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  She looked out to the ocean and leaned her head on her knee. “No, It’s just that I can’t stop thinking about Adam. Ever since that block on my premonition, I had this nagging feeling that it’s related to him. I’ve been searching for clues about his disappearance for years, and there wasn’t anything until now. It’s hard to ignore.”

  I grasped her hand and squeezed it.

  “Remember what you always told me?” Alec said. “Listen to your gut. Take the same advice, Celeste. If you say Daemon is Adam or is the key to finding him, then I believe you.”

  I couldn’t see Celeste’s reaction, but Alec had a loving smile on his face. Their relationship was something to be admired. It made me think of Lilly. We were not just sisters—we were friends too. We always had each other’s back. The heavy feeling was back on my chest, and I played with the sand as I got my feelings under control.

  “Hey.” Alec moved in front of me. “Are you okay?” He pulled me onto his lap, and the tightness on my chest slowly eased. He really was my counterbalance.

  I cupped his face and gazed up at his light grey eyes. “I really don’t know what I would do without you. I don’t think I would be able to survive all of this if you weren’t on my side.” I could have sworn his eyes glowed with my words. He held me tightly and kissed my forehead. I glanced at Celeste and reached out and grasped her hand. “You too, Celeste. Thank you for your guidance and friendship. It means a lot to me. I know I resisted it at first, but thanks for bringing Alec and me closer. He grounds me when no one else can.”

  She smiled at me and nodded.

  “It’s time,” Celeste whispered.

  With a sigh, Alec got up and said, “I’ll get them.”

  With a pang of sadness, I looked at Celeste. “I need to go back now?”

  She turned to me with sadness in her eyes. Fear filled me.

  “I see.” I didn’t bother asking—she wouldn’t tell me anything.

  With a grudging acceptance, I got up and shrugged on Alec’s shirt. I had to go back and try one last time or say goodbye to Lilly. I also needed to help Daemon—for Celeste. It was the least I could do. I wouldn’t waste my time. I would gather as much information as I could to help tip the war to our side. With my resolution in place, I looked at everyone and asked, “Ready?”

  Vik and Ti didn’t look happy to leave.

  I held back a smile, glad that we’d had today. It would help me during the rough times ahead. Although I had known these people just a short time, they had lodged themselves in my heart. I sent out warm energy to everyone and said, “Thanks for today, everyone. I really needed it.” I wondered if I could transport everyone back. Smiling faces looked back at me as I latched on to their energy and disapparated back to their glass house.

  “Damn, Gab, that’s freaking impressive!” Vik said.

  My face flushed as I watched them head off to their rooms.

  “Are you coming?” Alec waited below the stairs.

  “I don’t have a change of clothes.”

  “You can wear mine again. I’ve decided that wearing my boxers is the lesser evil. You, naked underneath, is just…” He looked at me heatedly as his eyes slowly traveled down my body.

  I held my breath and didn’t breathe until his eyes released me. I really, really needed to do something about this. It was getting harder being around Alec.

  I took a few more measured breaths, then followed Alec to his room. As soon as I entered, Alec grabbed me and pulled my face up to his. We slammed into the closed door, and he tore his shirt that I was wearing open. He yanked me off my feet and positioned me so that my center was aligned right on his hard length. His hip-thrust rubbed his wet boxers at my thin bikini and caused heat to pool. I gasped for air as he released my lips and kissed and nipped his way down my neck. He released the strings of my top and moved us to the bed before he yanked his boxers off. Holy fuck. I had no words. He looked down at me with molten heat in his eyes. He pulled off my bikini and said, “Fuck, Gabby. You’re fucking gorgeous. I can’t wait any longer. You drive me crazy.”

  “I…” I gasped as his tongue found my nipple. I forgot my worry.

  His fingers found their way between my thighs, and I tensed and grasped his arms. More heat built inside of me. Oh god no, please, not yet. I pinched my eyes shut and tried to control the energy swirling inside of me.

