Page 19

Chapter Nineteen

The building buzzer sounded, adding a jarring note to the chaos already brewing in my apartment. I glanced at my little dilapidated intercom and sighed. Jack was downstairs, waiting for me, and I should have been tingling with excitement.

Instead, I was standing in the middle of the kitchen, decked out in my new dress and shoes, wondering when, exactly, my life had turned into a supernatural sitcom. In the living room, there was a sulking vampire sitting on my couch, while Purrgatory dozed in the moonlight at his feet. And in my kitchen was my mischievously endearing imp who had recently embraced a newfound passion for disaster flicks.

It was my fault, really. I’d let Vol watch Armageddon while I napped. And now, Vol sat atop my toaster, dramatically reenacting the scene where Rockhound rides the nuke like a deranged cowboy, whooping and hollering as though he was saving the world from utter annihilation.

Like I said, my fault.

Clearly, I couldn’t let Jack up here. How on Earth would I explain all this to him?

I headed to the intercom, but before pushing the button, I called to Vol, “Get off the toaster!”

“Saving the world here, boss!” Vol shouted back, clinging to the toaster like it was a bucking bronco.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. This was not how I envisioned starting off this date. A normal woman would invite her man up, maybe offer him a drink, before heading out into the world with her arm tucked against his. Not me, though.

Before Jack thought I was ignoring him, I pressed the button and spoke into the intercom, “Be right down.”

Jack’s voice echoed back, “No problem, take your time.”

The instant I reached for my jacket, Rathiel stood. I whirled on my heel and glared at him. “Don’t.”

“Don’t what?” he replied, his gaze darkening.

“Whatever you’re thinking about doing. Don’t. I’m going on this date, and you’re staying here.” I jabbed a finger at him for emphasis.

Rathiel stole another step closer, his mouth pressing into a grim line. “Need I remind you that the fallen are hunting you? Or that less than a day ago, hellspawn vampires attacked us?”

“We haven’t seen hide nor hair of the fallen,” I reminded him. “You say they’re hunting me, but there hasn’t been any proof of that yet. As for the vampires, I’ll remind you that I roasted their asses. I can do so again. I refuse to bring you on my date.”

Vol snorted, then patted the toaster and hopped off. Thank goodness. “No point arguing with her, Meat Sack. Just let her go. Besides, I got a few movies lined up for us tonight. Trust me, you’re gonna love them. We’re watching Queen of the Damned and Nosferatu .”

My lips twitched, and it took every bit of restraint I possessed not to burst out laughing. Oh, Rathiel would just adore those movies.

I smoothed down my jacket, then reached for my hat and mittens. “Don’t do anything crazy while I’m gone. Do not follow me. No lurking in the shadows. No vampire telepathy—if that’s a thing.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Your opinion of me is rather lacking.”

“Well, don’t forget, I’ve known you for a very long time.”

Vol waved a tiny hand. “I’ll keep vamp-boy in check. You just make sure you don’t trip and fall into Jack’s arms all swoony-like. Unless that’s the plan.”

Rathiel tensed and I sighed, shooting Vol a tight smile. “Thanks for that.”

He saluted me with a toothy grin.

As I headed out the door, the heavy weight of Rathiel’s gaze lingered on me. I just hoped he didn’t follow me. I couldn’t afford another of his surprise appearances while on a date with Jack.

I made my way down the stairs, each step echoing with the nagging thought that Rathiel might ignore my explicit instructions and follow me anyway. I half expected to hear the whisper of his footsteps behind me, but the only sound was that of my heels against the cement steps. I finally reached the lobby and took a deep breath, mentally shoving all thoughts of brooding vampires and chaotic imps to the back of my mind.

When I stepped outside, the cool evening air hit me, and I spotted Jack leaning against his car, a casual smile on his face. He looked effortlessly charming, dressed in a way that seemed both relaxed and thoughtfully put together—something I’d never successfully accomplished.

“Wow!” he said, straightening as I approached. “You look amazing.”

I beamed at him. He hadn’t even seen the dress yet.

“Thanks,” I replied.

As we got into the car, I cast one last glance at the building, half-expecting to find Rathiel peering down at us from the balcony, but it remained empty. Perhaps a sign that he intended to listen to me for once. I buckled in, and Jack started the engine, the low hum of the car welcoming me.

“So, La Ronde, huh?” I said, trying to focus on the evening ahead. “I’m impressed.”

Jack grinned as he navigated the city streets. “I figured I’d go all out. You deserve a night to remember.”

“Don’t I ever,” I muttered.

“What was that?” Jack asked, glancing over with a playful smile.

“Nothing, just excited,” I quickly covered.

Jack’s smile softened, and he reached over to gently squeeze my hand.

I returned his squeeze, guilt tugging at me as I thought about Rathiel and everything I’d left behind in the apartment. But tonight was supposed to be about me and Jack. Maybe I was foolish for trying to hold on to some semblance of normalcy, but I was determined to give it a shot, even if only for a few hours. I liked Jack. My feelings for him differed from how I felt for Rathiel—softer, gentler, less murderous, for sure. And that seemed the healthier choice.

