In that moment, I saw an enchanting creature that I once believed never existed. I needed to know he was real, that this was all real.
My fingers brushed against a feather, and I gasped as a jolt of pure, beautiful energy shot through my hand to tickle my palm. The feather was soft but strong. Upon such close inspection, I saw that each fiber danced with the colors of the rainbow.
I dragged my gaze to Willow’s; I needed to know. “What Brook said about me being your charge, is that true? Am I a job for you?”
“You’re a friend,” he replied, brushing a stray strand of hair off my face. “I don’t have the power to be a guardian. Not anymore. But, that doesn’t mean I don’t honestly care about what happens to you. I’m happy to help in any way I can.”
I nodded, swallowing hard. “Thank you, Willow. I appreciate that. I think I need to speak with Shya. He’s the only one I know, other than Lilah, who has power over Brook. I can’t let him touch my sister.”
“I understand. You feel desperate. Don’t let that desperation lock you into a deal. Lilah won’t kill your sister. She knows it’s the only way to make you walk back in there willing to compromise.” Willow went to the bar and grabbed a glass. He returned with some ice water that he pressed into my hand.
I sipped the water. It should have been refreshing, but it wasn’t what I wanted. I shoved the glass across the table in front of me and shook my head.
“Maybe you should go. I don’t want to drag you into this mess.” I pulled out my phone and opened the contact list. My gaze strayed to the dragon on my forearm. I was sure there was a way to use it to reach Shya but wasn’t sure I wanted to know how. So, I hit the number I had for him and waited.
I got the voicemail. Both relief and disappointment crushed me. “Shya, it’s Alexa. Lilah has my sister. I need to see you.”
I hung up and stared at the phone. My mind ran through several people I could contact. Jez, Kylarai, Brogan. Only one stood out as the one I needed now. It would take the simplest act, a touch of my mind to his. I couldn’t do it.
“You shouldn’t be alone tonight, Alexa. You should be with Arys.”
I tapped my nails against the table for a minute before shoving the chair back to stand. The screech of chair legs was loud in the quiet, empty nightclub.
“I don’t know how to be with Arys anymore. Things are… complicated.”
“Since when is that a reason to give up?” Willow challenged. He stuffed the invitation and Juliet’s hair back into the envelope and tossed it to me. “If you need me, I’m here for you. But, you’ve got to figure your shit out. Take the rest of tonight, do what you need to do, whatever that is. Be ready tomorrow. I’ll have your back. And, you’ll walk out of there alive.”
I chewed my lip, mulling it over. He was right; rushing in would not go my way. “Well, I’m glad one of us thinks so.”
Willow seemed hesitant. “Do you want me to stay? We could hang out, go for a walk, share a bottle of the good stuff. Whatever you want.”
“No. I need some time to meltdown. Alone. I’ll be fine though. Really.” I had a hard time meeting his eyes. I didn’t want him to know what I planned to do.
Willow drew me close for a hug that enfolded me within his wings as well as his arms. There was so much warmth and comfort in that embrace I almost started to cry again.
“Alright,” he said. “Think about contacting Arys. I’ll see you soon. Remember, you don’t have to do this alone.”
I forced a smile so he would feel okay with leaving. He lingered as if unsure. Then, he was gone.
I shoved the envelope into my bag and headed for the door, pausing to talk to Justin. “Lock down the building. Anyone currently in the back can stay, but nobody else comes in.”
He nodded, his ebony eyes taking in the dried blood tears on my face. “Just say the word, boss lady, and I’ll be with you tomorrow night.”
“Thank you, Justin. I’ll keep you posted.”
I crossed the parking lot to my car where I took a few minutes to clean the bloody smears from beneath my