After weaving through the small streets, my mortal struggled to keep up with me, so I slowed down. The descent had never taken me this long, and I contemplated the length of time it would take for her to climb back up. I stopped thinking about the return trip, or else it would ruin my good mood.
We reached the main street. As expected, the crowds covered it like pebbles before people cleared the way before us. Curious eyes strayed from their purpose, windows opened, blinds parted, and for once, I wasn’t the center of their awe. She was.
I glanced at her.
She didn’t seem to cower under all the attention, her eyes darting from person to person. Quickly, as if…she was searching for someone. This was not good, as she could find her family, the last people I wanted her to see. Jarring their memories would be quite a disaster. Killing her people was not on my agenda. Though her searching wasn’t all bad. She was, at least, aware of her surroundings, so if a rift opened and the Marked appeared, she could react quickly.
Eventually, they’d come for the sword.
Eventually, they’d try to take it.
Never would they succeed.
Gently, I placed a hand on Julia’s shoulder.
She stopped and looked up, licking her lips. They appeared redder and glossier than before.
“What’s wrong with your mouth this morning?” I asked.
“Nothing.”
I swiped a thumb over her bottom lip. It came away red. I sniffed. “Watermelon?”
A pretty blush spread over her cheeks. “It’s ChapStick. I found it yesterday in the snow.”
“Your lips aren’t chapped,” I said.
“I know.”
“What is the use of sticking them, then?”
She stepped closer and rose on her toes, then whispered, “Maybe we can get a cup of coffee and talk about it somewhere else.”
“Is ChapStick a secret from Before?”
She sighed and stepped back. “Yes.”
Naturally, some things from Before had slipped through when I shifted the reality. I bent closer so she could whisper again. “You may speak now. Go on.”
“Commander, girls put colored ChapStick or lipstick on when they want to feel pretty or, you know, draw someone’s attention.”
I narrowed my eyes. “And whose attention do you need?” My attention was not enough? “Be careful how you answer, mortal. This may or may not go well for you.”
She sighed, averting her gaze. “I found it and put it on because it’s the only regular thing I’ve seen in weeks.” Apparently done speaking with me, she walked away and down the street.
I moved toward the shop and crossed my arms over my chest. “This way,” I said.
She turned around, frowning. “That doesn’t look like a Starbucks.”
Starbucks sounded like a place from Before. I was on her before she could blink. Grabbing the back of her head, I pulled her to me and bent my head to her ear. “You may speak of your memories when we’re alone or when I allow it. For example, inside the shop we’re about to enter, you may speak of Before. In fact, you must. That is an order, soldier. Otherwise, it is imperative you keep your memories to yourself.” I lifted my gaze, searching the people on the street for signs of the Marked or general fear-disfigured faces that would reveal a mortal’s veil got lifted and they came into their memories. People avoided my gaze but otherwise didn’t fear me. Crisis averted.
“I’m trying.”
“Try harder, soldier."
She placed her small hands on my hips, and my body came to life. I buzzed with pent-up sexual energy, urges I couldn’t yet succumb to. A group of four angels landed on one rooftop, watching, eyes wide, likely because I didn’t touch mortals. Except this one, because this one was mine. And because she was mine, she would learn to keep her secrets and use them only to her advantage. I didn’t need angels questioning her, looking at her, taking an interest in her.
My chest rumbled with a growl loud enough to raise their feathers.
In a blink, the angels scattered, not a single one to be seen. My beautiful, obedient creatures. Proud, I squared my shoulders. Mortals, on the other hand, still stood there on the street, watching, giggling, whispering. I gently nudged my fussy mortal toward the shop.
She dug in her heels. “Coffee. I beg you.”
I took her chin between my fingers. “After I am finished with what I came here to do.”
Tears brimmed in her eyes. “I feel I’m gonna break if I don’t have something normal.”
“You found a chapped stick. Hang on to it. Now, you will accompany me inside the shop, where I will surprise you with the most exquisite gift, or you will return to the House and run for the rest of the weekend and twice on Sunday.” I caressed her cheek. “Don’t mistake kindness for weakness.”
“Which kindness?”
“I allowed you to live with memories intact. I asked very little from you in return. Only obedience. Inside the shop, if I am very lucky, and I’m feeling lucky today, I will show you the alternative.”
She pinched her lips. A tear slid down her cheek, and I wiped it with my thumb. My mortal moved around me and entered Mr. Habib’s shop. Outside, I scanned the rooftops and tasted the mortal’s tear.
Chapter Nine
Starbucks, a name that slipped right past my Before filter. Michael had warned me about the slips, and although he tolerated them, he might decide to chop my head off next time. I couldn’t forget he commanded vicious armies and had practically zero tolerance for anything besides perfect execution of his orders. I would take greater care next time, although not in this shop. He ordered me to speak in here, even to deliberately mention something from Before. I wondered why, but if he wanted to tell me what he planned,