The drive to La Ronde was pleasant, and Jack kept up a light and easy conversation. I laughed more than I had in weeks, the tension of the past few days slipping away. By the time we arrived at the restaurant, I’d almost forgotten about the supernatural shit-show that was my life.

La Ronde was just as impressive as I’d imagined—a revolving restaurant offering a panoramic view of the city. The lights of Edmonton twinkled below us as we the host led us to our table, and I took in the breathtaking view.

I removed my jacket and draped it over the back of my chair.

“Beautiful view,” I murmured.

When I turned, I found Jack staring at me with an awestruck smile, his warm eyes sparkling with interest. “Not as beautiful as you.”

To that, I laughed. “Okay, that was a pretty cheesy line. But also appreciated. Thank you.”

Jack grinned, clearly pleased with himself. “Hey, I aim to impress. Especially when I’m dining with someone who could light up the entire city.”

I rolled my eyes playfully.

The waiter appeared at our table then and handed us menus with a practiced flourish. I opened mine, pretending to peruse the options, though the words were swimming in front of my eyes. The truth was, I couldn’t stop replaying last night—Rathiel’s bite—in my head.

“What are you thinking?” Jack asked, his tone casual as he glanced over his menu.

“Hmm?” I blinked, realizing he was talking about the menu, and not my current thoughts. “Oh, um, maybe the filet mignon? That sounds good.”

“Solid choice,” Jack said, nodding appreciatively. “I think I’ll go for the rack of lamb.”

The waiter returned, and Jack gave him our orders, adding a bottle of red wine to go with the meal.

“Drinks should be here in a minute,” the waiter said before leaving.

Thanking him, Jack reached across the table, his fingers brushing lightly against mine. “Are you sure everything’s okay? You seem a little…distracted.”

I searched for the right words. “It’s just been a bit of a crazy week, that’s all. But I’m here now, and I’m really glad we’re doing this.”

Jack’s smile was warm and understanding. “Me too.”

Before I could respond, the waiter arrived with the wine in hand. He poured a generous amount into each of our glasses, then left us to our conversation. I took a sip, savoring the rich, velvety flavour.

“So,” Jack said, leaning back in his chair with a grin, “tell me something about yourself that I don’t know.”

I considered his request. Except, everything that came to mind, I couldn’t divulge. I pictured myself being brutally honest. Like, “Well, I’m Lucifer’s daughter. A trained warrior who knows a thousand different ways to kill a man, or rather, kill hellspawn. I’m currently rooming with a former fallen angel who confuses me in about a dozen different ways. And my father wants me dead.”

I almost laughed, picturing that particular conversation. Jack would run screaming into the night. So, instead, I pulled out something entirely random and completely irrelevant to my personality. “I have an uncanny ability to remember the most useless trivia. Like, did you know that a group of flamingos is called a ‘flamboyance’?”

Jack blinked, then laughed, the sound warm and genuine. “That’s actually amazing. I love it. What other little facts do you know?”

“Crocodiles can’t stick out their tongues,” I quickly added.

He gave another light chuckle, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “And what led to you learning all this?”

I opened my mouth, almost about to admit the truth, before catching myself and adjusting the answer just a smidgen. “Earth fascinates me. And I love discovering all the quirks and details of the life that lives here.” It wasn’t a lie. Earth did fascinate me. I just left out the part about me not being from here, which was the real reason I’d taken to studying it so intently.

Jack's eyes softened, a hint of admiration lighting up his features. “It’s rare to meet someone who’s so genuinely curious about the world. Most people take it for granted.”

I gave a small shrug. “It’s mostly useless information, but it’s fun to throw out there now and then.”

“Okay, my turn,” Jack said, eyes twinkling with mischief. “I once tried to make a soufflé in high school because I thought it would impress a girl. Not only did it collapse completely, but I also nearly burned down my parents’ kitchen, so I took her out for ice cream instead.”

I stifled a laugh and shook my head. “Well, I think the ice cream was probably the better choice. You can never go wrong with ice cream.”

“True,” Jack agreed, smiling. “But I haven’t tried making a soufflé since.”

We continued to share stories, the conversation flowing easily between us. With each passing minute, the unease that had been gnawing at me earlier started to fade. Jack was funny, kind, and just the right amount of charming—everything I needed in a guy.

Dinner arrived, and we dug into our meals with gusto. The chef had cooked the filet mignon perfectly, the meat melting in my mouth with each bite. Jack’s rack of lamb looked equally impressive, and judging by his expression, it tasted as good as it looked.

“This is amazing,” I said, savoring another bite. “I’m officially impressed.”

Jack chuckled. “I’ll take that as a win.”

We continued eating, the conversation pleasant. It made me wonder if I could have this—a nice dinner with a nice guy and not worry about the chaos waiting for me back home.

But as we finished our meals and the waiter cleared the plates away, a small, persistent voice whispered in my mind. As much as I wanted to stay in this bubble with Jack, I knew I couldn’t.

Jack leaned in a little closer. “How about dessert? I hear their crème br?lée is to die for.”

