Chapter 47

She was breathtaking, was all Bastian could think as he stood back watching her interact with Crissy and a few of the Gemini women. Whatever had transpired on her trip, it had removed that fear from her eyes and now it was like he was seeing the woman from her journal for the first time.

Quinton sent him a look that brought Bastian out of his internal daydreaming. What had he missed? Moving closer, he watched Emil’s expression, he looked hesitant and uncomfortable.

“It makes sense.” Nova looked at Ava, who nodded.

“It would be easy enough to do.” Ava crossed her arms over her chest. “Word travels fast in this city.”

“I’m sorry,” Bastian glanced from the perpetually angry woman to his breathtaking Nova. “I missed that. What are we doing?”

Nova huffed out a breath and stepped around the large Emil. “If I am the one to find and stop the dark-souled ones, then I need to be visible, where they can find me, and then you guys can deal with them.”

Bastian’s heart sped up. “You want to use yourself as bait?” Her trip hadn’t just changed her outlook, it had given her a masochistic streak. “That is not even close to a good idea.” His phone buzzing in his pocket made him pause. With jerky movement, he pulled it out and glanced at it. Tor had messaged. -I’m watching from rooftops and the bastards are closing in on her location.- He sent Quinton a look. “They know she’s back.” Quinton straightened from where he’d been leaning and looked around.

“See. It would work.” Nova sent him a hopeful look.

“I’m messaging Kinsley to bring a stabilizer to the landing room,” Crissy mumbled to no one in particular.

Emil looked from her to Bastian, a curious expression on his face.

Jamming his phone in his pocket, Bastian held Nova’s defiant look. She was even more beautiful when she was standing her ground and it pained him that she might hate him shortly. Crissy knew exactly what needed to be done. He didn’t know if he’d have thought of it without her prompt and mention of the landing room, but the safest place for Nova right now was not in this realm. Had she seen something bad if Nova stayed? He’d be having a chat with the little seer, later, after they round up the lurking lawless.

“They don’t have the balls to come near here.” Ava smiled at Karma; he thought her name was.

“It would be more fun if they tried.” Karma’s smile was slow and vengeful.

Nova looked from one to the other. “I should go out to the street where they can see me.” She turned to Bastian.

He inhaled slowly, through his nose, and breathed it out gradually. “You should go.” He nodded and took a step toward her. She was wearing her amulet and he would likely regret it later, but in the next few moments, she was going to be very angry with him. He reached and touched her cheek. “You should go with Crissy,” he said softly as the jolts of pain traveled through him from breaking the barrier of the powerful magic she wore around her neck. Her colorful pale eyes looked up at him. She felt it, the heat from her soul reaching for his. He could see it in her eyes.

His other hand was balled into a fist at his side. Every nerve in his body felt like it was on fire. Leaning down, he kissed her lips softly and took her breath into his body. “Forgive me,” he whispered and then stepped back with such momentum, he almost stumbled.

Crissy grabbed Nova’s bag and then rushed at her with her hand in front of her. She gave Bastian and quick nod and then they both disappeared.

Bastian hunched over his knees, his breath left his body all at once, he and waited for the fire in his veins to subside.

“Are you all right?” Emil was bent over looking at him.

“No.” Bastian sucked in a breath. “Yes, I’ll be fine in a moment. I hope.”

“You’re an idiot.” Tor was there now. “My prince.” He ground out without any sign of amusement and then put his hand on Bastian’s arm like he was afraid he’d fall to the ground.

There was a chance that could happen, every muscle in his body seemed to work against him currently. Bastian glanced up to look at him. “Well, I’ve always tested boundaries.” He tried for a smirk but cringed instead when another round of lightning went through him.

“That took some balls,” Ava said in a loud voice. “Pushing against the magic that protects her.”

He stood slowly, checking his balance. His muscles were shaking.

“You’re lucky you didn’t pass out at her feet, soul sucker.” Capri came out of the garage. She walked toward him with a long stride, her hair was blowing around her as if they were standing in a windstorm. There wasn’t even a whisper of wind today. Bastian had just enough time to note her eyes were glowing with a violet hue, then she touched the side of his face and powerful energy washed over him much like water would cascade down his body. When he caught his breath, he felt steadier, stronger.

“We need someone who can see these soul robbers, that’s the only reason I helped.” Capri’s eyes were back to normal looking, and the non-existent wind released her hair.

“I’m calling for backup,” Emil said and took out his phone.

Capri turned around and looked at Crystal. “Go with the prince and his friend.” She looked at Tor. “Guide everyone to their location.”

Ava and Karma exchanged a look and then smiled at each other.

Crystal nodded and came over and grabbed Bastian’s sleeve, then leaned and pulled Tor closer. She glanced at Capri and nodded.

Capri’s eyes changed again, and Bastian felt his feet leave the ground. He had long enough to glance over at Tor to see the ‘holy hell’ expression on his face and then they were level with the roof of the Gemini’s building.

When his boots touched the building, he stepped back from Crystal and couldn’t even think of something quirky and amusing to say. His phone ringing startled him, pulling it out, he saw it was Nova’s number on the screen.

“Catch up after you’re done sucking up.” Crystal smirked and then ran across the roof, Tor right behind her.