Page 86 of Can you take it?

He nodded, as if he had been waiting to say it to someone. “Yeah. I don’t know what you know of the human realm,” he said.

I let him continue, even though I knew a fair amount from my time there with Cal.

“There’s heaven and hell. Heaven is run by the angels, and hell is run by the demons. If humans are good, they go to heaven, but if they’re bad, they go to hell.”

“With your father,” I added.

He nodded. “I don’t want anyone else to have to go to him,” he said so softly I had to lean in to hear. “What if I could help the humans from going to him, you know? Get some of the bad ones back on the right track before it’s too late,” he whispered with glittering eyes.

For a moment, it felt like I wasn’t speaking to the haggard, rough-around-the-edges Bexley but to a small boy. I thought for a second and then nodded. “I think that’d be incredible.” I smiled. “You know,” I said, clearing my throat, “you and I don’t really know each other aside from in here, but I con- sider you a friend now, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t tell you how proud I am of you—for how much you’ve grown and changed.”

He rolled his eyes, trying to hide a smile and feign bashfulness. “You too,” he said, surprising me.

“What’s going on here?” Anna said with a mock scowl when she saw Bexley’s drink. She leaned up against the bar on Bexley’s side.

“Tell her, Bex,” I said.

His attention caught for a moment at my use of his newly acquired nickname. It was amazing what a few small words could do for someone.

“I’m giving up drinking and faerie dust for good,” he said to her.

“I’ve heard that before,” Anna said with a laugh, though I could see the doubt in her expression.

“No, it’s for good this time,” Bexley stated.

“I hope it is,” Anna said. “If there’s anything I can do to help, let me know.”

“No, Anna, I’m for real this time,” Bexley affirmed.

Anna nodded, obviously having heard that before at some point.

“He really liked helping Walter and is planning to go to the human realm,” I interjected, before she said something she would regret.

“Wait, what?” she said, surprise in her eyes.

Bexley perked up, clearly pleased at her surprise. “Yeah, I’m thinking I really liked the feeling I got when I helped Walter. I think the humans could use my help,” he said.

She nodded and a grin crept up and onto her face. “What will you do in the human realm? You know they have alcohol there too though, right?” She smirked.

“I do, but I will just take it one day at a time. Then if that’s too difficult, one hour at a time. I think a different situation might do me some good,” Bexley said. “I think for the first time in my life, I’m ready to do something about what happened to me. Are you sure the portal to the human realm is still on the tenth tier?” he asked her.

She smiled. “Last I’d heard.”

He nodded. “Thanks, Anna.” “For what?” she asked.

“For always being open-minded and giving me a chance.” She waved off the compliment and gave him a big hug. I found myself immeasurably jealous, wishing I were the recipient of said hug.

“I don’t know how to tell you this,” I interrupted, “but these tiers are not quite as horrifying as I would have expected, though they have changed a lot for everyone.”

“Speak for yourself,” Bexley said. “It was horrifying for me.”

“I wouldn’t say that just yet,” Anna added. “We still have three tiers left.”

I nodded. She was right. “You have to admit this doesn’t look that scary.” I glanced around the room.

“Could I offer you this, sir?” Suddenly the waiter interrupted, holding up a large tray filled with pre-poured glasses of amber liquid.

“You’re doing this on purpose,” I said to the waiter, curious about what Bexley’s reaction would be.