I smiled at Jack, trying to push away the persistent tug of unease that had been creeping back into my thoughts. “Crème br?lée, huh? You’re really pulling out all the stops tonight.”

His voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. “What can I say? I’m on a mission to make this the perfect night.”

I chuckled, his sincerity cutting through my nerves like a warm knife through butter.

He grinned, clearly pleased with himself, and signaled the waiter and ordered for us. As we waited for our dessert, Jack’s hand found mine again across the table, his thumb brushing gently over my knuckles.

“Seriously though,” Jack said, his tone softening, “I’m really glad we’re doing this. I’ve been looking forward to tonight all weekend.”

There was something in his voice—a mixture of hope and sincerity—that made my heart clench.

I smiled, squeezing his hand in return. “Me too.”

Before either of us could say anything more, the waiter returned with our desserts—a beautifully presented crème br?lée for each of us, the caramelized sugar on top glistening under the dim lighting. Jack’s eyes lit up as he picked up his spoon.

“Allow me,” the waiter said, tapping his spoon lightly against the top, producing a satisfying crack as the sugar crust broke.

I allowed him to do the same to mine, and I grinned when the sugar shattered.

“Mm. This looks perfect,” I said, scooping up a bit of the creamy custard beneath.

The waiter dipped his head and left, leaving us to the delectable looking treats.

Jack took a bite, closing his eyes in pure appreciation. “Wow,” he mumbled around the bite. “Okay, this might just be the best dessert I’ve ever had.”

I took my own bite and had to agree—it was smooth, rich, and just sweet enough to be decadent without being overwhelming. “You’re right,” I said, savoring the flavour. “This is amazing.”

We ate in content silence. I let myself enjoy the treat and think of nothing else. To think of anything else would have been a crime.

After we finished our desserts, Jack leaned back in his chair, looking at me with an expression that was both thoughtful and hopeful. “So, what do you say we take a little walk? There’s a park nearby with a great view of the city. It’s not La Ronde, but it’s a close second.”

I hesitated, my mind racing as I weighed the risks. Under any other circumstances, a walk in the park sounded perfect. But I knew what lurked in the shadows out there. Jack had no idea what he was asking, and I wasn’t about to put his life in danger just for the sake of extending our evening.

A part of me wanted to believe we’d be safe. But I wasn’t willing to risk it. I’d never forgive myself if my problems put Jack in harm’s way.

When I didn’t immediately answer, he reached across the table for my hand. “Hey, it’s alright. We don’t have to. While I’d love to spend more time with you, I can take you home, if you’d prefer.”

I forced a smile and gently squeezed his hand. “I appreciate that. I have an early shift in the morning.” No, I didn’t, but it was an easy excuse.

Jack smiled, though it looked a bit forced. “Ah. Well, I mustn’t keep you out too late then.”

“Thank you. Any other night…”

He waved off my excuses. “Don’t apologize. Let’s get you home, shall we?”

We stood from the table, and Jack took care of the check before leading me back to the car. The night air had turned a bit cooler, and I pulled my jacket tighter around myself, trying to shake off the unease that settled over me. As we drove back to my apartment, Jack continued chatting, but I could tell he was disappointed the evening was ending so soon. A part of me felt guilty, knowing that my decision was based on fears he couldn’t even begin to comprehend.

When we pulled up outside my building, Jack parked the car and came around to open the door for me. I stepped out, and as I turned to thank him, he surprised me by leaning in and pressing his lips gently against mine. The kiss was sweet, soft, and perfectly nice—exactly the kind of kiss that should have sent my heart racing.

Except, it didn’t.

It was…pleasant. Like sipping a warm cup of tea on a cold day. Comforting, but without the fire that simmered beneath the surface whenever I was with Rathiel.

I pulled back, dismayed and disappointed, but tried not to show it. “Thanks for tonight. It really was wonderful.”

Jack ducked his head and met my gaze. “I’m glad you had a good time. We should do this again sometime—when you’re not working the early shift.”

“Definitely,” I agreed, though my voice lacked enthusiasm. “Goodnight, Jack.”

“Goodnight, Lily,” he replied. He circled around his car before quickly hopping in and driving off into the night. I stood there and watched until his taillights disappeared.

I turned toward the building, then paused. For some reason, my gaze rose, climbing to the second level.

The second I spotted Rathiel on my balcony, my heart kicked into overdrive. He stood at the edge, his fingers gripping the railing, his eyes locked on me. He didn’t move, but the intensity in his rigid stance sent a shiver down my spine. Clearly, he’d been waiting for me, watching for my return, had seen the kiss.

I couldn’t tear my eyes off him. The distance between us suddenly felt like an ocean, vast and insurmountable. The kiss with Jack had been nice. Normal. Boring. But whatever was between Rathiel and me…it blazed. It burned with a fierce intensity that both terrified and drew me in. Our relationship was anything from simple. It was riddled with unspoken emotions and secrets that confused and infuriated me. Yet, no matter how much I tried to resist it—resist him —the pull between us was undeniable.

Without a word, Rathiel turned and disappeared into the apartment. I stood there another minute, my heart pounding for reasons completely unrelated to Jack, before finally gathering the courage to head inside.