Page 71 of A House of Gold
And I have no idea what that makes me—weak, desperate, or so tired of fighting alone that I’ll take comfort from the devil himself.
Maybe all three.
I stumble into bed, and sleep takes me immediately.
I dream of gold chains and silver wings and a voice saying mine over and over until I can’t remember if it’s a threat or a promise.
17
Ikissed Croesus last night.
The memory is a tingling frisson through me. His mouth on mine. His hands in my hair. His voice saying mine while I said yes like I meant it.
I did mean it. That’s the problem.
I press my palms to my eyes.What the hell was I thinking?I wasn’t thinking, that’s the issue. I was exhausted and hollow and so desperate for comfort that I let an angel who owns me for a year kiss me like I belonged to him.
And I kissed him back.
My phone buzzes on the nightstand. I reach for it automatically, then freeze when I see the screen.
Reminder: Weekly call with Luna - Today
Right. It’s been a week. Another week gone to this place. To this angel.
The realization makes me feel sick.
I check the time, barely past eight. Luna’s an early riser, especially on weekends when she goes trail running before the sun gets too hot. She’ll be awake.
I find the phone Croesus finally sent a minion to install in my room. Since my cell hasn’t worked as a phone since I arrived.
She picks up on the second ring. “Raven! I was just thinking about you.”
Her voice, bright and warm and completely, blissfully normal, makes my chest ache.
“Hey, kid. How’s school?”
“Crazy.” I can hear her moving around, probably getting ready for her run. “I have two papers due next week and a practical lab on Wednesday, but it’s fine. Sarah and I are doing a study group thing.” She pauses. “How’s the consulting job? You sound tired.”
“Long hours. Demanding client.” Not a lie. “But I’m managing.”
“Are you eating? Sleeping? You always forget to take care of yourself when you’re stressed.”
“Yes, Mom.” I smile despite everything. “I’m taking care of myself. Promise.”
“Good.” More rustling. “Oh! Remember that guy from my chemistry lab? The one who asked for my number?”
“The cute one?”
“That’s the one. We went for coffee yesterday. He’s really sweet, Raven. Like, genuinely nice. He volunteers at an animal shelter on weekends and wants to go into veterinary medicine.” She’s talking fast now, excited. “We’re going hiking next Saturday. Nothing serious, just nice, you know?”
I close my eyes. She’s nineteen and going on coffee dates and thinking about hiking with a boy who volunteers at animal shelters. She’s living exactly the life I wanted for her—normal, bright, full of possibility.
And I’m in a pocket dimension owned by a fallen angel, who kissed me last night and called me his.
“That’s great, Luna, really. I’m happy for you.”
“You okay? You sound weird.”
