A full-body shudder rolls through me.
Malak hums something akin to a laugh, low and full of delight. “Again, I don’t mind some display of supernatural abilities, but Ikindahave to be discreet about where I am when doing such. Is this enough?”
My eyes flare even wider when he slides his hand into mine. It’s warm, soft, and not the slightest bit callused. The electric tingling pours through his skin and into mine, pulsing, escalating from somewhat ticklish to nearly painful.
A scraping croak of a breath escapes me, and the feeling subsides.
“Am I real yet? I’m starting to think you just don’t want me to be real.” The angel sighs, causing me to look back up at his glowing, golden eyes.
Those eyes could stop hearts and resurrect the sun.
I really cannot believe such a beautiful creature is standing here without causing a scene. Cars keep driving by, and I’m surprised they’re not all stopping to stare at him.
“I’ll try not to take it personally, darling.” The angel laces his fingers within mine, holding my hand up to idly inspect it. “I get it. We’re a lot for humans to accept. The end of your world doesn’t help, either. But I can’t really force you to believe me. You have to make that decision yourself. Free will and all, you know?”
Almost absentmindedly, he places a soft kiss on my knuckles, and my mind reels with panic. In a brief moment of clarity, I snatch my hand away, stumbling back from him. “I-I don’t want to talk to you.”
“Would you rather do something else?” Malak cocks an eyebrow, leaning back on his heels and placing his hands in his pockets. “I can think of a few activities.”
My brow furrows.
“Oh, don’t give me that look. I was going to suggest roller skating. It looks so fun, and I’ve never tried it before.” He winks. “Get your mind out of the gutter, Dawn.”
I blink. And then I start to walk away again. Quickly.
“Wait!” Malak calls, catching up to me with ease. “Where are we going?”
Just before I reach the sidewalk, I pause, spinning around to face him. “I don’t know, angel. Home? A psych ward? A church? You tell me.”
He seems to consider it for a moment. “As interesting as those other options are, your home is probably the most private.”
“Can other people see you?”
“Of course.” His expression drifts into confusion. “Have I not made that abundantly clear by avoiding the commoners? And why else would I endeavor to look so…”
“Human?” I finish for him.
“I was thinking ‘ordinary,’ but that works better.”
“Nothing about you looks ordinary.” A dry laugh escapes me.
He steps in front of me, forcing himself into my line of sight. “Is that an insult or a compliment, Dawn?”
My muscles tense, and I find something else to look at. Something not golden. Like a tree. Trees are not flirty biblical beings.
“It’s okay, you know,” his voice comes out in a hum. “All angels tend to have this effect on humans. I’m sure it isn’t my face in particular that has you so… flustered.” He angles his head downward, closer to my shoulder, and breathes in. “I do enjoy pretending I’m special, though.”
“Fine, you can come to my house.” I agree, possibly out of desperation to change the topic, and I take a large step away from him. How does he keep getting closer and closer? “But just for a short amount of time, and only if we can hide you from my dad. I don’t really want to bring him into this.”
“That’s probably for the best. I don’t think you’ll need too long to prepare before you leave with me, and if you introduce him to a new guy just before you go, he’ll likely be very concerned.”
My mouth becomes dry. “Leave with you? I thought you just wanted to talk.”
“Yes, that’s what I need to talk to you about in more detail. Don’tworry, you don’t have to die to get there. Like I said, I’m not a psychopomp.”
A what? “To getwhere,Malak?”
“You didn’t really think we were going to stay here in North Carolina, did you?” My silence is plenty enough of an answer, and his face contorts into a small grimace of recognition. “Wonderful. Well, we should probably wait until you can sit down to finish this conversation, in that case.”
