“They need to be trained differently, Victoria. They’re celestial, and they are capable of so much more than what you’ve seen. Knowing this, you need to lead their training. You’re the only one here on Earth worthy of such a task.”
“What about Zeke? Shouldn’t you be confiding in your former almost-lover?”
Leeanna grunt. “You and I both know Ezekiel was never as strong as you. You’re the best to lead this earthly legion.” She pulls her bottom lip into her mouth and seems to consider her next words. “For the record, we weren’t lovers. Almost or otherwise. You got a distorted version of things. Why he’s lying to you, I have no idea, but he isn’t telling you the truth.”
I search Leeanna’s face for some tell that she’s the one lying, but I find nothing but honesty in what she’s saying. If nothing else, she certainly believes things went down differently.
“Your Zeke is hiding things, Victoria. You don’t have to believe me, but you shouldn’t blindly trust him either. If we’re to defeat Hell’s army, we need to all put our differences aside and be honest with each other. God might not want you to have all the answers, but truly, I think you deserve to know everything.”
“Which is?” I press, wanting to end the riddles and get to the deception she’s alluding to.
“That’s a conversation that needs to be had with Ezekiel.”
She might not be lying about the secrets, but I know Leeanna has ulterior motives. She always does. I just need to uncover what her intentions are.
“What conversation is that, Lee?” Zeke’s deep timbre has me spinning to see him walking with purpose toward us. His eyes are trained on her, fire burning behind his irises. He’s pissed, and all his anger is directed at her.
Maybe there is hope that he’ll get over her after all.
“I’m only trying to clear up some misunderstandings that you seem to have created between Victoria and me. She seems to be under the impression that I jilted you. Why is that, Ezekiel?”
“I’m not speaking about the conversations I have with Tori to you. You aren’t part of our relationship.”
“Seems you’re building said relationship on lies, or at the least half-truths.”
The growl that rips through Zeke’s chest has my eyebrows shooting skyward, but Lee doesn’t so much as balk.
“Leave,” he seethes.
She smirks, turning to face me. “Good luck, Victoria. Remember what I said.”
With that last reminder of her warning, she shoots into the sky, leaving me to deal with a very hostile Zeke.
“What was that about?”
“Calm down. Whatever anger you feel toward her, I don’t deserve to shoulder. You can leave if you plan to talk to me like that.”
His face falls, and the wrath that was just evident disappears. “I’m sorry. She just… infuriates me.”
My initial thoughts go to her deserting him on his fall, and I immediately have the urge to ease his pain. That’s quickly replaced by the memory of her claiming that his story isn’t the truth. What am I supposed to believe?
“Are you hungry?” I ask, deciding to table my wayward thoughts. He needs to fully calm down before I go down that road of questioning.
“No. I grabbed something on the way back.”
I head toward the barn, climbing the steps to the loft in search of a banana for now. Zeke’s on my heels the entire time, but he doesn’t say anything. I’ve never been one that’s felt the need to fill the quiet with forced conversation. I enjoy silence. It’s therapeutic. But right now? It’s awkward.
Zeke makes himself comfortable on my bed, while I peel the too-ripe banana and take an unsatisfying bite.
“Tired?” I ask around a mouthful.
“Frustrated.”
I chew, giving myself time to organize the chaos of questions fighting for the top spot in my mind. All of them need to be asked, but the order and way in which I tackle these subjects will make all the difference. I don’t want Zeke to shut down and subsequently shut me out.
“Did you know the humans are Nephilim?”
Zeke sits up, staring blankly into my eyes.
