Veiled Spirits

Since I don’t have the right words to tell Archer how much I appreciate him, I do the only thing I can. I finish his joke. “A plain bagel.”

Archer beams at my hoarse answer, and I feel like maybe, just maybe, things will be okay.

CHAPTER 22

IZZY

“There you are, sunshine.” Archer gazes at me with emotion swirling in his aquamarine eyes. “I’m happy staying here and telling you jokes for as long as you need. For our date, I planned to take you to my favorite arcade, but we can do whatever you want to. If you want to go get ice cream, watch a movie, be dropped off at home for alone time, I’ll make it happen.”

My eyes burn with unshed tears for a different reason this time. Archer’s offer is crazy thoughtful. He’s putting what I need ahead of what he wanted to do. “Is the arcade in Hawthorne Grove?” I whisper past the lump in my throat.

Archer winces slightly. “No. It’s not. I can try to find one here if you want?”

I shake my head at him. “I want to get out of Hawthorne Grove for a little while. I fucking hate this town.”

“Oh, thank God. Hawthorne Grove is fucking awful. I’d do anything you want, but I’m glad you wanna split.” Archer’s face is twisted in distaste, and I can’t help the giggle that slips out. He’s not wrong about how much Hawthorne Grove sucks ass. When he hears my quiet laugh, Archer’s face splits into a smile so wide, a dimple I never noticed before appears.

“I want to go to the arcade, if that’s okay.” I’m not sure he still wants to take me, but I don’t want to let Tyler ruin my only date with Archer.

“That’s good with me. Are we taking demon eyes over here with us? He’s welcome if you want him.” I snort at Archer’s nickname for Levi.

Archer’s question makes me realize I’m still sitting on Levi. I kind of forgot about him for a moment with all of Archer’s jokes. My cheeks burn slightly from using him as basically a pillow and a tissue. I peer up at Levi through my lashes. He looks down at me with a soft smile on his face. Now that Tyler’s gone, his eyes are back to their usual black with a small red ring.

“I’m happy to go with you or stay behind. It’s up to you. If you want me to come with you, I can also hang back and let you and Archer have your one-on-one time.” Levi has continued to play with my hair this whole time. I don’t ever want him to stop running his fingers through the strands, but I know I need to get up eventually.

Honestly, I need both of them right now. I’d love to see Luca, Cain, and Bishop, too, but there’s no way I’m dragging that many people on Archer’s date.

I don’t want to examine why, exactly, I have the urge to see my other mates. Surely, I haven’t forgotten the ending I knew from the very beginning. None of my mates are mine to keep. I’m just borrowing them for a heartbeat in time. Only, my heart doesn’t understand that. It’s already starting to sync with theirs, leaving me wondering how it’ll remember how to beat once they’re gone.

“You sure that’s okay with you?” I bite my bottom lip nervously, feeling bad for hijacking the date.

“Yep. Demon eyes can open one of his freaky-ass portals for us too. Then I can show you how much fun it is to lose at bumper cars and Skee-Ball.” Archer waggles his eyebrows at me, and I crack another smile.

“You think you can beat me at arcade games, sunny boy?” Unlike his nickname for me, calling Archer sunny isn’t ironic. He’s like sunshine after a lifetime of darkness. You can’t help but stretch toward him to bask in his uplifting personality.

“Ooh, I get a nickname too. I can’t wait to rub this in Cain’s face.”

“I already gave Cain a nickname. Sorry to ruin your fun.” I shrug apologetically, not wanting to let the happy wolf down.

“What’s Cain’s nickname?” Archer tilts his head in curiosity as he regards me.

“Quiet boy.”

“What nickname did you give demon eyes?”

“Screech owl or demon boy.” Levi chuckles at his nicknames. I can feel the sound rumbling in his chest, since I’m still pressed against him. I should probably get off him, but I’m just so comfortable in his arms.

Archer laughs. “All solid choices, sunshine. You ready to blow this joint?” He waits for my nod before standing up and offering me his hand. I grab it, and he hauls me to my feet with surprising ease. The only problem is that standing over Levi puts my crotch right in his face. I scramble back and almost fall over when I try to get away. Archer’s grip on my hand and Levi’s almost burning hands on my thighs stop me from falling on my ass.

Once I’m steadied and no longer over Levi, Archer asks, “You coming, demon eyes?”

“Yes. I’m not a demon, wolf.” Levi stands up and brushes off the back of his black jeans. He’s wearing a red long-sleeve tee today. His outfit matches his eyes. It’s strangely adorable.

“Sure, you’re not.” Archer gives me a conspiratorial wink, so I know he’s just messing with Levi. He doesn’t know that Levi’s not a mage, though. Levi never did tell me what he is. That’s a problem for another time because I’m at my limit of dealing with shit today.

Levi shakes his head and opens his fire-ringed portal. “Ready to go?”

“How do you know where we’re going? I haven’t told you the name of the arcade.” Archer eyes Levi and his black hole portal suspiciously. If I didn’t already know Levi’s abilities were definitely not normal, I’d probably be skeptical too.