“For Lucifer’s sake, here’s an idea. Stop rambling and give her a chance to talk.” Hazel cuts in, and I’m honestly grateful for the distraction.
I’m briefly caught off guard hearingLuciferfrom Hazel’s mouth, then I remember she’s a siren. One of Lucifer’s first creations. It makes sense that she prays to him.
Thankfully, after a long stretch of awkward silence, Grace finally speaks. “I’m not his mate. That’s not…” The jittery woman glances at Angel, who gives her an encouraging nod.
“I was thirteen, and I had lived in a group home for orphans with seven other kids for as long as I could remember. One weekend, the couple who ran the place took us camping. We were deep in the woods when I saw a portal. I didn’t know what it was then, but it was…enchanting. I couldn’t take my eyes off it.”
The frown on her face deepens. “By the time I looked away, everyone else had moved on and left me behind. The portal kept calling to me, luring me in. I searched for hours, but when I couldn’t find anyone, I took my chances and crossed the portal.”
Personally, I don’t agree with crossing portals when you don’t know where they’ll lead, but I admire her courage.
Grace chuckles at my expression, her voice shaking. “It wasa rare moment of bravery. When I made it through, I was standing in the kingdom of Death. Dean was waiting for me on the other side like he knew I was coming. He took one look at me and said, ‘Follow me if you want to know who you really are.’”
Trying to figure out who or what these people are without my Divine is exhausting. I already took a risk letting it out to recognize Hazel, but I can’t afford to do that again.
“Turns out I’m abookkeeper.”
No way.How the fuck is Angel collecting all these rare mythics?
Bookkeepers are gifted with knowledge of literally everything in the universe. Every species, every realm, from the supernatural history we learn to the stories elders keep buried.
“There hasneverbeen a human Bookkeeper,” I whisper, staring at Grace in awe as if she will disappear into thin air.
Now I understand why Seiji was looking at me like that yesterday. Like him, I’m waiting for Grace to do somethingmagical.
“Before Dean, I thought I was crazy to know the things I did. I’m grateful he offered me a chance to be who I was meant to be.”
Papa has a thing about making sure power and potential never go to waste, but taking in a random human girl was a bit drastic.
Still, I’m glad he did. I don’t even want to imagine what would’ve happened if Grace had stumbled upon the wrong people who wanted to abuse her gift.
I’m in my head, mulling over all the new information and piecing things together, when Seiji abruptly jumps up and accidentally knocks over a vase.
“Seiji, watch out!” Angel tries to warn him, but it’s too late.
I don’t know how long I stare at the broken pieces of glass scattered on the floor before Grace’s sharp gasp breaks me out of it.
I’ve always been numb to the sight of blood, but watching it run down Grace’s calf sets something in my soul on fire. The desperate need to erase every drop of her blood takes over my body until I can’t see or hear anything but the sound of my heavy breathing and the way Grace is fisting her skirt in pain.
“Fuck Gracie, I’m so sorry. I was leaving to make everyone hot chocolate, but I got a little too excited,” Seiji sputters.
“I-it’s okay,” Grace whimpers. She’s a terrible liar.
Before I realize what I’m doing, my body moves on autopilot, pushing past everyone crowding Grace to crouch in front of her. My palm settles over her calf, and within seconds, my Divine heals the cut.
The numbness spreading in my limbs is a weakness my Divine is familiar with. It senses my lack of control and takes the opportunity to try to consume me. I squeeze my eyes shut, fighting to rein in my essence, but it’s not enough.
It’s only after Seiji wipes the blood from my hand with a damp cloth that my Divine finally calms down, giving up control over my mind and body.
First, my brain stops working around Angel. Now my Divine ishijackingmy body to heal Grace.Fucking fantastic.
Still on my knees, I jolt back to reality when a warm hand touches my shoulder. Angel helps me up while I try to wrap my head around how I just revealed one of my biggest secrets to people I barely know.
This is all wrong. The compulsive urge to heal is supposed to be exclusive to Horsemen and their mates. Grace is neither, so why does her Divine feel so familiar? Something is off about this bookkeeper.
Grace’s eyes, still damp with tears, track my every move like she’s trying to figure out what makes me tick. It’s creepy.
“How did you do that?” Angel asks as he walks me back to our couch.