  “Fuck, baby. You’re so fucking wet. So, goddamn ready.” His fingers kept moving, and he slipped one inside of me, then another. Fuck! I bit his shoulder as I felt some energy release. I contained it again as I clenched down tightly on his fingers. Dammit! My tight hold on my energy slipped. I didn’t think I could hold on. I didn’t want to stop, but… “Alec…” I panted.

  “Fuck, Gabby.”

  Alec hovered above me—his length brushing my heat. “Baby, look at me.”

  I did and was floored by the love and adoration in his eyes. He slowly sank lower as his tip prodded my entrance. I gasped and lost control of the energy I’d been holding in.

  Alec flew to the ceiling, and glass shattered all around us. I was momentarily trapped in the bed as I rode out the energy release. Tears fell when I sat up and scrambled out of bed in search of Alec. The bedroom was a mess. It looked like a bomb had gone off. Clothes everywhere, the furniture turned over, frames askew, and lamps broken.

  I heard Viktor’s frantic voice, and the door cracked open. I thrust my palm out to shut the door and moved a chair in front of it. “Don’t come in. Everything is fine. We’ll be down in a minute.”

  “Gabby, what the hell is going on? Open the door! What the fuck was that?” Ti banged on the door, and the knob rattled.

  “Please, Ti, I’ll explain in a minute. Just give us a few minutes, and we’ll be down there. Please.” My voice rose in frustration. I lifted clothes and pillows and drawers and found Alec buried underneath.

  I turned him over—he had a gash on his forehead. I fucking hated my life. Everything had been taken from me, and I couldn’t even make love to my fucking boyfriend without hurting him! I tried healing him, but I couldn’t find the right energy. I was too angry. I closed my eyes and pulled Alec to my lap. I covered him up as best as I could and held him. I buried my face into his neck and cried. I cried for the loss of my sister and my friend. I cried about the new Lilly and how cruel she is. I cried about how cruel fate had been in placing us together and making me love Lilly more than my life. I cried about my lost future. I cried about the injustice of being separated from Alec and not being able to be with him fully, the way we wanted to be. I cried at how much I loved him and missed him—how painful it was to be away from him, and how unfair it was to us that this was happening. Hadn’t he suffered enough?

  Alec’s hand brushed my hair, and I looked up. “I’m so, so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.” Deep heaving sobs racked my body. “I really, really want to be with you. Instead, every time we get close, this happens! What if I kill you next time?”

  “Hey.” He grabbed my face and kissed my lips. “Look at me. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pushed you. I knew your emotions were unstable, and you were barely hanging on. I shouldn’t have… I should have more control. I can’t help myself when I’m around you. I feel like a fucking virginal teen!” The corner of his lips turned up. “We’ll figure this out, all right? We will be together soon, Gabrielle. I promise.” He pulled me onto his lap and held me tight.

  “Are you okay?”

  “You can’t hurt me, Gabrielle. Remember?”

  “Yes, but…”

  “No, buts… Let’s go wash off and find the others. I’m sure they’re worried. You go first. I’ll clean this up.”

  “Sorry. I blew up your room.” My face heated and my stomach sank in guilt

  “That was so fucking worth it.” He smirked. A laugh escaped me, easing my worry. I loved how he knew how to make me feel better.

  I showered quickly. When I got out, my mouth hung open because the room was back to normal. “But, how?”


  “I’ll teach you next time we practice.” He winked and walked into the shower.

  ☈ ☇ ☈

  Vik and Ti glared at us as we walked into the dining room. Celeste looked amused.

  Ti scowled, put her fork down, and dabbed her mouth with a napkin. “It’s about time!”

  “What took you two so long?” Vik frowned, which was unusual for him. They must have been really worried. He clutched a glass of beer in one hand and had his phone in the other. His empty plate was pushed to the side.

  “Well?” Ti demanded with her brow raised.

  My face flushed as I looked at Alec helplessly.

  “It was nothing. Just a slight accident.” Alec shrugged as he scooped grilled vegetables and roasted potatoes on his plate and then speared a slice of steak with his fork.

  “Alec, don’t brush it off, brother. That was a massive energy burst. The third-floor windows smashed, and a fucking chair hit Ti. Please tell us what’s going on.”

