The Rough Side of Paradise by Nikola Harvey & Kiran Charles

Author:Nikola Harvey & Kiran Charles
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Nikola Harvey
Published: 2021-04-20T00:00:00+00:00

10

Vince

In a way, working at the construction site always helped Vince focus. It reminded him of his time on the ranch back home. Being able to be productive and creative – instead of destructive as people expected – always led him to a sense of calm. This type of thing is what he understood. No magic, no death, no high stakes. Just good, honest work that made him feel like he contributed to something greater than himself. The school being built here would be open to kids of all lifestyles. A safe place for angels and demons to learn together and hopefully bridge the divide much of their continent still suffered from. He stepped back from inspecting the foundation of the gymnasium and checked it off on his list.

A text alert from his phone distracted him from getting to the next item and he retrieved it from his back pocket. He expected something from Jask in an update on the necromancer, but the text that came in showed Leota’s name. The contents of the message sent a chill down his spine and he hit the call button immediately. It didn’t take more than a few seconds for Lee to answer, and Vince wasted no time. “The fuck do you mean there’s someone on my porch?”

“What else could I mean, Vincent? There is a man on your porch.”

“That isn’t my na—" he stopped and pinched the bridge of his nose — “You know what? Never mind. Is he delivering something?”

“No. He’s just sitting there looking sad.” Lee sounded sympathetic.

“Have you tried asking him why he’s on my porch?” Vince tried not to sound frustrated.

“No, I'm not taking Arro over there and I'm sure as hell not sending Ma or Astarte. You can either wait until one of the angels get back or until you come home yourself.”

“Yeah, thanks.” Vince hung up before Lee could comment on his sarcasm and tucked the phone back in his pocket. It looked like it would be a short workday for him. No way he could allow some stranger to just sit that close to his vulnerable family. Lee could take care of herself, but not with Arro to worry about. He tossed the clipboard to his assistant and waved down the foreman. After a quick discussion and a promise to work a Saturday shift soon, Vince ran to the truck to find out just what fresh hell waited for him.

~

The entire drive back the thoughts in Vince’s head caused his worry to grow. Lee knew what Drazan looked like, so it obviously wasn’t him. Neither Veris nor Riskel would bother waiting outside, having no qualms about popping in uninvited. That ruled them out. Someone from the fights years ago? An old client of Jask’s? Maybe someone from Jask’s job? Vince shook before he even finished the thought. They would’ve called him if something happened to Jask. Herch didn’t make home deliveries, no matter how much Vince begged. Anyone else Lee would’ve recognized, and Vince still didn’t know who it could possibly be by the time he entered the neighborhood.

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