Page 17 of Hazel’s Choice (A Monstrous World: Next Gen)

Chapter Sixteen

Zephyr

H azel confuses my system in a way that’s difficult to understand. The more time I spend around the little witch, the more perplexed I become.

I watch her give a tarot reading followed by a prediction in which she uses a crystal ball as a conduit. Before today, I thought both to be little more than parlor tricks, but I can sense an immeasurable amount of power when her eyes glow as she gives the selkie a reading about her relationship.

It’s even more baffling that she’s able to sustain herself with so little nutrition. Granted, she’s smaller than I am, but I was able to finish both the chicken fettuccine and half of her spaghetti while Hazel had maybe five bites of actual food.

She’s not looking after herself, and that grates on my instincts.

I’m a caregiver at heart. I believe all angels are. We’re drawn to look after those around us. To offer protection and nurturing to encourage humans and supernatural creatures to choose a good path.

Hazel checks the selkie out at the register and returns to her chair. I moved to the seat at the side of the table while Hazel was working so her customer could be directly across from her. It puts our knees close together as she swivels to face me.

Angels are taught to ignore our base desires.

I’m no saint, but I do attempt to limit my transgressions.

Sexual intercourse is meant to be saved for mates and procreation.

I have no interest in the second, and I’ve yet to meet my mate.

In general, I find it easy to pretend those desires don’t exist…

with everyone outside of the little witch who studies my face like she has no idea why I’m staring at her.

“You knew things about that selkie, and you saw what would come to pass in the future,” I say, clearing my throat as I attempt to focus.

“Allow me to share the memory I have of the creature. Please? It may give you the spark you need to be able to discern something. Maybe even a vision of where I can locate it...”

She stares at me for so long that I think she might flat-out tell me no and ask me to leave.

Hazel sighs. “Okay, but no promises.”

I exhale in pure relief, scooting my chair even closer. “This will require me to touch your face. If you could stare directly into my eyes that would make the exchange even easier.”

The little witch gives me an expectant look and says, “I really don’t want you to get your hopes up—” My hands land on her cheeks, and her words cut off.

The same electric sizzle that comes anytime our skin brushes bounces between us.

I’m not sure if that’s what caused her to pause or if she’s as frozen in place as I am.

A trance forms between us as I stare into her bright blue eyes while mine glow in response, reflecting silver light on her pale skin.

We’re pulled into the forest the night Levi was murdered, and I relive the frantic search for my friend. I can feel Hazel’s presence, even if I can’t see her, to be sure she synced into the memory.

My wings flex as I come around the massive oak tree, and that’s when the creature comes into view.

The monster is all black, void-like eyes and skeleton.

No muscles or veins.

Just a mouth full of razor-sharp teeth and sinister intent.

Certified death.

Its shock is palpable as it spots me.

In a blink, it’s gone, and I have to make the choice between trying to follow its siphon or to render aid to Levi.

I choose to check on my friend.

My back muscles burn as I pick up speed, crossing the distance between us. It takes only a few seconds, and I land at his side in a crouch. His face comes into view, and pure horror rips through my system.

There’s nothing that can be done.

His soul is gone, his body desiccated beyond any hope of repair. An animalistic bellow leaves my lips, and I fall to my knees next to his corpse.

Simon and Josiah arrive a short while later, but my head swims with confusion.

Why did he leave the bar at all?

There’s safety in numbers.

What could have drawn him away from our group?

Oathkeeper forms in my left hand, and I prepare to hunt the creature.

“Shit, Zeph.” Hazel shoves her chair back, breaking contact with my hands as she pushes to her feet. “Your pain… I can feel it in my chest.”

“I’m sorry I forced you to endure that. I know those memories are disturbing,” I say, following her up. “Were you able to sense anything?”

Her head shakes then nods. “I’m almost positive that was a reaper, which means it was your friend’s time to go.”

“It wasn’t,” I keep my tone firm but not rude. Or I try to. Who knows if I pull it off. “I’ve dealt with reapers before. They don’t look like that, and they don’t leave desiccated corpses when they reap.”

“They do if a sin eater siphons off the sins before the reaper reaps,” Hazel says, quirking a perfectly manicured eyebrow.

I take a step back.

I’m not sure why I’m shocked to learn she has knowledge of sin eaters and reapers, but it’s the last thing I would expect from someone like Hazel.

My head shakes. “Sin eaters don’t exist. Not outside of history books. They went extinct a millennium ago.”

“And if I told you they didn’t? Would I just be wasting my breath or would you believe me?” she asks, barely above a whisper.

“It’s not that I don’t believe you, but that’s what I was taught,” I tell her, brushing my fingers over her cheek. I jolt as the connection sizzles. I’ll need to do some research about what might be causing that. “I’m surprised you even know the term.”

“My family was thorough with my teachings.” Her lips tip up in a sad smile that doesn’t reach her eyes. “Listen, I don’t want to sound insensitive, but you’re a harvester. You do the same thing a reaper does. You judge souls. Can you really blame that demon for doing the exact same job you do?”

My teeth grind together, and I fight against the urge to snap at her. “It wasn’t his time. He was murdered.”

Her frown deepens, and she almost looks pained. “Let me ask you this. How well did you truly know that friend?”

My brow furrows.

I don’t like what she’s insinuating.

Levi was already fallen when the two of us met, but I couldn’t fault his reasoning. I’ve had moments when I’ve balked at my superiors’ orders too. I just didn’t have the wherewithal to go against their commands.

Levi did.

It got him banished to the human realm. If he were to have returned to Heaven, he would have immediately been incarcerated. Those were the terms. Stay away from the only realm you’ve ever known, or be heavily punished for failing to comply with orders issued by a superior.

“Fairly well,” I say, glancing away from her prying eyes. “I was away frequently during the last year of his life, but I don’t believe he could have changed that much in such a short span of time.”

Hazel steps forward, resting her hand on my forearm. The material of my shirt separates her from making contact with my skin, but the weight of her touch sits heavy in my chest. “Would you have trusted Levi alone in a room with your mother? How about a little sister?”

“I don’t have any siblings,” I say, grimacing. That obviously wasn’t her point. “Why would you ask me such a thing?”

“I don’t think you’re a bad guy,” she says softly. “But I didn’t get the same impression from your friend. I can feel it in my stomach. He had bad intentions that night. I’m sorry I have to be the one to tell you that.”

My gut churns to the point I feel like I could vomit all over the floor. The look on her face, and even the energy in the room, tells me she’s not just taking a jab.

She would have no real reason to, anyway.

I take a step backward, followed quickly by another. It causes her hand to fall from my arm, and I feel like I should apologize for the abrupt movement, but my head is a chaotic mess.

Simon and Josiah said Levi changed in the time I was away.

Hazel just alluded to the same thing, and it’s like my brain can’t seem to comprehend it.

Could I have been so wrong?

I need to speak to Simon and Josiah to see if they can add additional clarity to what they meant when they said Levi was different recently.

Only I can’t leave Hazel unprotected.

I’m not willing to take the chance the creature won’t seek retribution because I’ve been hunting it. Stumbling over, I take a seat in the chair I started in.

My elbows land on my knees, and I plant my face in my hands.

“Sometimes we’re too close to something to see it for what it really is.” Hazel shuffles closer, resting her hand on my shoulder. “Others can surprise us, and not in good ways. What you shouldn’t do is beat yourself up for seeing the good in someone you cared about.”

A terrible scoff escapes my lips.

It feels like I don’t know anything anymore, and it’s unsettling on a foundational level.