Sinful Things

25

“As far as I know, it wasn’t demons who did it,” he says.

“So it’s true?” I ask. “Humans killed two angels?”

“It does seem that way.”

I lean back. “Wow. I knew there were human hunters, but I didn’t think they were a real threat to us.”

“Most of the time, they’re not. However, I’ve heard some stirrings about a group of humans that is growing in numbers called the Duskhunters. They’re fanatical and cult-like, but worst of all, they’re organized and well-funded. They believe all supernaturals should be wiped off of Earth completely, and will do whatever it takes to achieve that goal. It’s possible they’re behind this attack, although I’m not sure how they could have gotten into Angel Peak.”

I knead my hands as I consider his words. “I spent most of my life afraid of angels and demons, worried about what they would do to me if they found me. Then my worry shifted to the fae, and what they might have done to Jonah. I never thought of humans as a threat at all...until now."

"As long as you stay on campus, you’ll be fine,” Kassiel says. “The Archangels have sent extra guards to Angel Peak, so the town should be safe too. You don’t need to worry. Honestly, angels and demons are still a much bigger threat to you. And the fae, if you manage to make it to Faerie.”

“Have you ever dealt with human hunters before?”

“I infiltrated a group of them once.” He picks up a pen and idly plays with it as he speaks. “When my time as a soldier came to an end, I began working as a spy for Lucifer here on Earth. During the early 2000s, I was sent to deal with a group of humans in London who worshipped demons. They were Satanists with a murderous side, except they weren’t very good at tracking down angels and kept killing humans instead. Lucifer didn’t want the angels finding out and blaming us for it, since the Earth Accords were still in the early days back then. And frankly, he’s tired of all the bad press too. I joined their group pretending to be a human, and discovered it was their leader who was behind the killings…the others were simply too scared to act against him. I convinced them one by one that demons weren’t real, and that they should go back to their normal lives.”

I could listen to Kassiel talk about his long life forever. He always has the best stories. “What about the leader?”

A sinful grin crosses his lips. “I convinced him I was Lucifer himself, and that I was displeased with his actions. He was so upset, he ended up jumping off a bridge and drowning.”

“A fitting punishment.”

“I thought so.”

We chat a bit longer about his time with the humans, and then our hour is up. It always goes too quickly, and I’m both sad and relieved when it’s over.

He gets up and walks me to the door. “It’s been a pleasure, Olivia.”

I hesitate, and then find myself blurting out, “Do you want to get dinner tonight? I’m free, and we could keep talking about the humans.”

His face looks pained. “I wish I could. More than you know. But it’s not a good idea.”

I shouldn’t feel rejected, but I do anyway. “You’re right. I’m sorry. It was a dumb idea.”

“It wasn’t.” He reaches for me, but then pulls his hand back with a regretful shake of his head. “Being alone with you during these lessons is hard enough. I can’t handle any further temptation.”

“I understand.” I hover there at the door, knowing I should go, but delaying the moment as long as possible. Finally I step through the doorway and say, “I’ll see you in class.”

My throat tightens with emotion as I walk out of the professors’ building. I’m not sure how long I can keep doing these lessons—because the more time I spend with Kassiel, the more it breaks my heart that I can’t be with him.

Chapter Eighteen

Olivia

N

ext Wednesday, I’m summoned to another meeting with Delilah in Uriel’s house. Bastien lets me in, and there’s no sign of his father this time.

“He’s at an Archangel meeting,” Bastien explains, even though I didn’t ask.

“Are you reading my thoughts now?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

“No, I don’t possess that power, but it’s obvious you were wondering where he was.”

“And you’re holding down the fort for him, as usual.”

He leads me through the house. “Indeed.”

“I guess you already know what you’ll do when you graduate this year.” I study him closely. It’s hard to read anything on his face, but he seems troubled. “Does it bother you, that your path has always been laid out for you? Do you ever wish you could do something else?”

His brow furrows. “No. This is where I belong. Why do you care?”

I shrug, honestly not sure of the answer myself. I’m saved from having to reply when we reach the door to the parlor, which Bastien opens for me. He shuts it immediately after I step inside.

Delilah is already siting in one of the old-fashioned armchairs and sipping her tea, today wearing a deep purple that makes her eyes pop. She gives me a dazzling smile as I sit across from her.

“I don’t have long today, but I wanted to check in on you. I’m sorry I couldn’t do it sooner, but some other matters called me away.”

“It’s all right,” I say, as I pour myself some tea.

“I can see you’re feeding better, at least. There’s more color in your cheeks, your eyes are brighter, and your hair is shinier.”

“Is it that obvious?” I ask, self-consciously touching my hair.

“To anyone else, probably not, but I know what to look for, after years of training Lilim.”