Page 131 of Devoted

The first person to show me love. True, unconditional love.

Because that was what it was.

And it had been taken from me.

“Sam.” That voice pierced the fog, making me freeze. It wasn’t Zeke’s, but Noah’s.

Noah, who had definitely been dead a few minutes ago.

“Sam, he’s going to be okay,” Noah said firmly. “He’s going to wake up. If you let one of us realign his neck, his healing will work faster.”

I lifted my head, trying to see through the tears. “Noah?”

Sure enough, the purple haired man stood by Zeke’s feet, alive. Covered in blood, but apparently unharmed.

And over each of his shoulders peeked a feathered white wing.

The room tilted sideways.

“It’s okay, Sam. I know this is too much for you to take in, but Ezekiel will be back with us in a few minutes.” Benji, that was Benji.

I turned in the direction of his voice. He, too, was sporting a pair of massive wings. His face was set in grim lines as he studied me. “We’re angels, Sam. We can’t die. At least, not like this.”

“This can’t be happening,” I murmured, my lips starting to tingle. “It’s official. I’ve lost my mind.”

“Can I set Ez’s neck?” Benji said quietly. “I won’t touch him unless you say it’s okay, but he’ll heal faster if I do it.”

I nodded vaguely, retreating so Benji could get into position. I didn’t knowwhatwas happening, or if any of it was real.

But if they were right? If Zeke was about to wake up?

I didn’t care. They could tell me they were shapeshifters who pranked tourists by pretending to be the Loch Ness Monster, and I wouldn’t give a fuck.

Angels.That was what Benji had said. I could wrap my head around that later.

Right now, I just wanted Zeke back.

Benji’s hands moved fast. There was another loudcrackthat sent my stomach lurching once more.

Zeke’s stomach concaved as his chest expanded.

One giant inhale.

Then his eyes flew open.

His lips formed one word.

A name.

My name.

“Sam?”

Somehow, by some absurd twist of nature, Zeke had come back from death.

And I was his first thought.

He sat up, his eyes finding me immediately. They widened, like the full implication of what I’d witnessed was just hitting him.

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