Page 30 of Underworld
Justhowdid a freaking feather cape weigh so much?
I blew out a breath and headed to the window, pushing the panels open to let the early morning air in. A breeze stirred my feathers, a teasing caress that called to something inside me I’d never known existed. It was an urge to spread my wings wide and launch myself into the air, feel the currents through my hair, against my face, and along my body and wings.
I swayed as a stronger breeze buffeted me, my wings catching air as I spread them, this time listening to my instinct instead of my own musings. Bracing my hands on the sides of the windows, I leaned farther, my instincts flaring to life that I coulddothis.
Without even thinking, I climbed onto the low, broad ledge and grinned, the wild urge inside me delighted.
There’s only one way to learn… and Iamimmortal, right?
What did I have to lose?
The giddy thought circled through my mind only for a few seconds before logic pestered in my brain. I could barely unfold my wings, and now I wanted them to hold me up on invisible air currents?
Yet, the warm breeze wafting up from the molten streets below suggested this would be prime flying territory.
“Okay,” I told myself. “It’s just like swimming, except, in the air, right?” Taking a deep breath, I teetered on the edge.
A strong breeze hit me again, making me lose my balance before I was ready to take the plunge. A scream tore out of me as I tumbled down, a tangle of limbs and wings that was mostdefinitelynot my prime first flying attempt.
The ground rushed up to greet me and I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing myself for a true test of myimmortality.
Something warm and ethereal embraced me, stopping my free-fall on a few inches from the hard ground.
Heart racing, I opened my eyes, finding the hot ground just inches from my face.
Olivia’s magic, I realized with a pang of distress. As if I she needed another suck on her magical reserves.
The warm cocoon had a new scent to it, one of vanilla and sunlight. It wrapped around me as I began a slow ascent.
My face was scalding hot by the time my best friend had me securely back in my room, her eyes narrowed in consternation.
Yeah, I wasn’t sure how I was going to explain this one.
Chapter 8
Olivia opened her mouth, presumably to tell me what an idiot I was, when she turned as white as a sheet and collapsed.
“Olivia!” I shouted, fumbling over to her as her lingering magic evaporated all around me like a puff of air.
She held up a hand, stopping me from touching her. “I’m fine. I just… I need a minute.”
I felt like an asshole for making Olivia use magic. “I’m so sorry,” I whispered as I clutched my fists at my sides. “I don’t know what I was thinking.”
Olivia struggled to the sofa and gave me a frown. “Were you thinking at all? I know things are shitty, but it’s no reason to try and kill yourself.”
My eyes went wide. “What? No. Gods, Olivia, I wasn’t trying to kill myself.” I gestured to my useless wings. “I was trying to give myself a flying lesson.” I cringed at how idiotic that sounded.
Olivia chuckled, her shoulders relaxing. “You should leave the lessons to the teachers, Lils.”
Before I could ask if her if she meant someone in this gods-forsaken place could teach me to fly, a pillow zoomed past my face. “No talking before glow-rise!” Yuri’s muffled cry sounded as she dove back under the sheets.
Olivia snatched up a throw pillow and tossed it back at her, making Yuri squeal. Olivia and I broke into hysterical laughter.
“Would you twostop?” she complained.
Yuri rummaged out of her prison of pillows and glared at us, her ruby eyes framed by shadows. She was clearly not a morning person. “A girl needs her beauty sleep.” She gestured to the dark circles under her eyes. “Does this look like a pretty face to you?”
Olivia leaned on the edge of the sofa. “You’re the one who insisted on bunking with me, vamp. You could have been nice and comfortable in the Vampire Dorms, you know.”
