“Obviously, Az and Gabriel haven’t told you about my style.” He breathed, the end of the cigarette glowing red, then slowly fading to gray in the silence. A reminiscent smile crossed his lips. “Your boyfriend’s heartstrings make such a lovely melody when they snap.”
She flashed back to Az on the balcony. The girl, the reason he’d been cast out. Dead, he’d said. They’ll hurt you, Eden. There’d been so much fear in his eyes. What had they done to her? “Az and I are barely even friends,” she whispered.
The door opened suddenly, slamming into his back. The drummer leaned his head out.
“Luke, three minutes,” he said before the door fell closed again.
Luke. Lucifer. “Jesus Christ.” She slid back a step.
“Hardly.” He cocked his head, his smile twisting to a smirk. “Oh, come now. Don’t get judgmental. Tales of war are always told by the victors. Add a few translation errors and suddenly I have this horrible reputation. I mean, I’m Dawn’s Supernova. Where’s the darkness in that?”
Eden raised an eyebrow, trying to keep her terror hidden as she leaned against the cold metal of the Dumpster. “You’re Dawn’s Supernova? Bit of an ego. What about the rest of them?”
“Lesser demons. I’d love to get into it, but unfortunately, I’ve got a show to do. Perhaps we should get to it.” He hit the cigarette, blew out a quick exhale. “Holy wars have become so cliché these days. I approached Gabriel about a truce, hoping he’d be able to put aside our differences to figure out what’s going on with you Siders. I’d get my answers, he’d save you and Kristen. He was less than enthusiastic.”
“You know Kristen?” Eden’s stomach dropped.
He smirked. “Of course I do. I know quite a few Siders. Unfortunately, Kristen isn’t exactly my number one fan. She made it clear she’s a harps and hymns girl.” At his back the door opened an inch, but Luke knocked his shoulder back, shutting it. “Coming!” he yelled.
“Look. The Siders will get noticed by the Bound. And when they do, you’ll be their first victim. If I were you, I wouldn’t make any declarations of loyalty just yet.” He reached a hand behind him, feeling for the knob. “I was hoping we could work together? That you’d at least consider it.” He twisted the knob, but didn’t open the door. “Before we head back in…”
Here’s the trap, she thought.
He tapped a finger against his cheek as if considering something. “I’m wondering if I could ask a favor. In the spirit of future friendship and all.”
The door was right there, her escape blocked only by his broad shoulders. Eden nodded absently, stepping closer.
“Rumor is you’re on lockdown. If an opportunity presents itself, I’d like to be able to continue this conversation. There’s no reason for Gabriel to know we’ve spoken. Any objections?”
“I’ll have to think about it,” she said.
“My second request.” He pulled the metal door and held it open, his arm high, so that she’d have to duck under to go through. Eden waited for him to speak, but when he didn’t she moved forward, her last few steps a dash for the backstage room. He caught her shoulder as she went through, freezing her at the threshold. Eden kept her eyes ahead.
Inside, the lights were still on. Libby was on a beanbag chair, her hands moving in some conversation Eden was too far away to catch.
“I want you to be careful around Az,” he said. Eden’s attention snapped to him.
“Az? Why?”
“You of all people should know, Eden,” he said, his voice low and guttural. “Because he’s only half Fallen. Struggling constantly with violent urges.” He dropped his arm so she could pass. “How did you die?”
CHAPTER 41
Snowflakes melted on the window of the cab, headlights flicked kaleidoscopes of shadows and glare, but Eden didn’t see any of it.
She heard Libby’s voice change, but only as a distant hum of confusion.
For a block, she leaned against the window, but the cold leeched through the glass. She dropped back onto the worn vinyl, tried to push Luke’s last line out of her mind.
How did you die? The cocky insistence in it. Her mind drifted back to the night in the hotel. Luke had been implying something. What if I didn’t do it? she thought. What if Az did? He’d faked the fall or faked being hurt. But how would Az have known she’d run to the beach? If he wanted her dead, why didn’t he