“I don’t know.”
His gaze moved back to her. “You don’t?”
She shook her head.
He seemed to be choosing his words with care. “This is another hideout we have. A cabin we used to go to when we wanted to be alone.”
I’ve been here before?
Her heart raced. “I don’t remember it, but I took us here, so… so I must still have my memories somewhere inside of me!”
He smiled, making her insides tremble.
“What if I could remember? Then everything could go back to the way things were! I could be me again!”
His brows drew together, and his smile vanished. “Listen, I know we’ve all been walking around like a pack of heartbroken animals, but your lost memories don’t mean you’re not yourself anymore.”
“Daniel, come on.”
“I mean it. You’re still you. And you have to know that even if your memories do come back, you won’t be the same.”
Her stomach pitched. “Do you not want me to remember?”
He smirked. “I’m just saying I don’t care either way. You’re Surcy, no matter what.”
The strangest realization hit her in that moment. Daniel meant it. He really didn’t care whether she remembered or not.
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pressed her face against his throat and tried to hold back the tears. She’d felt such pressure since the moment she’d met these demons to remember who she was and to become the woman they loved. The idea that they could love her just the way she was made her feel relieved in a way she could never explain.
“It’s okay,” he whispered against her head, and his hand went to her temple. Slowly, he began to rub circles into her skin, and she melted with a slight moan. “See, you love it when I do this, now and then.”
She relaxed more deeply against him. “How long do you think it’ll take for the angels to leave and for us to go back?”
“Maybe we’ll check back right before nightfall.”
That would probably give the angels enough time to sniff around, but also time for them to climb down where she could teleport them safely away.
“Do you think Tristan is okay?”
Daniel laughed. “Of course. Tristan can handle himself.”
She closed her eyes. It was nice to feel the rumble of Daniel’s laugh through his chest. This man was strangely comfortable to lie on. Even though they’d slept together many times before, she’d never felt closer to him than she did in that moment.
“What should we do until then?” she asked, not really caring.
“I have an idea.”
She didn’t know what to expect at the slight teasing note in his voice, but she never expected what happened. They played cards at the table. A game he assured her they both loved. And as soon as she got the hang of it, it became an absolute blast, because she kicked his ass every time.
Daniel was not a good loser.
She was not a good winner.
So the game was more fun than she ever imagined. He swore. She danced obnoxiously every time she won, and they ate popcorn and drank soda.
When it came time for them to go again, she felt strangely sad. “It was nice to pretend that everything is normal for a little while.”
He looked up from where he was still seated at the table, putting the cards away. “One day we’ll be able to enjoy things like this all the time. When we’ve defeated Caine, and we’re sure you’re safe from him.”
“And that his angels can never drag the three of you back to the demon-realm,” she added with force.
He smiled. “That too.”
Rising, she watched as he moved toward her. His blond hair was messy after all they’d been through, sticking up in random spots. His face was neatly shaved, as always, showing the incredible lines of his face.
It was hard to breathe as he got closer. Daniel was truly a beautiful man. He didn’t have the ruggedness than Tristan had, or the nerdy-hotness that Mark had. He had something else. A confident spirit hiding a softer side. Like wings.
He took her hands with a shyness she hadn’t expected. “Shall we go?”
She nodded, but didn’t teleport them. “Thanks… for the cards.”
He smiled, his genuine smile. The one that seemed uncertain. “You’re welcome.”
But still, she hesitated. “Are you staying away from fire?”
His eyes widened, and she saw it in his face.
“Daniel…”
“I’m working on it.”
Her entire chest ached. “You kicked it once. You’ll kick it again, because we’re here for you. We won’t let you fall down that path.”
He nodded, but his expression was troubled.
“Is it when you go for walks?”
His gaze met hers again. “Yes.”
Her hands tightened on his. “Then, for now on we go for walks together.”
He let out a breath that seemed to shake his whole chest. “I’d like that. I’ve just been so lonely, and—“
She released his hands and shot into his arms. I’m such a freaking idiot. Of course he’s lonely. I’ve been using him for sex and not caring about him. Tristan was right to scold me. I deserved it!
“From now on you’re not going to be lonely. You’re going to be annoyed, because we’re going to stick to you like glue.”
He laughed, that rumbling laugh she loved. “All right.”
When she drew back, she caught his hands again. “Ready?”
“Ready.”
Taking a deep breath, she transported them back to the edge just beyond the barrier around the mountaintop, praying the angels were gone. And praying Mark and the Immortals were safe.
16
Mark stood on legs that shook and leaned heavily against the cave wall, wincing and wrapping an arm around his stomach. He didn’t want to tell the others, they’d already been through so much, but he felt like he was going to throw up. His entire body felt wrong. Weak. And it scared him.
I need to protect these frightened prisoners. Not lay in a
