Sinful Things

4

“I’m sorry. I had no idea.”

She shifts uncomfortably and shrugs. “I don’t like to talk about it. I’m only a quarter fae anyway, so I just focus on my angel side and don’t worry about the rest.”

I take a bite of my burrito and nod, even though I think she might be making a mistake. Try as she might to deny her fae heritage, Araceli will always have some of their blood. There’s no escaping it. I know that more than anyone.

“Anyway, Dad lives in Florida now, and we don’t talk much. When I do see him, it’s pretty awkward.”

I snort. “I know all about awkward encounters with dads. Christmas with my father was definitely uncomfortable at times.” “I bet. But hey, at least he’s trying.”

I nod and take a sip of my coffee. “He is, and I appreciate that. Maybe once Jonah is back it won’t be so awkward anymore.”

She gives me a pitying look. Like everyone else, she probably believes Jonah is dead. “I’ll do whatever I can to help you find him.”

“Thanks. I appreciate that.”

She sips her drink again before raising her eyebrows at me. "How's the, ah, eating situation going?"

I lower my voice, even though there’s no one sitting near us. “I’ve been using Bastien for a quick meal. It’s working for now, but I’ll need to figure something else out soon.”

“What about Marcus?”

“I’m not sure I want to open up that can of worms again.” I sigh and sip my coffee. “Marcus would grovel, and try to win me back, and tell me how much he cares, and I’m not interested in any of that. Bastien is an emotionless bastard, and that’s exactly what I need right now.”

“And Callan?”

My eyes narrow. “Callan deserves what’s coming for him.”

“What do you mean?”

"I’ve been thinking about ways to bring them down a notch or two, and I have a plan.”

Araceli grins and leans forward. "I'm in. Whatever it is, I’m in.”

Chapter Three

Kassiel

I

land in front of Gabriel’s house in Angel Peak, silently retract my black and silver wings, and adjust my tie. I’m wearing a heavy coat, even though the cold doesn’t bother me at all, but I have to keep up the appearance that I’m an angel. Only two people at Seraphim Academy know what I truly am—Uriel and Olivia. Perhaps that’s why the Archangel sent me to collect Olivia, and when he asks me to do something, I have little choice but to obey. As a Fallen, I don’t need to bow to his authority, but as a professor at Seraphim Academy, I have to respect the headmaster. I’m only allowed to teach at the school because of his good will, and I appreciate that he keeps my secret for me. If the angels found out a demon was teaching their students, they’d have me fired…or worse.

And if anyone finds out about me and Olivia? It would be just as bad.

Not that anything is happening with Olivia at the moment. We slept together before I became her professor, and there’s nothing we can do about that. The kissing at the end of last semester is another story, but nothing like that will happen again, not as long as she’s a student. We’ve both agreed to keep things strictly professional between us while we work together to take down the Order of the Golden Throne.

That’s the true reason I’m at Seraphim Academy, and I spent the break trying to research them, along with the Staff of Eternity. Of course, that only brought me closer to Olivia, since she was also researching the same things. That's how we ended up at the library together several times this winter. And every time I saw her, it grew harder to deny my feelings for her.

I'm determined not to let my desire for Olivia alter the way I treat her, though. She's my student, and I want her to get the most out of what I can teach her while she’s at Seraphim Academy. Even though I have an ulterior motive for being a professor, I take my teaching very seriously, and in Angelic History classes I try to present the past as neutrally as possible. Angels and demons have fought for centuries, but now that the war is over, I hope the new generations can grow up in peace, without the old stereotypes and hatreds. I took this job as a special assignment from Lucifer himself, but I’ve come to enjoy it, and I care about my students. Especially one in particular.

But I won't take advantage of her, or show favoritism, or anything else that men in authority positions have a tendency to do. Especially human men.

My hand freezes before I strike the door. Coming to Olivia’s house feels like a major violation, and an even bigger temptation. I remind myself I'd do this errand of Uriel's for any student, no matter who they were. I raise my fist and knock on her door.

Olivia answers wearing a tight tank top that is trying desperately to hold her large breasts flat and failing, with some matching yoga pants. Her hair is tied back and there’s a sheen of sweat on her face that makes me think she was exercising. I can’t help but remember when I had that body pressed up against the wall as I pounded into her, and she had that same sheen of sweat as she clenched around my c**k.

"Kassiel?" she asks, leaning against the doorway. “What are you doing here?” I force my gaze upward, away from the allure of her upper thighs. It takes me a moment to remember why I’m here. “Uriel sent me to fetch you. He wants to speak with you immediately.”