Page 90 of Cursed
Phoebe and I traipsed through the zoo’s exit and to the parking lot.
She navigated her way toward the main highway and a comfortable silence settled between us. For the first few miles, only the noise of the engine and passing vehicles broke the quietness.
“Thanks for trying to help me back there.” She reached out a hand, palm up, and set it on my thigh.
“You’re welcome, though I’m sorry I didn’t have the power to remove the wipe.” I clasped warm skin, once again loving the way her smaller fingers sealed with mine, creating a personal connection of touch no amount of power could break. Maybe the pureness dwelling in her soul could somehow pass to me, removing the tarnish to reveal the man underneath...or at least, the man whousedto be underneath.
Holding her hand and watching the world pass by, I replayed every moment with her, from our first meeting to today. I could no longer deny she tortured my heart in ways I’d never imagined. It had been so long since I’d wanted something other than vengeance and power I wasn’t equipped to handle the new sensations Phoebe brought into my life.
She slowed down and pulled into the driveway of an older home, pulling me from my inner reflections. Paint flaked from the siding, and the porch sagged in the middle.
“Do you wanna come in?” She killed the motor. “I’m sure Mom would love to meet you.”
“In a moment.” I took off the seatbelt and lifted her fingers to my mouth, pressing a kiss to each tip. How I yearned for a replay of last night, without Malachi crashing the moment I’d almost had her—body, heart, and soul.
The delicate hairs on her arms lifted at the press of my mouth to her skin.
“Phoebe, after I leave, stay home until I come back tomorrow.”
“What? Why?” Her eyes widened, and she twisted in her seat. “You’re not going to let”—with her free hand, she clutched the necklace—“Malachi take me away, are you?”
“No.” That one word, emphatic and strong, flew out of my mouth with fierce conviction.Am I really going to forego my mission, my wings, and my fury for this one girl?
Through all the years, never had I felt complete or happy working for Lucian. It had given me a purpose and focused my anger, but it had never brought peace or love.
“Thank you.” Phoebe sighed and her shoulders dropped. “He scares me, Cain. His eyes...they’re so cold and lost.”
“I’ll figure this out. Trust me.” My unlikely ally, Samael, sprang to mind.I don’t know if I can go through with his plan, though.I bit the inside of my cheek hard enough to draw blood, pushing my frustration down, afraid to let her see my true worry.
She nodded, her chocolate eyes wide and vulnerable. “I do trust you, Cain. You’re a good person, you’ll make the right decision.”
I took her face between my hands, leaned forward, and devoured her mouth, putting everything I couldn’t yet say into the touch of my flesh on hers. She threw herself into my arms, and I worked a hand under her shirt, craving her silky skin under my fingertips to remind me I was still human, not completely forsaken. Yet.
She moaned into my mouth.
My body tightened, and a driving need to tear off my clothing, to tear away the half-truths and insecurities I’d carried for untold years hammered in my chest. I wanted to expose my every flaw for her judgment and grace. A driving desire to claim her in every way imaginable pulsed in my veins, the ache sweet and unbearable. To be accepted and loved by Phoebe would ease the black anger in my heart which had lain so long, poisoning my emotions and whispering evil in my mind, tainting every action and thought I’d had. But with her light, I felt strong enough to see my ugliness for what it was, and for her, I could resist the twisted, ugly thing I’d become.
On my quest to shed what was left of my humanity, I’d forgotten the true power of man’s greatest gift—free will. No matter what the future held, I could still choose happiness over rage, good over evil, love over hate.
I could choose the pink-haired girl with a smile capable of lighting up an entire city. The girl who, despite knowing what I’d had planned for her, trusted me to do the right thing. The girl I loved more fiercely than anything else in this world.
The girl I’ll betray.
