Sinful Things

2

Not unless they convince me they’re really sorry. The only one who might succeed is Marcus. Bastien is good for a quick meal, at least. But Callan? He’s a lost cause. I picture him on his knees, begging for my forgiveness. Not a chance.

They deserve what I have planned for them.

Other than plotting my revenge, I’ve spent my winter break trying to figure out how to rescue Jonah. He’s been missing over a year now, and my heart aches every time I think of him, but I refuse to believe he’s dead. By infiltrating Seraphim Academy’s secret society, the Order of the Golden Throne, I learned that Jonah went into Faerie to find the Staff of Eternity, the magical object used by Michael and Lucifer to end the great war, close off Heaven and Hell, and bring all angels and demons to Earth permanently. The Order wants to use the Staff to send all the demons back to Hell and reopen Heaven so they can try to rebuild it. I have no idea why my brother volunteered to get the Staff, but something bad must have happened once he got to Faerie, or he would have returned by now. My guess is the fae found him and have him locked up somewhere—and I won’t rest until I bring him back to Earth.

Seraphim Academy has a spectacular library, and over my break I spent much of my time there searching for information on how to get to Faerie or on the Staff of Eternity. Sometimes I ran into Kassiel there, but I tried to avoid him as much as possible. After the kiss we shared at the end of last semester, the s****l tension between us has only grown stronger. The attraction popped and sizzled between us whenever we were in each other's presence, but we’ve both agreed we can’t give in to our lust again, not until I graduate anyway. Teacher-student relationships are forbidden at Seraphim Academy, and I don’t want to do anything to put his job in danger. Especially since he’s my only true ally at the moment, and I’m going to need his help if I’m going to find Jonah and stop the Order.

I have a huge journal full of notes, but no clear plan yet. I’m hoping that once I take Fae Studies this year I’ll be able to fill in all the gaps in my knowledge. It might take me some time, but I won’t give up until I find my brother and bring him home. I’m coming for you, Jonah. Stay alive for me. Please.

I take a quick shower to wash Bastien off me, and put all the Princes and Kassiel out of my mind. The less I think about them, the better.

Chapter Two

Olivia

I

n the morning, I head into the kitchen to fix myself something for breakfast, but groan when I open the fridge. Almost empty. I’ll have to head to the store for one last supply run before it's time to return to campus. At least I still have plenty of money left from the allowance Aerie Industries provides students for attending Seraphim Academy. I barely spent any of it last year, so most of it is hidden in my bedroom here under a loose floor board. I keep my new golden robes from the Order in there too.

I grab a slightly stale croissant off the counter and munch on it as I walk into my bedroom, then look around with satisfaction. My room was pretty sparse when I moved in, and I’ve managed to decorate it on a tight budget with some cute pillows, flowing curtains, and a few little trinkets here and there. The room feels like mine now. For the first time, I belong somewhere. I just wish Jonah could be here too.

I dig my boots out of my closet, where they've been buried under a few days of laundry. With a sigh, I pick up the clothes and drop them in the hamper. No reason to be a total slob just because I'm here on my own without anyone popping in to judge me.

Gabriel comes to visit me every few weeks, but things are always a little awkward between us. We spent Christmas together, but it was a sad affair, between the lack of Jonah and the fact that Gabriel and I have barely had anything to do with each other for the last twenty-two years. He did get me a new winter coat though, which was nice, and I could tell he was trying, at least. He stayed for a week then, and it was almost a relief see him go at the end of it. I appreciate that he’s claimed me and is making an effort to be a true parent for once, but we'll need some time to figure out how to be a family.

Especially since Gabriel still doesn’t believe me about Jonah being in Faerie. I explained everything about the Order—which he knew about, of course, and said he’s been monitoring for years—but he claimed he already spoke with the High King of Faerie, who assured him Jonah wasn’t there. Which means the king doesn’t know, or he’s lying.

Honestly? I think it’s easier for Gabriel to believe Jonah has run away, rather than to face the truth that he might be imprisoned…or worse.

I grab the coat he got me, which is bright, lipstick red with white fake fur trim around the neck. It’s big and loud and practically screams, I’m done hiding, deal with it. I love it, especially because it shows Father does know me, at least a little bit.

Not having to hide who I am has been a welcome change, along with all the snow over the winter. I was in no way prepared for living in the mountains of northern California, but loved it all the same. Every time I wanted to go out, I layered on pretty much all of my wardrobe, but the coat helps with that.