Sinful Things

35

“Are you certain you want to choose me? Olivia and I… We don’t get along on the best of days.”

“I don’t care about that. I only care about her safety, and I know you’re the person who can protect her the best.”

I glance down at my hands. I’ve been trying to avoid Olivia as much as possible, and this is going to make that a lot harder. But I can’t exactly say no to an Archangel.

“Please, Callan,” Gabriel says, with more emotion in his voice than I’ve ever heard. “I’ve already lost my son. Please make sure I don’t lose my daughter too.”

I glance away, my jaw tightening at the reminder of Jonah. I made promises to him too about Olivia. Promises that I couldn’t keep. Surely he would want his sister to be safe now that she’s staying at Seraphim Academy. If I agree to this, I’m not just doing it for Gabriel, but for Jonah too.

“All right,” I say. “On my honor, I’ll protect her with my life.”

“Thank you.” He stands and offers his hand, and I shake it firmly. “I feel better knowing her safety is in your hands.”

I swallow hard and nod. What the f**k have I gotten myself into?

He clasps me on the shoulder. “I should've been around more for you after Michael died. And while he was alive too, perhaps.”

I stare at him in surprise. It was well-known that Gabriel and Michael didn’t get along. As the leader of the angelic spies, Gabriel works in the shadows, trying to get information before making a decision. When he acts, he prefers a knife in the back to an outright confrontation. My father, on the other hand, often acted first, usually with violence, and then thought later. I should know—I often got the brunt of his violence, a secret I’ll probably keep to my grave, since there’s no way I could tarnish the image of the beloved Archangel Michael. Everyone admired him, and no one knew what a total d**k he could be in private. But I think maybe Gabriel knows, from the look on his face now.

“One more thing.” His fingers on my shoulder tighten, digging into my skin painfully. “If you ever betray or hurt my daughter again, you’ll have to answer to me, and Michael’s legacy won’t be able to protect you. Do you understand?”

I swallow. “Yes, sir.”

“I’m glad we understand each other,” the Archangel says.

He vanishes, and I let out a long breath. I better call Bastien and Marcus and get them over here. I’ll need their help to protect Olivia, since she won’t let me near her. What was Gabriel thinking, putting me in charge of her protection? The woman hates my guts, and the feeling is mutual. Plus she’s still plotting some kind of horrible payback for me.

This is going to be a disaster.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Olivia

E

very year the three supernatural schools—Seraphim Academy, Hellspawn Academy, and Ethereal Academy—choose a sport to focus on, and this year it’s soccer. It’s well-known that the fae always kick everyone’s asses at soccer, so our team has been training non-stop, which means I don’t see Marcus as often as either of us would like.

Tonight is the first game, and it’s against the fae. It’s another chance for Araceli’s dad to visit her, and another chance for me to complete my task for the Order.

The bleachers are packed as Araceli and I fly over to them. On one side, angels fill the stands, and the other side has a much smaller number of fae. Very few of them like to leave Faerie at all, so these are probably all family members of the players, here to show their support.

As we set down on the angel side, I notice Araceli looks a little paler than usual. “You don’t have to be here,” I tell her.

Last year, Araceli’s boyfriend Darel was killed at one of these games. The Order made it look like it was a demon attack, but we know it was them. She’s avoided the games ever since, and as she glances over at the fae side of the field, I think it’s not just because of Darel that she’s nervous. Araceli has never tried to hide her fae side, but she hasn’t exactly embraced it either. I don’t blame her, since they totally rejected her.

She straightens up and tucks her purple streak behind a pointed ear. “I need to do this. For me.”

I nod. “Do you think your dad will show?”

“Probably not, but I did leave him another voicemail letting him know about the game.” She offers me a weak smile. “I am trying.”

She looks so sad while trying to put on a brave face, that I throw my arms around her and give her a big hug. “You’re doing great.”

She gives me a squeeze and then steps back with resolve in her eyes. “Besides, we need to make sure the Order doesn’t try anything tonight. Even if my dad’s not here, they might try and kidnap one of the other fae.”

“We won’t let that happen.”

We scan the bleachers, but don’t see Araceli’s dad anywhere. I think she’s probably right that he won’t bother coming. It’s frustrating, and not because of the Order—after reconnecting with my father, I want Araceli to be able to do the same with hers.

“May we sit with you?” Bastien asks, as he comes up behind me. He rests a light hand on my lower back almost possessively, and it sends a little thrill through me.

Callan’s beside him, and he scowls as he notices Bastien’s hand, but says nothing. I don’t really want him anywhere near me, but I guess he’s a package deal with Bastien. Ugh.

“We’re not really planning to sit,” I tell them slowly, then glance at Araceli. Can we trust the Princes? They’re in the Order too, and there’s no telling what task they’ve been given. For all we know, they’re supposed to steal one of the fae away.