Sweet Evil (The Sweet Trilogy #1)(57)

“I shouldn’t have let it happen,” he said. “Not that I’m not happy you’re here. Don’t get me wrong. But in all my years as a demon, I’d been careful not to father any children of my own. It didn’t seem right to me.”

I was thankful for that.

“She knew right away that you were with her. We couldn’t help but be happy. We knew we didn’t have long together, so we cherished every single second. I left her side only once, to make my report to Azael, hell’s messenger. I couldn’t let them know about you two. Mariantha heard stories through the other guardian angels about one last angelic Nephilim. We didn’t know where else to turn.”

“Wait, what do you mean, angelic Nephilim?”

“That nun is a descendant of an angel of light, probably a guardian angel. I’m not sure of her exact story.”

I wanted to know how she had escaped the attention of the Dukes and Legionnaires, but I didn’t want to ask my father and risk exposing the source of my information about demons. I somehow didn’t think he’d be pleased by my relationship with Kaidan.

“We got to the convent just in time,” he said. “You came early. Do you remember that day?”

“Yes.” I pressed my lips together, feeling guilty about how I’d questioned his motives all these years. He squeezed my hands and tugged them so I’d look up at him. His face was open, full of love.

“I want you to know, baby girl, after I saw Mariantha go, I never led another soul to sin.”

His eyes held mine, pleading for me to believe.

“Never?” I whispered. “This whole time you’ve been in prison?”

“I’ve given false reports to Lucifer for sixteen years. I know it doesn’t make up for all the damage I’ve done, but I had to ensure my place on earth long enough to see you and tell you. Funny thing is, now that I’ve met you, it makes me want to stay even longer.”

When I smiled at him, he gave me a look similar to the one Patti had given me the day she broke the news about my identity. He was thankful I wasn’t mad at him, and it wrenched my heart open further, letting him all the way in. I squeezed his big hands.

“Dad,” I said. We both jumped at the surprising sound of the word between us. I pressed on. “Do you know what Sister Ruth needs to tell me?”

“What do you mean?”

“Sister Ruth told Patti there were things she needed to discuss, but she’ll tell me only in person.”

He shook his head. “No idea,” he said. His hold on my hands tightened. “I need you to listen to me, Anna. This is important. Whatever the nun tells you, you can’t tell anyone about it. Anyone. If it’s something big and it gets back to Lucifer, he’ll have you killed. Hell, even if it’s something small he’ll have you killed. Who else knows about this besides us?”

“Just Patti...”

“Okay. That should be okay. Is that it?”

“And Kaidan,” I added. My eyes darted everywhere but his face. I was in for it.

“Who?” There was an edge to his voice.

His eyes searched mine. I didn’t want to tell him a single thing about Kaidan. I knew how it would sound. I took my hands from his, pulling the braid over my shoulder to mess with it.

“He’s my friend. He’s the one who drove me here to see you.”

“You told some human kid?”

I coughed, buying time. “He’s Neph, too.”

Jonathan LaGray went rigid and his ruddy cheeks paled. I squirmed as his eyes bored into mine.

“Which one’s his father?” he asked through clenched teeth.

“Richard Rowe. I guess you’d know him as Pharzuph.”

Oh, boy. He wasn’t pale anymore.

“You came across the country—”

“Shhh!” I warned him as people looked over. He lowered his voice to a shouted whisper.

“—with the son of the Duke of Lust?! Son of a—”

He pounded a fist down on the table and a guard stepped toward us. I waved and nodded at the man, trying to reassure him it was fine, and my father pulled his balled hands down into his lap. After a moment the guard walked back to the wall and looked away.

“Don’t worry!” I whispered. “I told you; we’re just friends.”

He closed his eyes and massaged his forehead with his fingers to calm his temper.

“You tell him that his father is never to know about you or whatever Sister Ruth tells you. Understand?”

“He would never tell his father anything. But, um...” I swallowed. “Unfortunately, Pharzuph already knows about me.”

His eyes flashed red again and it nearly stopped my heart. I pressed my back into the seat, causing it to wobble.

“Aren’t you worried people will see your eyes when you do that?” I asked, sure that my own eyes were gigantic at that moment.

“Humans can’t see it. And don’t try to change the subject. I know Pharzuph,” he growled. “He’s a real bastard on earth and in hell. He’d do anything to gain favor.”

“Kaidan thinks he’ll forget about me if I lie low.”

“Maybe momentarily, while he’s busy or distracted with his work, but you’ll cross his mind again someday.”