Hurt crossed his face and he made a harsh laugh sound. “You don’t know anything, Erin.”

  I scoffed. “Thanks,” I said sarcastically. “I’m going back to work. Just go home.”

  As I turned to leave, I ran into Penelope, literally, coming around the corner from the hallway that led to the animal rooms. “Oomph,” I said and laughed.

  She laughed with me and grabbed my shoulders to keep from falling over. “Woah, there. What are you running from?” she asked, thinking she was joking, and not realizing the truth of her question.

  She looked around my shoulder at Joey, and in an instant, her smile fell and her entire body tensed. Her aura lit the entire room up in a glowing red, and I flinched at the sight.

  “What? What is it?” My eyes were wide and the fierce look on her beautiful face caused the hairs on my arms to stand. I spun around, thinking she must’ve seen something other than Joey, but it was only him. Smiling at her.

  I felt like an outsider to their staring contest; Penelope with narrowed eyes and nearly crouched to pounce, Joey with a sinister smile and cocky eyebrow raised. “What is going on, guys?” I shouted between them. “Joey!” I yelled, but he ignored me.

  Penelope grabbed my arm and I instantly felt protection and hatred pour into me from her. I gasped and she turned to me. “That’s Joey? Your Joey?”

  I nodded. “Yeah. Why? Do you know each other?”

  “Oh, I wish,” Joey said with an evil laugh.

  “What does that even mean?” My mind was racing a million miles an hour.

  “Get out!” Penelope yelled at Joey, her voice stronger and more serious than I had ever heard. “Now!”

  Joey ignored her demand, stepping toward us, and I was thrown behind Penelope’s back, having to brace myself against the wall behind me before I fell over. A cracking sound came from somewhere inside of my friend, and before my eyes, two large red wings snapped out of her back and blocked my view of the world.

  Chapter 14

  * * *

  “Oh my gosh!” I screamed and slid down the wall, away from Penelope’s fiery wings.

  Her flippin’ wings!

  “I’m not going to hurt her, Power. I just came to talk. Put your little birdy wings away.” Joey spoke, but I couldn’t see him past the red that blocked the hallway entrance.

  From the sound of his voice, he wasn’t nearly as shocked as I was.

  Penelope scoffed and her wings fluttered. “Yeah, I’ll believe that when your home freezes over.”

  “It’s colder than you’d think. You should come visit sometime,” Joey said.

  “No thanks. I have a soul.”

  Everything about the exchange confused me, and I was too shocked by the feathers in front of me to even join in. I sat on the floor, stunned, against the wall.

  Through Penelope’s legs that stood in a wide stance, I could see Joey’s feet turn away from her and walk to the shelter entrance. He cleared his throat, and spoke in a language I didn’t understand, “appaRam paarkkalaam,” before the jingle bell above the door chimed and he was gone. It was the same language Penelope used to call the jerk at the beach party a “filthy human.”

  It made a lot more sense now. She wasn’t a human at all.

  Penelope spoke something under her breath after Joey was gone. Her aura burned bright red to match her perfectly crimson feathers. I didn’t know what Joey said, but it pissed her right off.

  She shook her shoulders, and in less than a few seconds, she had the knee-length wings pulled back into her body and turned to me. Where the wings went, I had no clue, nor did I want one.

  I struggled to catch my breath as she watched me with sad eyes. Her angry aura softened, and the white glow I was used to returned to float around her.

  The dry air in my throat made me feel unable to speak, so I didn’t. I knew my face showed plenty on its own.

  Penelope knelt before me and began to chew her lip again, in her usual nervous habit. “So, that’s Joey, huh? He’s not what I expected…”

  “What the hell, Pen!” I shouted, wanting to strangle some answers out of her.

  She reached a hand out to me. “Let’s go talk. The boss is coming back, and I don’t think he’s big on this particular type of girl talk.”

