When Angels Fall

Chapter 4

"Wait...what?" I ask, thinking I heard him wrong. Kuzo could not have possibly said--

"I'm your guardian angel," he repeats, an amused smile on his face. "You're reacting a lot better than I expected."

"Catch me on a day when I haven't just been shot at," I snap back, clasping my hands behind my head so I can breathe easier. "But...guardian angels aren't real!"

Kuzo chuckles and takes a step closer, then turns around so I can see his wings more closely. The feathers look soft, and they're so long they brush the floor.

"You can touch them, if you'd like," Kuzo says, peering at me over his shoulder. I hesitantly reach a hand out and feel the feathers. They're even softer than they look, feeling like cool silk beneath my fingertips. I swallow hard, finally starting to believe what all my senses are telling me.

"You actually are real," I say softly. Kuzo chuckles and turns to look at me, giving a nod.

"That I am."

I sigh. "So why was that guy trying to shoot me?" I ask, crossing my arms over my chest. I'm gradually calming down once again, adrenaline wearing off and making all my nerves buzz annoyingly.

"That guy was a demon," Kuzo says, shaking his head. My eyes widen again, then I scoff.

"Why am I not surprised," I mumble, but Kuzo continues.

"I don't know why he targeted you. I only know that he was dead set on getting rid of you."

"You mean killing me," I say, glowering at Kuzo. He nods with a shrug.

"I was trying to be delicate."

"Well, you failed," I retort, my heart rate finally slowing. "So where are we, anyway?"

"The Nexis." Kuzo says, tucking his hands in the pockets of his jeans. It's a very casual movement, and it doesn't seem like something an angel would do. "The word is of Latin derivation, meaning 'Death'. Which is what it is for demons. It's holy ground, so demons can't get past the front doors. It's perfectly safe."

I purse my lips and look around. "Seems kinda empty right now," Kuzo chuckles and nods.

"Yeah. There aren't usually many angels staying here. Usually only when they have special business that takes more than a few days."

"So what's your special business?" I ask, curiously. Kuzo gives a small smile.

"Taking care of you."

I feel my cheeks heat slightly, but I ignore it as Kuzo continues.

"This is where you'll be staying until we have an idea as to why you were being attacked," Kuzo heads to the door and holds it open for me, and I follow him out. It's probably going to take a while to get used to his wings. But, other than them, he looks like a completely human young man.

"Your room is up here," Kuzo continues, leading me up the flight of stairs to the right of the door. I find myself in a hallway with doors on either side. "All of them are empty, except for the first two."

"Who's in the first two?" I ask curiously.

"Myself and a friend, Mara. I'm in the second room," He gives me a smile, a kind one that's also joking. And I smile back.

"I'll take the third room, then," I say. "Can I go get my things from my apartment?" Kuzo shakes his head as he opens my bedroom door for me.

"Afraid not. At least not by yourself. If you can wait until morning, I'll take you."

I nod, staring inside my new room. The walls are covered in a nice paisley print, and the floors are a gleaming hardwood. There's a four-poster bed against the back wall, complete with canopy and curtains. Various other furniture, a desk, a bureau, are scattered seemingly haphazardly around the room. There's even a closet and a personal restroom. This is good.

"Is Mara another angel?" I ask curiously as I enter the bedroom, looking about. Kuzo leans against the doorframe.

"No. She's human. She's been here at the Nexis her whole life," he chuckles. "I guess you could call her our den mother. She buys us new clothes when we need them, and cooks and cleans for us. But she's family."

"That's nice," I say, sitting on the edge of my new bed. Kuzo raps lightly on the door with his knuckles, then pushes himself upright.

"I'll leave you to get situated. If you need me, I'll be in my room." He turns to leave.

"Hey, Kuzo?" I call after him before he can get too far. He back tracks and pokes his head inside the room.

"Yes?"

I hesitate. "If you didn't know that...demon was going to attack me, why did you come sit with me?"

Kuzo smiles, his eyes taking on a slight glow.

"Because you looked sad," he says softly, then walks off again, leaving me feeling very confused.