When we arrived back in the neighborhood, me walking and Castiel hovering a few feet above my head, it was past nightfall. We paused at the side of my home, away from windows and prying eyes.
Castiel landed soundlessly. “Now I need to learn where Hawkstone Coven is.”
“That will be harder than it sounds,” I warned. “Many of these covens are known by many names and have died, popped up reborn elsewhere, and more.”
Castiel nodded. “Those witches can be downright secretive, too. I spent around eight years working within one and I left still in the dark about plenty of their practices.”
I wasn’t sure how to respond. Good luck? I didn’t really want him to leave at all. I glanced up at the darkened sky.
“Are you ever going to let me take you flying?” He shook his finger at me. “Last time doesn’t count. You were upset and not paying attention.”
I chuckled. “Does it bother you I’m staying on the ground?”
He frowned like a petulant child. “Yes. Flying is a joy I would share with my mat—lover, and I hate that I’ve given you such a terrible first experience. I hate that I frightened you.”
I softened, understanding he wasn’t being petulant at all. Getting up on tiptoes, I braced myself against his chest and kissed the tip of his nose. “I trust you now. I would love for you to take me flying.” Before you leave.
The words hovered in the air between us, but neither of us acknowledged them. What did Castiel think? I yearned to ask him what this meant to him, what I meant to him, but now was not the time. I was shivering in my boots, and I couldn’t have anyone catch me like this with him.
Reluctantly I pulled away from him. “Go,” I warned. “Before I demand you take me flying tonight.”
The shadows hid his eyes, but I could hear him suck in his breath. I laughed and shoved at his chest. I was far too small to make him sway.
“Go! I need to get inside. I’ll see you tomorrow, Castiel.”
“Tomorrow,” he promised, voice low and sinful. My toes curled in response.
I watched as he lifted into the air, awestruck yet again by the power in those wings. As soon as he was out of sight I rounded the corner of my house.
And promptly ran into someone.
“Oof!” I staggered backward, fear racing through me. “Who is that?”
The shadowy figure was about my size. “It’s Silence,” the high-pitched, breathy voice said.
“Silence?” I peered in the moonlight. A beam cut through the branches over head and spilled along her profile, highlighting her black hair and wan, nearly sallow skin. “What are you doing here?”
“I was retrieving some clothing I left at your house. When Absalom and I…” she trailed off.
I wasn’t sure what to say. They’d been married around two months when my brother died, and I knew she hadn’t been happy about the marriage. “I didn’t know you’d left anything behind when you two moved into the cottage down the lane.” Such a stupid comment. I didn’t know what else to say to her.
I’m sorry you’re a widow? Because she probably wasn’t.
I hope you’re doing well? She probably wasn’t. Maybe better than me, but not well.
She hesitated, perhaps struck by the awkwardness like me. We’d never been friends, but we’d grown up together.
“Why are you spending time with him?” Her voice, faint and high-pitched, sounded curious and even a bit scolding.
Silence was not going to scold me. “The Herald asked me to.” I wrapped my cloak around myself, shivering through a gust of winter wind. “He’s looking into the way we’ve worshiped since the church began, and I’m helping him gather the documents and stories he wants.” The lie rolled off my tongue so easily.
“I heard you call him Castiel.”
I froze. “Heralds have names,” I said carefully. “He gave me permission to use his.”
“And he’s taking you flying?”
Irritation burrowed under my skin. “Do you have a problem with that, Silence? Going to go tell an elder?”