  I let her help me off the floor and followed her to the farthest room from the lobby. The wash room for the animals sat in the back of the building and always smelled like wet dog, no matter how well we cleaned it.

  I shut the door behind me and sat at the edge of a big tub. “So, when you say ‘girl talk’, I hope you mean angel talk, because I could really use an explanation for the uh… wings.” I pointed over her shoulders, to where the red, beastly looking things were only minutes ago, barely believing that we were actually having that conversation.

  She nodded and looked up at her forehead for whatever answer floated around in her blonde head. “Okay, well… this is actually what I was going to tell you earlier.”

  I held up my hand to stop her. Before she continued, I needed to know one thing that weighed heavily on my chest. “Are you a Nephilim, Penelope?”

  Her eyes sprung open to large round circles and her nose scrunched up in a disgusted manner. “Ew! No!” Her answer soothed my aching fear slightly. “So, you know more than I thought… about angels.”

  I shrugged. “I honestly don’t know much. Only what I’ve learned from my guardian angel.” Saying it out loud made me feel like a loon.

  Penelope sat on a small stool across from me, and leaned her elbows on her skinny-jean clad knees. Yeah, I guess angels wore skinny jeans. “Oh, wow. You’ve spoken to your guardian? How?”

  “Shouldn’t I be asking you the questions, Pen? I mean, I’m not the one sprouting terrifying red wings, tearing through the shirt on my back!” My voice rose unintentionally toward the end.

  She felt the back of her shirt with her hand and groaned. “Shoot. I didn’t think about ripping it. Now I’ll have to change.”

  “Pen!” I yelled.

  She held her hands up. “Sorry, sorry! Yes, I’ll explain completely. First of all, I am a Power angel. I protect humans, as guardians do, but I am not assigned to a single person. You could say it’s like a military angel.”

  “So, you’re like an angel marine?” I asked.

  “Totally. Powers like me are bred to fight. And, I’m sure you can guess what we fight,” she said with a hand out for me to take that guess.

  I didn’t have to guess. I knew immediately. “Nephilim.”

  She nodded. “Exactly. The Nephilim are fallen angels that derive from hell and only seek to do harm in the world. Powers are divine, though. Made of light and purity, as are most other angels, aside from the guardians.”

  “Guardians aren’t divine? Then what are they?”

  “Guardian angels are made into angels after they live a human life... and die. And even then, they don’t get wings until their first mission is over. The rest of us are born angels with angel parents. The wings grow like any other part of the body.”

  So, I was obviously Zander’s first mission, but what would it mean when it was over? He’d get wings and… fly away?

  I thought about the word purity and it didn’t quite suit Penelope, except for the white glow that constantly shone around her and nobody else. It made more sense to me then. She was heavenly. “You’re pure, then? Like, you don’t sin? What about all the men you claim to… be with?”

  The corners of her mouth lifted up. “It’s a very gray area, Erin. I can say with certainty that I do not and will not ever harm a human being… but I do enjoy the company of men, in many ways that you’d probably not consider so… pure.” Her grin widened with the last word.

  A blush rose to the surface of my cheeks. I knew she dated a lot, but her explanation brought the image to a whole new light. “Okay. Pure is relative. Got it.”

  She giggled and I couldn’t help but smile along. My mind wandered to Zander’s smile. “So, why can you speak to me like this, and you can touch me like any other human, but guardians can’t?”

  Penelope lifted an eyebrow. “Well, guardians are meant to be an invisible and silent protector. They guard their charges always, but can’t have a relationship with them in any way.” She watched my shoulders sink and I knew she could see through me. “But, I’m guessing your case is unique…”

  “That guy that I told you about. The one I met last week. He is my guardian angel, and I started being able to communicate with him in my dreams. Now, though, since my accident, I can see him occasionally while I’m awake as well.” If I didn’t already know that I was different, the look on Penelope’s face confirmed it.

  “That’s not supposed to happen, Erin. But, I wouldn’t be here if you weren’t a special case.”

