Chapter Two

The night air was hot and humid. It didn't do much to help my mood, but thankfully Lucinda was working late at the library and didn't suspect anything was wrong when I sent her a cryptic text about not stopping by until the morning. More than I hated not seeing her, I knew I had to work through how I was going to talk to her about the latest threat Cam had laid on me.

From atop my perch on the highest building, I spread my wings and took off towards the clouds. Something about being high above the world invigorated me and helped clear my head regardless of the earthly problems. Eventually, I knew the pull of her would bring me back, like an invisible hand that always beckoned me, coaxing me in with a warmth that was unlike anything else I'd ever known. Even though I knew she was long asleep, I could almost see her energy reaching up to me as I hovered out of sight.

The air was cooler and less constricting up high. A strong, salty breeze caressed my feathers that radiated in the light of the moon. I took deep, calming breaths and basked in the peaceful atmosphere for hours. When the sky to the east began to glow with a pink hue, I slowly made my descent, landing in a field a few miles outside of the city.

The tall grass surrendered willingly under my feet as I retracted my wings and walked towards the highway. There weren't enough people awake yet for me to have to be this cautious, but I needed time to readjust to the tension lingering in the air.

After making a stop at Lucinda's favorite bakery, I knocked softly on her apartment door.

The way her eyes changed the moment they found mine was enough to erase the rest of the unsettled feeling I couldn't shake before I arrived. "Presents so early in the morning? And you brought food, too?" She winked and opened the door wide, granting me access to her small two-bedroom apartment.

My usual reaction to her intoxicating presence would have been to toss the food aside and pin her against the wall until she insisted she was going to be late for school or work. My mood today was more reserved and she knew immediately that something was wrong when I only brushed past her lips, giving her a gentle peck.

Her gaze sharpened as she narrowed her eyes at me, studying my features. "Another fight with Cam?" she asked, the annoyance seeping into her words.

I shrugged and set her strawberry Danish and cappuccino on the coffee table, taking a forcibly casual seat on her couch. "Nothing to worry about," I lied and picked up the remote.

Lucinda immediately moved between the television and me, hands on her hips, scowl on her face. "Oh, no, Mr. Grigori. You don't get to come in here after avoiding me for the night because you got in a fight and then tell me not to worry. Spill."

Even in her anger, she was still the most beautiful creature I'd ever known. A genuine smile appeared on my lips as I dropped the remote and reached for her. "Just more things you don't need to worry about. How's your paper going?" I reached for her hand and tangled my fingers with hers, tugging her onto my lap.

Her sigh told me she wasn't going to let this drop easily, but she relaxed into my lap, touching the fading evidence from the previous night's fight. "So unfair," she breathed.

I studied her face with my eyes and tips of my fingers. "It would only be unfair if you didn't have the same affect on me."

Lucinda shifted her weight in my lap. "I still want to know what you were fighting about. Screw school and work and the paper; if it's important to you, it's important to me."

As I brushed a strand of hair behind her ears, a breath that I didn't know I was holding in slowly escaped. "I'm sure it's just Cam trying to get to me," I began.

Lucinda was about to argue with me when Arriane burst through the door. "Did you tell her yet?" she asked, picking up the Danish and taking a bite.

"No, would you care to tell me since Mr. Avoidance over here won't." She stood up and walked next to Arriane, grabbing the drink from the table while throwing me irritated looks.

"Enough, Arr. Luce doesn't need this right now. Cam's just talking out his ass like usual," I said dismissively.

"That's not what you thought last night," Arriane said, happily popping the last of the pastry in her mouth.

A low growl erupted from my chest and I threw her an angry look as I stood up. "What's the point in telling her? It's not going to happen anytime soon anyway."

"Says you… How does Luce feel about it? Are you going to control everything in her life?" Arriane stared me down until I broke off.

"Wait, what? What's not going to happen soon? Will somebody please tell me what the hell is going on and stop acting like I'm not here and can't hear you?"

Arriane and I both stopped and stared at Lucinda as she threw her arms up in the air, somehow managing not to spill her coffee.

Arriane cleared her throat, but I spoke up before she had a chance to tell Lucinda in her not-so-delicate way. "Cam claims the end may not result from me making a choice, but what my child chooses." My eyes quickly switched back and forth between her eyes, hoping to be clued in on her thoughts before she found her voice.

"So do I get to decide whether or not I have children?" Lucinda's hands were on her hips, which was never a good sign.

Arraine answered, "Yes," at the same time I said, "No."

I pressed the bridge of my nose between my thumb and forefinger. "Until I know for sure, no, there is no choice. I can't even believe this is an issue."

Without another word, she walked into her bedroom and slammed the door.

"Smooth as rocks, D. You have a lot of work to do, and I don't just mean kissing Luce's ass. I got her. Go get your answers." Arriane walked over and jiggled the doorknob. "Luce," she said in her sweet voice. "Let me in so I don't have to break your door down." She threw me another look and motioned for me to leave.