Page 52 of Wicked Believer (Original Sinner #2)

Chapter Forty-Three

Charlotte

I wake extra early for Azrael’s training session the following morning, before Mia and her tablet can creep up on me. “Brat taming and apocalypse training day two,” I mutter, rolling my eyes as I strap on my collar. “Let the fun begin.”

When I enter the training room, Azrael is already there waiting for me.

Our eyes lock on one another knowingly.

“You didn’t tell him,” I whisper.

It comes out faster than I’d planned.

He shrugs. “I didn’t see the need.”

“Why?”

He quirks a brow at me. “Did you want me to tell him?”

I contemplate my answer for a long beat before finally I shake my head. “No.”

Already, I feel ashamed, regretful even.

“Then why?” he asks in return.

I know almost instinctually what he means.

“I don’t know,” I admit. “Why does anybody?” I shrug. “I guess because I’m weak.”

Azrael watches me curiously, like he’s considering what he says next. “In my experience, it’s more often because fate has forced someone to remain strong for too long.”

I drop my head, my mouth dry, hesitating. Slowly I step toward him. “Isn’t that your job? To teach me how to be strong?”

“No.” He stares out the window, closing his eyes and inhaling, before he casts a wistful look at me. “My job is to teach you how to protect yourself so that you no longer have to be.”