He stands in the middle of the living room, beneath the arched ceiling and before the burning fireplace, the owner of this house and my life. Or so he thinks.

“Father.”

He does not turn. I didn’t expect him to. “Breckin.”

His profile is the same. The same face I’ve known my entire life. The face of a man who could be my brother. Thousands of years old and he looks like a frat boy right out of college. He looks like me, but looks are deceiving. Father isn’t a college boy. He isn’t harmless.

“Well?”

And he isn’t patient. Leaving my wings out, I step farther into the room, nodding at Elias, who leans against a wall, arms crossed over his chest, the glare he wears for Father’s sake firmly in place.

“I am told you healed.”

I nod. His profile glows orange from the fire. I catch the way the muscle in his cheek flinches, and the silence grows.

“Where is she? This girl worth saving? I smell her on you. I smell her in this house.”

My eyes flick toward Elias. His head moves a fraction, a slight shake as his pale eyes lower. I hold my tongue.

“You dare ask for my help, but you choose not to speak to me?” He finally turns his full attention to me. His amber eyes, more red in tone than mine, flash with irritation. “Do you know what you did, by interfering? Did you think your actions would go unnoticed?”

“I didn’t have a choice.”

“No?” He steps closer. “You risk notice, son. You have one choice in your existence: gain strength until you join me.”

“That’s a choice?” I scoff, anger unfurling in my chest. “I will not let her die. And if you don’t help me keep her safe, you will be the one with a choice.”

“Breckin.” Elias pushes off the wall, his tone a warning, but it’s too late. I opened my damn mouth, and I need to play it through.

“Do you think I’m stupid?” I ask them both. “I know you sense what she is to me. I know you know how important she is, not only to me but to you.”

A slow grin works its way onto Father’s face. “Perhaps there is more of me in you than I thought.”

“Perhaps.” I nod. “Or perhaps I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure Vivienne is safe.”

He stiffens, his head snapping toward Elias. Something passes between them. Elias lies for me all the time. Does he know? Does he suspect Elias’ true allegiance has been with me since the day he was forced to watch over me?

“Yes, I imagine you will,” he says after a moment, turning and tucking his inky-black wings close to his large frame. “This reaper, Sebastian. He disobeys his laws by remaining here. He lost his invisibility, thus making him dwell in a host. His existence is forfeit because he threatened my future.”

“Thank you.”

That is what I expected. He will say it is for me, for what I will bring to his leadership when I pledge my allegiance to his ranks. But I’m not fooled. He’s curious to figure out why the Creator gave me a human soul mate. A human I’d known and been around all my life. I’d always understood bonds to be undeniable, and ours feels that way now, but why didn’t it before? Why did it take her near death for the bond to click so strongly? I check the clock on the wall. First period ends in two minutes. “I promised her I’d be back in time for our next class. I don’t like leaving her alone.”

“I will meet her.”

My wings bristle at his command, and I swallow hard. He isn’t using his abilities on me, but he could. He could compel me to do his bidding any time he wants. It’s what makes this all so damn difficult. “Eventually.”

My pocket vibrates. Father cocks his head, his eyes following as I pull out my cell and answer.

“Zara?”

“Is Viv with you?” Zara asks breathlessly through the phone.

“What? Why?”

“Breckin, I’m aware of your reputation. You don’t play by the rules, but Viv does, and if you—”

“What the hell are you talking about, Zara? Where’s Viv?” I interrupt.

“She was called out of class, and she never returned. I grabbed her stuff and went to find her in the office, but they acted as though they had no idea what I was talking about. I figured you’d bribed them or something, since neither of you are in chemistry, where you should be.”

“I had a family issue and had to leave campus. She was probably worried and is on her way here. I’m sure it’s nothing. I need to go.”

“Okay, but—” I end the call, shoving my cell in my back pocket and looking at Elias and Father.

Sebastian has her. She wouldn’t have left campus. A growl rips through my chest as I swing at the nearest lamp, the glass shattering as it hits the wall.