Total pages in book: 16
Estimated words: 14761 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 74(@200wpm)___ 59(@250wpm)___ 49(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 14761 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 74(@200wpm)___ 59(@250wpm)___ 49(@300wpm)
“I, uh, thanks?”
“Don’t thank me. Keep it moving. I have another one coming in shortly and can’t linger.” They turn without another word and rush off.
And so begins my reeducation in what it means to be an angel. In truth, it’s not so different from being a demon, no matter what derision Raven holds for the world I was born into. Angelic society is run damn near identically. The only exception is that they focus on deep relationships with humans. I suppose it makes sense now why guardian angels are focused on comfort instead of doing literally any guarding.
A week later, I’m standing in front of a portal and hoping my heart doesn’t beat right out of my chest. When I step through, it’s not into Caleb’s bedroom in the middle of the night. It’s into his kitchen with the midday sun shining through the windows. He sits at a small table, a bowl of cereal in front of him, and drops the spoon the moment I appear.
I hold up my hands. “I know I look different, kind of, but it’s me.”
“Gemma,” he whispers. He’s on his feet in an instant and around the table, pulling me into his arms and hugging me tightly. “When you didn’t come back, I feared the worst. Are you okay?”
“Um, yes.” I hug him back, inhaling his sheer relief. “I guess I’m an angel now.”
“What?”
I quickly bring him up to speed. Through it all, he doesn’t stop touching me, finally linking his fingers through mine as I finish. I glance at the stairs. “But, like, we can still have sex if you want. We don’t have to, though! It’s just not forbidden or anything.”
He’s looking at me strangely, and I suspect it’s going to take me some time to fully understand the flavor of his more subtle emotions. I bite my bottom lip to keep from babbling on. Finally, Caleb says, “I have the day off.”
“Oh. Did you want me to leave and come back later?” Did he have plans? Part of my new training was how to shift my body to be properly humanlike so I can go out in public—public!—if the situation calls for it. I just didn’t expect to use the new skill so quickly. I still haven’t figured out toes, and while my hands can pass a cursory glance, it’s best no one stares at them too long. Even so, I made active progress there, and that’s more than I can say for most of my previous training.
“No.” He glances at our linked fingers with a frown and seems to give himself a shake. “I know shifting is a little painful, but I’d like to take you out. It’s Halloween.”
“Halloween?” I’m familiar with the celebration, of course. Demons love this time of year. I might not be a demon any longer, but surely I could enjoy it too? With Caleb? “What are you going out to do?”
“There’s a new scary movie. I was going to see it this afternoon, and then one of the local grade schools is hosting a trunk-or-treat for the kids.” He smiles. “It’s really great seeing them in their costumes.”
“And you want me to come with you?”
“Yes.” He squeezes my hand. “If you want to.”
“Of course I do.” The pure glutting of emotions I got from him last time is still sustaining me. It takes no effort at all to concentrate on turning my skin a boring peachy color. I leave my hair purple since plenty of humans wear bright colors. Theirs are just chemically dyed and mine is magic. I doubt most of them can tell the difference. “Like this?”
Caleb blinks. “Oh. Wow. Okay, that was fast and easy.” He grins suddenly. “I’m really excited to get to spend more time with you.”
I didn’t realize how much anxiety I was harboring about talking to him again and things changing until it dissipates like the morning mist. I find myself grinning back at him. “I’m really excited to spend more time with you too. And not just for sex, though I would very much like to have sex again, because that was phenomenal.”
He blushes charmingly. “I’d like that too. After our date.” Caleb clears his throat. “We still have a couple hours until the movie starts. Where do you want to go first?”
“Everywhere!”