Wingless (The Lia Hunter Chronicles #1)

For a moment I floated in the air weightless, free. I could feel the phantom beating of my own wings, the wind trickling through my feathers.

Pure ecstasy.

I didn’t want the moment to end. I wanted to hang there, suspended in time for the rest of my life. But life is cruel and all too soon I felt the familiar pull of gravity. Its relentless force flipping my stomach as I crashed into Levi’s open arms. The collision sucked the breath from my lungs and as Levi’s arms tightened around me I gasped for air.

“Hold on.” He murmured in my ear. Wrapping my arms around his neck I held on tight as he positioned me in a bridal hold. I had but mere seconds to adjust before we began our ascent, rising swiftly over the rooftop of the building housing Quinn’s club. I heard the shouts in his office through the open window, clenching my teeth around a laugh that threatened to bubble up. Quinn was going to have a field day working out how we escaped from under his nose.

The wind whipped through my hair, blowing the red curls wildly about my face. Below us I could see the hubbub of New York nightlife, yellow cabs zipping back and forth, people striding purposefully through the busy streets. Peeking over Levi’s shoulder I could just make out the lantern covered streets of the Witch’s Cauldron. The multicolored glow transforming the shady place into an exotic rainbow of life.

Fascinated, I turned forward once more to behold the spectacle of Eden. Right in the middle of Central Park, surrounded by the Ring, a circle of forest rumored to be enchanted, was Eden the home to the Gaian’s. The magnificent glass dome was practically buried under a mess of twisting vines upon which thousands of moon bell lilies bloomed. The moon bell was a special Gaian flower, created through a concentrated burst of power. At night the flower would bloom, its petals glowing a pearlescent light blue and when the wind was right a sweet chime could be heard. Gaians described the melody as a lunar symphony. So consumed with the sight it took me a moment to realize it was steadily growing closer.

Confused I lifted my gaze back to Levi. “Where are we going?”

“I’m taking you back to the Aviary, we have a doctor there who can treat your wounds.”

Treating my wounds would mean I’d have to take off my dress, revealing my scars to god knows who and pretty much spilling my secret. Hell no.

“You know what, you can just drop me off here,” I said, pointing to the ground, not bothering to check where I pointed.

“Here?” Levi asked sardonically.

“Yep, I can walk from here.” Glancing at my surroundings I grimaced at how long a walk it would be but anything beat the alternative.

“You have no shoes on, seraph.” He pointed out softly.

Glancing down at my bare feet I realized I’d left my heels in Quinn’s office.

Not about to let that stop me I opened my mouth to reply but Levi quickly cut me off, “And my shirt is soaked with the blood still leaking from your side. You are in no condition to walk home right now. We are going to the Aviary.” His tone letting me know he was not budging.

Annoyed I faced forward once more, lips pressed into a mutinous line. A frown creased my face when his words finally sunk in and I mentally took stock of my stab wound. Realizing he was right I let out a curse.

“Damn blade must have been made of silver,” I muttered.

While for the most part silvers side effects were greatly nullified due to my human genes part of me was still susceptible to its toxicity. That meant carrying around silver handcuffs was fine, getting stabbed with a silver blade not so much. Typically my wound should have clotted by now, already stitching itself back together, now because of the silver I was in for a rough couple of days and would have a nice scar to prove it.

The world dipped and swirled and I had a bad feeling it wasn’t because Levi was a bad flyer. Blood loss was just the cherry on top this total mess needed. Resting my head against Levi’s chest I tried to block out the vertigo.

“Can’t this thing go any faster?” I slurred, slightly delirious. Deep laughter made my head bounce against his chest. Sending the world into another dizzying spin.

“I’ll try.” Levi chuckled and soon we were speeding through the air, wind buffeting against us. Closing my eyes I tilted my head back and soaked in the feeling.

This is as close as I’ll ever get to flying.

The thought begged to be touched, to pull me under into a sorrow so deep and consuming. But I refused to let this memory be tainted with sadness. Later I would weep, for now, I would enjoy the taste of what could have been, no matter how bittersweet.

It was only minutes later that we began our descent into the heart of the Aviary. We touched down in a courtyard, the guards patrolling the walls jumping to attention at the sight of us.

“Harper, go and fetch the doc,” Levi called out to one of the guards, the man immediately took off. Gently setting me to my feet Levi’s arms held me while I steadied myself. My legs shook like a newborn babe but supported my weight. Gone was the adrenaline and excitement leaving behind an acute awareness of all my cuts and bruises. Groaning I cupped a hand over my stab wound.

“Yeah, next time you handle it,” I grumbled to Levi, stumbling over to a small bench.

Helping me sit down, Levi shot me a grin. “Remember you said that tomorrow morning.”

I watched as he strode away, starting up a conversation with one of the guards, who after a moment I realized I recognized. Jake glanced at me sideways, winking when our eyes met. Rolling mine I leaned back, regretting the motion immediately as my side twinged in complaint. Breathing through the pain, I tried to focus my thoughts, searching for a way to hide my scars.

I was just considering forcefully blindfolding the doctor when the guard came rushing back into the courtyard, Nadia, dressed in a perfectly pressed banana print pajama set trailing after him.

The crazy lady was going to stitch me up? Fantastic.

