“Oh, shit,” I hear Delta murmur.
“Alder was overrun. Even with the help of some of the demon patrons at the bar, there were way too many Outer Ringers. There are a lot of demons that believe we should have free rein in this realm and do whatever the fuck we want to humans. They attacked and broke through the gate, nearly killing Alder in the process.”
A gasp flies from my mouth, and my hand squeezes Alder’s arm that’s wrapped around my middle. Even though I know this story happened a long time ago, I can’t help the panic that fills me as I imagine all of this goin’ down and what could’ve happened.
“I shifted back immediately when I felt the attack, and I barely managed to get Alder a safe distance away. The stubborn bastard wouldn’t run. Too damn proud and honorable,” he says with a rueful turn of his lips.
Alder chuffs behind me. “Someone had to stay and guard it.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Flint replies, but I can tell this playfulness is gained after years of regret and contrition.
“So what happened?” I press.
Flint tilts his head toward Delta’s guys. “The other Guardians felt the attack, and they came to help. Together, we managed to close down the portal and stabilize the Hellgate. But the horde killed a lot of good demons that day. And good humans too,” he says with a resentful bite to his words. “It was my fault those demons broke through and went on a killing spree. If I’d stopped being such a fucking selfish prick, it never would’ve happened.”
His gaze meets mine once more, and I hurt for him at the devastating pain and penitence I see on his face. “I learned right then and there, it’s not worth it to fight your calling. If the gate needs you, it needs you. Pouting or running or trying to ignore the responsibility ain’t worth it. I know that better than any Guardian out there.”
Silence reigns for a bit as everyone digests his words, mostly Delta and me. I feel so bad for Flint—at the guilt he carries around. And for Alder, who had to stand with such a heavy load on his shoulders for so long all by himself. It says a lot about the kind of person Alder is that he clearly doesn’t hold a grudge but, instead, is sympathetic and supportive to what Flint went through. They’re clearly friends now, and I’m startin’ to understand the kind of foundation their bond was built off of.
“Well...fuck,” Delta says, breakin’ the silence. I can’t help but let out an anxious laugh.
“Thanks for tellin’ us, Flint,” I say quietly as I squeeze his hand supportively. My heart hurts for him knowin’ that the people he considered family basically abandoned him, all because he ended up havin’ a different daddy. Flint shoots me a warm smile, squeezin’ my hand right back.
“Took me a wicked wake up call, but I’m thankful that the Gate chose me, and that I got a second chance to be the Guardian I was supposed to be,” he admits. “And now...we got the two of you,” Flint continues, noddin’ at Delta and me. “Annuli.”
“Yep,” Alder says behind me, his voice rumblin’ through his chest and into my side. “You two are everything we didn’t know we needed,” he says, his hand playin’ with the strands of my hair and makin’ me shiver. My heart swells at his declaration and the honest conviction ringin’ through it. I lean over and place a kiss on his cheek.
“I keep meanin’ to ask...do you feel any differently?” I question Delta. “I mean, since you went down into Hell and worked your Annulus magic on the Hellgate?”
Delta bites her lip in contemplation before shakin’ her head. “No, not that I can tell. With the Garden of Eden thing going on down there, I know I did something...but I don’t know. I keep wondering if we should bring you down there to do the same thing.”
Rafferty nods. “I was thinking that too.”
I share a look with my guys and then shrug. “Whatever I can do to help, I’m game.”
Delta rolls her eyes playfully before gettin’ to her feet. “No surprise there. You’re always game to go with the flow, Medley.”
I lift a shoulder. “Just wait until you meet Mama and Daddy. They’re even more easygoin’ than I am.”
Delta grins. “I can’t wait to meet them.”
Mama is gonna be ecstatic when she meets Delta. Plus, the purple wings. I haven’t told her yet about these things, because I wanna watch her face when she sees them. She’s gonna lose her mind with excitement.
“Should we hit the kitchens and fuel up for the night?” Rafferty asks as he and the others get to their feet.
I untangle myself from Alder’s lap and hop up. “Yeah, I could eat.”
Alder gets to his feet too and stretches, his shirt ridin’ up to show the V that leads into his pants and the stunnin’ watercolor outlines of flowers that flow perfectly with his muscles. Suddenly, my mouth starts to water for all new reasons that have nothin’ to do with food. He looks over to find me in a state of pure appreciation, and he smiles and pulls me toward him.
“You hungry for somethin’ else, Petal?” he asks against my lips before he places a quick peck there. I lean toward him wantin’ more, makin’ him chuckle, but then that raspy laugh turns into a gasp, his eyes flarin’ wide.
“Alder?”
Gasps and grunts fill the room, and my head whips around,
