Defying Destiny (Afterword Academy #3) - Katie May Page 0,12

I have a momentary bout of panic that he’ll fall in, before remembering that he’s a Demon. He quite literally trained for this his entire Afterlife. “Some of you have been down recently—”

“And lost his pants because of it,” Preston murmurs petulantly, and I give his hand another reassuring squeeze.

“So what, we’re supposed to have you carry us in one at a time like we’re fucking babies?” Auston gripes, scowling. His eyes once more fixate pointedly on first Brax’s wings and then my own. Or his own.

“Grow the fuck up, Aus, and stop acting like an ass!” Karston snaps, but my Angel merely glares at the Ghost in response.

“We won’t be coming with you,” Aggie interjects. She once more stands beside Buttox, his arm wrapped around her waist. For a moment, for a brief suspension of time, I see two figures overlapped with theirs. A gorgeous man and woman capable of making even the strongest Angels fall. But just as quickly, Eve and Adam are once more replaced with Aggie and Buttox. “But we’ll keep an eye on everything here. Sooner or later, Lilith is going to discover the truth of our identities. We need to be prepared.”

“Will you be safe?” I question hesitantly, staring intently at my oldest and dearest friend. The memories may be new, but the feelings they evoke within me are not. I know her as innately as I know Caius. As I know my other men. She’s a part of me, and though that part is strictly platonic, I can’t imagine my life without her in it.

Aggie’s eyes soften as she reaches forward, squeezing the hand that isn’t currently clasped with Preston’s.

“We’ll be safe. But the same goes to you.” Turning away from me, she levels the guys with a fierce look that would make grown men piss themselves. Considering the fact that she’s naked, saggy tits on display, it’s quite the intimidation technique. “And you better protect my girl, or so help me—”

“They get it, my love.” Buttox places his hands on her shoulder and leads her away.

“We’ll protect her with our lives,” Karston vows, uncharacteristically solemn.

“We need to leave now,” Caius interrupts, gracefully gliding to the opening. “We don’t know how long Hadley will remain animated.”

“I’ll go first.” Brax straightens his spine and rolls back his shoulders. “All you guys need to do is jump. I’ll be waiting at the bottom.” He glances at me, his dark eyes searing a hole in my chest. In that one gaze, I can see a million I love yous and promises of forever. But he doesn’t say anything as he jumps feet first into the portal to Hell.

Auston stares at Brax wistfully before releasing a heaving sigh and stalking to the portal as well. But before he can jump in, I grab his arm and pull him to a stop.

“Auston, we need to talk,” I say, nodding at Karston to go before us. My flirty Ghost gives me a nod of understanding as he all but pushes a trembling Preston into the portal. I can hear his cries reverberating around us before they cut off abruptly.

“I’ll see you soon.” Karston winks at me before he, too, jumps into the portal, Caius trailing in his wake. Aggie and Buttox have already left, leaving me alone with my brooding Angel.

“You know, you’re beginning to look a lot like your brother,” I jest, touching the corners of his downturned lips. When he doesn’t respond, continuing to glare sullenly at something over my head, I release a heavy sigh. “I’m sorry I took your wings. If I would’ve known…well…I never would’ve asked you to do this in the first place.”

At my confession, his head whips in my direction, horror splayed across his face. “Hadley, no! Don’t fucking think that. I will never feel sorry for saving your life. That’s not what this is about. Fuck!” He scrubs a large hand through his white hair as anger thrums through him, a physical entity.

“Then what’s the matter?” I desperately grab at his hands, and after a moment of futilely tugging, he wraps his arms around me. “Auston, I love you. And I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.” I rest my head on his chest as tears burn my eyes.

Has it already started?

Does he already resent me for what I took from him?

“Hadley, baby, I’m sorry too. I never meant to make you feel like this. But, fuck, baby, how am I supposed to protect you now? I feel like I’m less than