Redemption (3 page)

Asher holds my head in a firm grip while
stroking my cheeks with his thumbs.

“I swore I would come back when I could,” he
reminds me in a gentle tone.

“I can’t do this without you,” I whisper, my
hands fisting his white t-shirt.

Asher’s face falls with pain as his forehead
meets mine.

“I need you to be strong.” His voice cracks
with emotion.

This separation is difficult for him
too.

“Without you, the dark seeps in,” I reply,
panicked.

Asher takes my chin and lifts my head so he
can see my eyes. “I promised you that when the skies turned black,
I would reach you. I know you’re miserable, siren. Believe me. I
feel it too. I risked coming to you tonight because I gave you my
word that I would pull you from the darkness and always bring you
home, yeah?”

“I remember,” I speak softly, holding him
tighter. Scared that at any minute, I’ll wake up and he’ll be
gone.

“You’re home. I made sure the clan brought
you here, and on my honor, when I can, I’ll push the darkness away
forever. In the meantime, you have to trust me. I once told you
that you’re stronger than I thought you’d be. It’s true. You have
to reach inside and pull that girl out until I can return to you,
and fuck…by the grace, siren, I will come back,” he says
firmly.

My eyes slide to the Celtic cross tattoo on
his forearm then back to his face. His masculine scent fills me,
setting off all my senses.

“When?” I ask, my voice getting stronger
now.

“As soon as the council clears me, you’re my
first destination. I’m protecting you the best way I know how to at
the moment.” Asher pleads for understanding with his eyes.

I nod at his promise then close my eyes and
accept his words. He’s protecting me. When I reopen them, an
intense gaze locks onto mine and his irises begin to glow with
desire.

In one breath, Asher’s mouth crashes to
mine. The contact ignites a fire in my soul. Every stroke of his
lips recharges me. Putting all the broken pieces back together. The
need I’ve been pushing aside for weeks rises to the surface,
clawing to be released. His hands move to the back of my neck,
forcing me closer.

I cling to him. My hands dig in his chest,
tugging him to me. Asher discharges a deep, raw sound that vibrates
through me and penetrates the nothingness that had taken hold of
me.

With each tremor, the emptiness abandons its
hold, making me his again. Branding me.

Our kiss becomes harder and more demanding
as I whimper across his lips. Asher takes advantage of the opening
and our tongues reunite in a feverish dance.

Warm hands slide down my back and lift my
tank top just enough that they can feel the skin on my lower back.
I savor the sensation of his caress and his lips against mine.

He pulls away just an inch to gaze into my
eyes as we attempt to catch our breaths.

“Fuck. I miss you.” He pants out as my rapid
breath fans his face.

“Me too, pretty boy,” I say, running my hand
along his jawline.

He grimaces. “I have to go but I’ll see you
soon, siren. I promise.”

I move my head up and down slowly. “I love
you.” My hands fist his shirt one last time.

“Forever.” Asher plants one last gentle kiss
on my lips.

I close my eyes, realizing this is our last
moment together for a while, and soak him in.

“Wake up, siren,” he orders across my lips
with a solemn tone.

At his command, my eyes open with a start,
and concentrate on the ceiling in my room.

My textbooks and laptop are in the same
position as they were when I fell asleep. The light from the
MacBook is the only illumination in the now dark space.

I exhale and roll my face into my pillow,
stifling a moan of disappointment that I’m alone, again. My cheek
lands on a wet spot, where apparently, I was drooling on my pillow.
Gross.

My fingers lift to my swollen lips and pull
into a smile. Asher risked a dream walk to visit me. It was real.
My body still hums with his energy. I feel lighter and whole again.
With a renewed sense of peace. I’m ready to face tomorrow, because
I know Asher will come back to me, and when he does, I’m going to
kick his ass for sticking me with Gage.
Damn gargoyle
protector.

***

I release a heavy sigh at the sound of Gage’s
classic black Wiesmann Roadster pulling into the driveway. Spring
semester at Kingsley College really isn’t turning out how I’d
envisioned it. Come to think of it, the fall semester wasn’t much
better.

I groan dramatically into my oatmeal,
causing Callan to lift his eyebrows in interest.

“Something on your mind this morning,
cutie?” he asks, amused.

