Her words cracked me open and left me bleeding, tears falling down my cheeks as she spun her tale of hurt and loss and emptiness.

“Mera was who you lost,” Shadow said bluntly. “We all lost her, and apparently, she’s the humanity that holds us all together.”

Before he even finished that somewhat sweet statement, Angel leapt forward. I expected Shadow to react defensively; it was his nature, after all, especially when she was still armed. He didn’t move, though, and I remembered his earlier words about her never hurting me. He obviously had faith in that, and I did as well because I didn’t even flinch when her blades glided up to rest against my throat.

Shadow’s chest rumbled, but he remained where he was. The only thing saving Angel in this moment was the lack of aggression in her face. “I’m going to touch you now,” she said softly. “If I feel even the slightest tingle of Shadow’s energy near my own, I’ll end both your lives.”

Shadow added a scoff to his rumbling, which Angel ignored, focusing on me. With one blade remaining at my throat, the other faded into nothing so she could press that free hand against my chest.

The moment our skin connected, there was a burst of power that flowed between us. The past, present, and future that had been stolen by Dannie tumbled around like weeds in a swift wind until both of us were swimming in our bond.

Angel gasped, a choked and shattered sound. The other blade faded out in the next second as she wrapped her arms tightly around me. Just like with Shadow, the rare hugs I got from these god-like creatures were treasured above any power or gold. They made me feel safe, and loved, and strong; they made me feel like I had a family.

“Dannie is going to die,” Angel said hoarsely, and fiercely. “She stole from the wrong beings, and I don’t care whom she calls brethren—her blood will spill.”

Her rage was tangible, tasting like bitter oranges on my tongue. And while no one argued with her, a part of me still hoped our original plan would work, and that there was a chance to save the Danamain.

32

“You must follow me,” Angel said, when she was done with our hug.

She turned and walked off, and I exchanged a glance with Shadow, knowing we didn’t have a lot of time. We’d planned to meet the others back in the library in two days, and I had no idea if time moved differently between Honor Meadows and the library, but even if it didn’t, the clock was still ticking.

When Shadow didn’t argue, I had to assume we were still good on our deadline, which allowed me to enjoy observing Angel in her natural environment. Not to mention I had about fifty questions to ask her.