What the fuck does she want from me?I was no babysitter here for her amusement, to take her on sight-seeing tours to a museum like a benevolent guardian angel tasked with her safety.
Suddenly, a pressing need to escape from the suffocating room became unbearable, forcing me to stand.
“Anna, please don’t pray for me, about me, or to me. You are disrupting my life.”
Her brown eyes dulled, and she dropped her chin toward her chest. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be a problem.”
“Well, you are,” I bit out, placing my hands on my hips. “Worry about yourself, not me. As you get older, you’ll find the only thing that matters in this wretched world is what happens toyou, not anyone else.”
Unable to bear her sad expression, I blinked to my castle, fighting a wave of irritation and shame.
Why should I feel guilty? I told her nothing but the truth.
Chapter 5
Lucian Elysium
Ten Years Ago
Itossedandturnedin my bed, unable to rest, unable to sate myself even with three delicious succubae to keep me company.
Something about that blind girl—Anna, her name is Anna—had gotten under my skin and I couldn’t stop thinking about her life, her tiny room. It couldn’t have been bigger than a closet, as if she’d been an afterthought, an extra child with no other use than to take up space.
“Get the fuck out,” I snarled to the women. Impatient while waiting for them to wake their lazy asses up, I blinked them into the volcano.
Why did I even bother with them last night?I’d been rather unimpressed by their efforts. Sex had become a boring, uninspiring past time, a way to dawdle between punishments, with one day blending into another, each decade fading to a century.
The boredom of eternity yawned its invisible mouth and I glowered, cursing God once more for Her part in my existence.How much more of this life can I withstand before I’m driven mad?
Something was missing, yet I couldn’t fathom what it might be. I had everything a God could want—worshippers, servants, unlimited power—yet I did not have happiness, intimacy, or contentment. For some reason, over the past few years, these deficiencies had begun to manifest in my heart.
The only thing that came close to true pleasure had been watching Cain evolve, knowing my only surviving child might one day stand at my side and become my First General.
But that day is not soon. He needs more tempering, more responsibility.
Malachi loved doling out the boy’s missions, yet I often needed to step in because Malachi tended to give Cain more than he could handle. For some unfathomable reason, Malachi hated my son with a passion. His heart filled with jealousy over Cain. I should’ve told the fallen angel the truth behind my interest in Cain, that he was my son, yet that itself would be dangerous.
No, he’ll remain safer and less of a target. Let them think my only interest in Cain is because he’s a cursed human.
I glanced out the window to the volcano, spewing its never-ending supply of magma. The screams of the prisoners in the dungeons below grated my nerves. Those sounds used to bring me pleasure, but today I felt irritation and boredom.
I should pay a visit to Sister Carrie. She sounds like the type to be interested in a little fun with her naughty books.
The idea of visiting Earth once more put some pep in my step.Yes, this is a splendid idea.
I blinked to the front entrance of Anna’s orphanage.
“Hello,” I drawled as I stepped to the front desk. I’d commanded the ether to hide my wings and wore the common garments of humans, a pair of jeans, sneakers, and a short-sleeved shirt. Otherwise, unrefined and sloppy.
I fit right in with the rabble now.I tried not to sneer.
An older nun, her white bandeau covering her hair and part of her forehead, looked up from her papers as she pushed her reading glasses up her nose. “Can I help you?” Her eyes, sharp and hard, squinted.
“I should hope so. I need to speak with Sister Carrie.”
Sister Sharp Eyes raised an eyebrow and peered up at me, giving my clothes a long stare. She seemed rather unimpressed.
Perhaps I toned my angelic beauty down a bit too much.I wasn’t used to being given the cool once-over.
