Sins of the Innocent - Jamie McGuire Page 0,32
prophecy is fulfilled.”
“You still have a job to do,” Levi said. “And I’m going to help you do it. We still have enemies—on both sides.”
“In that case … you were going to show me our past, weren’t you?”
Levi beamed. “Yes.”
I peeked over at Dad, seeing his uncomfortable expression. “Okay then. We’ll drive,” I said, looking back to Levi.
We left Dad in the warehouse, and I drove without direction, waiting for Levi to tell me where to go. He didn’t speak, and his typical arrogance had vanished. I slowed for a yellow light, coming to a full stop, while noticing the bright blue sky turning dark on the horizon.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“I’m staying at the Rose Island Lighthouse. Are you okay with going there?”
“At the bed-and-breakfast? Isn’t the island closed until July?”
He shrugged. “I rented out the whole place.”
“That’s where you’ve been the last year?”
“Since April. I’m used to hopping around. Necessary once they found me.”
“Has it been difficult?”
He smiled. “Don’t worry about me. Are you familiar with the Ann Street Pier?”
I nodded, turning toward Newport, where we would take the ferry to Rose Island. Outwardly, Levi seemed relaxed, tilting his seat and holding his cheek to the leather of the headrest as he watched me drive, but I could see turmoil behind his eyes. He was conflicted with something, much like my dad had been at the warehouse.
“You want to say something.”
“It’s just that I … I’m desperate for you to remember.”
I chuckled. “What are you going to do? Hypnotize me?”
He laughed and looked down. “No.”
“How does it work?”
“It comes in bits and pieces.”
“How? Who told you?”
“A friend.”
“A demon disobeyed your father? I thought that was impossible.”
“Not a demon.”
“An Arch,” I said, sucking in a sharp breath. “But … why?”
“Zadkiel felt it was just. How can we learn from our mistakes if we don’t remember them?”
It was surprising but made sense. Zadkiel was the angel of mercy and benevolence.
“Remind me to thank him.”
“You can’t. His revelation disturbed the Balance.”
I shook my head. “I’m not killing him. I can’t.”
“You won’t have to.”
“He’s dead?”
“Last year, just after we arrived in Providence.”
“The Creator?”
“No. Zadkiel asked that I be the one.”
My blood ran cold. “You killed an Archangel?”
“At his request. It was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever had to do. Zadkiel was my friend, more than a friend. He was a brother, but he knew the consequences and had no intention of thwarting his own justice.”
I kept my hands on the wheel, unconvinced. “Does my father know?”
“Yes.”
“So, you came to Providence?” I said, shifting into low gear as we came into Newport.
“Zadkiel brought me here …” He trailed off, the memory painful. “I came here for you.”
After a quick glance at my passenger, I kept my eyes forward, blinking a few times. He hadn’t taken his eyes off of me.
“Please stop looking at me like that.”
“Does it make you uncomfortable?”
I squirmed. “It’s hard for me to imagine, and I’m a little nervous that I won’t remember.”
“You will.”
“Do I look the same?”
He thought about that. “I remember more of your essence, like a light.”
“Like my soul.”
He breathed out a laugh. “Yes, like your soul.”
“Do you remember how it happened?”
“You mean, how we fell in love? Yes.”
“Tell me.”
“I will,” Levi said, reaching over to cover my hand with his.
I slipped away from his grasp. “I’m sorry, I … I’ve had this general feeling that we knew each other. But I don’t remember you yet.”
“I understand.”
I drove the last five minutes to the pier without asking more questions I wasn’t prepared to be answered. After I shut off the engine, Levi looked at his watch.
“We’ve still got about fifteen minutes before the ferry arrives.”
I nodded.
“Eden?”
“Yeah?” I said, lost in my thoughts.
“I believe your father is right.”
“I believe our lives are rarely that simple.”
One side of his mouth curled up. “I wasn’t trying to hurt you, that day we met.”
“You attacked me. That took at least some calculation.”
“I was just trying to get your attention.”
“What are you? A five-year-old?”
“Yes.” He chuckled, looking down. “I guess so.” He met my eyes again. “I’m sorry if I hurt you.”
“You didn’t.”
“I meant, from before.” He looked ashamed.
I frowned. “I don’t understand how it’s possible I’ve kept the Balance since the dawn of time. Isn’t it for the benefit of humans? What was there to protect if there were no humans to influence?”
“You were influenced,” he said.
“Celestial beings are susceptible as well?”
“Consider your grandfather. Archs are not above falling in love.”
“So, I fell in love with you,