Dark Kiss

She gave me a big hug, knowing that I would miss Carly every bit as much as she would while she was off on her rebellious romantic adventures.

“I’m sorry,” I choked out as she clung tightly to me. “I’m so, so sorry.”

“It’s not your fault, honey.” She let go of me and wiped tears from her eyes. “She’ll come back. I know she will.”

I hoped she was right about that.

When we finally left Carly’s house, I went with Zach to join the others at the north edge of the city so I could see it for myself. I was told the barrier stretched around Trinity’s circumference like a silver dome on a room service dinner. Most of it was invisible, even to me, but in certain places, like here, patches of it could be seen—a shimmering transparent wall reaching up into the darkness.

“Don’t get too close to it,” Kraven warned. “It gives a hell of a zap. Reminds me of what you can do.”

“You tried it?”

“I like to test my limits whenever possible.”

Bishop came to my side and reached down to take my hand in his. A spark slid up my arm at his touch. It kept him sane and me warm, and I wasn’t in any hurry to let go of him. He felt good, he smelled good. Too good. The heat of his skin sank into me. I avoided looking at his mouth. Way too tempting, even now.

He squeezed my hand. “How are you holding up?”

“I’m still here.” I braved a shaky smile. “That’s a start. How about you?”

“Better. My wounds are gone, but my head—it’s still not as clear as it was before I arrived. I guess I should get used to it.” He said it calmly, but I could see the pain in his eyes.

I wished I could take his pain away. All of it.

“So things still suck here,” Kraven drawled. “And we’re all still stuck working together. But we got the Source and we know there’s something wonky happening with the Hollow. And none of us are wandering the city, Dumpster-diving. It could have gone a hell of a lot worse.”

“Such an optimist.” Bishop shot him a look. “Color me surprised.”

“Bite me, little brother.”

“I’m still not understanding how you two are brothers,” Connor said. “I mean, even apart from the angel/demon thing, you don’t look much alike.”

“Same mother,” Kraven said. “Different fathers. Very different fathers. But enough about that.” He shifted his gaze to me. “Looks like you saved your boyfriend’s ass tonight, sweetness. Maybe you should give him a big, juicy victory kiss to celebrate.”

I shot him a look that I hoped would wipe the grin off his face. It didn’t work.

Nice of him to rub it in.

Unless I wanted to risk destroying Bishop completely and sending him to the Hollow, I couldn’t take the risk of kissing him again. Not until I got my soul back.

“So now what?” Roth said as he glared at the barrier. “We’re stuck here forever? I think I’ll go crazy, too.”

“Come on, it’s not so bad.” Connor slapped the demon on his back and Roth flinched at the friendly contact. “It’s a big city. And we’re here to protect everyone and keep them safe and sound at night while they’re asleep in their warm beds. Sounds pretty damn noble to me, even if it might be forever. And I’m sure it won’t be.”

“I didn’t sign up to be noble,” Roth growled. “And what about her? She’s still a gray. Shouldn’t we kill her? One less gray and we’re closer to getting out of here.”

“If you come anywhere near Samantha,” Bishop said, “I’ll be happy to reduce this team back to four members.”

Roth rolled his eyes. “Whatever. She’s your problem, not mine. I’m out of here.”

He turned and started walking away.

Connor shrugged. “I should probably keep an eye on him. Demons, you know.”

He took off, too.

“I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone in case you want to start making out. Come on, Zach.” Kraven started off in another direction, his hands stuffed in the pockets of his jeans, without another glance in my direction.

“Keep an eye on him,” Bishop said to Zach.

“You got it.” Zach grinned at me. “Glad you’re part of the team, Samantha.”

“I am?” I asked with surprise.

“Sure, you’re our honorary sixth member with mysterious abilities and visions of the future. The Snow White to our motley group of dwarfs. Plus, you’re way better looking than the rest of these guys.”

If I could have summoned the ability to laugh at the moment, I would have. “Thanks, I think.”

“See you!” He ran off after Kraven.

The walk home with Bishop was a silent one, both of us lost in our thoughts. What happened haunted me. It would be a long time before I could make sense of any of it. When we finally arrived at my house I turned to look at Bishop. He searched my face before he spoke.

“You changed it,” he said.

“Changed what?”

“The future. You got me to keep holding on to you. You told me that in your original vision, I let go of you.”

“That’s right.” He looked pained, but not from madness at the moment. His mind was currently clear. I squeezed his hands in mine. “I meant it, you know. Everything I said. I believe in you.”

“I was set up to fail by that gatekeeper. I knew that how I felt was more than what I should have expected. I expected pain and disorientation from breaking through the barrier, but nothing like this. This is how a fallen angel feels because it’s a punishment. I understand that now.”