They're still gone. I know exactly where they are and I can see them again but they might as well be gone.

"I feel like this is actually worse," I mumble.

"What's actually worse?"

I whip around to see one of the women that brought Jaxon and Ash back. I growl in frustration as I turn back towards the fire burning in front of me. "Since when is this spot a tourist attraction?" I grumble under my breath.

"My apologies Fara, I didn't mean to bother you. My name is Aurelia, I just thought you might want to know what happened to your brothers so Lyza told me where you were."

My eyes widen a little. "They're not my brothers."

She shrugs. "Maybe not by blood," she mutters.

I feel my annoyance wane slightly and don't say another word as she sits down on the rock about a meter away. I continue to sit in silence as the woman tells me what happened to Jaxon and Ash. It still bothers me that I wasn't allowed at the dinner but I guess learning about it this way will have to do.

"Why would you do something like that?" I ask.

She sighs. "Fara I have been in this world for over a thousand years, long before dragons shared bodies with humans. I am a protector of the living and sometimes that requires difficult choices. I had to ensure the safety of the kingdoms and the easiest way to do that was to get as much information as possible from each kingdom, and let me ask you, who has the most information about the kingdom?"

My eyes fall to the ground for a moment. "The leaders," I reply.

"We would take the leaders and talk to them, then return them home without any memory of what happened. It was effective, torture to the extent Jaxon and Ash endured was never necessary. It wasn't even acceptable."

"Then why?"

She stretches her legs with a low groan before leaning back on her palms. "There was this asshole who somehow managed to get himself a position in charge and he wanted to start a war. I nearly lost my weapon and my wings trying to get rid of him, so I had to go with plan B," she explains.

My eyebrows scrunch together. "Why would you risk your life like that? I don't know much about angels, but I doubt they'll let you back after all of that."

"Speaking out against the boys' treatment cost me my rank, so I already lost one of the most important things in my life. My only option at that point was to get rid of the dick that was hurting them, but Nyla stopped me. We decided leaving was the best option at that point."

"So that asshole is still in charge?"

"Hopefully not for long," she sighs with a small smile.

"Are you getting rid of him then?"

"With your queen's help, maybe. I don't think I'm powerful enough to fight him and everyone following him on my own, but a few powerful warriors may be enough to end his leadership."

"I'd love to come, getting revenge sounds like a fantastic cure for depression," I murmur, tucking my knees under my chin. My gaze flickers up for just a moment when a cloud of hot ash thunders into the sky above Mors.

"You know, I remember you."

My chest tightens and I lock my eyes onto the rock but I can feel her gaze on me. "What are you talking about?" I mumble.

"I remember you from that day. There was a fight in you that was very unique, it was difficult for me to watch you go down."

I don't respond. The memories of that night are burned into my brain so deeply I don't think I'll ever be able to forget it. And yet I have no recollection of this woman. "You were there?"

"I was."

I see movement out of the corner of my eye and my irritation returns as another figure approaches. I can feel both of their eyes on me and finally I can't ignore it. "What?" I snap.

"Nyla and I think you're quite beautiful Fara; the fire inside you burns brighter than anyone I've ever seen," Aurelia tells me. "May I taste it?"

I feel my heart stop as I look up. "What?" I say again, quieter this time.

Aurelia motions with her fingers for me to come closer and something clenches deep in my stomach. The confusion in my mind disappears when she smiles, her lips lifting to reveal a pair of razor sharp fangs.

"What are you?" I breathe.

Her smile turns into a smirk. "An arkangel that was bitten and turned, but that is a story for another time." She motions for me to come closer again and my hands start to shake as I realize what she is asking.

My gaze immediately switches to the woman beside her. "Aren't you two mates?" I ask.

The woman, Nyla, nods and offers me her hand. I hesitate. "It will take your mind off of everything and help you relax—it's entirely up to you though, you can say no," she says with a smile.

My thoughts veer back to my encounter with the vampire in witch territory. "I've done it before, just not with someone who already has a mate," I explain.

"Does two scare you?"

Flashbacks of that night in werewolf territory flicker in my mind and the tiniest of smirks creeps onto my face. "No that's not—I just—"

Nyla laughs lightly. "Aura is quite possessive, if she willingly invites you then I promise you have nothing to worry about. You can say no if you'd like, but I somehow doubt you will," she says with a sultry half-smile.

I feel excitement spark in my chest and a tingling pressure in my core at the thought of the powerful arkangel and her gorgeous angel mate.

I take a deep breath before taking Nyla's outstretched hand. I gasp a little as I land on the angel's lap. Her lips touch mine and the pressure begins to build until I find myself shifting against her thigh.

Lips press against my jaw just below my ear, making my breath catches in my throat. Nyla bites my bottom lip and I lean forward, desperately trying to get closer. I feel a hand slip into my pants just as Aura sinks her fangs into my skin. There is a sharp pain that shoots through my neck for a few seconds, but then there is only pleasure.