Page 105 of Not Today, Satan
I wrap my arms around myself and stare past him. “But could he even love someone who does what I do?”
The man smiles. “From the sounds of it, he already loves you for who you are, which is more important than what you do. Love has the ability to overcome even the darkest of circumstances.”
I study him in the candlelight. His eyes dance with the flickering flames, his lips pressed into a kind smile that doesn’t contort to fear when he steps closer to me.
“I don’t think I’ve met anyone like you,” I say.
He holds out the umbrella and winks. “I might say the same about you.”
“Very true.” We laugh together, and I step out of the pew as the sound echoes around the church. “Thank you. You’ve been incredibly helpful—which is probably the biggest surprise I’ve had since coming to Earth. And I’ve dealt with a mother I believed to be dead, a boyfriend who did die—twice—a murderous foster brother, and a demon showing up at my door.”
“You’re welcome, child.” He walks with me to the door. “If anything, you gave me company through the storm. Take care of yourself. And please don’t take this the wrong way, but I very much hope never to see you again.”
I take his outstretched hand, and the good deeds of his life travel across my vision. “I doubt you will. Keep it up.” I wink at him and release his hand as the church floods with light. “It looks like your power’s back.”
He eyes the gold lamps dangling from the ceiling. “See? From the darkness came light. But I did rather enjoy my time in the dark. It gave me much to ponder. Good night, Devica.”
“Good night…” I crease my eyebrows. “Wait, what was your name?”
“Malachi.” He smiles. “But you can call me Mal.”
I match his grin. “Thanks…Mal. You’ve been very helpful.”
The rain’s barely a trickle by the time I exit the church, so I don’t bother with the umbrella.
I pick up speed as I head back to Mom’s house, my heart loud as the thunder that battered the church.
For the first time in my life, I know where I belong.
L.
The rain stops by the time I reach the house. Everyone’s still perched around the kitchen table, mugs of tea steaming before them as I enter the kitchen, water droplets spattering the wood floor behind me.
Nate jumps out of his chair and enfolds me in a hug. “Devica, we were getting worried. You’ve been gone for hours.”
“I know. I’m sorry.” I hug him back before handing Mom her dripping coat and umbrella. “It took me a long time and an unconventional stop to figure out what to do.”
Nate pulls back and studies my face. “You decided?”
I nod, my throat pinched. “I have to go home. They need me there, for more than tonight. I think there’s a reason Mom got pregnant when angels shouldn’t be able to, and why Father was given an heir he never believed possible.”
Nate leads me to his seat at the table so I can unlace my boots. “Why?”
I toss them in the corner, then rest my elbows on the table and take a grateful sip of the hot tea Mom sets in front of me. It both soothes and burns me at the same time, like the words I need to somehow say.
“Father’s been down there so long, he’s forgotten how to be impartial,” I say. “He missed things, like he did with you, Nate. But it’s not like he could be banished further. So he was given me—someone with the ability to see both the good and the bad in people.”
Mom takes my hand and cradles it in her lap. “That’s a lot on you.”
“It is.” I raise my chin and smile at her. “But I’m strong. I’ve survived a lot, and I’m still here. I can do this.”
Nate kisses the top of my head. “I’m proud of you, Dev. I’m going to miss you more than I can comprehend, but I’m so damn proud of you.”
I tilt my head back so I can meet his eyes. Their blue hues swim with tears that he blinks away.
“I’m going to miss you, too, but if I think about that part too much, I won’t do this.”
Attero gives me a small smile. “I know it’s not the same, but I promise you’ll have at least one friend down there. You won’t be alone anymore.”
