older angel huffed. The fucker had always cared about all of us kids. He just didn't like how we treated Lyra.
I nodded, moving to the lower mattress. My jumpsuit was still soaked from the shower, but I didn't feel the coldness seeping into my skin.
Aside from having a higher temperature from being a shifter, Lyra's words made me go numb. It was a state of shock.
Part of me had always known that was why she let me go. But the young boy I was, got hurt over her choice to sever our connection. I hated the shame I felt from it.
"You didn't get the truth you wanted, huh?" August's voice cut through my thoughts.
I stayed silent as he clucked his tongue at me.
"I'm sworn to never tell what happened to her, but you better be ready if she lets you hear it, Axel Stamos. Let me tell ya, what you just found out today, doesn't even scratch the surface. Now that, I can promise you."
I heard the mattress creak above me as he rolled toward the wall. He left me with that, but one other issue niggled inside my brain.
"Why has she never told me?"
"She believes she's saving you, son. And also, that by not saying it out loud, her mind can pretend it didn't happen. Speaking about trauma makes it real, but until we do, we never heal."
With that, the dark angel shut up. He left me to stew on his words as the night went on.
What could possibly be worse than the scars on her body?
That's when I realized it was the scars I couldn't see. The marks everyone tried hiding—and succeeded, since they were invisible to the eye. It was the mental ones. Lyra was trying to hide the scars within her mind.
14
Roan
Fight.
The inner voice inside my head, begged me to listen. His call for violence kept growing within our shared vessel.
My hands fisted into my hair as I tried to fight my weakening sanity. As the days kept moving forward, my resolve slipped more and more. Memories of my beloved Delilah were getting harder to call upon.
Her sweetness was ebbing away from around my heart. The only time I could recall my greatest love was when Lyra sang to me.
Speaking of my angel, I knew I'd need her once again today. I tried falling asleep on my own, feeling guilty for my constant need of the guardian angel the creator gave me.
Still, I'd need Lyra to save me now.
I needed her to lead me back to the light. I yearned for her angelic voice to tell me I'm not alone. I relied on her white wings to carry me through the darkening nights.
I often wondered if anyone was out there, hearing me. It was through her that I knew the creator cared about a demon. He gave her to me because I would've been lost a long time ago without her.
My demon would've claimed his birthright as a destroyer of men. My heart grieved, knowing the damage he wanted to create. It was a thirst, a craving to ruin mankind.
Praying to her, I settled my quaking hands over my lap as I sat over the edge of my bed. The trembles had my whole body spasming, trying to relax enough to call out her name.
Lyra, I need you.
Her response was immediate because she was still up at this late hour. Stay strong, Roan. I'm here to help you battle him.
I don't know how to fight him anymore. The truth set my chest free. Even though there was nothing I could do, speaking the truth lifted a little of the growing burden.
You fight him through me. Just tell me, Roan. Tell me, and I'll do whatever you need. You are not alone. This battle is not one where you are singled out. The creator saw something in you and gave you me. Find solace within that hope. I. Am. Here.
I could hear the power behind her words. The way her vigor fought for a monster she had never met before. She cared for me, just as I did her.
You have too much hope in this monster, Lyra. I am nothing more than a toxic charge for you. I will fail you and break your soul in doing so.
Roan, those are thoughts of your demon. Everyone has voices within them. They have their conscience, the light, but everyone also has a matching contrast of darkness. Those evil thoughts are inspired by the first fallen one to make us