I thought back to how Garret had plowed into me. Had it all been a ploy to talk to me? My heart plummeted as I looked at Garret. Because Garret was looking guilty.
“Another team warned us that you and Jake were coming. They asked us to look after you. So, yes, I bumped into you on purpose. But everything I've told you is the truth.”
“Then tell me the truth now. Are you a hellhound?”
Garret grimaced, glanced around at all the people who were now staring at us, then whispered, “I'm aHound of Hades. It's not the same thing. I'm one of the good guys, Indigo. My real job is—”
“Enough of your lies, Demon!” Michael snapped.
Why was I so upset? I had just met this man. There was nothing between us. And yet, there was. When I was talking to Garret, I felt something I thought was real. Only to discover that I'd been played. Again. How fucking typical. As the men argued, I picked up my packages and walked away. I was over both of them. All of them.
“Indigo!” Michael caught up with me. “You're lucky I saw you through the window. God knows what he would have done to you if he'd gotten you to leave with him.”
“God knows,” I muttered. I still wasn't sure about Silas or Michael. I wasn't sure about anything. But it didn't bode well that Garret didn't follow us. I looked back to see him still standing by the table, staring at me.
“Come on, let's get you home.” Michael took my hand.
I jerked my hand away from him and left the restaurant.
“Indigo!” He hurried up beside me.
“I want to speak to Jake! You bring him back right now!”
“Fine,” Michael snapped. Then he shuddered. When he spoke next, it was Jake, “Indie, Michael's telling the truth. That's one of the demons we're here to fight.”
“Jake, how do you know that Michael's an angel?”
Jake scowled. “That demon has influenced you.”
“No. I've doubted this from the beginning. So convince me. How are you certain?”
“Michael makes me stronger, Indie. I can feel the truth when he's in control. I can feel his determination.”
In light of that, Garret's claim that Michael was a ghost became suspect. How could a ghost strengthen someone it was possessing? Shouldn't it be the opposite? And would a spirit give up control to its host so easily?
“Look, I understand if you want to leave. Go back to Spokane. That's fine. Just, please, don't go with that man. He's not really a man.”
I weakened. A part of me knew it was reverse psychology. Tell someone they can go, and they won't want to. But it still helped me to relax and remember that this was Jake—my Jake. He loved me. No matter who was inside him, Jake loved me. He would never lead me wrong.
“No. I'm not leaving you,” I said and took his hand.
“Indie.” He pulled me into a hug. “I love you. Thank you. I know I can always count on you. No matter what happens, you're with me. That kind of loyalty is rare. Thank you, baby.”
I loved him, yes. I'd stick by him as I always had. So why were his words making me cringe?
Chapter Nine
On our way down the hallway to our bedroom, Silas opened the door of the main suite and stopped Jake and me.
“Join me,” Silas said and waved us inside.
I had thought our room was large. The main suite surpassed it, so massive that it had to be sectioned off. A raised platform elevated the bed to regal heights so that it dominated the central section; a dining set huddled in a nook to the right; a doorway beside it gave a glimpse of the main bath; and a sitting area occupied a dais to the left. On adais. Silas took us to the sitting area.
A fire was lit in the fireplace there and the window to the left gave a bird's-eye view of the back garden, although it was dark. At 6:30 PM. Silas chose a high-backed armchair beside the fire while Jake and I sat on the puffy couch. There was a silver coffee service and teacups on the coffee table before us. Huh. Is that why they call it a coffee table?
“Please, help yourselves.” Silas waved at the cups.
Jake poured the coffee and handed me a cup.
