Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 29328 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 147(@200wpm)___ 117(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29328 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 147(@200wpm)___ 117(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
Chapter Sixteen
Tarek
I feel fine, but I need her. I need to touch her.
Instead, all I see is her staring at me, and everyone surrounding us. I know that I was healed. I know I’m fine, but I’m exhausted. Danu is gone, but my person is still here, still on this Earth, my Earth. I need her.
I reach out with shaking hands.
“Shhh.” Mason, my brother, pulls me into his arms then dusts me off. “Man, you’re a mess. Just gotta be so dramatic about everything. The apple returned to its spot beneath the Earth, and so did Danu. And look at you.” He shakes his head. “Hot mess.”
Horus sighs and pulls his leather jacket tighter across his shoulders. “He really was dramatic, just lying on the ground.”
“All done.” Timber walks up and dusts off his hands. “She’s in the Underworld but not in the nice, safe place. More like the ‘oh, look, torture,’ up top.” He holds his hand up for a high five while all the angels remain standing around us in formation. “What? Too soon?”
I hit his hand because it’s almost embarrassing—he’s been holding it up for longer than a few seconds—then watch the Creator talk to Lilith.
They’re so many things.
A man. A woman. Of every descent. Every face. They encompass all things, and it’s incredible to watch it happen, like They want everyone in the universe to know.
I am.
I am all things.
I am you.
You are me.
You have a purpose.
And you are not alone.
Lilith falls to her knees and raises her hands, and we all watch with the angelic army as hundreds of stars shoot through the skies.
They lean down and kiss her cheek. Clothed in red robes covering both face and body, They walk away, join the army, and nod Their head.
The legion pulls out their swords, and before They leave, They look to Cassius and smile. “Well done.”
“Good,” Timber whispers. “And faithful.”
Horus finishes. “Servant.”
“Do you think,” Mason asks, “that they realize that phrase came from Gilgamesh, or should we not reveal that?”
“Ever,” Stephanie adds.
Cassius says, “No. That would confuse everyone way too much. All they need to know, all humanity needs to know, is that we aren’t going anywhere. And, apparently…the first female of this Earth is going to marry her werewolf, technically the oldest part human in existence.”
I crack a smile. “Is that why my knees hurt?”
Horus smacks me on the back while Timber laughs.
“Let’s go.” Cassius jerks his chin toward me, his black hair falling down to his waist. He looks terrifying, but that’s normal for him. His eyes match his hair, and purple feathers push out of his back, extending into a wingspan that’s at least twelve feet across, if not more. “I think you deserve a drink.”
“Thank you.” I lower my head. “For finding us. For saving us.”
“Saving?” Cassius questions. “We didn’t come here to save you; we came here to support you. As you said very eloquently, the world doesn’t always need a savior, they need a sacrifice. Someone willing to give their all to save just one.” He pats me on the back and walks away.
Chapter Seventeen
Lilith
I don’t even know how to describe how the last few days have been. I still have the star inside me—Cassius said her sacrifice was her choice. And Tarek…well Tarek’s been sleeping, trying to recover.
I grab another bottle of juice and some crackers and walk upstairs. The room is silent. I knock a few times, then shove the door open when he doesn’t answer.
He’s lying in bed like he’s dead.
He has no clothes on, just a small part of the duvet covering his thigh. His gorgeous dark hair falls around his chin, touching his shoulders, and his full lips are pulled into a pout as if he’s upset.
I briefly put my hand under his nose to make sure he’s breathing, only to have him snatch me by the wrist and tug me against his warm body. “It’s not fair that I get the smell of you but no bites. What did They tell you?” His eyes open, so bright and clear. “What did the Creator tell you?”
I swallow slowly, my face pressed against Tarek’s chest. “They told me to live. They…” Tears well in my eyes. “They set me free.”
“And the punishment of two days to roam the Earth? Gone?”
I smile sadly. “All because one of the oldest humans to live is in your blood. Only because an apple of the Fallen was returned to its source. All because—at one point—you loved me, and I loved you back. And when it really mattered, when you put your life on the line for another, it showed mercy. So, you see, your bravery mattered, as well as your sacrifice. You talk about saving others, knowing their futures, not knowing your own, not being needed by anyone because of your gift, but in the end, you saved me every time without even knowing it. I owe you everything. My gratitude, my love, my heart, and my soul.”