Sweet Temptation

“Hell yeah, baby.” His voice is raspy with sleep. “You been up all night?”

“Yeah,” I say.

He laughs again. “We’re go

I feel none of his enthusiasm. I feel nothing. “Go back to sleep, mate.”

“Yep. Later.”

We disco

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Postcard

“It’s like somebody stole the biggest piece of me,

I may never see it again, I may never see you again.”

—“Before the Fall” by The Rescues

I should have hired movers, but I didn’t trust anyone to touch my drums. I leave behind my bedroom set but take everything else from the basement with the help of Michael, Raj, and Be

When we’re loaded up and the guys leave, I trudge to Father’s office to say good-bye.

He doesn’t get up from his oversized leather chair, but he lifts his eyes, scrutinizing my long-sleeved T-shirt and jogging bottoms slung low.

“Change into something more attractive before you go.”

“Yes, Father.”

“You’re still expected to come to Atlanta to help Marissa as needed.”

My already tight muscles clench further. “Yes, sir.”

“I can’t believe you’re going to drive that monstrosity across the country yourself like a bloody commoner.” I look down at my hands as he continues. “I still expect you to work along the way.”

“Without question, sir.”

“I have very high expectations of you in California. I’m sure you won’t mind if my Legio

“Of course not, Father. I look forward to your visits.”

He stares at me as if trying to detect my bluff, and I stare back, unblinking. Finally, he nods, finished with me, and then turns in his chair to face the lewd images on his computer.

I nod to myself and turn to leave.

I drive the same route I took with A

A

She is with me because she’s inside me and I ca

I’ve made too many mistakes when it comes to A

I want to be good enough.

I shove my hands in my pockets and kick a rock. It goes soaring off the ledge and I never hear it hit. I’ve been waiting for something from the outside to change me—to kick me, to force me into a different life. But after watching A

It has to be me.

A

I turn to go back to the van but stop when a bird flies past my face, landing in the gravel at my feet. I swear the damned thing is staring up at me. It even cocks its head to the side. I nudge my foot toward it, trying to scare it away, but it only bristles a little and hops closer. He puffs his feathers at me and coos.

It’s a dove, I realize, and a lump rises in my throat. My own personal peace offering.

“Sod off, stupid bird.”

It coos at me again and my palms begin to sweat. Just because I reach out to Him with one blasted prayer and decide to change my life, the Maker thinks I’ve suddenly switched sides?

I look up at the heavens and shake my head. “This is nothing to do with You. You want peace with me? Get rid of the demons, and then we’ll talk peace.”

When I look back down, the bird is gone. I let out a rattling breath and jump into the van, throwing the thing into drive. My hands are shaking and I accelerate too hard, spitting up gravel under the tires. I pull off at the visitors’ center, and lean my head against the steering wheel, trying to shake off the bizarre bird episode.

Inside the little shop, I imagine A

I never got to say good-bye.

In the aftermath of the summit, we’d sought each other. She’d wanted me at her side. Does she know there’s nowhere else I’d rather be? That it’s killing me to stay away? That I love her in a way I never believed possible?

I reach for a postcard and a pen at the counter. I’ve memorized her address. There’s too much I need to say. I stare at the postcard so long the lady at the register starts to look at me fu

Finally I scratch, I’m sorry.

I’m sorry I found you and introduced you to our cursed world. I’m sorry you fell in love with me. I’m sorry we can’t be together.

I’m sorry for everything, A

PART TWO SWEET PERIL

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Los Angeles

“They’re all around me, circling like vultures.

They wa