Seth punched his hand away. “See, Callie, you don't wanna get in a car with this guy.”
“'Course she does,” Baxter brushed him off. “I'm taking Parker somewhere sweet tonight, and everybody wants to ride the Baxter machine-”
Retha cleared her throat loudly, indicating the conversation was getting too crass for her refined taste. Baxter winked at me. “See yah tonight, Parker,” he grinned, saluting me as he jogged back to the Meatheads.
“Why is the football team filled entirely with dorks?” Eva moaned.
“Cute dorks, though,” Retha corrected.
“I'm going on a date with Baxter,” I said incredulously. “Is the sky falling? Is D.C. up in flames?”
My friends looked at me like I'd sprouted a third limb. “You asked for it,” Seth snorted. “Though why, I've got no idea.
“Hey, wait!” I panicked. No way in hell was I staying here. I straddled Pallor, trying to start it uselessly. Cursing, I turned to run but stopped dead in my tracks. Hooked bat wings crept round the building's corner. I froze, overwhelmed by terror as a foul-smelling cold mist filled the alley. Ragged breaths came from the beast. It sniffed the air viciously, and a monstrous, leathery black hand grasped at the bricks. Its hulking form stalked forwards.Bile rose in my throat at the sight of its naked, bat-like body, belly swollen with God knew what. It looked exactly like the monster from Samael's book. The incubus spoke, voice grating like the clang of metal chains. “Ah, what a delightful encounter!” it howled, unsheathing razor claws. “Another idiot mortal ripe for devouring. This town is an endless buffet.”I was rooted to my spot in horror. It smirked g
“Hey, Parker,” Baxter said woozily, bruises under his eyes, “about Friday...” He leaned weakly against the locker. “Did we...?”“Huh?” I asked in confusion, zipping my Calculus book into my backpack.The hulking linebacker actually blushed. “I can't remember much. That usually happens when a) I've had a concussion, or b) I've been drinking. Did we have too many shots, and then, y'know...?” He blushed.“No,” I said firmly. “Definitely not, Baxter.”“Oh, ok. Phew,” he said. “Hey, it was fun and all- at least, I think it was- but I don't think we're built for one another, if yah know what I mean. You're too intense for me.”I smiled. “You're right, Baxter. Friends?” I asked, extending my hand.“Right,” he said, slapping it. My pa
Rain fell softly beyond the window, clinging to the balding autumn trees. Eva tapped her pencil against the desk, humming as our Calculus teacher handed back tests. I froze, heart racing as he approached. He raised his brow: “Callie Parker, excellent work... except for the fact that you integrated instead of derived.”I went pallid. “Oh god. Did I?-”“Fail? No. I gave you half credit on those problems. The effort was spectacular. Just be more alert next time. The AP graders, unlike me, will be relentless.”I cursed inwardly as he handed me my test with a thin smile. “C+,” I groaned, slamming my head against the desk. “I hate math.”Eva smiled serenely at her A, putting it in her skull covered binder. “Lo siento, chica. But it's just one C.”“In a continent of failed tests. I
Samael smiled ruefully, looking at the brown liquid inside his cup. He gave it to me. “It's ginger- try it. I find it particularly soothing.”I did. Then promptly spat it back out.He sighed disapprovingly. “Maggot, maggot, what shall I do with you?” He snatched the cup from me. “But in answer to your question: Metatron forced me to adopt this habit long ago. He said a comforting routine would help quell my 'anger issues.' I had a- falling out, shall we say, once long ago, and various beings tried to institute methods that would help control my impulses. Several of which were unpleasant, some of which succeeded, and I suffer for to this day. Raphael's insistence on a smooth jazz hour was particularly excruciating. I loathe that genre,” he said bitingly. “It drove me mad, and failed utterly.”I gawked. “Tha
The waves trembled, rearing up like stallions. They thrashed against the rock. The ground beneath my feet hummed. My heart soared with the song, mesmerized by the raw power. The air itself sang- the music of the spheres.My eyes stung with tears, and a beauty so deep shattered me. It was as if lightning raced down my spine.Michael was singing. It was the voice of an angel in song.“I suppose I'll join in, then,” Samael said under his breath. He raised his arms; shadows enveloped him. A howling wind appeared, and six pairs of wings materialized on his back. He flexed the black pinions, draping them across him so he was veiled in darkness.I would have made a smart comment about how he looked like a burnt bird. A blinding light suffused him, and Samael's wretchedly beautiful voice boomed across the waters. I understood why he'd cloaked himself in wing a
“How about I serve your white meat ass on a platter?” Raphael joshed, punching Samael in the arm.Samael smirked. “I doubt anyone would want it…”Gabriel stuck out his tongue in revulsion. He turned to me, whispering. I’d rather slow dance with Cerberus than get a taste of Boniface. Raphael probably has, though, considering their close companionship. What do humans call that again?“Bromance, Gabriel,” I whispered, watching in disbelief as Samael and Raphael duked it out over the phoenix wing. “So much for brotherly love.”Yes, bromance. Something angels are well aware of. Now, to properly meet you. Gabriel flitted over, smiling charmingly. I blushed, nearly blinded by his beauty. The angels, once more, were oblivious. His eyes danced with stars. He extended his hand like a gentleman, bowing.
“Existence. What necessitates existence?”“I don't know? Atoms, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, water.”“Belief. Belief creates existence.”“No it doesn't. Things just are. I didn't believe rocks into existence.”“No, but someone did.”“Who? The rock god?”“Maybe. I don't know. But we're obviously someone's idea.”“Whose?”“God's. Perhaps an author's, or playwrights'. At the end, it's all just a dream.”“But who's God?”“Don't know. I know lots of gods. No God. I had a Father, once,” his face grew sorrowful. “But he left long ago.”I didn't press further. “Do you believe in God, Gabriel?” I asked quietly.“Of course I do.”&ldqu
“Through deception, snake. It's hard to walk the righteous path when you slither past our heels.”“Biting heels is my specialty, twin,” Samael hissed, pupils becoming slits.“And trampling serpents is mine.”“Brothers, desist,” Metatron said firmly. “This is a place of welcome. No man or king rules here.”“I'd like to think that,” Samael said cryptically. Come to think of it, the whole conversation was rather cryptic. I really had no idea what was going on.“Maggot,” Samael spat, “get out from behind the rubble. Make yourself presentable. And Gabriel: stand aside.”Gabriel laughed blithely. “Spouting orders, are you now? Don't overstep your bounds, Boniface.” He swooped down from the pillar, then bowed in jest. “Please, brother- don't let m