Page 72 of Our Vicious Descent
“Oh…” Celie glanced toward the stairs that lead down to the cathedral’s sanctuary. “She said something about doing her rituals—”
Layla was out of the sitting room and down the stairs in an instant. She expected to find Elise deep in her harmful self-soothing rituals; Layla never could have guessed what the Saint put together in the sanctuary.
The holy space, full of pews and stained glass, had been turned into one of the most beautiful rooms Layla had ever seen. Lit candles covered the surface of the altar, casting a delicate glow over the space. Elise jumped, dropping the extinguished match when the door closed behind Layla. She frowned and placed her hands on her hips. “You weren’t supposed to see this yet.”
White drapes hung on the cross and saint statues, some dangerously close to the candle flames heating the altar. The sun had just begun to set, casting a golden glow around the place that only added to the lovely sparkle in Elise’s eye. Even while peeved, she looked so beautiful, Layla wanted to cry. Her mouth stretched into the biggest smile while her eyes roamed the capped-sleeve white gown that hugged her body and shone the most pristine pearlescent shade in the evening light. She wore a pearl headpiece and matching earrings, her face a painting crafted with the carefulness of a loving god. No matter how good the red lipstick looked, Layla could think only of kissing it off her. She was sure her jaw had been unhinged for far too long and her eyes were wide enough to move the planets, but Layla continued to stare while Elise spoke.
“Do you remember when we were little and you used to be afraid of the dark, so whenever our parents would turn out the big light, I would light a candle for you?” Elise asked.
Layla nodded, forcing her gaze away from Elise and to the space between two large candles, where various jewelry pieces sat. “Of course I remember. I remember everything.” It was a twisted blessing to be able to say that. In this moment, Layla was glad for all the human lives she had taken to use their blood to keep her human memories. She might have been an unfeeling beast that withered away to bone dust with time by now otherwise. But, instead, her best friend stood before her, and Layla recognized all parts of her and the past that hung between them because of her taste for humanity.
Elise led her to the altar and gestured to a candle. “Remember how I told you I would always light a candle for you?”
Layla pursed her lips against the rise of tears in her eyes. “You said you did it because you loved me.”
“Because I love you.” Elise trailed a finger along a thick dripping of wax. “I’m sorry I broke that promise on your darkest night. I know we’re years past that time, but I want you to know I never intend to leave you in the dark again. I promise, for as long as we are together, I will do my best to bring you light.”
“Oh, Elise,” Layla said quietly. She eyed the jewelry covering the wooden surface before them. It had all belonged to Sena, the collector of all things luxurious and beautiful. She wondered if Sena had collected her earnings through vengeful acts of self-reclamation. Her taking of the Clarice had been vicious and coldhearted, but in the end, it had brought to life a place for reapers to stay. A place where they would never have to sell themselves just to live. Now Layla sniffled a bit as she recalled the things she had done to keep herselfalive. Everything—whether cruel or kind—had brought her to this moment with the person she loved the most. Elise Saint, her one constant, even through all the pain and darkness. Layla took Elise’s hand into her own. “You are my light, Elise. You always have been.”
Elise let out a shaky breath. “Layla.”
Layla could practically feel Elise’s blood pulsing against her flesh. “Why are you so nervous?” she asked.
“Because I am about to sin on sacred ground,” Elise whispered.
Layla wanted to tell her that her that she did not believe in God, not like she believed in Elise. And her sins were always sweet to Layla, no matter the severity. Instead, she stepped closer to Elise and lifted her hand to her lips, kissing her knuckles.
Elise released a heavy sigh. One of bitter expectations and unjust weight. “I know things are not ideal now. But I’m in no rush to create our life together. We have time. We may not have forever, but we do have time.”
“The mortality of our time makes it just a bit sweeter. We will never be better than we are in this moment,” Layla said in agreement.
“Exactly.” Elise asked Layla to pick out a ring for her, and Layla chose the one she found the most beautiful—a sapphire ring to match the loveliness that was her best friend. Elise chose an amethyst one for Layla, and even after she slipped it onto her ring finger, she continued to hold her hand, admiring the sight of them intertwined and connected with two promises set in brilliant stone.
Layla’s gaze lingered on Elise’s dress again. “Is there a particular reason why you got to dress up properly and I didn’t?”
“You interrupted my plans. But don’t worry.” Elise gave her the most innocent smile. “I intend to have you rip this off me in a moment.”
Layla swallowed as her mouth went dry with hot anticipation. “As you wish.”
Elise squeezed her hand. “You are my favorite person.”
Affection sprang into Layla’s chest like the warmth she had been waiting years for, since reaperhood’s frigid hold on her life. She returned Elise’s smile and tugged her closer. “You are my best everything.”
They closed the remaining distance between them with a kiss that started fires in Layla’s stomach. She knew none of this was a permanent fix for any of their problems. They would emerge from this kiss and from this room to a world that was still on the brink of war. Humans would still die, and reapers would still suffer all the same. But Layla knew, with Elise by her side and her promise tied to her heart, that she could die happy. And that was all she needed.
36
We cannot kill her. For Josi to live, we must keep Sena alive.
Layla was amazed by everyone’s quickness to adapt. She stood over the massive grave in Washington Square Park across from Celie and some rogue reapers. A few Diamantes stood along the perimeter of the area, watching and waiting.
She twisted the ring on her finger and tried not to worry about Elise heading things on her own by the old reaper lair. It was bad enough the Saint had nearly died trying to help keep Sena away, but now she was intent on drawing her out of her lair and directly to her.
Everyone, rogues and gangsters alike, watched the sun disappear behind the horizon and bring with it the dark cloak of night. The moment stars blinked into the sky, Layla sensed the sour necrotized scent and heat of Sena’s presence. As the ground rumbled beneath her feet, Layla crouched by the edge of the large grave they had dug for the beast. One shot. That was all they had to take her down. Inanother life, Elise might have been a true gun-wielding, reaper-hunting Saint. In this one, she was Layla’s greatest love and someone willing to do the worst for her.
The littlest Saint came sprinting up the nearby hill by the entrance to the park. Her white hair bows flapped in the wind, her speed impressive to even the older reapers standing watch around the grave. Behind her, Sena emerged, massive and haunting in her relentless pursuit of the little girl. Dirt pounded beneath her talons as she hauled herself forward on all fours. Josi jumped over the grave right as Elise approached from several yards away. She aimed her gun as Sena prepared to follow the smaller Saint over the burial plot.
Layla’s lips parted, feeling the tremble of the earth again. Adrenaline buzzed through her at the sight of clawed hands reaching out around Elise. She tore herself away from her position and ran right for the Saint. Several other gangsters surrounded the undead, their guns pointed and their faces pinched with confusion. Distantly, Layla heard the younger Saint shouting something.
