The Lariat (Finding Justus Series) by Ashley Dotson Page B

Orrin.
    No, I answered myself. I wouldn’t give in to him. If he didn’t need me, then I didn’t need him.
    But what if he does need you and you’re too stubborn to see it?
    I hated hearing the truth, especially from my daemon, but it was right. We were right. I was tired of fighting against my love for Orrin. Love wasn’t supposed to be something you fought with, it was something you fought for. I was too busy fighting with myself and I needed to spend some more time checking on my loved ones, especially with Samael’s threat hanging over me.
    I would call Dad the moment I was done talking this out with Ben.
    “What does all this mean?” Ben finally asked, crawling out of the corner.
    “Can I give you the shortened version?”
    “For now. But you gotta know you’re in for a lifetime of questions.”
    I laughed, only Ben could make me laugh at such a serious time, “I can only imagine.”
     
    ***
     
    “So, Dr. Williams too?
    I covered my face with my hands, “I don’t know what to do about Cyrus. And yes, he’s half angel.”
    “ Cyrus, ” Ben said dreamily. “What a name. What a face. What a perfect ass. Is he good kisser?”
    “I don’t know,” I worried and bit my lip.
    “ Yet. You don’t know yet.”
    “I don’t know yet,” I corrected. “And I’ll tell you if I ever find out.”
    She jabbed me in the ribs, “You better.”
    “You’ve just blown the top off of everything I knew was real in this world. Is there more?”
    I sighed. “Yeah. There’s so much more. More than I could begin to tell you.”
    We talked. She asked and I explained. I had been justifying my birthright, telling her everything I had been holding in for over three years. I started thinking back to the first changes within me, my eyes, my strength, speed and memory. I rambled about my wings sprouting from my back and Lillith coming in to our house. She was shocked to hear my father knew about my fate the entire time I grew up. Her fierce loyalty was evident throughout my story. I watched her every thought play out, her expressions mirroring my own shock, dismay, anger and acceptance. Never once did I see the doubt I expected.
    Bennet Taylor was truly my own saving grace.
    “What about unicorns?” she interrupted our contemplation.
    “Fake.”
    “Gremlins?”
    “Fake.”
    “Chris Hemsworth?” She had caught me by surprise and I snorted sweet tea up my nose. I laughed and coughed through it. We hadn’t talked like that in ages. “Damn, I hope he’s real.”
    “Nobody should be that good-looking,” she argued, sitting up on her bed to look at me.
    “Except maybe one of his brothers. People shouldn’t be allowed to look that good.’ It felt good to laugh with Ben again, “It’s mostly angels and daemons that are good-looking. Some Vagabonds are just hideous.” I thought back to my trip through Hell and the attack at Balmorhea, and of Orrin and Cyrus. I couldn’t think of one without the other anymore.
    “That sounds legit, all things considering. But after what you said I figured all of Hollywood must be full of them.”
    I shook my head, “Not likely. Those kinds of creatures keep a very low profile. I don’t know what happened to me. I’m still a little plain. I don’t think I fit in with either group. I mean, I hope I’m not hideous. At least I don’t think I am.”
    Ben’s computer was still open. It was the only device in our apartment I hadn’t destroyed. The screen froze on my photo, a vibrant and terrifying sight. Both of our eyes slid over to it.
    “Well, it seems like Cyrus likes what he sees,” She fluttered her eyelashes dramatically. “Does it bother you? Keeping your wings hidden like that?”
    “It doesn’t feel great, I can tell you that. Sometimes I take off for hours at a time and go flying, to stretch them out, give them a little freedom.”
    “I would love to do that,” she mumbled shaking her head. “What I wouldn’t give to have what you have.”
    “What I have is