Helen abruptly stood and said, “This has been most enlightening.” And not entirely welcome judging by her expression.
Rather than rub Helen’s face in the lies she’d been told, Samantha gave her a piece of advice. “You seem like a nice girl. Which is probably your problem. Nice girls follow all the rules, but those who break them don’t care about hurting you. It’s not a bad thing to look after yourself.”
“Selfishness is a sin.”
She spoke by rote, which was why Julio felt a need to say, “So is blindly following.”
Helen’s lips pursed. “Angels aren’t supposed to fib.”
“And I’d wager a good chunk of them don’t.” He shrugged. “But given they’re half human, it’s not hard to imagine there are a few that don’t follow all the rules.”
Samantha uttered a disparaging snort. “I’d say more than a few.”
To that, Helen shook her head. “There are others like me who believed everything.”
He wondered if she noted her use of the past tense.
“You should look up some failed forms of government when you get a chance,” Samantha suggested. “The kind of society you’re talking about is one that’s failed many times, usually because they were conquered or their own people rose against them.”
“You’ve given me much to ponder.” Then more softly, “Thank you.”
Julio quickly rose and extended his hand. “Yes, thank you, Samantha, for meeting with us. You seem like a fine candidate for Grim Dating, and I will personally oversee your match.” A shapeshifter with a demon would create a fine minion for Lucifer.
With the good-byes spoken, Helen couldn’t leave fast enough. She climbed into his truck and didn’t say a word.
Definitely plotting someone’s death. Hopefully not his. He’d hate to have to restrain her.
With her body under his.
Hmm. Maybe he should let her attack.
He headed for his office, having no idea where else to go. As they neared the building, he slowed, having spotted a shape dressed in white up ahead.
“What is it?” she asked, roused from her silent contemplation.
“I think I see one of your buddies from Heaven.”
“Where?” She craned forward and grimaced. “I can’t see their face.”
“Might be your buddy with the sword.” It would be brazen of him to come for her in plain sight. Julio had never reaped an angel, and yet, half human meant they had to have some kind of soul.
“I don’t care who it is. I don’t want to speak to them. Not yet. Can we go somewhere without people? I need to think. Ask questions.” Her glance held trouble and angst.
It begged him for help, and he couldn’t say no.
“We can go to my place. It’s private. I also have stuff in the fridge if you’re thirsty or hungry.”
“Let’s go.” That was all she said before looking out her window. Despite saying she wanted to ask him things, she remained quiet.
He attempted to kick-start conversation. “So, I hear that chicken sandwich with no bread is coming back.”
No reply.
Wait, were angels vegan? “Do you eat meat?”
“I do now.” She wrung her hands. “I didn’t realize meat was a thing until Bambi fed me. I asked for the name of what I ate, and she told me it was chicken.” Her head dipped. “It was delicious.”
She sounded ashamed. As a carnivore, he heartily approved of her taste buds. “What kind of chicken did you try? My favorite is stuffed chicken. Smoked meat, cheese, and bacon on the inside, pan fried in seasoning and butter.” Add some browned rice with freshly chopped chive for a side dish and he had a happy mouth and belly.
“I should be on my knees praying for forgiveness at having eaten flesh.”
“But?”
“That sounds delicious,” she admitted softly. “Maybe I am a sinner like the devil said because I want to taste everything.”
“What did you eat in Heaven? Ambrosia of your god?” he asked, only semi-sarcastic.
“I wouldn’t call it ambrosia. Twice a day we consumed a thick broth with all the nutrients we require.”
He gagged. “That sounds gross.”
She took offence. “It is not disgusting.”
“Is it amazing?”
“It’s necessary. I looked forward to the meals. But…” She chewed her lip. “Since being here, I’ve discovered so many flavors and textures. Hot and cold. Crunchy or soft. So many different reasons to like what’s in my mouth.”
“Name your favorite food so far.” He’d rather chat about yummy treats and keep her engaged than remind her of what she’d discovered. It sucked he’d had to be the one to shatter her entire reality, but she deserved the truth.
She canted her head. “I am enjoying many things. Bananas are very good. Nice for gripping. and I like that I can just put it in my mouth and bite off as much as I can fit.”
The more she spoke, the more his mind fell into the gutter. He changed the subject. “I have no bananas at my place”—if he ignored the one in his pants—“but I’ve got ice cream.”
“Ooh. I love ice cream.” She clapped her hands.
“What flavor?”
“All of them. Bambi took me to a place where they had numerous large buckets. We got a scoop from each of them.”
By the time they arrived at his place, she’d waxed eloquent on three savory choices above all others. Butter pecan, cookie dough, and good old-fashioned chocolate.
His apartment was within an older building, a bit shabby around the edges, but she still stared around with avid interest then made a beeline for his couch. She sat on it and stroked the leather. “Very smooth and soft.”
He didn’t mention it was animal. “It’s cold if you sit naked.”
Her eyes widened, and her cheeks turned pink. “I’ll remember to keep my clothes on then.”
“Pity.”
He knew she caught the implication by the way her gaze dropped but her temperature rose. His cloak flicked out to touch her, and she turned to glance at him.
“Is it you making it touch me when I’m upset?”
He rolled his shoulders. “Yes and no. We are one and, at the same time, not. It is in tune to my emotions and reacts.”
“It appears to be comforting me.”
“Because it is.”
“In Heaven, we don’t comfort. Ever. We are stoic. We do not burden others with our emotions. There is no such thing as sorrow or fear. We must not get angry.”
“You’re implying angels can’t feel. I think that’s kind of an impossible rule, don’t you?”
She paused for a moment before replying. “It is. A lot of the rules are difficult and make no sense.”
“But you followed them.”
“Mostly.” She shrugged. “I got sent for contemplation more than once.”
“That’s what usually happens when you don’t toe the line in a strict regime. And now you have even more questions.”
“Yes.”
“Do you want to talk about Lector?”
Her expression turned somber, and her hands knotted in her lap. “Not really.”