Angels now had a freedom to choose their path. The color of wings or lack of wings no longer mattered. They could be whatever and whoever they wanted to be. Some angels even chose to leave Utopia completely, finding their path helping in the cursed realm or discovering their personal happiness in the mortal realm.
It had been six years since Xavier had left. “To keep my one good eye on a certain human,” he’d said. But that was a story for another time.
Seven years ago, Jai had finally left his position as a combat trainer to work in the infirmary. Noel helped run the adoption organization together with Nadia, Martha—Michael’s Committed—and many others who had a heart for children. And I was a teacher, of all things.
Yes, things were different. In many ways, they were better. And I still counted myself the luckiest hybrid—if I could still call myself that—alive.
The fiery thread in my soul pinged, and I turned away from the window with a smile. Gideon stood on the other side of the closed door to my classroom. His dark blond waves had recently been cut, and I could see the top of his green tie through the square window. Green, just like his eyes.
I’d picked it out for him this morning when he was running late after sleeping past his alarm. It didn’t happen often, but our activities last night had kept us awake later than usual, resulting in a tardy start to our day. But it had been worth it. Sex with Gideon always was.
We didn’t have sex often, but when we did, it was always worth the wait. Not that we had sex the way most people labeled it, but that had never mattered to us. We loved each other in ways that worked for us, and I was never left wanting.
Gideon had little interest in satisfying any type of sexual release for himself, but he was more than generous to me. He liked to watch me touch myself. He shared the experience with me, loving me as I found my release.
For my birthday last year, he’d gifted me a very special present. It was bright yellow—my favorite color—and it vibrated. And the best part: it was remote-controlled. That naughty toy had been what led to our nearly sleepless night, and my heart sped in my chest at the memory of his intense green stare as he held the remote in his hand, the dildo vibrating against my prostate as my hand flew over my length.
Ultimately, those were just perks. They weren’t the epitome of who we were to each other, and I loved him, even without the prospect of sex. But it was definitely a benefit I enjoyed taking full advantage of when he allowed it.
As if he knew where my mind lingered, Gideon arched an elegant brow, and I fought a blush. I was thirty-five years old, for Trinity’s sake. Yet he could turn me into a Riley puddle with nothing but a look, like I was twenty again, innocent and shy.
Since I was currently in a room full of my hybrid students, the last thing I needed was to be blushing like a teenager. So I looked away from Gideon and approached my desk. As I always did, I prodded my wind chime as the first warning that our time was up.
The students who hadn’t found their centers opened their eyes immediately. Those who had fallen into meditation took a few extra seconds to return. Jesse and Kelli took the longest, and I had to ring the chime again before they returned to the room. Their eyes were a little glazed, but they followed my closing instructions well enough.
Even though I wasn’t exactly a hybrid anymore, I had been asked to train the hybrids once they started exhibiting powers. For some, it didn’t happen until puberty. For others, the first signs showed up sooner. My theory was that the younger hybrids were growing up in stable homes with loving and supportive parents, and it encouraged them to accept themselves and their powers in ways I never had or could. I’d been so late in my development thanks to my self-loathing and abusive childhood.
A part of me was envious of all the things I’d been robbed of, thanks to the choices made by others. Abram, the Archangel Council, my Guardians, Janet. But the past was past, and I had moved on. It was easier to dismiss the bitterness when I watched the excitement on Jamie’s face the first time she flashed her red eyes or the first time Jesse made it to his center.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I said as my students filed out of the room. As Kelli passed my desk, I said, “Can I have a word, Kel?”
Chewing her bottom lip, she nodded and crossed her arms over her chest. “Am I in trouble?” she asked warily.
I shook my head. “No, not at all.” I waited until the room was empty before continuing. “I was just wondering if Uriel had class today.”
“I mean, we had class, but Master Gabriel taught it. Again,” she said slowly. “Third time this week.”
My heart writhed. Oh, Uriel.
For the first few years after losing Delilah and Obie, he’d disappeared. He was just… gone. For years.
On his return, he reintegrated into angelic society, burying himself in work. From the outside, he seemed somewhat normal. He was badly scarred from his burns, and he was quieter and sadder. But he did his job and never complained.
Avoidance only lasted so long though, and the past few years he’d been spiraling. I’d lost count of how often I’d had to sober him up to teach combat training or clean puke from his hair after he’d spent a weekend blackout drunk in his apartment.
It broke my heart to see him this way, but I couldn’t constantly be his babysitter. I had responsibilities now and a life. Of course, the excuses meant nothing. I would still stop by as often as I could to keep him from killing himself. Maybe it really was possible to die from a broken heart.
“Okay. Thanks,” I said with a sad smile. “I’ll, uh, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Okay. Um…” Kelli’s face flushed pink as she backed away. “Happy birthday, Master Riley,” she blurted. Then she spun on her heels and nearly barreled Gideon over in her haste to escape.
“Careful,” Gideon said as he caught her from falling.
“Sorry, Councilman Gideon,” she said, her face turning a terrifying shade of puce.
“It’s fine—” She scurried around him and fled before he could get the words out, and he gaped at me. “What do you tell your students about me? They’re always scared.”
As he lumbered into the room, I drank in his intimidating form. Tall as an oak tree. Wide shoulders. Broad chest. Thick muscles covering every limb. He was gorgeous, but he was rather terrifying to behold. I remembered how I’d been afraid of him when I’d first met him.
Of course, I knew better now. Gideon was only scary when he had to be, and he hated using his size or power to intimidate. On the inside, he was soft and gooey, my big teddy bear of a man.
I hopped onto my desk as he stopped in front of me, hands gripping the desk edge on either side of my hips. Grabbing his tie, I wrapped it around my hand and tugged him down until he was bent at the waist, his face inches from mine.
“I only tell good stories,” I said. “It’s not my fault you’re a scary councilman the size of a small mountain.”
“I’ll show you a small mountain,” he grumbled.
Feeling naughty and brazen, I chuckled darkly and winked. “Trust me, I’ve seen your small mountain.”
Gideon barked a laugh, his dimple carving into his rosy cheek. Even after all these years, I could still make him blush.
“You’re worse than Jai.” He shook his head, looking like a disappointed grandmother.