Awaken the Soul (Havenwood Falls High)(13)

“No, you told me he wasn’t good. That is a far cry from . . . what did you call him? A Dominion angel of sin?”

“They’re pretty much the same thing. Just different levels of bad, I suppose.”

Technicalities. I’m playing a game with words, and Vivienne knows it. Her face twists into the chastising grimace.

“Different levels of bad?” Her shoulders shake with laughter. Her brows knit together, and her smile falters as she inhales sharply. “Is that who the reaper meant, when he said they’d kill you? Was he talking about your father?”

And now she understands the hierarchy of angels. There isn’t much loyalty.

“No. My father won’t kill me.” Not because he loves me as his son. He wants me for what’s to come. Rubbing my forehead, I stretch my neck from side to side. “Honestly, I don’t know what the reaper meant. I healed you. I interceded where I shouldn’t have. There are those who would have a problem with that.” And those who would take issue with me telling her about us to begin with.

“Are you in trouble?” Her forehead wrinkles as she chews at the edge of a fingernail. “What can they do to you?”

Her concern sparks something within me. The pressure in my chest returns, the talons digging in again. “Of all things, you’re worried about me?” I’m astonished.

She snatches a strand of hair and wraps it around her finger. “You saved my life.”

I reach for the hair, rubbing it between the pad of my thumb and index finger. “And I’d do it again. I’m not worried about the consequences. The reaper doesn’t realize who I am. Who my father is.”

Her hand covers mine, dragging it from her hair as she holds my gaze. “What about me?”

What is she asking?

“What happens to me in this whole situation?”

My cell phone buzzes, saving me from replying. I stand and fish it from my pants pocket. It’s Elias. I hold a finger up to Vivienne and wander toward the kitchen.

“Hey.” I refrain from saying his name to protect his identity. He’s been a resident of this town as long as I have. He runs a business, eats, shops, and plays in the same places the rest of us do.

“What the hell did you do tonight? I’m hearing chatter. You know there are eyes everywhere in this town, Breckin.”

Damn supernaturals. “The reaper I told you about, he’s hanging around and making threats.”

“Threatening you?” Elias’ voice drips with anger.

“Me. And Vivienne.”

Elias growls, and Vivienne’s eyes go wide. He’d cause an avalanche if he were up in the mountains.

“Fine. I’ll see what I can find out. We shouldn’t have a reaper lurking around unless he’s doing his job. I was told she saw you both. The Court won’t like that. Erase her memory.”

“I can’t.” I turn my back to Vivienne and lower my voice. “It doesn’t work on her. I tried last night. Plus, I need her to know everything until I take care of this. I can’t keep her safe if she doesn’t know.”

“It’s not your job to keep some human girl safe. You’ve got bigger decisions to make, Breckin. Your father will be home soon. He’ll expect your allegiance.”

“I’ve got four months.”

“Breckin,” he warns.

“See what you can find out about the reaper and keep Father and the Court away. I’ll protect her no matter what, but I could use your help. Please.”

“Feeling a bit possessive, are you?”

I look at Vivienne in the mirror. “I’m feeling a whole lot possessive.”

“Of course you are. You’re an angel, and angels don’t like others messing with what belongs to us.”

“Thanks, man.”

The call ends with Elias promising me a message as soon as he has information. Vivienne stands, and I turn with a shrug. “There’s a lot I can’t tell you. Things about Havenwood Falls you’re not allowed to know.”

“There are other angels here?” she asks as she walks across the living room. I nod. “You’re protecting them from me?”

“Not exactly, but I suppose in a way, yes. The less you know the better.”

“The reaper called you a half-breed like it was a dirty word. Why?”

“Angels weren’t created to reproduce with humans. They should have been happy in Paradise, but they weren’t. They wanted more. It was forbidden and caused dissent.” I rub the back of my neck. “It’s really an issue thousands of years in the making.”

Her head bobs in understanding. I’d expected more questions.

“What are you feeling possessive over?” she asks, nodding toward my phone as her lips curve seductively. I doubt she knows she’s doing it. She’s always had this alluring innocence about her.

“I’m two parts of one whole. I’m human, but I’m also angel. My angel side has staked a claim.”

She inches forward. “Staked a claim?” Her brow lifts. “On me?”

“It’s what the reaper sensed. I don’t control my angelic emotions as well as I should. I didn’t mask my feelings yesterday, or tonight.”

She stops an arm’s length away and looks at the floor. “Why did you save me? Would you have stopped for anyone?”