Page 89 of Their Will be Done

Suddenly, there’s hesitation in Gabriel’s eyes. And when I step closer, it’s his turn to step back.

Dancing with each other.

Parrying. Attacking.

Like we’ve practiced this altercation in our minds for years.

I knowIhave. Why wouldn’t he?

They say strangling is an act of passion. I can’t agree more. I’m in love with the thought of snuffing out the Guardian’s life with my bare fucking hands. So much so, my fingers itch to be around his throat.

He lifts his chin, his gaze wavering before his mouth sets in a hard line. “You don’t know anything, child. You’re dealing with malevolent forces you can’tbeginto understand.”

Too fast, he grabs me. We’re against each other but with bodies bristling—repelling each other like same-pole magnets.

“I know exactly what I’m dealing with,” I grit out as I scour his eyes for the truth. For hisgenuineself. But before I can find anything, he grabs the back of my neck and digs his fingers into my flesh.

A shudder courses through me, and I hate myself in that moment more than I ever have before.

I used to think I was a sadomasochist. That I enjoyed both inflicting and receiving pain.

But that’s not the case.

I simplyendurepain in return for others allowing me to inflict it on them.

His hard grip rouses a sexual tension in me—not because I enjoy the pain he inflicts, but because I know that soon—so much sooner than I’d thought—he’ll be atmymercy.

A mercy his Ghosts eradicated from me years ago.

“Don’t act like you hate me,” Gabriel murmurs. “Iamyou. And you are me.”

“I’m nothing like you!” I yell. I fist his t-shirt in my hand. “I’llneverbe like you!”

He tsks me as he searches my face, a fond smile stretching his mouth. “I’ll let you in on a little secret, child.” He licks his lips, and on instinct I lick mine. “You can only hate yourself for so long. Then there’s nothing left to do but forgive.”

I should have seen it coming, but I’m so wrapped up in my own hateful thoughts that his mouth is against mine before I can push him away.

Though that contact is brief, the outrage of his unsolicited touch rips through me like an electro-magnetic blast.

“The fuck?” I stagger back from him, wiping my mouth with the back of a shaking hand. My disgust is mirrored on his face.

He tilts his head to the side and blinks slowly at me. “So you can fuck a man, but you can’t bear to kiss one?”

He walks up to me. I fall back with a warning growl he ignores.

“It might feel like less of a sin, but trust me, son, it’s not.”

My back hits the wall.

Gabriel stops a few feet away, sliding his hands behind his back.

“God has already condemned us both to hell.”

Chapter Thirty-Two

Trinity

Ishould be in the laundry room doing chores, but with four days left till the end of term, I doubt anyone’s going to lay down the law on a rainy Monday afternoon.

---