TWENTY-ONE
Lilith
I’m at my fucking limit.
I was relying on the angel who had betrayed me and drove a sword through my body, ending my old demon life. Regardless of how Gabriel was helping me while I was trapped in this room, I still resented him for the past and for putting me here in the first place. I resented him for making me weak when I'd sworn I'd never show weakness in front of him again and for making himself my sole food source.
All I wanted was to destroy this bracelet and go home.
I miss Aziel’s protectiveness.
I miss Thaddeus’s attitude.
I miss Blaise’s cockiness.
I miss Kai’s sweetness.
I fucking miss everything about them.
I longed for them in a way I'd never experienced before. I needed to be with them and piece my soul back together to feel whole again.
My limbs throbbed with a dull ache. I was mentally and physically fucking exhausted. Once I’d climbed into bed yesterday, I couldn’t get up, and Gabriel still hadn’t returned. My stomach burned in sync with my throat. I needed blood, but more importantly, I needed my strength and my powers back. Hope was fading fast. I didn't have the strength to fight this anymore, I couldn't, and it broke me further knowing I'd never get to say my goodbyes.
At this point, I didn't know if my next breath would be my last.
A bright flash blinded my vision before two dips fell on either side of me in the bed. “You burn my retinas every fucking time you teleport, Gabriel.”
“I’m sorry, darling.” He held his wrist up to my mouth, and my fangs descended. I bit into him, sucking his blood until I’d had my fill. I didn't want to feed off him. I didn't want him near me at all, but I would do what I had to, to survive, and to get back to them.
Unclamping my mouth from his wrist, I sighed. The burning had eased in my body, but my need for essence had doubled. I grabbed his white ceremonial robe from the front and pulled his mouth close enough to mine to suck some of his essence out without our lips touching.
I hated being so close to him, but without feeding, it wasn’t just my body that became weak, my mind did too. My limbs began to buzz with energy, and I let him go.
He straightened up, and I pushed myself up to sit. “Thanks,” I mumbled, rubbing my eyes.
“Damn, Lilith. You look worse than when you caught the flu back to back.” Emma frowned as she studied my face.
I knew I looked like shit, and it made sense. This fucking bracelet was draining the life out of me.
“Did you get in contact with the guys?” I croaked the question, my throat dry even though I’d just fed. The pull of my life force entering the bracelet was getting stronger.
I didn’t know if I’d make it to the next full moon. Ever since she’d touched the bracelet, it sucked my energy out at a faster rate.
She nodded. “Theo is going to meet them today and bring them to Heaven.”
Bring them here?
Relief washed over me, and I fell back onto the pillow. “Thank fuck for that...thank you. Both of you. I hate being this weak and pathetic.”
“You’re not weak, babes.” Emma patted my cheek.
“You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for.” Gabriel cleared his throat as he got to his feet.
I snorted. “I used to be, but with this fucking thing on my wrist…”
“I should’ve never put that on you,” he said, crossing his arms.
“No shit.” I coughed into my hand with a wince. “But it’s too late now. We just need to make sure Mystia never gets this bracelet. Gabriel...if I die—”
“You’re not going to die,” he snapped, his voice rising.
“If I die,” I continued with a sharp look his way. “I need you to destroy this bracelet or kill her first. Whatever you decide to do, make sure she doesn’t get it.”
“We’ll get it off you, and you can kill her yourself.” The muscles around his eyes tightened as he jerked his head away. “Your lovers are coming. I’m sure they have a way to get it off you. They won’t let you die.”
“Yeah…I’m sure.” I yawned, eyes fluttering closed.
But I’m not. I knew my guys would do everything they could to save my life, but if they failed, I wanted to say goodbye. As consciousness slipped away again, I knew I was doomed. None of them knew blood magic.