“This isn’t helping.You’renot helping. I need to think. Hannah’s waiting for an answer. She can help me. Us. If I’m stuck with this power, I should use it for something good. Right?”
Her shoulders heave and…is that a tear glistening on her cheek? Shit. I hurt her feelings.
“I didn’t mean stuck likethat. But, geez. You keep me up every night. And I miss my students. Anton won’t let me come back if I can’t get through a day without being pulled into your…” I wave my hand up and down, “body? Spirit? Can’t you stop this? Even for a day or two?”
She shrugs.
“So you don’t know how to control this…thingbetween us at all?” I’m so happy we’re actually communicating—even if it is just yes and no questions—that when she shakes her head, I only sigh.
I roll onto my back and stare up at the ceiling. It’s been three weeks since I’ve had a solid night’s sleep. Since I’ve felt…sane. Since I’ve known where my life was going.
My phone buzzes on the coffee table, and I groan as I struggle to get my arm out from under the blanket.
Hannah: How are you feeling? I won’t lie to you, Willow. We want—and need—you to work with us. But we also want you to be happy. And healthy. Whatever you decide. If you need to get away for a few days to think, we can put you up in a nice hotel with all the bells and whistles. No strings attached. Just say the word and we’ll make it happen.
Tears burn my eyes. I’ve been on my own since I moved out of my parents’ house at nineteen. College, graduate school. Teaching. Getting my Ph.D. I can’t remember the last time I took a vacation. Or stayed in a fancy hotel. Self-care isn’t a priority when you’re trying to make tenure.
Willow: That’s really nice of you. But it’s too much. I can’t accept.
The little reply bubbles dance at the bottom of the screen for a few seconds.
Hannah: We’re the United States government. We spent almost $500,000 on a self-cleaning toilet in a D.C. Metro station that’s been broken for five years now. If we can do that, we can certainly fund a stay at the Four Seasons for a few days. Let me do this for you. If nothing else, maybe it’ll help you sleep.
I shouldn’t. But what if itdoeshelp? I look over to the window, hoping my whisper might be listening, but she’s gone, and I’m alone again.
Willow: You can guarantee the no strings part?
I hold my breath as the bubbles return to the screen.
Hannah: I’ll have it notarized and in writing. If you want to pack a bag, there will be a car waiting downstairs in an hour.
From the chaiselounge in my room at the Four Seasons, I stare out at the bay. This place is amazing. Last night, all I cared about was the big bed with endless pillows, but today, Hannah arranged for an in-room massage and facial, room service for every meal, and averynice bottle of wine to go with dinner.
But the best part is the little zen fountain currently burbling on the table a few feet away. The one with a powerful magic dampener built in.
I haven’t seen my whisper since I got here. I slept ten hours last night, uninterrupted, and for the first time in three weeks, my brain doesn’t feel like a tub of wet cement.
Totally worth the little pang of guilt I feel at keeping her away. It’s only for a couple of days. Just long enough for me to decide what to do. And to remember what it’s like to bemeagain.
Gabriel
The last rays of the sun stretch for the alley behind Sinclair’s building. The incubus demon leans against a weathered brick wall, hands in the pockets of his long, leather coat.
“I have been waiting for twenty minutes, archangel. Zoe isalone.” He straightens, looks me up and down, and arches a brow. “Are you—is that—popcorn?”
The red and white striped bag crinkles in my hand. “Kettle Corn. Both sweet and salty. I discovered it at an event called a ‘county fair’ in Ohio. Have you tried it?”
“There are few foods I have not tried. Or have you forgotten how many years I have passed in this realm?” With a shake of his head, he turns and strides to the end of the narrow alley, only pausing when a bus rumbles by to toss a gaze over his shoulder. “Are you coming?”
His attitude grates. As if my presence is some sort of burden or annoyance to him. Though, perhaps it is.
In truth, I almost did not return to San Francisco. I suspect Sinclair only extended the invitation to this “dinner party” at Zoe’s behest. He would likely be happy to never see me again after all the pain I caused them both.
“Zoe would like to have our…friends…over for dinner. Tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. But I swear to you, Gabriel, if you simply appear in the middle of our home, I will throw you off the balcony. Without the use of your wings, you will break many bones. Zoe may have the soul of a celestial, but her human body is fragile—thanks to Seraphiel’s meddling ways.”
“Well?” He has not moved except to cross his arms over his chest. “I will not stand here all night.”
I shake off the memory of his phone call and sigh. “If I must.”
