Sinful Things

33

Poor Marcus. He’s being dragged along in his father’s shadow, and it seems like Raphael is ignoring him completely as he soaks up the attention. I wonder if that’s what his childhood was like—and where’s his mother?

Uriel and Bastien, meanwhile, stand on the edge of the festivities, speaking to one another in low voices as they watch over the crowd. Uriel didn’t bother to join us in Fae Studies, but I suppose he doesn’t really need Family Day to see his son. I’m not surprised to see that Bastien’s mother is missing either.

We move to an open table, and I wave Araceli and her mom over to join us. They sit down, even though Muriel looks a little star-struck to be eating with Gabriel.

"Aren't you proud of these girls?" Father asks Muriel, as if we're in kindergarten and have just completed a finger painting.

"Bursting," Muriel says with lowered lashes. "Couldn't be happier."

“Any sign of your dad?” I ask Araceli quietly, while Gabriel talks to Muriel about her wildlife center.

“No. I wrote him a long email, and left him a voicemail too, so I really hoped he would show up.” She sighs. “At least we don’t have to worry about an ambush from the Order. Although I’m sorry you couldn’t complete your task. I’ll keep trying.”

“Don’t worry about that. I just want to make sure you’re okay.”

“I'm fine." She does not sound fine.

"I'm sorry, friend." I take her hand and squeeze it under the picnic table.

Raphael appears at my elbow, with his son behind him. "May we join you?"

"Of course,” Gabriel says. Muriel’s eyes get even bigger as she takes in the second Archangel at our table.

"This must be Olivia." Raphael holds his hand out and gives me a million-dollar smile. “I can see why Marcus is so taken with you.”

I shake his hand and feel a little star-struck myself. He’s so charming and attractive, it’s hard not to get lost in his warm brown eyes. “Hello.”

“Where’s your mother, Marcus?” Muriel asks. “I haven’t seen her in some time and would love to catch up with her.”

“She’s at home,” Marcus says. “She says she’s too pregnant to travel.”

Raphael holds up his hands in surrender. “This one’s not mine, I swear!”

The table all laughs, and everyone relaxes a little. I had no idea Marcus’s mother was pregnant, and I wonder who the father is. Combined with all of Raphael’s other sons, Marcus is the only angel I know with a big family.

I glance around at the other tables, and spot Grace eating lunch with a pretty redhead who I assume is her mother, plus a boy with the same fiery hair who must be her little brother. Nariel sits with them too, but there’s no sign of Grace’s father.

Behind them, I notice Tanwen sitting with a muscular man with very light, shiny blond hair. Like Gabriel and Raphael, he radiates power, although not as strongly. That must be Zadkiel, Tanwen’s father, and Michael’s replacement on the Archangel council. Beside him is a woman with the same glossy hair tied back in a tight ponytail. She looks even taller and fiercer than Tanwen, which is saying a lot. Her sister, I guess. I look around for their mother, and then remember Araceli telling me that Tanwen’s mom was killed by human hunters.

Seems like most of us have a missing parent. I guess there are not many functional relationships among immortals.

Lunch passes quickly, and both Archangels are especially warm and friendly with Muriel and Araceli. I'm pretty sure they're trying to make an effort to show inclusion, supporting me and Araceli even though other angels consider us outcasts, and I want to hug them both for it. By the time lunch is over, I’m pretty sure Muriel wants to be next in line for making a baby with Raphael.

We get through the rest of my classes, and even though I find it awkward to sit beside my dad while Kassiel lectures us on history, neither of them seems bothered.

When my last class is over, I think Gabriel will probably be more than ready to get out of here, but instead he asks, "May we go somewhere and talk? Privately?"

This is unexpected. "Is my dorm private enough?”

He nods, and I spread my wings and head that way. When we land on the balcony, he chuckles. "I could've teleported us here in half that time."

I roll my eyes. All Archangels have an extra power that’s unique to them, and my dad’s is teleporting. That’s also how Jonah can change his appearance, since he has the blood of an Archangel. I wonder if I’ll develop bonus powers too, or if being a half-breed makes that impossible.

We head into the dorm, and I’m relieved to see Araceli isn’t back yet. Gabriel sits stiffly on the couch, and I sit beside him and grab a pillow to hug against my chest. I have a feeling something is weighing heavily on him. "What did you want to talk about?”

Father studies me for a long moment, and then he says. “I’m worried about Azrael.”

“What do you mean?” Azrael is the leader of the Archangel Council, and I’ve heard he’s pretty scary—he’s known as the Angel of Death for a reason.

“As you know, angels and demons are forbidden from having relations, and a hybrid child is unheard of. Your very existence puts you in danger. It’s the reason your mother and I kept you hidden for as long as we could.”

“I know.”

“The secret is out now, and there’s nothing we can do about it. In a way, it’s a relief. I no longer have to deny your existence and can openly be your father in public. But I am also going to be punished for the crime of siring you.”

“Punished?” My eyes widen. “How?”