Approaching the Abyss by AC Ward

Author:AC Ward
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ya distopia dystopian fantasy novels, demon angel academy books, teen paranormal romance books, ya christian fantasy, coming of age fantasy romance
Publisher: AC Ward
Published: 2021-08-25T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

* * *

Aubrey watched the other students shuffle through the halls. She was surprised that after two cullings the school still bothered with classes. Maybe the semblance of structure helped the kids who had no idea what was happening, but structure had never been very present in her life.

Her mother was gone. She kept waiting for it to feel real, for the mourning, or even the joy, to settle in. Instead, numbness reigned.

She didn’t care that another angel was coming, likely soon. Part of her hoped they wouldn’t pass her over again.

Only one thing interested her— the smug satisfaction that had been on Lilith’s face when she accused Maxwell of lying. Tracking down the demon, though, would be impossible if she didn’t want to be found.

Aubrey turned down a side hall. The steps of the other students faded. She knew the teacher’s private rooms were off limits, but she continued. A single door sat at the end of the hall. Outside, Neil waited.

He pushed off the wall to stand up straight. “I thought you would come.”

Aubrey closed the distance between them. “Did you get anything out of him?”

Neil shook his head. “He doesn’t want to discuss it right now.”

“I don’t care what he wants.” She twisted the knob and shoved the door open. It bounced off the jamb before settling against the wall.

Maxwell sat on the edge of the bed, a glass in his hand. His head lifted, and he used his free hand to wipe tears off his cheek.

Aubrey froze. When Tony had cried, she had wanted to reach for him, but with Maxwell, she had no idea how to respond.

Neil stepped up next to her. He edged closer, more hesitant than she had ever seen him. “Dad?”

Maxwell took a shuddering breath. “Give your sister and I some time alone.”

Neil looked at her and raised an eyebrow in question.

Aubrey nodded. “It’s fine.”

“Of course, it’s fine.” Maxwell swiveled, eyeing Neil. “What do you think I’ll do to her?”

“No worse than anyone else has tried today,” Aubrey agreed with a shrug. Her gaze drifted to the sunlight slanting through the blinds over the bedroom window. “Or I guess yesterday.” She turned to Neil. “Besides, I can take care of myself.”

He pressed his lips together. “Right.” For once, he didn’t portal. He walked out and slammed the door behind him.

Silence fell. Aubrey stepped farther in to lean against the nearby desk.

Maxwell stared into the dark liquid in his glass. “I miss the ice from the transportation ships.” He took a sip, but grimaced as he swallowed. “I don’t normally drink as a rule. When I gave in to your mother, I wasn’t completely sober.”

Heat rose in Aubrey’s chest. “There’s so much wrong with that statement. Why bother telling me this?”

Maxwell raised his head. “If anyone else understands the good and the bad of Myra Vale, it’s you. Her unwanted daughter.”

Aubrey swallowed. She folded her arms to give herself courage. “Say your piece. You’ve been trying to for months.”

“Myra was the aggressor. That should be no surprise to you.

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