the air, the wind whipping through my hair. The air was cold, and I was glad I had the suit on to keep me warm.

“Emma,” he spoke, his voice carried a tinge of urgency.

“Yes?”

“Hold on tight, and don’t let go.”

“Why? What’s the matter?”

“A few of Lucian’s horde are following us. It looks like there are only two, but I’ll have to lose them or kill them before we start for my place.”

“Kill?” I shrieked. “I think losing them will be much easier.”

“They will alert others if I don’t kill them, and then we will have more to deal with.”

“How will you do it?”

“If you trust me, I will use you as a distraction. They won’t even know what hit them.”

“I don’t think I like the sound of that.” My voice was shaky.

“You would never leave my arms, and I promise you will be safe.”

“Are you sure?” My heart was thumping wildly in my chest.

“Don’t you trust me?”

I paused. He hadn’t given me a reason not to.

“Yes,” I answered.

“Then hold on tight,” he said stopping in mid-air. He turned around and started flying fast, head-on with the Fallen.

Every muscle in my body tensed as my grip tightened around him. My fingers almost embedded themselves into his flesh. I quickly started to second guess leaving the barrier. Was this even worth it?

“Just breathe, and witness my power. Maybe then you won’t worry if I can protect you.” His words both excited and terrified me.

In a matter of seconds we had come to a dead stop, facing off with two overly muscular Fallen. It was dark, but the moon outlined their bulging frames, with sharp metal weapons wielded in their hands.

“Give us the girl,” one spoke. His voice was gruff and deep.

“Why do you think I turned around when I could have easily outrun you?” Ethon responded. “If you want her, come and take her.”

I closed my eyes as his left hand rested on the small of my back, pressing me tighter to him. “Wrap your arms around my neck,” Ethon whispered softly in my ear. I quickly did as he said, and also wrapped my legs around his waist. It would take tons of effort to pry my body from his.