When I next awoke, Declan was gone. I sat up in my bed and starred out at the light filtering through the window. It took me several moments to spot Melody perched in one of Declan’s worn leather armchairs.
“Mel?”
Her head swiveled and she set down the book she’d been reading before jumping from her seat and climbing into bed beside me.
She gave me a fierce hug, her blue-black wings spread out behind her. “You look like shit,” she said into my shoulder.
I pulled back and gave her a quick once over. “You don’t look so hot yourself.”
She laughed and sat back. A heavy silence hung between us and before I could stop them, tears leaked from my eyes. It was like a dam had been broken and I couldn’t stop them from falling.
“Hey. Are you in pain? Do you want me to grab Declan?” She moved to get up and I reached for her hand, tugging her back beside me.
“Mel, I’m so sorry. It’s all my fault.”
Melody pulled out of my grasp and scowled at me.
I hung my head and waited for her to lash out. For her to tell me I was the shittiest friend in existence. That she’d never forgive me for what happened to her.
But she didn’t do any of those things.
Instead, she laughed.
She fucking laughed. Right there, in my face.
“What is so damn funny?”
She laughed so hard she was practically folded in half. “It’s not funny. I know—I know it’s—”
She laughed harder.
I waited for her to get control of herself, a firm scowl stamped across my face.
Now really wasn’t the time.
Seconds turned into minutes before she finally pulled herself together, wiping tears from the corners of her eyes.
“Oh, come on, Aria. Don’t look at me like that.”
I blinked. What the hell was I supposed to say now? I’d tried apologizing to her and what did I get? Her, laughing in my face.
She reached forward and gave me a tight hug. “You’re my best friend. One of my only friends. This wasn’t your fault but I am damn glad you rescued me.”
She sat back and I frowned, running a hand through my hair. “About that…” My memories were a little foggy. My mother had died. I remembered that part and I shoved the grief so far down I was surprised I didn’t gag on it.
But I distinctly remembered blacking out and when I did, Mel was still trapped.
How had she gotten out with my mother dead? What about the retina scan and the code? What about the stupid fifteen-minute countdown?
“What happened after—?” I waved my hand in the air.
“Oh. Your super sexy hunk of a mate came to the rescue. And the other one. Inarus. He’s a hottie, too. He was there. He killed your…” she trailed off and jutted out her lower lip.
“Are you okay?”
I sniffed. “I’m good. She was the worst mom ever.” I tried to hide the tremor in my voice, but judging my Melody’s expression, I’d done a shitty job of it.
“She really was.”
I smiled and the awkward moment passed.
“Well, after that, you passed out. Inarus and Declan freed you while his sister, what’s her name?”
“Dia,” I supplied.
Melody snapped. “Right. Her. She did some TK stuff and poof. I was out.”
“Just like that?” I asked. If I’d known it’d be so easy…
“Okay, so not just like that. I guess they had some bumps along the way but I was so out of it and my brain was so fogged by the pain, I really don’t remember most of it and to be honest, I don’t care. I’m alive. I’m free. The rest is in the past and this Harpy is moving forward.”
I sighed at her carefree attitude. She’d just endured who knew what and she was already looking toward tomorrow’s horizon.
“Have you seen Declan and Inarus? I was wondering why…” I trailed off. I wanted to see Declan. There was an urgency in me to see him and know he was okay. That the battle hadn’t taken a toll on him. But I felt the bond between us. It was strong and steady, giving me the security I needed which left…
Melody’s face fell. “Declan is here. He asked me to stay with you while he took care of a few things. But Ari?”
I waited. I knew whatever Melody was about to say, I wasn’t going to like it.
“Just spit it out, Mel.”
She stood and pulled a folded envelope from her back pocket. She stared down at it for a few moments before handing it over.
I flipped it in my hands, noticing the seal had already been broken.
“You read it?” I accused.
She rolled her eyes with a huff. “Don’t act so surprised.”
I fought back an eye roll of my own.
“I think you’ll want some privacy though so I’ll leave you to it. I should be heading home anyway. Time to clean up my place and get my life back in order.”
“Tell Ryan I said hello.”
She blushed and I couldn’t help the smile that spread over my face.
“He was really worried about you, ya know?”
She nodded. “Yeah. We’re getting coffee later this week.”
“A date?” I asked
“Who knows. I never know what’s going on in that pretty head of his.”
I snickered. “Let me know how it goes. Okay?”
“Absolutely.”
She walked out and I was left staring at the letter in my hands. I was happy for her. Happy she and Ryan would have a chance. But staring at the envelope in my hands made a sense of foreboding wash over me.
A hollow ache bloomed in my chest. He was gone. I didn’t need to open the letter to
