Then there were the many thank-yous. Cass wasn’t really used to getting thanked for his assistance, but Kushiel seemed not just grateful—he seemed almost surprised by Cass’s assistance.
It hurt Cass’s heart to think of it, but had the angel been mistreated? Cass felt anger flood through him at the thought. Kushiel obviously cared about his job and about souls, and his own soul was a thing of beauty. To think that someone would try to dim his light… It was deplorable.
Cass didn’t know everything about afterlifers, but he’d never heard of something like abuse happening. Sure, there were personality differences, and angels and demons weren’t always besties, but they just avoided each other in that case.
Maybe Cass was reading too much into it, but there was definitely more to Kushiel than he could see. Perhaps he would seek some answers about the angel as well as looking for the lost souls. As much as those souls needed help, Kushiel did as well.
Cass was only human, and he knew it, but he felt protective of the angel. It was silly and slightly ridiculous, but he wouldn’t let anything bad happen to Kushiel on his watch. He promised himself that.
“Are you just going to stand there like a creeper?” Aunt Ro asked, making him jump in surprise.
“Damnit, Aunt Ro, what have I told you about sneaking up on me?” Cass grumbled quietly.
“Well, you’re the one who’s standing here staring at a closed door. Not my fault you’re not paying attention,” she huffed. “You know, I bet he would love a little company,” she suggested.
Cass looked over to see her wiggle her eyebrows.
“Seriously, Aunt Ro? Did you stick around just to get involved in everyone’s sex life? You don’t even like angels,” he grumped.
“Well, you clearlydolike him,” she reasoned. “And it’s been quite awhile since you’ve seen anyone. You know I only get involved in the love lives of family members. I only want you all to be happy. And fulfilled. ”
“Aunt Ro!” he admonished, still whispering. “That sounds vaguely incestuous. And it’s really none of your business.”
She just chuckled, then she peeked her head through the door, which Cass knew she hated to do. Aunt Ro liked to pretend she was corporeal, although Cass had no idea why.
“Aww, that’s kind of cute,” she said when she pulled her head back into the hallway.
Cass was almost afraid to ask what she meant, and he looked at the door and frowned. It would be ridiculous to open the door and check on Kushiel.
Aunt Ro sighed. “What has your head working so hard?” she asked.
“I don’t know. Something just isn’t right, Aunt Ro. He’s not like other angels, or even other demons,” he replied.
“Hmm. Perhaps not. He does seem almost nice,” she answered.
Cass just rolled his eyes. “Most angels and demons are nice, Aunt Ro. That isn’t what I meant. He’s a puzzle, that’s all.”
“He’s like a lost puppy dog, is what you mean. You’ve never been able to resist strays, Cass. I’m guessing this is no different,” Aunt Ro huffed.
Cass sighed at her. “Can you do me a favor?” he asked, ready to move on from this whole conversation.
“Yes, yes, I can already guess. I’ll look around for more lost souls and see what the scoop is on the astral plane. Perhaps I’ll ask around about your angel as well,” she answered.
Before Cass could answer, she was gone, and Cass was left standing outside Kushiel’s door. And yes, he did have to admit Aunt Ro may have been right, he probably was acting a bit like a creeper. Kushiel was probably wondering why he was standing out here talking to himself, since afterlifers did have excellent hearing, and Cass figured he ought to open the door and explain. Plus, he could check on the ghost again, too.
Never mind that both those things were just excuses, because Cass really had the urge to check in on Kushiel (and perhaps see what was so cute, according to Aunt Ro). He stopped worrying over it and lightly tapped his nails against the door before opening it.
Kushiel was laying on the bed on his side, the ghost curled up next to him like a pet might curl up next to their human. Cass could see from the doorway that his eyes were shut, and although he told himself he ought to close the door and leave if Kushiel was sleeping, he walked closer instead.
Kushiel’s face was soft and peaceful in rest, and Cass realized how strained it had been when the angel had been awake. The ghost looked more formed, although it did really resemble alarge dog as opposed to a human, and its features still weren’t clear.
Cass smiled a little, because itwaskind of an adorable sight. Aunt Ro had been right about that.
The ghost seemed to uncurl a bit, and he watched as it pressed closer to Kushiel still. Then… he had to blink, because he wasn’t even sure he saw what he thought he saw. It was like some of Kushiel’s light was sucked up into the ghost. It happened so fast that Cass couldn’t have done anything even if he wanted to.
He looked up at Kushiel’s face, which frowned a little as if he was uncomfortable, but then his features evened out again in rest. He looked back at the ghost, and yes, it definitely had more form. More form and more light.
Kushiel’s soul glowed just as brightly, even if it had seemed to dim for a moment, so he seemed no worse off after whatever had just occurred. The gold threads still hovered around his soul, too—they were barely visible, and Cass watched as one reached out. He didn’t know what was happening, but it very clearly avoided the ghost as it swept out through the air. Cass froze in surprise as he realized exactly where the gold thread was going.
