(ZANE)
The sea at sunset is breathtaking.
Shadows slowly creep in over the mountain, a sharp contrast to the golden light touching the top of the peak and shining on areas of the deep blue water.
I stand at the shore breathing in the crisp spring air, closing my eyes as a breeze ruffles my hair, carrying with it a scent of the sea.
"Not planning to run away, are you?" a deep voice asks from behind me.
I turn to see Blaine. As usual, he is decked out in all black: shirt, pants, and boots. Even the dagger on his hip has a black hilt.
"Still debating," I answer, cuddling more into my cardigan as another cool breeze sweeps around me.
"After seeing that angel, I'm convinced you told me the truth about everything. But it's still hard to wrap my head around. Things like this just don't exist in my world."
"They exist. They've always existed. Humans rarely see the magic around them though." Blaine comes to stand beside me, his grey-eyed gaze fixed on the water.
"I like to come here to think. There's something calming about the sea."
"My dad used to tell me that when I needed to speak, the sea would listen."
I watch as more shadows wash away the sunlight. "We used to go out on his boat every weekend when the weather was nice and fish. He never had the heart to keep anything we caught though. He'd toss it back into the water, and then we'd sit and watch the sunset."
My chest aches at the memory. It is one of those things I didn't fully appreciate at the time. But looking back now, I'd give anything to sit on his boat with him again.
"My mom was a marine biologist and loved the ocean," I continue. "She died when I was twelve. Car accident. Dad was the kind of man who had trouble expressing his emotions. After she died, he went to the harbor and looked out over the sea. Sometimes for hours. He'd talk to her. So now when I'm struggling or need to sort things out, I come to the sea too."
I weakly smiled at Blaine.
Sorry. That was a lot."
"Water is made up of countless memories," Blaine says. "It travels from place to place, absorbing knowledge and emotions. Your father was right when he said the sea listens. And then it keeps your secrets safe."
A pause. "When did he die?"
"Four years ago. He had a heart attack."
My stomach tightens. "He was so young too and in good health. It just… it took me by surprise. He died, and then I was in charge of the shop. I've worked there since I was young, so I knew the ins and outs. But it was a lot to deal with all at once."
Realizing I've been talking his ear off and getting way too personal, I release a short laugh. "Um. Sorry. I don't know why I'm telling you all of this."
"Stop apologizing," he said, looks down at me. "You're twenty-nine, correct?"
"Y-Yeah."
"So young." Blaine turns away from the water and faces the mansion. "We've lived here for sixty years. Before this, it was Russia. Italy before that. Also, Japan. There's not a place on this earth we haven't visited."
Is this his way of opening up to me? I don't know Blaine well, but I get the impression he isn't much of a talker. Pretty much the complete opposite of Loki, who only stops talking when he is asleep.
"That's hard for me to think about," I say. "Living so long. Watching the world around you change while you stay the same. It seems so lonely."
Blaine cocks his head at me, a crease forming between his eyes. "Such a strange human."
My face heats. "How am I strange?"
"Most humans would be seduced by the idea of eternal life. But not you. You see it for the burden it truly is."
"Probably because I'm a pessimist." My cheeks get even hotter. His unwavering gaze amps up my self-consciousness.
"Seeing the negative in everything is kinda ingrained in me." Blaine's hard expression falters a bit, and I could've sworn there was a slight curve to his lips.
"We have that in common, then."
"Can I ask a question?" The corner of his mouth twitches.
"Go on."
"Are there others like you? Nephilim."
"Yes."
"Are they cursed too?"
"That's two questions," Blaine says. I crack a smile.
Sue me. Now answer it."
"I don't take kindly to being bossed around." His light grey eyes hold my gaze for so long that I have to look away. He definitely wins that staring contest. "But if you must know… no, they aren't cursed. Over two hundred angels followed Zenith when he fell, but only the first seven had the curse placed upon their bloodline."
"Why only seven?"
"Because they were Zenith's generals," Blaine answers. "And the very first ones to follow him to Earth."
"Did you know your father?"
"Not well," Blaine answers, surprising me. I thought he'd get irritated by another question. "I heard stories of him though. He killed an angel before the Fall. The angel tried to stop him, and my father drove a blade through his heart. He slaughtered many humans after that, letting his rage consume him. I was conceived through violence. He took my mother by force. She could barely even look at me when I was a boy. The day Cyrus took me away, she cried. But not because of sorrow. She was relieved to see me go."
My heart breaks for him, and I step closer to his side, wanting to comfort him but not sure if he'll allow me to do so.
"I believe that's why I'm the holder of Wrath," he continues. "How could I not be? Anger, violence… it runs through my veins because of his actions."
"No matter what kind of person your father was, you aren't him, Blaine."
He looks to the sea.
"I'm more like him than you know." He takes a breath before nodding toward the house. "Come on. It's getting chilly."
I want to tell him to stop treating me like a delicate little flower, but then again, it is kind of chilly. Damn him.
I follow him into the mansion, noting our vast height difference as we walk. My blood races quicker through my veins as I stare at his broad shoulders and imagined gripping them as he pounds into me. Would he be gentle when he fucked me? Or would he bang me so hard the bed breaks?
"Someone's feeling excited," a honey-rich voice says before Valerian walks around the corner. His grey eyes flicker to me, gleaming with a smile.
"Huh?" I ask.
Blaine stops and turns to him, eyes narrowed.
"Oh. Nothing." Valerian smirks at me before continuing down the hall. I know they can speak to each other telepathically and have healing powers. But do they have other powers as well? Since he is the holder of Lust, can Valerian sense when someone is aroused? Or am I just paranoid and overthinking everything?
Those light gray eyes I can't get out of my head then move to me. "If he ever touches you, I don't care if it's just a finger, you let me know."
"I can take care of myself," I say. Then, I don't know what possesses me to do it, but I add, "And maybe I want him to touch me. It's been a while since a man that hot gave me the time of day. He could show me a good night."
Blaine growls and pushes me against the wall in the hallway. Heat rolls off his body, matching the fire in my veins. "If you want to be fucked, human, I'll gladly take you to my bed. But he's not allowed to have you."
My throat gets suddenly dry, and my breaths quicken. I stare up into his eyes, then look at his lips. Warmth gathers low in my belly. "Will you really?"
"Will I what?" he asks, still with a snarl in his voice.
"Fuck me?"