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Standing abruptly, Zaqiel’s gaze followed my movement, and he stood too, a moment later, slowly and steadily drawing himself to his full height until we were eye to eye. Part of me wanted to punch his perfect face, and I wondered if I’d be fast enough to get one in before he stopped me. He still had his full celestial strength and speed, mine was waning with every passing year. Cara was watching us, sipping her drink as though a movie was playing out in front of her, her eyes shifting between us, as curious as to who would make the first move as I was. I wanted to look at her, to remind myself that I had her when before I had nothing. I didn’t forgive, and I didn’t forget.
But Zaqiel had changed, maybe only a little bit, but perhaps he really had learned something.
“You told me,” Zaqiel said, “on that day, we could be brothers again.”
“A lot has changed, Zaqiel. I’m a different being now.” I tossed a glance at Cara. “I’ve embraced the anger and hatred, and I’ve done some terrible, terrible things.”
“I know. But I don’t blame you.”
“Why?”
“Let’s just say I’ve learned a lot myself over the years. I’ve been meaning to come see you for many months now. I’m sorry it’s taken me so long.” He sighed again. “I’m not saying we’re suddenly going to be best friends or that we can go back to how it was before.” I scoffed, and he glared at me. Zaqiel knew as well as I that we were always quite different, even before I fell. He continued, “But I feel that we need to…” clearing his throat, he rubbed the back of his neck before he stretched out his hand between us, “… mend broken bridges.”
I stared at his outstretched hand and again wondered what he had been through that had brought him to me. Who had he wanted to kill and why? These are things I’d be asking him, but later. Because there were two things I needed from him first.
One, was something that didn’t come naturally to me.
Taking his outstretched hand, I yanked him forward and hugged him.
Almost a hug. It was more a colliding of our shoulders before I pulled away as Zaqiel stiffened.
“That’s enough,” I said.
“It’s good to see you… brother.”
Nodding, I stepped away and moved to open the office door. “Before you tell me your entire story and who the unlucky human was who earned your wrath, I need something from you. Step into my office.”
He arched an eyebrow before striding past me and into the office. Cara was still silent, and I cleared my throat so she’d look at me. “You too, pussycat. You need to see this.”
“All right.” As she walked past me, I slapped her ass hard, and she cried out drawing the attention of Zaqiel. He cleared his throat and looked away as I followed her into the office, nipping and kissing at her neck with both hands grabbing at her ass.
“Uh, I’m not sure what you want—” Zaqiel started.
“Oh, grow up. We’re not going to have an orgy or anything.”
Cara chuckled and leaned against the edge of the desk, crossing her arms and staring at Zaqiel and me in the center of the room. “What’s this about?” she asked.
“I was wondering that myself.”
I ignored Zaqiel and turned to Cara, her smirk dropping at the look on my face. It was time she knew the truth. “When I told you I was a fallen angel, I know you didn’t believe me.”
“Oh, Emrick, I—”
She quieted when I held up a hand. “It’s the truth, Cara. I was an angel, and now I’m fallen.” I glanced at the recently repaired window. “And Tate was infected with demon blood.” She raised her brows, and I returned the look. “You shot him twice, Cara, and he didn’t even slow down. Didn’t that make you wonder?”
“I—”
“And the scars on my back look literally like I had wings cut off.”
“There are a lot of things that could’ve caused those scars,” she countered.
“Such as?”
“Um… burns?” she offered weakly.
“I need you to see the truth, and Zaqiel…” I turned to him, “… this is where you come in.”
“Emrick, this may not be a good idea. What if she freaks out?”
