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He grunts but doesn’t say another word, and for that I’m thankful.
The machine beeps, signaling my coffee’s done and time’s up. I take the piping-hot mug from under the dispenser and turn slowly. My eyes connect with Zeke and I take a sip, trying to buy myself even more time.
“Gah!” I screech as the entirety of the inside of my mouth is scorched from the far-too-hot liquid that’s now spilling onto my hand. “Ahh!”
I slam the cup down on the counter, grabbing a rag and covering my hand.
“Come here,” he says, motioning to the spot next to him.
My tongue moves across the roof of my burned mouth, feeling the bubbled top and wishing I hadn’t been such an idiot.
“Tori. Come sit.”
I expel a breath, making my way to the bed and taking a seat.
“Are you okay?” Zeke places his hand on my cheek, looking deeply into my eyes.
I sigh at his touch and the gentleness in his tone. No matter how far I try to run, he’s always there to make me second-guess my actions. He’s shown me in so many ways just how much he cares. He’s the one person I can trust, and there’s a large part of me begging to confess my sins to receive absolution.
Deciding to put my faith in Zeke, I take a deep breath and dive in.
“During a battle on Earth, I stumbled across a woman who was badly injured in the cross fire. There was a man with her.” I pause, taking another breath, and forge ahead. “He asked me to intervene. He knew what I was, Zeke, and it didn’t scare him.”
“He asked you to save his wife?” Zeke’s eyes are narrowed, giving away the fact he likely already knows the answer.
I shake my head. “They were together, but not... together. She was a single mom.”
“So you helped her?”
“I did. But that’s not even the worst of it. He asked my name, and I gave it to him.”
Zeke’s eyes widen. “Why would you do that? You know how serious that is.”
“You’re right. I did know. But it didn’t stop me. I gave it willingly, and I only just barely regretted it.” I tell the truth, because why lie? If I’m going to come clean, no sense in leaving out the minor details.
“Why didn’t you care, Tori?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. At least... I’m not sure why that first time didn’t shake me.”
“There were more times?”
I chew on my lip, not loving his accusatory tone.
“I’m sorry. I’m just... surprised.”
“Yeah, well, it surprised me too.”
“So, let me get this straight. You gave your name to a human, and he used it every time he found himself in harm’s way.”
“Sort of,” I say, trying to skirt the whole truth. I’m not ready to divulge it all to him, despite my early confidence. His reactions have me backpedaling that notion. Baby steps.
“Sort of,” he repeats.
“In truth, he only called out my name twice. Once was for help, and another was just to see me.”
“Let me guess—the mortal fell for the angel,” he said, lips turned up into a knowing smile. “Can’t say I blame him.”
I lower my head, feeling small under the weight of Zeke’s stare. He doesn’t seem surprised or bothered by any of it, and that has me questioning what his story is.
