“So… Watchers?” she asked, needing to keep her mind occupied and not think of that near disaster or her arousal that had her clenching her core. Mug back in hand, she leaned against the counter and drank some of the warm, weak coffee. Ugh, she scrunched her face, it didn’t get any better?—
And found Lore still watching her.
“Why would anyone kill those angels?” She knew little about those biblical beings despite having looked them up on Google.
Apparently satisfied, she wasn’t going to freak out again; he leaned back in his seat, hands clasped loosely over his flat abs. The top two buttons of his shirt remained undone, revealing a glimpse of lickable tan skin she had seen and touched not too long ago?—
Dammit, no!She had to stop thinking of him inthatway. It wasn’t helping her darn problem. He probably saw her as nothing more than a blip—a frail being needing protection.
“They were sent to Earth to aid fledgling mankind,” he said. “They forgot a fundamental rule of the angels and broke it.”
“You mean because they married humans?”
His silvery-green eyes glittered. “Angels are sent to Earth tohelphumans in need and guide them if necessary, not to form attachments.”
The way he saidhumans, it was like they were lower than even the sewer rats.
She narrowed her eyes. “You don’t even know me—know my struggles, my pain—how can you form a judgment? You came into my life a few days ago.”
He rose to his feet, so tall and remote, throwing off an aura that pulsed peril. Heck, if she wasn’t the teeniest bit wary, then he opened his mouth.
“I am a realist. We were tasked to carry out orders and do our jobs. Not fall for human females.”
Oh, she got his message loud and clear. Just because of the barely-there kiss that occurred, he now thought she was a…a Jezebel?
Asshole.
“If they did, it’s because they loved,” she retorted. “Do you even know the meaning of the wordlove? To risk it all to Hell and back for someone, to go the whole nine yards, just to know they’re okay. To look into their eyes and see your heart reflected back at you. Being able to bare your soul without feeling judged. To know whatsafefeels like. Whathomefeels like…” Nia trailed off at his remote expression.
Damn!She hadn’t meant to reveal the deep-seated longings of a heart always rejected.
She reeled in her pain and yearning. Oh, she wasn’t done with him yet. “Isn’t God—your God, too—supposed to be all benevolent and about love?”
“Mortals have free will and do as they wish. It’s why humanity is faced with continuous strife. We serve the Celestial Realm and Heaven.”
Meaning angels live a pious, celibate life with no strife?Sanctimonious much?
Heat coiled low in her belly, and she fought to tamp down her inconvenient and ill-timed arousal.
His eyes grew icier. She didn’t care if he picked up on her thoughts! “Have no fear; you’re safe from me. Next time I need comfort, I’ll call Zayn!”
A ding sounded. Dragging air into her burning lungs, she spun to the counter, opened the microwave door, and picked up her food?—
“Ow!” she cried out, dropping the scorching container.
Her mind blurred. Everything spun. One minute, she was at the microwave, and the next, she found herself on the other side of the long kitchen, Lore catching the falling Tupperware.
Christ!Panting like she’d run miles, Nia sagged against the wall, feeling as if she would suffocate. She cradled her throbbing hand against her chest. “What just happened?”
He placed the steaming container on the table. “Your abilities are awakening.”
Her knees gave way, and she sank to the cold floor, her brittle hold on the mockery of a protective shield holding her together shattering.
“You now have the power to flash.”
Where before she supposedlycouldbe psionic, the truth became absolute.
God!She buried her face in her raised knees, her mind unraveling.