I push my bowl forward. “Do I have to go?”
My voice comes out as a quiet whine.

Callan tosses his banana peel into the trash
and walks over to the kitchen island. Standing across from me, he
leans his elbows on the granite so we’re at eye level.

“You owe it to yourself to get your life
back on track, Eves. I know it’s hard, but you’re not alone. We’re
all here for you,” he says his voice lined with affection.

“Not all of you,” I whisper and swallow the
painful lump forming in my throat.

“When it’s safe, Asher will be back for
you.” His sincere eyes hold mine.

“I know. But why Gage?” I question unable to
wipe the annoyed scowl from my face.

“That…is something I can’t answer.” Callan
pauses reflectively for a moment. “I will tell you this, I know my
brother, and I’m aware of how he feels about you and your safety.
His reasons, whatever they are, are for your protection. Asher
would never do anything that places you in more danger. It’s
obvious he thought Gage would protect you, just as he would, and
still is,” he reaffirms.

Before I can respond, Gage swaggers in,
looking all bad-boy gorgeous. He’s wearing his signature black
outfit, tailored pants, a v-neck shirt and designer shoes. An unlit
cigarette hangs from his perfect lips.
Crap. Why does my ‘new
reality’ have to be so hot?

“I went from brooding dark prince to walking
sexy cancer stick,” I mumble.

Callan laughs quietly and hands me a brown
bag.

“What’s this, Dad?” I smile, pleased with
myself, returning my focus to him.

The guy I’ve come to think of as an older
brother just studies me before giving me a mega watt toothy grin.
“You seem better this morning. It’s nice to see. Welcome back,
cutie.” He winks and points at the bag. “That is full of baked
goodies of the chocolate chip variety. To help you through your
first day back.”

My face softens at the gesture before my
eyes land on his t-shirt. It reads
Be A Flirt and Lift Your
Shirt.
I release a light laugh at its sentiment.

“Nice shirt,” I muse, pointing at scribble
on it.

Callan looks down and returns his focus to
me with a bright smirk. “My fans think so.”

I scoff. “You have fans?”

“Hey, don’t underestimate the power of my
charm, cutie,” Callan says.

I hold up my hands in surrender. “Wouldn’t
dream of it, gargoyle.”

“You ready to go, love?” Gage asks from
behind me, interrupting our playful banter.

A long breath releases from my lips. I turn
around and face Gage. “As ready as I’ll ever be,” I say
sarcastically and pick up my messenger bag.

Callan reaches for my elbow, stopping my
movement.

“Eves, just remember the rest of the clan
will be around the entire time. Regardless of what Gage says, you
will never fully be left alone with him.” The warning was stern and
meant for Gage, not me.

I give Callan a genuine smile before
dropping a chaste kiss on his cheek. “Thanks.”

“Anytime, cutie.” Callan winks at me before
narrowing his eyes toward Gage. “She’s to be returned in the same
condition she leaves in,” he informs without room for argument.

“All right temporary protector. Let’s go,” I
say to Gage before he and Callan get into it.

We walk out side-by-side to his sports car.
Without a glance my way, he immediately walks around to the
driver’s side and gets in. I hop into the passenger seat, noticing
the interior smells like Gage, cigarettes and spice.

“You don’t open doors for women anymore?” I
ask since he’s usually more chivalrous towards me, and the ladies
in general.

He shrugs. “I open doors for women who are
friends, I’m dating, or sleeping with. You, love, are now an
assignment.”

“Charming,” I mumble under my breath.

Without another word, he starts the car and
pulls us away from the manor and towards Kingsley College. Once
we’re closer to campus, he finally decides to acknowledge me.

“How much longer until you refocus on the
ascension?”

The question is fair but pisses me off
nonetheless.

“I don’t know, Gage. When does the ache of
being left by the person you’re bonded to end?” I ask with sarcasm
dripping from my lips
. Since we’re not ‘friends,’ what business
of his is it?

“It doesn’t. You just move it to a different
compartment in your heart until it’s ready to be felt again,” Gage
answers with an even tone.

“You would know,” I retort and keep my gaze
on the landscape rolling by.

