“Do I need to get Jackie out?” Dusk’s eyes track someone behind me.
I nod my head because, sure, that sounds right.
“Alright, Messenger,” the person behind me says. That’s Abaddon. Right. My husband. Or… fiancé. I’m not sure. “You should be on your way now.”
“You once swore an oath to Kesbeel that you’d protect her in my absence, Abaddon. I am counting on you to keep your word.”
He did?
Hands grip my shoulders from above, and the angel’s voice grows colder. “She will be safe with me. I’ll make sure of it. Now, I hope you do not expect any sort of hug goodbye from my bride. You will not be touching her anymore.Neveragain.”
“I understand. She’s made her choice, then.” Dusk stands up, and I know he’s serious. This is very serious. I just wish I could think straight. “So pray, little Kae, love is God on a good day.”
Whatever that means, I don’t get a chance to ask.
He gives me one last sad smile before walking away, abandoning me to the very last person I should be left alone with.
36
Jackie,
You should know that I broke up with Malak, and he’s become deranged in his heartache. He’s been stalking me and saying a lot of crazy, untrue things to people. I have been courting someone new who will protect me, but I worry that Malak might take his obsession back to my home. If you meet a man who is 5’11 with blond hair and yellow-toned skin, do not engage with him. Call the police immediately and seek legal protection.
But please do not worry about me. As I said, I am perfectly safe.
Love,
Kae
MALAK
Ihope this girl opens the door.
I’m already risking my mission timeline by not hounding the 144k right now, but it’s the least I can do for Kae. Hell, it’s probably thelastthing I’ll ever do for her. Abaddon—jealous and brooding as he is—will never let me near her again. But if he makes her happy, then so be it. Good for them. I just need some time to get over it, to forget about her...
I walk up the front porch and knock on the door.
When Jackie doesn’t answer immediately, I tune my senses up, remembering to dull my glow while I’m at it. I think I hear footsteps, but I can’t be sure if it’s her. What are the odds the Adversary could nabbed her and set a trap for me? Kae didn’t mention if her friend is in any specific danger, actually?—
The door flies open with a surprising force, revealing a tan-skinned girl with long, sleek black hair, dressed in cutoff jean shorts and a revealing tank top. One of her hands holds the door open, while the other is firmly placed on her hip. She looks absolutely furious, like I’ve woken some ancient sleeping dragon.
Great. I’m going to have to improvise.
“Hi, Jackie.” I clear my throat. “I’m Matthew, a friend of Kae’s. She wanted me to stop by and check on you?—”
“Cut the shit, Malak. I know who you are.”
I blink through my surprise. “How?—”
“Did you have something to do with this?” She shoves the door the rest of the way open before thrusting a piece of paper out, aggressively waving it around in my face, and proceeds to go completely off the rails. “Do you think this is fuckingfunny?I haven’t heard from her in weeks! I’ve been worried sick! And then to get thisbullshit?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I tilt my head to the side. If she’s already heard the news, then maybe they’ve been planning their engagement much longer than I thought. Which… stings, but okay. “Did she write to you already? What did she say?”
“Oh, no.Kaedid not write this.” Taking a step back, she waves an expectant hand towards the hallway behind her. “Get inside,now, and start talking. And know that if you try anythingstupid, I am not afraid to shoot your ass.”
I know Kae said her best friend was outspoken, but that seems to be a generous understatement. It’s moderately impressive, actually. And a bit humorous. A gun will do very little to harm me, especially now that I know she has one. Not very smart of her to tell me about that, but I admire the confidence.
I put my hands up in surrender, letting Jackie take a good look at me. After inspecting the empty street behind me, she motions for me to follow her inside the house, and I comply.
