Page 88 of Their Will be Done

“I know this would have been discussed at length during your seminal training, but after last night, I feel you may need a refresher.”

I frown up at Gabriel. “About what?” And then add a reluctant, “Father.”

“Celibacy.”

I look away, my lips writhing in an attempt to smile. I transform my bemusement into confusion so that when he turns to face me, he’ll see nothing suspicious. “I don’t follow.”

Gabriel’s face is anything but warm and kind. There’s a hardness to his mouth, a chill in his eyes.

Therehe is.

Is our Guardian coming out to play?

I slide my hands along the arms of the chair and sink my fingertips into the cushion.

We stare at each other until he breaks the frigid silence. “When did you and Cassius meet?”

My eyelashes flutter before I can widen my eyes in surprise. I don’t even have to fake it.

“When he enrolled?” I grimace inwardly when I hear my words come out as a question and not a statement.

Gabriel’s mouth curls up at the edges. “This is a safe place, child.”

A safe place?

My fingers dig deeper, and I let them. It’s either that or they’ll be digging into his fucking throat.

“What is it that you’re insinuating—?”

He lets out a soft huff of a laugh, a sad smile touching his mouth. “God sees everything.” He lifts his hands for all the world like he’s preaching a sermon. “Isee everything.”

Cold shock flashes through me. I’m on my feet, hands balled in fists. Gabriel doesn’t seem surprised by the sudden vehemence in my voice when I say, “And what is it that you see, Father?”

He steps closer, until there’s barely a foot between us.

“I see a lonely young man who turned to a friend for comfort.”

His hand lands on my shoulder, but I dip away from him and stumble back. My jaw clenches so hard, I don’t think I could have spoken if I tried.

“It’s something I’ve seen a hundred times, if not more. And while it’s perfectly understandable, it’s still a sin.”

Is he talking about the basement? Back then we onlyhadeach other. Where else could we have found comfort but in each other’s arms? There was nothing wrong with it.

Thereisnothing wrong with it.

Nothing.

Gabriel follows me, face neutral but his cast with deep shadows.

Cunning, shrewd,cautious.

So careful not to reveal anything.

“I know you, Zachary.”

And there it is, bare and naked. He knows me. Gabriel’s known about usall along.

“Then you know I’ve knownyoufor a long time too,” I growl, no longer bothering to disguise any element of my true self. “So why do we keep playing these childish games?”

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