“Are you saying that if I were to find Wade, you aren’t necessarily opposed to our relationship anymore?” I say, narrowing my gaze.
The Angel of Death stops walking and turns to face me. “Keeping the two of you apart was one of many attempts at keeping you on your mission.”
My mouth falls open. “It was about me? I thought you said it was against—”
He raises a hand between us and tilts his head slightly. “I’m not going to say necromancers don’t directly play in opposition to what angels of death are here to do. But we’re not that inflexible.”
“Unbelievable,” I mutter, shaking my head and walking away.
Wade’s father chuckles but follows me. “Things are different now. You’re much more than simply a necromancer. So, to answer your question bluntly, I would still love the opportunity to meet my grandson, should that be the course things take.”
My heart skips a beat and I stop walking. Tears spring to my eyes and I look over my shoulder at him. “It was a boy?”
The corners of his lips curve upward.
I press my fingertips to my lips, trying to keep them from quivering. How do I find my way back there when I don’t even know where Wade is?
“I really do admire you, Autumn. There has always been something very special about you. Even when you were facing death as a young child, you did so with a dignity I’ve rarely seen,” he says. “It would be an honor to call you family.”
“Then help me find Wade,” I say, pleading with him.
He shakes his head, patting my hand and letting go of my arm. “Don’t you think I’ve messed with fate enough?”
Before I have the chance to say anything else, he reaches out, placing a hand on my shoulder. As he steps back from me, I realize we walked in a circle through the cemetery, and we’re right back where we started.
“My time is up. I really must go,” he says, taking a few more steps backward as the black smoke opens up behind him.
“But—” I begin.
Before I can say another word, he steps into his portal and is gone.
I blow out a puff of defeated air and turn back to Charlotte’s grave. “Charlotte, what do you think I should do? Should I hunt down the realty company next? What happens if it’s another dead end?”
Kneeling down, I run my hands over my face.
“You look like you could use a friend,” a voice says from behind me.
My heart skips a beat as I register the words—the same words that sparked something beautiful a lifetime ago.
No… it can’t be… Can it?
Chapter 28
Second Chances
My heart practically jumps out of my chest as I scramble around in the snow to face the other direction.
“Angel?” I blurt out.
Wade stands back a few feet, wearing his signature black leather jacket, which disrupts the sea of white all around him in the most beautiful way. My breath catches in my throat and I gape at him.
He really is an angel.
His eyes are wide and his mouth hangs slightly agape. Tentatively, he steps forward. “Do I know you?”
I shake my head, trying to calm my heart and mind. I want to tell him everything and rush to get back to the way things used to be, but I know better. Things have to unfold the way they’re meant to.
“No…you just startled me,” I say, backpedaling.
His silver eyes become narrow slits. “And you make a habit out of calling out for an angel in your moment of need?”
I wince. “I…guess so?” It sounds like more of a question than a statement, and I hope like hell he doesn’t think I’m totally insane.
“That’s kinda weird,” he says, his eyes flashing with that hint of curiosity I know so well and instantly I know what to say next.
“I’ve been, um…studying angels,” I say, trying to sound more reasonable. “I’m a student at Windhaven Academy.”
A smile erupts across his handsome face. “Really? That’s cool. So am I, actually—or I will be next week.” He takes another step closer. “Well, I didn’t mean to freak you out. I just wasn’t expecting to find anyone else out here.”
“It’s okay,” I say, unable to wash away the relief and excitement budding inside me. All I want in the world is to rush over to him and wrap my arms around him and tell him I’ll never let him go.
Instead, it’s torture staying put and waiting to see if he comes closer.
As I hoped he would, he walks forward, then takes a seat in the snow beside Charlotte’s grave. His eyes float across the stone, appraising it.
“She seems nice,” he says, smirking.
“Oh, definitely. Great talker, too,” I laugh.
He shrugs nonchalantly. “Sure, if you like those Chatty Cathy types.”
I burst out laughing. Unable to help myself, I sit down beside him, keeping my knees as close to him as I dare.
“So, what’s your name, anyway?” he asks, tipping his chin toward me.
I chew on my lip for a moment, trying to remember why this moment feels so significant. Then, it comes to me.
“Drusilla,” I say, the corner of my lips curving upward.
He snorts. “Sure, and my name is actually Angel.”
My eyes widen, but again I chuckle. “I could totally see that, actually. As long as it’s not Angelus, I think we’re five by five.”
“Ha—quoting Faith, huh? See, now I know you’re talking crap,” he says, winking at me.
My breath catches and I find myself a puddle right beside him. God, I’ve missed that wink.
“I knew I’d like you,” he says, interrupting my internal gushing.
My eyes widen. “You did?”
“Yeah, I mean, it’s not often you find anyone else alive in a graveyard, let alone a beautiful woman with a sense of humor,” he says, shooting me a lopsided grin.
My heart melts and I have to work to keep my utter giddiness in check.
“Was that too cheesy?” His face scrunches. “It was, wasn’t it?”
I shake my head. “Just enough cheese, I think.”
He beams back.
A moment of silence spreads