  I sat up straighter. “You’re here because of me?”

  She nodded and clicked her tongue. “Yup. I was assigned to keep tabs on you, about a year ago.”

  “But why?” I asked, not sure I wanted the answer. I knew I was different from other people, long before then. But I never once thought it was angel-related.

  She sighed. “I didn’t really know why I was following you at first. It was just orders, you know?” I really didn’t know. “But, I have noticed that you have gifts. You connect with animals more deeply than others, and you seem to be able to see the intentions of people, before even meeting them. Though, I still don’t know how.” She shifted in her seat before continuing. “A while ago, I was told something about you. A suspicion, I guess. You won’t like it.”

  I grimaced. “Please don’t tell me I’m some magical creature.”

  Penelope’s lips were tight. “Actually, I’m not so sure you are what my superiors think you are, but one of your parents definitely is…”

  “Just tell me. I can’t take the suspense.” I wanted to plug my ears, even with my persistence.

  Her next words were clipped. “Your father is a Nephilim.”

  “What?” No way. A thousand times no way. My father was a sweetheart and a good cop. “My dad is human, Pen. You’re wrong.” I felt angry at the accusation.

  She held her hands up and shook her head. “Erin, I’m not talking about the man that raised you. Mr. Porter is a good person through and through, with a sparkling soul… I’m talking about your biological father.”

  “So, you think I’m adopted?” I’d know if I was, right? I’d have to know.

  “I don’t think, Erin. I know those people that have cared for you aren’t your biological parents. It’s an angel thing, like a sixth sense. I’m so sorry to tell you this, but your father is a Nephilim, though I don’t think your biological mother is.”

  I wanted to fall backwards into the big wash tub and close my eyes. I wanted to sink into somewhere that the world couldn’t find me. If she was right about my family, what did it mean?

  “So, what does that make me? What am I, Pen?” The question left my lips more desperate than I meant it.

  She shrugged and ran her manicured fingernails through her silky blonde hair. “Honestly, Erin. I have no idea… but your boyfriend, Joey. I’m sorry to say this, but he is one hundred percent a Nephilim.”

  Chapter 15

  * * *

  Mr. Archie came looking for Penelope and I before I had the chance to fully freak out over… everything. She had told me that I was adopted, my biological father was a hell angel and I was being watched my whole life by divine creatures.

  And on top of it all, Joey was a Nephilim, an actual fallen angel from hell. But that couldn’t be possible. I had known Joey since the eighth grade. I went to school with him every day when his legs were too tall for his body, spent hours with him on class projects, and dated him for nearly two years. I knew the taste of his lips and his favorite foods. Never once had I seen black wings on his back, nor the violent behavior that the Nephilim showed.

  How could a fourteen year old boy be some creature from hell, and why was he with me? Well, Penelope didn’t have the chance to even hear those questions, let alone answer them. We spent the work day silent, and kept ourselves busy.

  She didn’t try to speak to me throughout our work shift, and I knew she was worried about what was going on in my mind. Her quick glances in my direction were less than subtle for some heavenly creature bred for stealth and war.

  Immediately when five o’clock hit, I said nothing, and I left.

  I wasn’t necessarily mad at Penelope, or the things I learned about myself. I understood why she didn’t tell me who I supposedly was. After all, I never told her I could see auras, though she somehow knew that, or a version of it anyways.

  I was mainly just overwhelmed by… everything. There was that word again, and it was the only one available. Everything in my life was a mystery. All I wanted was to run home and cry, with no more angel talk. But I did have one more angel-related task.

  “Zander! I need to talk to you!” I shouted into my empty basement apartment for the guardian angel that kept my mind occupied.

  Bruno was still jumping up and down by my side, excited to have me back home after a way too long day. I couldn’t give him the attention he wanted, though. I needed to see Zander.

  “I’m literally calling for you now, and you’re not here? Seriously?” I yelled louder, frustration overtaking me.