  “Are you okay? I’m so sorry, Ti,” I said as I tried to contain the tears that threatened to flow.

  “I’m fine. It’s not that. We just want to know what’s going on. Please don’t keep us in the dark!” Her eyes flared, and she pushed her plate away.

  “Their issue is rather personal, so you two need to give them a little break,” Celeste said to Vik and Ti, then turned to Alec and me. “However, it affects everyone, so they deserve to know. You don’t want any secrets within the team, so no matter how uncomfortable the situation is, it’s best if you two come clean.” Celeste reached for the cup of tea in front of her.

  I gawked at her. Of course, she knew. We really couldn’t get anything past the all-powerful seer. My cheeks burned as I leaned back on the chair, leaving Alec to explain everything. Alec handed me a plate full of food as he did, and I smiled at him gratefully.

  He chewed slowly, a grimace marring his gorgeous face. “Well, if you must know. Gabrielle and I are having some issues in the bedroom.”

  I focused on slicing my steak into tiny little pieces then proceeded to do the same with the potatoes, then the vegetables as Alec spoke.

  “What kind of issues?” Ti asked.

  I peeked around.

  A line appeared in Viktor’s forehead.

  Celeste seemed to enjoy the exchange; the corners of her mouth quirked up.

  Alec rubbed the back of his neck and looked at me for help. I shrugged and gestured for him to keep going and took a big bite of my food so that I didn’t have to speak. “Well…every time we, ah…get close. We have a problem with our energy.” The tips of his ears were red.

  Viktor laughed.

  Ti smacked Vik at the back of the head and glared at him. “What exactly does the energy do?”

  “Ti, must we talk about this in detail? This is uncomfortable enough!” Alec complained and continued eating.

  “Oh, you asked for it, dude,” Viktor warned and snickered. “She’s just getting warmed up.”

  Celeste was smiling.

  I groaned and buried my face in my hands.

  “Did you want us to help or just brace ourselves every time you two are in a room?” Ti asked, her mouth set in a hard line.

  Alec raised his hands in surrender. “Well, when it gets too much…or when it gets too hot… Energy explodes instead of…you know.” Alec smirked and took a big gulp of his water.

  Vik bellowed.

  Now it was my turn to smack Alec on the back of the head.

  “Sorry, babe. I couldn’t resist.”

  Ti rolled her eyes and muttered, “Men.”

  “You two need to practice shielding or merging your energy before you attempt getting any further,” Celeste suggested.

  We both looked at her, hoping that she had the answer to our problem. “Do you know how to fix it?” I pushed my plate aside.

  “Not exactly, but trying that would be a good start. In the meantime, we can all do some research to help you two figure it out.”

  “Yeah, we’re on it.”

  Ti nodded.

  “Thanks, guys!” Alec said, leaning back.

  “Yeah, thanks for everything, guys. Today was amazing. I really needed it. I’m sorry about how it ended.”

  “Don’t apologize, Gab. Shit, girl, if I wasn’t getting any, I’d be blowing shit up too,” Ti huffed.

  Everyone looked at one another and busted out laughing.

  I loved these guys. Everyone was quiet for a minute before Vik broke the silence.

  “What’s the plan, Gab?” Vik asked. Everyone’s expression turned serious.

  Alec’s jaw clenched, and he grabbed my hand.

  “I need to go back.” I played with Alec’s hand as I spoke. “I need to either make one final stand with Lilly or say goodbye.”

  “But…”

  “I have to, Ti. If I don’t, I’ll always wonder. She was my whole life. It’s hard to let go…” I looked at each one of them, begging them to understand.

  Vik nodded. Ti pressed her lips together but eventually nodded.

  Celeste had a faraway look. I waited for her to meet my eyes, and when she did, I added, “I also want to fulfill my end of the deal and heal Daemon.”

  She held my gaze, looking grateful, but sadness clouded her features.

  I avoided Alec’s eyes. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye.

  “When are you leaving?” Vik asked.

  “Soon. I just wanted to see everyone first.”

  “Fine, Gab, I understand your reasoning, and we all support you. We have a plan on how to get to you. Now, do you understand that you don’t need to be a hero, and we are in this together?”

