Luckily for me, I am no human. Fallen from grace, I roam the earth determined to earn back my place in the heavens. Stripped of my standing and banished, I now walk amongst Heaven’s greatest enemies—demons.
Lightning flashes overhead, pinning me to this spot. Sparks erupt from my hands and I cry out at the exquisite pain. As quickly as the storm began, it’s over. The energy recedes, leaving me powerful yet hollow. As a virtue angel, I controlled the elements, and I’ve somehow carried that gift here to Earth. During storms is the only time I can come close to feeling like I did in Heaven, and it’s an effective slap in the face.
I fall to my knees, allowing the residual energy to create spasms throughout my body. Soon all of it will be soaked into my skin and stored for use. I begin to pray—a force of habit I’ve yet to break. My words are useless. God is undoubtedly not listening.
“Victoria?” I raise my head to a fellow fallen, Ezekiel. “Are you ready?” he asks, voice quiet as he realizes what I’m doing.
I stand to my feet, brushing off the dirt that coats my knees. “I told you, I work alone now.”
Two years ago, it was always him by my side. We’d fight together every night and wake up next to each other every morning. Those days ended the moment I realized Zeke was my Band-Aid.
He saved me from crippling despair and helped mold me into what I am today. For that, I owe him my life. But it’s not my life he wants. No, that would be my heart, and that was stolen from me.
“It’s dangerous, Tori. Why must you be so stubborn?” he practically growls, bringing me back to the present. It’s nothing new. We’ve had this same argument no less than twice per week for the past two years. Since the day I gave him my virginity. Yet he still persists.
“It’s not stubbornness; I just don’t need you slowing me down,” I say, turning my back to one of God’s finest creations. He’s a work of art, there’s no doubt, and that is exactly why I don’t need to be anywhere near Ezekiel Kincaid.
I don’t trust myself around him. I’ve already been weak in his presence, and I don’t intend to be that person again. He helped me through a trying time, but now I need to help myself.
Then there’s the fact that he’s teamed up with a few mortals who also hunt demons. Early on, they almost got us killed, because Zeke isn’t honest with them. They don’t know who or what he really is. He hides his true power. A power he too brought from Heaven. That’s a gift that shouldn’t be hidden, so I refuse to hunt with them. Why delay the monsters’ deaths just to deceive humans?
He barks a laugh. “I’m the best hunter on Earth. It’s you who can’t keep up with me.” My eyes meet his, and the sexy grin he has plastered all over his face makes my insides lava. I push down the lustful feelings, determined to resist.
He’s a test and I will not fail. Not this time.
“I’ll let you believe what you want to, but as for me, I go alone.” As I walk past him, his hand shoots out, grabbing me by the elbow.
“The easiest way to get yourself killed, Tori. I’m just trying to help. Why won’t you let anyone help?”
Tearing my arm free, I spin to look right into his cobalt blue eyes. “Because I have a job to do, and your help comes with ulterior motives. You want something we once had, and that’s no longer on the table.”
“Such as?” he drawls.
“Such as,” I repeat snippily, “sex.”
His brows rise and his lip quirks in a sexy-as-sin smirk. “Sex?”
“That’s what I said.”
“You know cuddling is just as good. Maybe a little makeout session.” He shrugs. “It doesn’t have to necessarily be sex, Tori. I’m open to all forms of foreplay.”
“Ugh. See?” I groan. “That’s exactly what I’m talking about, Zeke. Unlike you, I don’t want to be here,” I nearly spit. “I want to go home, and in order to do that, I need to prove my loyalty and allegiance. Falling back into old habits won’t get me there.”
“I remember a time when you enjoyed those habits.”
I did. Zeke was passionate. He took his time and always made sure I was content. He provided comfort in a world that was foreign. I was lonely and he was good company. More importantly, he mended my shattered heart and battered ego. For a short time, at least.
“Yes. I did. Until I finally got my head on straight and my priorities in line.”
He scoffs. “You strive for the impossible. No one has ever been allowed back through the gates, and you know that. Once you’re forsaken, it’s done.” His eyes nearly beg me to heed his words.
I continue walking toward the barn, trying to put some distance between us. I’ve closed the door for us to be more because we have two entirely different paths. I want back in, and he’s determined to stay on Earth. He’d be my temptation and the very reason I’d never get home. I’ve tried to convince him, but he’s unmovable in his resolve. Which begs the question… why? What is he running from? I don’t ask, because that would mean I’d have to share my own past. For two years that’s been the one topic of conversation off limits. I don’t ask him why he fell, and he doesn’t ask me.
“One of these days you’re going to admit I’m right,” he shouts, but I pay him no mind. “You’ll spend a lonely existence until then.”
“Good,” I call over my shoulder. “Alone is what I need. Alone is what’s best. Maybe you should ditch your human shields and use your power to its fullest.”
“I’m no fool, Tori. I take help where I can get it. They’re safer with me on their team.”
