Page 27 of Snow

NOVA

Languid and cold, sunset takes its time to arrive. By the time it does, Mack is shivering, but he was determined to stay on the roof until we’d seen it. Snow is doing a good job of keeping him warm, and I’ve had us wrapped up in my wings for the last few hours.

But still, he’s shivering.

“Rhone…” I stroke his face and kiss his cheek. I never use his first name, and it makes him blink at me. “Can you stand up?”

“Of course, I can stand, Little Star.” He attempts to move, but grabs his side and winces hard.

As if he feels it too, Snow releases a low rumble.

He stands and nudges Mack with his nose.

“No, buddy, I’m not doing that. You’re hurting too.”

Snow frowns at him – at least, I assume it’s a frown – and nudges him again. Then he looks at me.

“You want my help?”

Snow huffs.

“Looks like the bear’s in charge.” I stand, and help Mack up until he’s able to wrap his arms around Snow’s neck. Then, as Snow dips low to the ground, I push Mack up onto his back.

“Well this isn’t at all humiliating,” Mack says, sitting up but still hanging on tightly.

Snow tilts his head from side to side, then begins to plod forward. I follow closely, worried that Mack will lose his hold and fall right off, causing even more problems.

When we reach the stairs, I release my wings again and use them to hold onto Mack’s shirt and keep him upright. Snow descends slowly, grumbling the entire way. And by the time we’ve reached Mack’s room, he’s completely out of breath.

He flops down hard in front of the fireplace, which seems to always be lit, and rests his head on his paws. Mack wobbles, but manages to climb off and make it to the bed.

Looking at the two of them, my heart strains hard against my ribs. They feel like they might crack, and if they do I’m pretty certain that every horrible, awful thought I’ve ever had will come sweeping in and destroy me.

Thinking I’d lost Sam almost broke me, but there was hope we’d get him back. Hope that kept me going.

This is different.

I can see Mack fading in front of my eyes, and if he leaves me it won’t be because he’s gone to a hell dimension. It will be because he has gone.

I turn away from him and blink fast, looking up at the ceiling and willing the tears to dry before he notices them. At my feet, Snow makes the sound I can only describe as a purr and nudges my foot with his giant paw.

“I’m okay,” I whisper. “Just worried about you both.”

I’m getting ready to smile and go to sit with Mack when there’s a tap on the door. Kole strides in, followed by Sam and Kim, who is wearing a new pair of glasses.

“You found some,” I tell him.

“Went to the pharmacy and picked some off the rack. They’re not the right prescription, but they’ll do for now.” He puts his hands into his pockets. He’s wearing an outfit borrowed from Tanner. They’re a similar build, but Tanner is a little taller and a lot less geeky. “I didn’t want to go back to my apartment. In case…” He swallows hard.

“You think Zephyra might be looking for you?” I ask, sitting down beside Snow and crossing my legs as if I’m about to do one of the YouTube yoga workouts I always promise to do and never get around to.

“I think she’s got bigger things on her mind,” Kole says, folding himself into the armchair and leaning forward onto his elbows. His hair is tied back, his shoulders broad and rippling. I stare at his tattoos; it’s as if I see something new every time I look at them. Like I can never look at them for long enough. “Having said that, she doesn’t forget a grudge. She’ll remember what you did.”

“Another reason I want to help you.” Kim raises his eyebrows. This is clearly not the start of a conversation, but the middle of one.

“I told you,” Kole growls. “Thornfield and I should do this alone. No offence, human, but you’re⁠—”

“I took down a Venatrix,” Kim snaps, attempting to square up to Kole.