He grunts. “I suppose I deserve that. So go
ahead and take your anger out on me because Asher isn’t here to
absorb it. But just remember, love, your prince will return.
Camilla won’t.” He falls silent for the remainder of the ride with
the exception of his nervous tapping on the steering wheel.
God,
I’m an ass lately.

A few moments later, Gage pulls into the
coffee shop near the college. I turn my gaze to him.

“Why are we here?” I blink in confusion.

He smiles. “I need more caffeine and
nicotine to deal with your mood swings. I’m guessing you could use
a cup too before class.”

Opening the driver’s side door, he gets out
and doesn’t wait for me. Once I’m out of the car, my eyes scan the
area. The last time I was here was with Asher, running from the
Barghest, a hellhound sent by Lucifer to confirm my existence and
protection. I shudder at the memory.

Lost in my own head, I don’t hear Gage
approach with a lit cigarette hanging from his mouth.

“Café mocha?”

I turn to face him. “What?” I ask as he
blows smoke next to my face.
Lovely.

“Café mocha? It’s what you ordered before.
Would you like me to get you the same thing?” he questions, sucking
in and blowing out the last of his habit.

“Yeah. Thanks,” I offer weakly. He flicks
the remains of his nicotine stick in the trash then walks into the
coffee shop. Leaving me outside, unprotected.
Awesome
.

“Some sentinel,” I mumble under my breath
and follow him into the café. “Forget something?” I ask in a light
tone, stepping up next to him.

Gage turns and pulls his eyebrows together
in contemplation.
Seriously?

“Did you want whipped cream? I figured last
time you didn’t order it with, so I didn’t this time.” His answer
is sincere and clueless.

“Um…” I’m taken aback. “No. I meant me. Did
you forget me? Aren’t you supposed to be keeping me safe?” I ask.
“You just left me standing in the open, outside.”

Gage just studies me for a moment. “I don’t
babysit, love. If you’re in danger then I’ll help. You’re a big
girl, Eve, and I understand you have a limited amount of training
and knowledge of what you’re up against. It’s time you spread those
wings and fly, daughter of Heaven.” His voice suggests he’s bored
with me. “It’s on you to speak up if you need me.”

My mouth falls open.
Is he for real?
“So that’s it. If something attacks me, you’ll come running to my
rescue, but other than that, good luck, Eve?” I ask in
astonishment.

Gage shrugs. “I’m a gargoyle. Not a nanny.
That’s Asher’s thing with you, love,” he chides in a tone that
suggests I should know this.

“Wow, that’s…new,” I reply.

I’m so used to not being allowed to just be
normal. Usually the clan is on top of me every minute with Asher
bossing me around all the time.

“Besides,” he tilts his head to the front
glass door, “Keegan is outside in the parking lot.”

I chew on the inside of my cheek. “Oh,
right.”

The barista calls Gage’s name and we pick up
our beverages in comfortable silence before heading back to his
car.

“Thanks for the coffee.”

Gage gives me a seductive smirk. “You’re
welcome, love.”

After a few minutes, he pulls us into the
college lot then shuts off the engine.

“If you don’t want to babysit me, then why
did you agree to take me on as an assignment?” I question, curious
about his motives.

He shifts in his seat, staring out the
window. After a few moments of silence, Gage sighs and puts another
cigarette in his mouth. “Asher asked a favor. That’s all I’ll say
about it.” He gets out, walks around and sits on the hood to light
up.

I follow him and lean against the car, while
he blows the smoke out on a large exhale.

“Fair enough. I won’t ask anymore,” I
say.

His glance slides to mine and he nods once
in acceptance. “Time to get you to Philosophy 101.” Gage pushes off
the car and starts walking toward the building that houses my class
while I’m left to contemplate how the hell he knows my schedule.
Like an obedient puppy, I follow behind.

Asher is incredibly good-looking with his
dark brown hair, blue-eyes, perfect stubble-dusted jawline, tall
muscular frame and tattoos. So I’m used to the stares and sighs of
appreciation from girls when I walk with him.

That said, nothing could prepare me for
Gage’s rock star status. I swear, he literally melts girls’ panties
off just by walking by them. We’ve had to stop at least a dozen
times on the way to my class for giggly, air-headed females so they
can try to get into his pants.