Chapter Six
Jess
Iwoke up late the next morning to my phone vibrating on my nightstand. I jerked awake, fumbling for the phone and nearly smashed the answer button seeing Melanie’s name on the screen.
“Hey, girl—”
“Jessica!” She sounded relieved. “I’ve called you a million times. You scared the shit out of me last night. I was about to drive over to your place to check on you.”
“I’m fine,” I groaned, looking at the clock that read 11:45 AM. “Just slept in. Hey, about last night… I’m really sorry about how I got angry with you. I should have believed you.”
An awkward silence settled between us for a moment before it was broken with her sharp inhale. “So…you know?”
“Yeah. I know. I feel so stupid.”
“Hey, it’s not an easy fact to swallow. The devil lives downtown. And not only that, heownsmost of it. And when I say most of it, I meanmost of it. Gabe says he just bought the YMCA. Can you imagine telling all the old ladies in the water aerobics class that their water wingies are paid for by Satan?”
“Well, I’m glad you’re suddenly in a chipper mood about the devil being real. Last night you seemed pretty freaked out.”
“Yeah, well, I guess I’m just happy to see you had the good sense not to get involved with him. I know it was probably tempting as hell with the offer he made. Besides, you know how you can be sometimes. I’m proud that you told your wild side to stuff it.”
My insides twisted with guilt, and a lump the size of a fist lodged itself in my throat. “Um…yeah. Me too. But I’m still wondering why he was so interested inme.”
“I’m not sure. Gabriel seems to know, but there’s still a lot he doesn’t want to tell me yet.”
“Holy shit. Gabriel. What happened last night?”
“This is going to sound crazy, but he’s what’s called a celestial shifter. Which is just a fancy way of saying he’s an angel. He says he’s something called guardian class.”
“Wait, so he really is your guardian angel?”
It sounded absolutely ridiculously in my mouth. I’d known Gabriel since my freshmen year of college. And Mel had known him since they were kids. They met when he’d saved her from drowning when she was little. Which, in hindsight, made a lot more sense now. “Holy shit, Mel. You fucked your guardian angel. Girl, that has got to be against the rules.”
“I think we’re off the hook. But Gabeisacting strange. I think he has to kiss ass for a while to make sure he can keep his wings. I also think Lucifer is somehow involved. Gabe’s not telling me how but he did tell me to tell you to stay away from Lucifer.”
“Uh, yeah. Of course. Who would willingly get involved with the devil?” I gave a nervous laugh.
“Jess. I know you’re worried about your dad, but this isn’t the way to get him help.”
“Relax. I’m not seriously considering taking Lucifer up on his deal. The devil offers you a contract you know it isn’t for some job.” I cast the contract on my nightstand a nervous look. Just then, my phone buzzed. I pulled it away from my ear to see a text from an unknown number.
“Morning, Kitten. Had some time to think over our arrangement?”
“Mel, I have to go.”
“Jess. I know life has been stressful for you, so you’ve been kind of throwing caution to the wind lately. Just don’t do it with this, okay?”
“Yeah, okay. I’ll come over soon, alright? I have to get a load of Gabe’s wings for myself.”
“Alright. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
I hung up and stared at the screen for a second, my chest tightening with unease. Why did it feel like I had lied to her? I wasn’t actually considering taking the devil up on his deal. I didn’t even know what he really wanted. Part of me was morbidly curious, and the other part wanted nothing to do with him. I was a maelstrom of emotions, terrified by the kind of consequences I’d reap by agreeing to whatever deal he was offering me. Yet something inside me had come alive the second I’d laid eyes on him.
It’s like I knew the kind of devastation he could inflict. How perfect he could ruin me and put me back together just so he could do it all over again.
Whatever he was after, I was half inclined to give it.Especiallyif it meant saving my dad.
