Page 433 of Evil Hearts

I look back to Elder Two and slowly shake my head. “I wasn’t aware Angels even existed until recently.”

Off to Elder Two’s left, one of the cloaked figures stands and holds up a hand, palm raised. A map of earth shows up like a projector without the equipment or screen.

“Whoa,” I whisper.

The map zooms in and shows what looks like my apartment. Dark silhouettes are prowling around and looking through my things.

My back stiffens. “Am I being robbed?”

“No, stupid. Those are Shadow Demons,” Quinn says and gives my shoulder a sharp nudge. I glare over at him. “They’re looking for you.”

“But I’m here…” I trail off when I glance back at the other Elder.

Elder Two gestures to the Elder figure holding the map. “As Quinn said, these Shadow Demons look for lost souls that have died when it was not their time to do so. Eva, you’re expiration wasn’t to come for many years. But because Quinn killed you, we’re left wondering what to do with you.”

“What to do with me?” I stare at them in bewilderment. “Can you let me in somewhere?”

“Your soul followed one of our Warrior Angels to this room. Otherwise, you’d be wandering on earth until it was time for your judgement.”

My eyes widen. “J-Judgement? For what?”

“All mortals go through a Judgement Day,” the Elder beside Two says in a gentle voice. “Your time is not yet; thus, we cannot hold you here any longer.”

“So that’s it? You’ll just send me back?” My heart clenches in my chest. “What about those things?” My gaze lands back on the map. The dark silhouettes, Shadow Demons, look terrifying, inky black against the mint-green walls of my bedroom.

“Unfortunately, without a Guardian Angel, there’s not much that can be done.” The Elder holding out his hand closes his palm and moves to sit down.

I fork a thumb over my shoulder at Quinn. “Have him do it.”

“What?” He leans toward me to hiss in my ear. “Are you insane?”

“We don’t normally—” Elder Two starts.

“He’s the one that got me into this mess. So shouldn’t he be the one to fix it?” I say to the Elders.

Elder Two looks over to its right, and the cloaked figure doesn’t say a word. Elder Two turns back to look us over and lets out a sigh. “We will discuss this matter privately. Both of you, please wait by the gates. We will reconvene in an hour.”

The minute we appear in front of two tall arched golden gates with iridescent pearls, Quinn whirls around to glare at me. “What in the absoluteheckwere you thinking? Oh, that’s right. You weren’t!”

I fold my arms and scowl at him. “It’s not my fault you decided to kill me.”

His jaw tics, and his eyes appear to turn as black as his wings. “I told you, a minor setback. You got in my way.”

“Oh, sure, blame me. It’smyfault you shot me in a freaking cemetery!” I throw my hands up, and he only rolls his eyes.

“Glad we can agree it was your fault.” Quinn moves to slouch against one of the gates. The pearls gleaming in the sunlight make him appear almost ethereal.

I swallow hard and slowly lower my arms. “I didn’t ask to be killed.”

“And I didn’t ask to be Fallen,” he says in a brisk tone and tilts his head back, closing his eyes. “If there’s a point you’re trying to make, then you’re wasting your time.”

My eyes sting, and my cheeks feel hot. I want to throttle the winged beast but doubt it would have much effect on him. Heaven doesn’t seem like the place to allow murder.

“You at least owe me an explanation.”

He doesn’t bother to open his eyes. “I don’t owe you anything. Not now, not ever.”

I take a step toward him and raise a fist in his direction. “You sure as heck do. If it weren’t for you, I’d be—”

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