I woke to a large, warm hand rubbing up and down my back. I sleepily opened my eyes to Zeke's perfect smile.
"Afternoon."
I grimaced and buried my face deeper in the fabrics of his shirt. He chuckled at my reaction.
"Sleep well?"
"Yes I did."
My eyes flew open when I realized I hadn't dreamt. I sat up and zoned out, deep in thought.
"Kira? Kira. Kira!"
My head snapped towards him, puzzlement written all over my face.
"I didn't dream."
"What? Kira, what are you talking about?"
"I didn't dream."
He was so lost.
"Okay? What's so odd about that?"
"For as long as I can remember, I have always had the same dream. And you were always the one chasing me. I think. The person sounds almost just like you and I never saw the face. Anyway, right when I met all of you they began to change. They seem to be an endless story that continued whenever I sleep. I find it odd that I didn't dream while napping with you...or the night you stayed! Last night I did dream and you weren't with me. Why only when you're with me can I sleep dreamlessly? This makes no sense."
"What are your dreams lately?"
"In one, I was running but things weren't tripping me. Then I got to a lake and you came out, burned me, then pushed me into the lake. Last night's dream was I almost drowned until I had wings and I landed in sand. Then a man that looks a lot like you grabbed my wings and dragged me into a very fancy room. He winked and said he'd be back."
Halfway through my explanation he tensed and his hands turned to fists. He let out an animalistic growl once I had finished.
"The man that had chased you and dragged you was my father." He leapt off the couch and began to pace. "The lake is the entrance to the Underworld. When you're there, it's all sand and rock. I'm not sure what room you're talking about, but I bet it's a room in the palace."
His hand ran through his hair.
"Hey." He kept pacing. "Zeke!" More pacing. I rolled my eyes and wrapped my arms around his waist. "Hey, stop. We'll worry about it later. We just...need to spend time together. I want to get to know you before..."
I trailed off, not able to finish that sentence. He smiled at me but it was forced.
"Sure. Let's sit and ask anything you'd like. I'll try to answer."
"How old are you?"
"I go by twenty-one on Earth. As an angel, I'm almost four hundred."
"Four hundred? How is that possible?"
"I'm an angel. We could live forever. It's just how we were created. How old are you?"
"I just turned seventeen the day you guys took me. Made me think I was cursed or something."
He laughed and flung his arm over my shoulder.
"Or something."
"What is it like being a son of Lucifer?"
"It's nothing special. He treats me like every other Fallen angel. The only difference is I'm the heir to the Underworld. But I don't want it which is why I tend to spend most of my time here. I feel at home here."
"What about us don't I already know?"
He took a sharp intake of breath.
"I'm....not going to....divulge that information to you right now. We have other things to worry about."
"But you will tell me? Eventually?"
"Eventually, yes."
We sat in comfortable silence when a thought crossed my mind.
"You have not Marked me yet. When will that happen?"
"I could do it now, if you'd like."
"Is it painful?"
"It's not. From what I've been told, it's warmth. It should feel nice. And if it hurts at all, when I'm done, I'll help soothe it, alright?"
I nodded. He took it as the "go ahead" so he placed his hand over the spot where my shirt hides my mark. He closed his eyes, a warmth flowing into my body from his palm as my mark began to glow. Seconds passed as he focused on his task. A few seconds more and he reopened his eyes and slowly pulled his hand away.
"Done."
His voice came out husky and low, causing strange tingles all over my body. He was watching me with such intensity that I had to look away.
"What does it mean? The mark, I mean."
"It's part of the things I can't explain right now. You'll just have to trust me."
I gave him a halfhearted smile and looked out the window.
"Sam would love it here."
"Your adoptive brother? Tell me about him."
"Well we have been 'family' since we were fifteen. When our parents first adopted me, he hated me with a passion. For months he wouldn't look or speak to me. I understood, though, so I let him be. Soon enough he got used to me and we are thick as thieves. There are few times when we are apart. He's one of the most amazing people I have ever met. You'd like him."
"Would I?"
"Mhmm. He's much like you. You both are bold minded and stubborn. Whenever you put your mind to something, you are so determined to finish it, you let almost nothing stand in your way. When you love, you love deeply. You're no nonsense. Unless of course, you're with people you care for. But most of all, you are willing to lose everything to protect those around you. You think you're so mysterious when really, you're translucent."
He sat there contemplating my words. Minutes that felt like hours passed before he met my gaze.