Nadia wasted no time, taking in my disastrous appearance she quickly strode over, plucked my hand from my side and squatted down examining the wound. Shaking her head in annoyance she stood up.

“You’re going to need stitches.” She said, her tone making it seem like I somehow wanted to be stabbed.

“This may be a bad time to ask this question, but you have worked on an actual living person before, right?” I asked half worried, half annoyed.

“I believe there’s a first time for everything.” She said deadpan, “The equipment is my lab, follow me.” Turning on her heel she made her way to the door she came through.

Mouth hanging wide, I slowly made to follow, shooting Levi a quick glance, “She was just joking right?”

“I’ll come see you after Nadia finishes patching you up.” He replied in a non-answer, amusement twinkling in his eyes.

“If she starts chopping off body parts to study I am out of here.”

Laughter spilled from Jake’s lips. “She’s got you pinned there doc.” He called out.

Sniffing, Nadia paused at the door, red blooming across her cheeks. “I can assure Agent Hunter, I am quite capable of restraining myself.”

“Yeah, that’s why you have a severed arm floating in a tank of liquid in your lab,” Jake replied.

A. Severed. Arm. What have I got myself into?

“It is needed for my research. Besides,” Nadia continued archly, “it was not me who procured the arm, it was Lord Leviathan.”

Eyes wide with shock I turned my attention to Levi.

“You do know I’m a PeaceKeeper right?” Lips twitching Levi opened his mouth to answer but I quickly held up a hand. “You know what, I’m just going to forget this whole conversation happened. Yeah, let’s do that.”

Shuffling towards Nadia I grimaced. “Let’s get this over with.”

Half an hour later, my wound had been cleaned and stitched shut, thankfully all without Nadia seeing my scars. Once my dress was cut away her focus narrowed down to the wound on my side with an intensity that had me glancing worriedly to the floating arm – a left arm I morbidly noticed - more than once. However, it meant that with the help of a little strategic hair placement I was able to keep my secret another day. After dragging on a pair of sweats and a t-shirt Nadia procured I dutifully listened to her instructions on keeping the wound clean.

“It should be healed within a couple of days the stitches dissolving as it heals unless something happens within the next day or so to tear the stitches and reopen the wound.” She droned on.

With my luck chances were that something was most definitely going to happen.

“In which case you’ll need to have it restitched and the healing process will be extended for another couple of days.”

A light knock on the door interrupted her and I gladly welcomed the break. Levi poked his head through the door.

“All done?′ he asked.

Jumping to my feet, I sped over to him. “Yep,” glancing over my shoulder I gave Nadia a smile, “thanks for your help Nadia.”

Sighing Nadia ran a hand through her hair, “You’re welcome, I advise in the future you avoid such endeavors,” a hungry glint entered her eyes, “unless of course, you’ve decided to donate your corpse to my research.”

Looking at the floating arm I repressed a shudder. “Nope, still haven’t decided yet.”

A pout pursed her lips, “Well you still have plenty of time to agree.”

Creeped out enough for one night I tugged open the door the rest of the way and fled the room, slamming the door behind me.

“No offense but your doctor needs to work on her bedside manner,” I told Levi.

With a wry smile he shrugged, “Somehow, you get used to her.”

“Hmmm.” I hummed vaguely.

“I’ve had a room prepared for you to crash in tonight,” Levi said, leading the way. Heaving a sigh of relief I followed.

“Thanks, I’m dead on my feet.”

I spent the trek through the estate studying his wings, distractedly noticing he must’ve undone the charm at some point. The snowy white feathers look silky soft. My hands itched to touch them but remembering the scorching look he’d sent me earlier at the bar I knotted my fingers together to restrain myself.

Stopping in front of a door Levi opened before stepping aside. Inside was simple, a disgustingly comfortable looking queen bed, a cupboard, and another door I guessed led to a bathroom.

Stepping inside I turned back to Levi, “Thanks. I’ll see you in the morning I guess.”

A tired smile curved his lips. “It was the least we could do, your assistance in helping us track down this killer is invaluable.” Hesitating, I saw his mind debating on whether to speak.

“What?”

Straightening his shoulders he stared me down. “I couldn’t help but notice your tattoo.”

Stiffening I clenched my hand tightly around the door handle. Of course, he would’ve seen them I berated myself, the dress might’ve hidden the scars but the tattoo extended to just past my elbows. The only reason he hadn’t seen it earlier was because of my jacket. Deciding to downplay it I forced myself to relax, a light laugh bubbling out.

“What can I say, it was a drunk mistake.” The words sounded false to my own ears and his frown and the disbelieving look in Levi’s eyes told me he thought the same. Besides that my tattoo had taken days to complete, I doubt he’d believe I’d been drunk for that long. I tried for a casual shrug. Failed.

“I was young.” At least that was true.

“I see.” Levi murmured. “Well, goodnight.”

Nearly collapsing in relief I pushed the charm, replying with fake sweetness. “Night!”

Stepping back I shut the door, turning the lock. Stumbling to the bed I flopped down on the covers, uncaring that I still had dried blood smeared across my face and stomach. Closing my eyes I pushed away all thoughts but sleeping gladly drifting off.

It wasn’t long before the dream swallowed me yet again.