When Angels Fall

Chapter 8

Abel zaps into the kitchen as soon as the lasagna comes out of the oven. It startles me so much I drop the dish, but he catches it easily, not seeming to care that it burns his fingers as he sets it on the stove.

"Doesn't that hurt?" I ask, looking with interest at his hands. He chuckles and shakes his head.

"Not really," he replies. "I've used my hands so much in my human form that I can't really feel pain in them any more." He waggles his fingers at me, and Mara nudges him as she walks over with the plates.

"Are you here for the food?" she asks him, setting the plates on the counter. Abel nods, rubbing his hands greedily. Mara raises an eyebrow. "Then help."

Abel gives her an exasperated look, then sighs, going about to get the silverware. Azi appears nearby and serves herself a plateful. Mara raises an eyebrow at her before she can leave, and Azi rolls her eyes, then gets out napkins and sets them beside our plates, before vanishing again.

"You really have them wrapped around your little finger, don't you?" I ask, laughing. Mara chuckles.

"I wouldn't go that far, but they know when I'm right."

We finish serving ourselves. Abel pours milk into three large glasses, and Mara leads us to a small, comfy table in the corner of the kitchen, declaring that the dining hall is much too big for three people.

"Isn't it hard to cook for a lot of people?" I ask as we eat. Mara smiles.

"Well, there aren't usually that many people here, angels or otherwise. The most I've had to prepare for was about thirty, and I had plenty of time to plan beforehand. And, of course, a few of them offered to help, which was nice."

Abel chuckles and pokes Mara in the shoulder. "Well, who wouldn't want to help you?" he asks, giving her a smile. She returns it, and I notice a slight blush to her cheeks. Not wanting to make it awkward, I fall silent. Mara goes on to talk about how her entire family has lived at the Nexis, that they've served here for many generations.

"It was my father and mother, before me," she explains, taking a sip of her drink. "And my older brother, but, now that I'm taking care of it, he's out in the world, helping people as a lawyer."

"Do you ever get to see him?" I ask, setting my fork down. Mara nods quickly.

"Oh, of course! He comes and visits as often as he can. He'll be running for governor of Connecticut in a few years, so he says." Abel laughs at that.

"I can't really imagine his face on a political poster," he says, grinning. "Maybe on a tub of ice cream, but not on a poster." I reach over and whack him in the arm.

"Don't be mean!" I scold, which makes Mara laugh.

"It's true," she shrugs. "He seems too kind to be in politics, but, then again, he's one of the most successful lawyers on the east coast."

"Oh?" I ask, swirling a few noodles around on my plate. "Have I heard of him?"

Mara nods, then shrugs. "Most likely. He went against a drug titan a few months ago, his name was all over the papers. Daniel Reynolds."

"The name does sound familiar," I agree.

After we finish eating, I help with the dishes. On Mara's suggestion, I take a plate of lasagna up to Kuzo's room, and knock on the door.

"Kuzo?" I call softly. "I brought you food. We made lasagna. May I come in?"

There's a moment of silence, then the door swings open to reveal a smiling Kuzo. He's wearing just a t-shirt and sweats now, and his hair looks rumpled. He doesn't look like he's slept much, but his wings are hanging open, like he was using them as a blanket.

"Of course," Kuzo says, stepping out of the way so I can walk in. His room looks almost identicle to mine, except there aren't any personal items around. The whole place is practically spotless.

"Did you get any sleep?" I ask, handing Kuzo the plate and fork after he closes the door. He shrugs, taking them and sitting on the edge of his bed.

"Some."

I sit down beside him, then smirk and ruffle his hair again. He gives me a sideways look, but doesn't object, instead focusing on eating.

"So are we going to get my things in the morning?" I ask after a moment of slightly awkward silence. Kuzo nods.

"Yeah, we will. You and Mara look about the same size, though, so if you need any pajamas, I'd suggest asking her. Azi might kill you."

I laugh. "Oh, by the way, I may or may not have kind of punched Abel..." Kuzo snorts, almost choking on his food, before looking at me.

"Are you serious? That's my job!" he laughs. "What did he do that needed that punishment?"

"He was being rude about Mara's brother. Have you met him?" Kuzo nods, pausing to get a drink from a glass of water on his nighttable.

"Yeah, once or twice. He's alright. A bit too friendly for my taste." He hits me with a sideways smirk, and I feel my cheeks heat again. But I look away and try to ignore it.

Kuzo finishes eating and sets his plate down, then turns to me with a smile. "Are you going to bed, or are you planning on staying up?" he asks. I shrug, still feeling a bit awkward.

"I'll probably spend some time in the library," I say, picking at a spot on Kuzo's coverlet.

"Well, don't stay up too late," he advises, smirking slightly in my direction. He reaches over and carefully tucks a lock of hair behind my ear. I try to think past the butterflies in my stomach.

"Okay," I say, standing. I open my mouth to say something, then close it again and shake my head. "Good night," I say, giving Kuzo a tight smile before hurrying out. I head into my room and fall onto my bed, screaming into the pillow.

"I'm such an idiot," I sigh, rolling onto my back and staring at the canopy above. I huff angrily at myself, then get up and take off my sweater. I crawl back into bed, slipping under the covers, and turn off the light.

"Way to go, idiot, you're officially the dumbest person in the world."