Celestial Academy: Essence (Afterworld Book 1) by Olivia Pharos

Author:Olivia Pharos [Pharos, Olivia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Seventh Wonder Press
Published: 2022-12-15T06:00:00+00:00

31

“Holy shit—another Death Jr.,” I exclaim. “Are there more of you, or are you dusk and night versions all the wild oats Azrael sowed?”

Gideon’s shoulders shake with laughter, but even the tray’s liquid contents remain unmoving. Must be some stasis field. “Do you ever say anything that’s not arch, Wen White?”

“Is arch your posh way of saying funny?”

He nods. “In a saucy, mischievous way.”

“I don’t know about that, but whatever I say, people usually punch or flog—or leash—me for it,” I mumble, still suspicious. “No one ever laughs. So what’s your deal, Giddy?”

“Gid…” He cracks another laugh, before holding one hand out, the other still balancing the tray perfectly. “Please, stop. I have an image to uphold as Death Jr. The Second, after all.”

“Can’t have the new recruits seeing one of their slave drivers giggling, huh?”

“Well, not that much.” He winks before schooling his face into a more serious expression. It reminds me of Godric so much, my heart misfires. “But it’s not true that no one laughs. Lorcan told me he’s been laughing his head off from the first words he heard you say.”

“Oh, Lorcan doesn’t count. He would find a dung beetle rolling its dung ball funny.”

His face splits on another megawatt smile, dripping with blinding white teeth and charisma. “That he would. But I almost pity Godric. The bloody bastard’s anti-humor Grace must be killing him with you around.”

Yeah. Really not a fan of Godawful. Another string of familial strife to maybe wrap around his neck one day.

Gideon starts walking, forcing me to scramble behind him. “Now I saved you from making an even worse spectacle of yourself, repay my kindness with the origin story of that leash.”

“You block my way to cause the accident, then demand payment for preventing it. You’re Godawful’s all-bastard semi-sibling, all right.”

As he guffaws again, I reach a conclusion. This guy is almost as dangerous as his half-brother. He only blinds his prey to the fact by the camouflage of friendliness.

But how much does he know about me? Is he in Lorcan’s—and Azrael’s—confidence, and knows about the Angel Essence situation?

I doubt it. From the way he called me angel-graced he doesn’t know the circumstances of my presence here. But Godric’s inexplicable involvement with me inflamed his curiosity. And I don’t want more beautiful monsters’ interest. That would only lead to more disasters.

Also this one seems viciously intelligent, and if he works out any of the secrets Godric would kill to keep hidden, I don’t wish him to die at his brother’s hands. Even if it would land said brother in Hell and get him off my back. Too Cain and Abel, even for me.

But the more I evade him, the more he bombards me with questions. Snarking the living hell out of him only seems to delight him.

“Got anything, Deon, or were you too busy laughing?”

The lyrical, feminine voice comes from behind me. I turn to find another archangelspawn from that parade looking me up and down. Up close, she’s on par with my roommate.

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