They aren’t constantly needy and all over you, but they still like to cuddle when it counts. They’re the perfect pet, sans the dreaded litter box.
I climb onto the bed with Orion between Brian and I, and sigh. “Guess we should talk, huh?” I say, focusing all my attention on the cat sleeping between us.
“Yeah, probably a good idea.” He lays his hand on top of mine and squeezes, making the cat lift his head and meow once before going back to sleep. “What do you want to know?”
“You said you were supposed to protect and teach me, but it’s more than just an assignment to you?” I hate asking and showing how vulnerable I am, but I need to know before my heart gets anymore invested.
Not to mention the way my body reacts whenever he’s near. I don’t know if I can handle just being an assignment to him.
“I am.” He nods. “And it is so much more than that, Harleigh. Like Dad said, I could have gotten into some serious hot water for being with you.” I start to panic, and he sees the look on my face, rushing to explain. “But I won’t be. Even Heaven says we’re supposed to be together. So no one is getting in trouble, I promise.” He holds up his hand like he’s testifying to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
I believe him.
“Ok good, because if I’m being honest, I don’t think my heart could handle being just an assignment to you. Having to be around you without being with you,” I whisper, laying down on the pillow to get comfortable, and look him in the eyes.
“How are you supposed to teach me, or what are you supposed to teach me?” I’ve been wondering this the most. It seems like one of the most important questions to ask. “Your dad said I’m a succubus, right?” He nods. “But we don’t know if I’m anything else because we don’t know who my father is?” He nods again. “How do they know who my mother is?”
“We don’t know who your father is because your mother was a full-force succubus. She used her powers to seduce many men around the time she got pregnant with you,” he explains.
I shake my head, not liking the idea that I come from anyone who would use magic to manipulate someone. It seems wrong and immoral somehow. People should always be free to make their own choices.
“So my father could literally be anyone? Great. I don’t want to be like that, Bry. I don’t know why she did what did or whatever, but I don’t want to be bad or manipulative. I just want to continue to be me. I care about people, Bry. My parents, Addy, they’re human. What if I hurt them?”
I know I’m panicking now, and Orion’s moved to the edge of the bed as Bry rolls over to take me in his arms. He’s rubbing his one hand up and down my back while cupping the back of my head with the other.
“Shhh, it’s okay, beautiful. You’re not a bad person and you won’t hurt anyone. It’s not even close to who you are.”
I lean into him and let him hold me while I cry, the panic slightly settling at his words and he continues to comfort me.
“Remember what Dad said about you? You have more self-control over your abilities than he’s ever seen in anyone else that’s new to this world.
You shouldn’t be able to control your abilities, like taking life force, but you do. We don’t know how, but you do. You’re strong, and good, and incredible. Don’t let fear take over. That’s why I’m here,” he says softly, yet filled with determination.
We lay like that for a while, me crying and him whispering comforting things to me. When I’ve settled down, I remember why we were talking in the first place.
I had questions. I still do.
“How are you supposed to teach me about my abilities, and how to use or control them when we don’t even know what they are?”
“That, we have to wait and see exactly what they are and plan accordingly. I’m mainly supposed to teach you about our world so you know the benefits and dangers.”
I nod, that makes sense. I just hope my abilities don’t ever end up hurting someone.
“My mother, where is she?” The look on his face makes my breath pause. “She’s dead, isn’t she?” I croak.
He just nods and squeezes me tighter.
“I’m sorry, Harleigh. I don’t know anything other than the fact that it happened a long time ago.”
I give him a quick nod and sigh. What else could I do or say? I know I don’t want to process that knowledge right now, so I move onto another question.
“Connerton. What’s the purpose of it then? Are there more schools like it?”
“There are other schools like Connerton, yeah. The purpose is to keep untrained half-bloods away from mortals. In year two we will start doing abilities training and testing, including martial arts. It’s pretty cool actually.” He gives me a little smirk when I stare at him. “What?”
“Abilities training? Year two? What?! I didn’t know about any of this, how do you know?” Thinking about it, probably his dad.
“I’ve heard professors talking about it and even some other students. You just ignore pretty much everyone around you,” he says laughing. It’s true. We’ve already established I don’t really do people.
I squiggle my fingers to get Orion’s attention and he toddles over to me, staring. Meow Meow Meow. I rub behind his ears making him purr as I turn back to Brian and smile.
“Okay, smartass.” I stick my tongue out at him, and he laughs even harder.
“Oh, my God, that was adorable! Do it again!”
I just squint my eyes at him and shake my head. I love his carefree laughter.
“Anyway, if that’s the case, then how did I get into this school without even knowing about all this?” I wave my hands around for good measure and the cat’s eyes follow my every move.
“The angels have always known about you, I guess. They were keeping an eye on you to make sure you didn’t start abusing your abilities or powers. You were living with humans, after all.
But you never gave them any reason to worry, so they waited until you could come here, and then I was assigned to you.” He shrugs.
I couldn’t imagine ever being capable of hurting my family or Addy, or anyone.
“So, it had nothing to do with my grades or my singing?”
“Well, yes and no. For the outside world, that is something that’s said to be required to get in, but you would have been here one way or another regardless. Your singing ability and your grades just made it that much easier for all parties involved.”
