His soft footfalls paced in front of my bed, the sound of the soles a soft thud with each step, making the third floorboard squeak.
“I am going to have a little chat with this Sister Carrie,” he whispered under his breath, probably not realizing how sharp my hearing had become over the years.
“Oh, can you ask her if Father Martin has gotten the money to buy me some new braille books, or a tablet that’ll let me listen to audiobooks?” He’d been promising for the past three months to get new books, but he’d also said the economy was tough and the church needed every bit of the dwindling tithes for the orphanage’s upkeep.
Lucian sighed, the sound long and drawn out.
I don’t know why the devil didn’t scare me. Father Martin spoke of Satan as if he were an angry god who’d kill a person as easily as look at them, but he seemed nice to me.
Reaching under my bed, I shoved my hand between the box spring and cold metal slats and felt for my contraband.
“What are you doing?”
When my fingertips brushed worn edges, I pulled out the book with triumph and held it to where I assumed Lucian must be standing.
“Can you tell me what kind of book this is? I found it in Sister Carrie’s room. When I asked her to read me the title, she yelled and snatched it away.”
Lucian laughed, the rumble of his amusement deep and magical.
“Oh, Anna. Are you a little thief?” He gently pried it from my fingers. The sound of ruffling pages filled the air. He snickered.
“She threw it in the trash. I heard it hit the metal can, so I came back later and dug it out. I figured if it made her that angry, there had to be a reason.” I grinned, trying to imagine what Sister Carrie must look like when mad. “I just wish it was in braille so I could read the story.”
“This…” The air stirred near my cheek and the floor creaked, as if he’d moved closer. “This is not an appropriate book for a child. I bet Sister Dearest had to give herself forty lashes that day after being found out.”
“She was sure angry with me.”
“I have no doubt.” He patted the top of my head a couple of times, reminding me of how I petted stray dogs. “It’s calledFifty Shades of Gray.Perhaps when you are much older, you can ask her about it.” Another chuckle floated my way. “As delightful as this conversation has been, I must leave, little Anna.”
“Wait,” I squeaked, reaching in his direction, panic rising in my chest at the thought of being alone again. “Can’t you stay for just a little longer? The rest of the kids are still in the game room for movie night and…” I sniffed, fighting tears that threatened to spill out. I didn’t want to admit I was lonely and bored, and I certainly didn’t want to cry like a baby in front of the angel. How many times had I prayed to God, and he’d never appeared? But the one time I prayed for Lucian; he’d shown up almost immediately.
“And what? You thought you would just call up the devil to keep you company?” His tone hardened. “I am not some entity at your beck and call, human. I am darkness and pain and punishment.”
“Seem pretty nice to me,” I mumbled, feeling blood heat my cheeks, embarrassed yet irritated, too.I’d asked God to protect him, it wasn’t as if I knew my prayer would make him appear, like I did it on purpose.
He growled, and a slight breeze stirred near my upper arm, tickling the skin.
One of his wings, I bet.
I giggled and reached for it, needing to touch the soft feathers again.
“Impossible little human.” The gentle brush fell away. “Donotpray for me again, or you will be sorry.”
The pressure in the room dropped and a faint pop cut through the room, and then I was alone.
I could feel the solitude in the silence, in the absence of his scent, in the way the room seemed bigger without his presence.
“Goodnight, Lucian.” Turning onto my side, I wrapped myself with the thick comforter, rubbing the pad of my thumb over the silky feather I’d snatched from his wing.
Chapter 4
Lucian Elysium
Ten Years Ago
Thenextday,Isat in a war council with my fellow Chosen. We were orchestrating the beginnings of a human protest outside the steps of the United States Capitol when a sweet voice invaded my thoughts.
I gnashed my teeth and ignored the call.