  I stomped my foot like a toddler and plopped down onto my well-used love-seat, throwing my forehead into my hands. I wanted to scream, or cry. Either one would work.

  A breeze blew past me, and I heard his voice beside my ear. “It’s okay, Erin. I’m here.”

  I picked my head up and Zander was only inches from me, not that it mattered how close he got. He couldn’t touch me. He was kneeling on one knee, with his hands held beside my arms, un-touching, but comforting nonetheless.

  “Why didn’t you tell me what I was?” I asked him, the sadness and betrayal thick in my throat.

  He shook his head and brought his hands back to himself. “I never knew you were anything but human. I promise.”

  I felt like I couldn’t believe him. Was anything real? My parents weren’t my parents, my friend was a Power angel, and my boyfriend was a fallen angel. Well, ex-boyfriend.

  How was Zander really my guardian, and knew nothing of the world around me?

  “You don’t believe me, do you?” Zander’s eyes flicked between both of mine, searching for something.

  “How do you know that’s what I was thinking?” I asked.

  He smiled, and my lips wanted to mirror his. “I’ve known you for your entire life, Erin. I’ve seen that look on your face more than once.”

  My entire life? That was another chunk of news I wasn’t prepared for. “So, I’m guessing you were there with me today, with Penelope and Joey?” He nodded. “And if you’ve been guarding me that long, how did you not know that I was... adopted?”

  “I didn’t start looking after you until my guardian training was done. You were a week old by then, and the only parents I ever saw were the ones who are upstairs right now.” He pointed to the basement ceiling.

  I didn’t even want to look up. I felt betrayed by my parents, even though I loved them more than anything, and my aura radar always told me they felt the same. I wasn’t ready to speak to them about anything.

  I changed the subject, hoping he’d stick around to answer more of my questions. “Guardian training is only a week long? Makes sense why you didn’t know Joey was a Nephilim, and I was a half… something.”

  Zander pulled his chin back, looking offended. “Hey! Training in the Divine City takes months. It was only a week long here on Earth. I was a new guardian. Some have been around for centuries.” A look passed across his face, sadness… but it quickly changed to anger. “And I did know that Joey was no good. I’ve always known, but I didn’t think he was truly dangerous until the night of your crash.”

  I sat up straighter and my breath caught in my lungs. No way. “What do you mean? What did you see?” He had told me that he saw something that night when he came to rescue me, but I never heard what it was.

  Zander knelt on both knees then, scooting closer to me. His hands twitched in front of him, and I wondered if he wanted to reach out to me again. “I felt when you wrecked. You left me in that dream, and I wasn’t going to follow you, but you called me to you. Only, I was too late.”

  “You saved me, though.” I never thought he failed me in any way that night.

  He closed his eyes and deep grooves appeared around them from the tightness of his face. “I could’ve prevented the crash altogether if I had just followed you.” His eyes opened again. “I saw him there, your… Joey. Only for a moment, when I knelt to pull you from the car. I caught the back of his head as he left into the trees beside the road.”

  I thought back to the black wings that made me spin out of control. Joey had caused the accident. “But, I don’t get it. He has been in my life since we were kids, Zander. How is it possible?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t have the answers to that. I do know that a lot of angels, the oldest ones, can have children that grow just like human kids. Joey could have just been a Nephilim child when he came here.”

  I needed to talk to Joey, but with everything in me, I did not want to see him again. I closed my eyes and felt the anxiety of the onslaught of information deep in my chest. It built up into a moving object of its own. The thick itching monster squirmed throughout my body, and my hands started to shake.

  “Erin. What’s happening?” Zander’s voice was laden with concern and something urgent, so I opened my eyes.

  His face glowed with a white light and it only took me a moment to find the source of that light. It was my hands. Just like they had when the Nephilim grabbed me on the sidewalk, the skin around my hands was lit up in a bright white glow.

  “Are you doing this, Zander?” He wasn’t touching me, as usual, but I couldn’t fathom another possibility.