“Make your intentions known,” the priest grumbled, clearly frustrated with me, or perhaps both of us. “I have other company and am pressed for time. Are you here for something in particular?”
A flash of violet eyes met mine from under heavy shadows.
I wasn’t sure how to answer the question for a moment, because I absolutely was, but not quite how they likely thought I was. “No. Yes.” My face heated as I became flustered. Seir would have absolutely been rolling with laughter if he were there to witness me floundering over my words, andinsidea church, no less. “I saw you through the apothecary window last time I visited…” I broke off, sure that sharing how their eyes had haunted me day and night since I’d first seen them was a step too far at this point in our acquaintance.
Their head snapped up and for a second, I had an excellent view of them, despite the hood. The longer I looked, the more certain I was that the person before me was not presenting as their true self.
“I saw you in the yard when the bells rang the hour.” Both of them straightened. “In truth, I simply couldn’t escape my curiosity. And apologies for being trite, but I fear I have the same question you do. What exactly is an angel doing in Vincara?”
Phin’s eyes widened a bit further before they turned to the priest. I immediately regretted having made them uncomfortable with my blunt question.
While I was distracted by Phin, the priest jerked forward, and something wet hit my cheek.
“Holy water?” I surmised. Seeing no reaction other than for me to dab at the moisture with my sleeve, the priest sagged. I wasn’t sure if it in was disappointment or relief. “Would you like me to touch an idol as well? See if it burns my flesh?”
“No, no. You’ve proven yourself well enough I suppose.” He waved a hand and grumbled several words under his breath. Father clucked his tongue and leaned the sword and broom against the nearest wall, clearly having decided I offered no imminent bodily threat.
“Morton, is there a key for this little room? It’s locked,” a deep voice asked, floating in from another room.
Phin dashed to a corner, chin dropping to their chest as their arms linked inside the sleeves of the robe.
“No need to open it, it’s just storage for… damaged or discarded things,” the priest rushed to say. “Did you find what you were looking for?” he asked, eyes on me but clearly asking the other man.
“Unfortunately, no. You have many tomes but not the one I need.”
Phin’s whole body sank into the shadows of the corner they’d gone to as the man stepped out from the hallway. I could feel the way they tried to sink into the very plaster, make themselves invisible to him.
Already on edge from their response, I blinked, stunned into silence as I recognized the angel’s face.
The tall silver-blond man paused for a beat, took me in, and laughed. “Father, are you in the habit of letting justanyoneinto your church?” Father Morton began to babble, but the angel justpatted him heavily on the shoulder. “I jest. Greetings to you, Tap. What are the odds we’d both end up in a place like this on the same day?”
“Hello, Armaros. Incalculable, I’m sure.” I forced my tone to stay light, despite the way just being near him made me uncomfortable.
“Are you also here for a lost relic?”
“Something like that,” I muttered. I glanced at the priest who looked as though his heart might stop at any moment.
“No fighting,” he ordered.
Armaros laughed. “We can be civil, can’t we Tap?”
“Of course.”
Father Morton stared between us, then finally let out a breath. “Come, then. My supper is getting cold, and it’s much warmer in my chambers.”
“After you.” The angel gestured with his arm, sending Phin scuttling quickly after the priest at as much of a distance as they could manage between either of us.
I couldn’t help wondering what exactly I’d walked in on, but I was thankful to be there… if only for Phin.
Chapter 5
Phin
It was like I was standing and watching things happen from somewhere outside my body. I was very sure I was awake and had all my faculties about me, but being stuck in a room with both an angel and a demon wasn’t unlike the sensation I got during one of my freezing episodes. I was hot under the heavy robe but thankful the weft of the fabric allowed me to see through it fairly clearly while remaining hidden.
We adjourned to Father’s small living quarters, the angel doing a poor job at disguising his wrinkled nose as he took in the small room that only hosted a single bed, small desk, fireplace, and table. The shelf behind the desk held several books and a set of scrolls, and there was a window over the bed, but nothing that would indicate a man had spent most of his adult life living there. Decorations were sparse, and everything from the furniture to the curtains and the hand-braided rug on the floor looked like it had seen better days, just like most things in the church.
“Please, have a seat.” Father gestured to the little table. “It isn’t much, but you are both welcome to share in my meal.” Armaros took the chair on the opposite side from the demon, leaving one between them for Father.
