Page 83 of Wings of Lies
“Why do you care about my mom?” Or me, for that matter.
“I have my reasons.”
Goosebumps slithered down my neck at the smile in his words, while the words themselves had me curling my lip. I despised the fact that I had yet another puzzle to figure out. The constant mysteries and lack of control I had over my life enraged me.
“I despise your weakness and ineptitude. I guess we’re both found wanting.”
The tickling itches intensified, strumming the cord of crashing ice, eradicating the cold and my fear of this man. My purple flame sprung from my fingers, licking up my metaphorical hands.
“Well, well, well, she has a backbone after all. Good. If you’re going to escape, you’ll need it.”
“And how the hell am I going to do that?” Brock can sense me. He had caught me twice now, and Aspen—HowdidAspen catch me?
“Is this what I have to work with? A weak-willed little wimp who tried to escape a few times and is now giving up?”
I was getting really sick of this whole invasion of my thoughts. Did he not realize from invading my thoughts that the last escape was my last chance? They would never let me out of their sights now.
“Go tohell”
He laughed. Abruptly, icy fingers gripped my chin, making this seem more real. “What did I say about speaking to me with that tone?”
I almost cursed him and his punishing grip. To hell with him and his manhandling claws of ice. I didn’t like being degraded by some condescending voice in my head, real or not.
The music of ice and its glorious destruction pounded in my ears, spreading the itch to my shoulders and up my neck to my chin. Instead of icy claws gripping my face, they turned to warm fingers. Odd.
“There she is,” he said, smug, letting go. “She is who I’m looking for. She is who will get you out. With my guidance, of course.”
“What about Brock and Aspen?”
“I’ll take care of the Searcher. The prince I’m still working on.”
“The Searcher?”
“Brockalian. His powers were used to find dissenters and spies in angel ranks. When he fell, the disgusting angel switched sides and used his skills to cart unsuspecting angels to the Tenebrous Queen.”
“Okay, say I believe everything you’re saying, and you can help me escape. What about after? Where do I go? We don’t know where my mom is yet. And what if I don’t remember this when I wake up?”
Although, lately, I’d been remembering more of my dream-walks, if not all.
“The Nerium poison only disrupted your past memories. But seeing as it’s still in your system, I’ll have my general make sure you don’t forget this. As for the rest, we’ll talk more tomorrow and plan your escape for tomorrow night. Let’s see what you’re capable of.”
That sounded ominous.
“Then we’ll find my mom?” But as the frigid air warmed and the silence grew, I knew he was gone.
The dark cavern of my mind released me, and my eyes opened.
Groaning, I shifted on my back. Small pebbles and sticks dug into my spine and bony butt, and now my side. I glared at the single pad and blanket underneath me, noticing a layer of white coating my area. My brows scrunched.
What—
A flash of purple caught my eyes right before it sank into my skin.
Ice crystals spread out from where I lay, dispersed in a circle. Inch by inch, it melted, retreating to me.
I looked over at Aspen and the frost surrounding his sleeping form. I remembered all the thoughts and feelings from my dream-walk—the handsome stranger, my mom, our fights, our potential enemies, the fact that I had a father my mom was scared of, and worst of all, an unending desire to leave her for the stranger who now held me captive.
The only thought left in the mess of my mind as I stared at the little spec of silver glinting from the coals around Aspen’s neck was,what the fuck.
