Gruber, or we can watch the Alice in Wonderland DVD I’ve been saving for when she got here.”
These guys. They were supposed to be saving the world, and sure, my blood might be able to do that, but why all these extras? My favorite foods and a movie from a book that meant so much to me as a child I tattooed scenes from it all over my arms. I knew they were angels, but things had gone to shit, and they were still finding ways to spoil me.
I sighed.
“We must have had some pretty epic chats if you are doing all this for me. I’m slowly remembering, but this is way beyond keeping me safe. Especially considering who my father is.”
“Forget your father for a minute, Ariel. You didn’t take after him. Harbingers are pretty rare. We couldn’t save your mother, but we can save you. It’s not just your blood that can help. We’ve always worked alone before. We thought we were gathering intel on you to see if he’d twisted you into joining his plot. Then, we realized how totally cool you were and fell in love,” Aeron said.
“Before you ask, Ariel, let us tell you what life is usually like for angels. We have jobs. It’s our sole purpose for being created. Heaven is a little cliquey. You hang out with the people who have the same position as you. The only time angels ever find love is when they come to Earth.
“The first time it happened, things got nasty. Angels got cast into Hell, and their Nephilim children slaughtered. That was a long time ago. Things have eased up a bit. Especially since angels have to be created. We can’t have angel children with other angels. They finally started looking at Nephilim children as assets, though they are still rare. You’re technically our first love, Speedy. Did we get it wrong?”
“Get over here and hug me. Both of you. You got it totally right.”
They crushed me into a massive Horseman hug, and fuck did it feel good. Aeron kissed the top of my head.
“Let’s take you on that date now.”
Chapter 10
D
ates were indeed interesting during the apocalypse. We were surrounded by high walls with barbed wire. We were pretty far into the city, but I could still hear the wails of the Rage Heads from here. Our conversation was frequently interrupted with shouts and gunfire. Whether it was humans or Rage Heads out there, who knew? But they were lighting them up with gunfire.
Aeron and Leif brought me to the little café Doctor Gonzalez told me about, and I mowed my way through half the menu. We all ordered massive amounts of food and shared it. That was my favorite way to eat. I was getting brief flashes of memories of doing that with Miss Mabel and girls from my softball team.
It was weird. I knew I’d never met Aeron or Leif before Aeron found me in that hospital. But it was like little sparks went off every time our hands brushed when we were scooping salsa or guacamole. I broke out into goosebumps every time.
A waitress came out to get our dessert order, and I was already thinking about that chocoflan. I had puppy belly and was ready to explode, but I still hadn’t forgotten being hungry on the road. I was making room for that beautiful dessert because I had a feeling we would be back on the road to Florida to get to Dice’s army, and I’d just be hungry again.
She was just sitting there with her little pad tapping her foot when the entire city shook. She rolled her eyes like that was a totally regular occurrence.
“What’ll you have?”
We gave our dessert order. Leif and Aeron were sipping their margaritas like explosions were totally normal.
“Are we going to talk about that big fucking boom that just went off?”
Leif just shrugged.
“Something stepped into a booby trap. Just be glad you aren’t near the wall. Sometimes, body parts fly over and hit people.”
“Well, that totally would have ruined my salsa,” I said.
“I was helping do some maintenance on the wall when four Rage Heads stepped right into one of the mines. A rotten leg hit me right in the head,” Leif said.
“Don’t let him act like he was grossed out or offended. He thought it was hilarious, and he loves to tell that story,” Aeron groaned.
“Let’s save exploding body parts for when we aren’t trying to eat.”
“Don’t ruin the chocoflan, Leif.”
“Nothing could ruin