  “What do you mean?” I glared at Ti.

  Vik leaned forward—even Alec twisted to look at me.

  “What Ti meant is, we are all on standby for the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours.”

  I turned to Alec with a frown on my face. “Yes, Gabrielle, you only have that long. Celeste will be watching.”

  He turned to Celeste, and she nodded her confirmation. “I expect you to give me a signal when it’s time for us to move in. I …”

  I shook my head.

  “No, we will be very disappointed in you if you don’t call for us. As you know, we will come regardless, so…” Celeste clarified.

  I got up abruptly, and the chair scraped the tiled floor. “But…you can’t.”

  “You said yourself that you just needed to say goodbye or make one last stand.” Ti walked in front of me to stop me from pacing. “There really is no point in dragging it on.” Her brow was cocked, and her hands were on her hips.

  Vik stood next to her and placed his hand on her shoulder. “Gab. If all goes well, then we’ll walk out of there peacefully with you. However, if there were to be some resistance, then…”

  Their stern gazes didn’t waver. I glanced at Celeste, hoping for an ally. “Gabby, trust your instincts. When the time comes, don’t let your emotions cloud your judgment. It will all work itself out. No matter how difficult, you will make the right choice.”

  It really boiled down to that. I forced a smile, turned back to the couple, and gave them a tight hug. “I suppose I’ll see you two soon.”

  “See you, Gab,” Ti said.

  “Kick some brothers’ ass for me.”

  I laughed, then made my way to Celeste, and wrapped my arms around her petite frame. “I’ll save him for you,” I whispered. She nodded on my shoulder and hugged me tighter.

  I eyed Alec, who took my hand, and we walked out of the room.

  “Don’t blow anything up, you two.” Vik hollered at us.

  Alec flipped him the finger as I laughed.

  The house was right on the cliff and had direct access to the beach. We walked in silence, hand in hand by the shore, with only the tiny moon, high above, lighting our way. “I can feel you, Alec, so I know that you feel strongly against this. It took me a while to realize that the feelings weren’t mine because trust me, I feel the same way.” He looked at me sideways.
“I don’t want to leave you again, but I have to do this. I already know that you won’t stop me, so I’ll make this easy for the both of us.” I stopped and wrapped my arms around his waist. “I promise to be safe and to call you no matter what.”

  He looked skeptical. “I don’t like it, but I promise to wait until your signal.”

  I grimaced.

  He pulled me tight and smiled. “I love you, Gabrielle.”

  “I love you too.” I met his lips halfway. Our kiss was slow and gentle and filled with promise. There were no more words to say, so when we pulled apart, he leaned his forehead into mine and pressed his lips against mine again. I looked in his eyes one last time and disapparated.

  Six

  Chapter 5: Transition

  I appeared in the room that Lilly and I shared. It was empty. However, I could hear a pounding noise. Great! The Fallen were throwing a party. They were probably rejoicing because they thought I had left. Guess again, fuckers!

  I changed into jeans, a black shirt, and converse and pulled my hair into a high, messy ponytail and stepped out.

  I paused in the doorway because the air was stifling. A cold, dark aura permeated the area. My shields went up, and I made my way to the living room, which was packed with inebriated strangers. Every corner was filled with couples making out or dirty dancing. Gagging smoke filled the air. I pulled clean air from the outside to clear the atmosphere. A strong breeze flowed inside and toppled a few bottles, but no one noticed since they were all fucking wasted.

  What the fuck was going on? Women on the couch were in different states of undress, and I swear some were having sex against the wall. It was one giant fucking orgy.

  It reminded me of the same scene I’d walked in on with Lilly but on a bigger scale. I made my way through the room and found her. She was outside on the balcony with Jake and the brothers, sitting on Jake’s lap, her face buried on his neck, wearing a black sequined bra, a leather skirt, and platform stiletto boots. Jake had his hand above her inner thigh, inside her skirt.

  Thing One and Thing Two both had girls on their laps. All three of the men had a glass of beer in their hand. I glanced at Daemon and was surprised to see him with two girls on his lap, nuzzling his neck.