Page 434 of Evil Hearts

Quinn cracks open an eye to watch me. “You’d be talking to a headstone.”

I lower my fist and turn away from him. I lower my head so my chin is pressed against my chest. There’s nothing I can say or do that’ll make this any easier. He’s probably never lost anyone before or cared about someone else besides himself.

“You’re a monster,” I say as I face him once more.

Quinn has both eyes open. He glances briefly at my forehead and then meets my gaze. “I’ve been called worse,” he says in a low voice.

We’re not standing there long when there’s a flash of light. I lift my arm to shield my eyes as the beam of light wraps around us and we disappear. Once the harsh light is gone, I lower my arm and have to blink several times to figure out where we are.

“Ms. Hastings, we’ve come to a conclusion on the matter of your predicament.”

My eyes focus, and I stare at the Elders. The one at the center of the others is standing and keeps the hood covering his head, for which I’m thankful. Seeing the Elders without faces gave me creeps.

“The council has decided to accept the offer for Quinton Serene to become your Guardian Angel until further notice. He will be charged in protecting your soul until the expiration date.”

I bite the inside of my cheek at the mention of his full name.Quinton Serene? Ha!

“What? You’ve gotta be shi—”

“Quinn,” One of the Elders warns from beside the Elder standing. “Be grateful the Almighty has shown you mercy.”

When I glance to my left to look over at Quinn, his mouth is in a hard line, his eyes are narrowed to slits, and his hands are balled into clenched fists at his sides. He doesn’t utter another sound.

I look back to the Elders. “Thank you.” I offer them what I hope is a reassuring smile.Quinn won’t go back on their sentence, will he?

“Quinton has no choice but to accept to these terms. Otherwise, he will cease to exist.” Elder Two says, probably noticing the expression on my face.

“Cease to exist?” I echo and glance back at Quinn, but he’s got a weird look on his face. Almost like he cannot wait to leave this room.

The remaining Elders stand and say in unison, “This meeting is adjourned. We will see you soon, Eva Grace Hastings.”

The beam of light is back, and I don’t have time to shield my eyes before I’m swept away by the intense light and taken who knows where this time.

Chapter 6: Eva

“This is allyour fault, you know.”

“Go ahead. Repeat the same sentence five more times. Not like I’m about ready to cut off my own ears,” Quinn says in a bitter voice. He throws a pillow over his face to muffle whatever else he’d been about to say.

I let out a breath, shake my head, and walk away from the couch.

Ever since Quinn’s sentencing to watch my soul as a Guardian Angel five days ago, he’s made himself comfortable in my studio apartment. He’s been a pain in the ass most of the time, but it’s nice having someone nearby instead of moping in silence.

Whenever he complains about having to be here, I remind him he’s the one that decided this fate. If he hadn’t killed me, then I wouldn’t have to deal with his insufferable attitude. Not like it’s some walk in the park for me.

Thankfully, the gunshot wound had been healed, so while I’ve had to deal with Quinn, at least the pain in my leg is gone. When you’re soul isn’t supposed to die, I guess there’s perks to going to heaven at least.

I stop at the kitchen sink and run the hot water. After a few minutes of washing my dishes in silence, I glance over my shoulder. He’s got the pillow still pressed over his face, and his dark brown hair is tousled from laying down constantly.His large black wings take up half the space of the living and bedroom. Studio apartments are nice, except for when there’s a freaking Fallen Angel in your space.

“You can stop eyeballing me to death.” I jump a little at the sound of his voice. He’s still got the pillow over his face.

“I wasn’t—” I clear my throat several times. “I wasn’t staring at you.”

“Nice try,” he muses and drags the pillow away from his face. He sits up and turns to glare over at me. “You were trying to burn me to death with your eyes.”

“Actually, I was glaring at your wings.”

“What about them?” Quinn rolls his shoulders, and his wings stretch. One clips the edge of my nightstand table and knocks over my lamp.

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