Chapter 21 Order
"And stability," Malik added, his sapphire eyes holding mine with unwavering intensity. "A firm foundation upon which you can build your power, your understanding. A place where you can truly become the beacon you are destined to be."
My gaze drifted back to the shadows where Ryker had vanished. The memory of his laugh, the dangerous glint in his eyes, the intoxicating scent, lingered. He was chaos, yes. But chaos had a thrilling, untamed appeal. And perhaps, a vital role to play in this world, too.
I squeezed Malik's hand, a silent acknowledgment of his offer, of the path he represented. But even as I did, a flicker of something new ignited within me. A stubborn, defiant curiosity. I liked the thrill of Ryker. I liked the way he challenged me, the way he saw the beast within. But I liked the stability of Malik. I needed that order, that anchor, after my world had shattered. The temptation was real, a dangerous dance between two extremes. I was on a precipice, and the wind, from both sides, blew strongly. My entry into Salvation, the world of angels and demons, would be anything but peaceful. And I stood, paralyzed, between the shattering fragments of my old life and the beckoning chaos of my new one. And I knew, with a certainty that chilled me, that I would need both the light and the dark to survive.
But can they not destroy each other? Or will they destroy me?