Page 8 of The Nephilim's Touch
“Poe is an excellent leader and if you can’t see that, you’re just not trying.” Wick pushes to his feet. “I love you, Van. But I can’t be around you until you get your act together.Youractions givemepunishments. I’m tired, Van. So tired. And punishingme obviously doesn’t work to get you to stop acting like a selfish fool.”
“That’s why Poe is a shitty leader. I hadn’t realized that’s what he was doing.” I swipe a hand down my face. It’s obviousnowthat Poe was punishing Wick to get to me, but I’m not the brightest bulb sometimes.
“To everyone else, it was obvious what was happening. You don’t pay attention to anyone but yourself.”
“That’s not true!”
“Prove it then. Poe says you have one month. Figure it out because I don’t want to gather your ashes if you fail. I’m tired of being left behind.”
Before I can respond, Wick disappears.
“Well. Fuck.” I drop my head on the headboard and stare at the ceiling while trying to drag in deep breaths. Wick’s words jab me in the heart.I’m tired of being left behind.The statement whirls in my head over and over. I left him too, just like that. I thought I was doing the right thing. Killing Drake to protect my friends from the spiraling witch, then running. But running just put a bigger burden on Wick and gave me a countdown I might not survive.
Our childhood wasn’t great. Mother dropped me off at the creche before I could lift my head. Then seven years later, she dropped Warwick off and told me to be a good big brother and take care of him.
Neither of our fathers wanted to raise a kid. And neither had our mother. It’s been the two of us against everyone else. Surely he knows how much I love him? I’d do anything for Wick. I’d burn all the realms down for him.
“You must be hungry,” Gabe says, as he re-enters the room with a paper plate containing a pile of sandwiches. “I don’t know what you like, so I threw a few things between some slices of bread.” He shrugs. “They’re kinda plain, and dry, because Ihaven’t been to the store in a while and I don’t like a lot of condiments.” A cute shiver runs across him as he hands me the plate. “Mayo is evil.”
I stick out my tongue. “Very evil.” I lift a slice of bread and examine his offering. Ham, turkey, cheese. All yummy foods. “Thank you.” I set the plate on the nightstand beside me and grab the top sandwich.
Gabe tips his head. “I’ll let you eat in peace.”
“You don’t have to go,” I say, hoping he stays. My thoughts and memories can’t take over.
His eyes dart to the corner and I realize the room has dozens of plants. “I’ll be right back.” He gives me another grin as he turns to leave again.
“I suppose you heard what Wick said?” I say before he gets too far.
“I did. Do you wanna talk about it?”
My shoulders drop. “If I’m honest, I don’t know.”
He nods and scurries out. The man doesn’t even know me, yet he’s shown me so much kindness. Maybe I can learn from him?
Before I can think too much more, Gabe’s back with a watering can.
“You know, it’s okay to be selfish, but not all the time.” He tips the spout of his watering can into a big bushy plant by the window. “When you’re selfish all the time, it irritates people.”
“I’m aware.” I bite into the sandwich. How the fuck is it so damn good?
“Pike texted me the details he could get out of Poe. Apparently, no other crossroads demon is allowed to help. They can’t offer you shelter, or food, or anything other than friendship.”
I grind my teeth and try not to show my irritation. I’d been hoping to stay over at Pike’s Hex house since I can’t go home. “That’s inconvenient.”
“I told him you can stay with me.”
My mouth opens and the bite I’d taken almost tumbles out. “What? You don’t even know me.”
He shrugs. “Pike trusts you, and I trust Pike. Lark trusts you and I trust Lark. Wick loves you, and?—”
“Do not say what I think you’re going to say.”
Gabe laughs. “I was going to say I trust Wick. He’s still so in love with Ethan no one is ever going to get in.”
“That’s Wicky. Lovesick over a silly human born witch.” I blanch at the idea of ever loving a human, magical or not.
“I think it’s sweet.”
