Steal the Day (Thieves #2)(103)

Felix’s wrists were undone, but still he couldn’t move them. There was a large, circular piece of gold on his chest. I looked at it more closely and was disgusted to see someone had sewn it directly onto his flesh, each stitch a mottled, bloody welt.

The angel managed to get one of his hands to work. He held it out toward me. “Zoey didn’t need to bring anything but her own sweet person with her. My little cousin will work just fine. Felicity explained what you are, right?”

“Yes, though it’s still a little hard to believe.” Now it made complete sense that I was the only one in the world who could do this job. Felicity needed my very unique DNA. She might have been able to use another companion, but I was pretty sure I was the only companion with the skills and backbone to pull this off.

Felix quickly explained our situation to Sarah, who looked as surprised as everyone else had to find out I had an angelic connection.

“If you say one thing about my purity, we’re going to have a smackdown when we get out of here,” I warned her.

Sarah grinned, and I saw some small bit of the girl I’d known before. “I wouldn’t want that, Z. Our last fight was a doozy. I’d like to avoid pissing you off in the future. I just suspected Dev there would have done something about your purity. He doesn’t seem like the type to just sit back and hold your hand.”

“Oh, I’ve dirtied her up,” Dev said with a lascivious grin. It was nice to know that even in the presence of angels, Dev let his libido loose. “I’d like to get dirty with her tonight, but we have to get out of here first. We should hurry because sex after I’ve had this much adrenaline running through my system has got to be good.”

“Poor Felicity,” Felix said sadly, but did not explain himself. He cast his eyes at me. “Those tears still clinging to your cheeks will work, cousin. Let your faery prince handle it, though. I don’t think the spell will harm you, but I can’t be sure. Devinshea, please spread her tears on the gold, and then I’d step back if I were you.”

Dev strode to me and looked down, cupping my face in his hands. He brushed my cheeks with his thumbs and kissed me lightly on the nose before turning back to Felix. Touching the gold circlet on his chest, Dev spread the fluid across the metal as it started to glow. It broke down the center with an audible crack, and Dev jumped back, pulling me into his arms and covering my head with his hands. I twisted slightly because I wanted to see.

Felix groaned as he pulled the broken gold amulet from his chest and tossed it aside. The flesh healed before my eyes, turning from a pale, washed out color to a healthy golden tone.

He threw his head back and roared. There’s no other word for it, but it was a happy sound. The room filled with light, but this was a soft, joyous light, nothing like the insistent, overwhelming glare of Oliver. This was a vibrant shine that filled the sad chamber with energy.

I caught my breath as Felix Day unfolded his wings and stretched his arm out to the woman on the altar. He glowed, nothing like the creature on the rack a moment ago. He was a glorious light. His halo gleamed above his resplendent face. He was very masculine, but almost too beautiful to look at. Sarah didn’t have any problem looking at him. She managed to prop herself up on her elbows, and she watched as Felix made his transformation, her face filled with adoration. I wondered what sort of connections these two had formed during the months they’d spent down here at Halfer’s mercy.

“Felix, I am so happy for you,” Sarah said, tears shining in her eyes. “You’re so beautiful.”

Felix folded his wings and knelt beside her. “You’re the beautiful one, my love.”

And I now knew what sort of connection they’d formed. Love happened in the weirdest place.

Sarah put a hand out, holding him off. “Don’t, Felix. I won’t be able to stand it. I love you. I can’t stand the thought of being without you. I’d almost rather stay here if it means I don’t have to lose you. Almost.”

Felix chuckled softly. “You’ve never been without me, Sarah Tucker. Not one moment of your life.” Sarah looked up at him, shocked. He pulled her into his arms. “I’ve been with you from the beginning. I watched you grow and steered you here or there. Do you remember the night you met Neil?”

“Of course.” She wasn’t struggling against him. Now that she was in his arms, she cuddled against him, making an odd contrast. Felix was the picture of vibrant life and Sarah looked so close to death.

Felix smoothed back her hair, staring down at her as he spoke. “You decided not to go out that night, but there was a voice in your head telling you to go out and have fun. It was very insistent, and you got dressed and danced the night away with a werewolf who led you to a vampire and his companion, who walked through Hell to save her friend. I was always there, Sarah.”

“Then you know all the things I’ve done.” Her voice choked with emotion.

Felix was having none of that. He hugged her closer. “Yes, I know everything about you. I know the things you’ve done and why you did them. I also know that somewhere along the way you became more precious than the rest of those assigned to me to watch, as Devinshea became to Felicity.”

Dev and I looked at each other. I felt a surprising surge of jealousy, but I put it aside as Felix continued.

“Why do you think I allowed the demon to capture me?” Felix asked softly.