Chapter 2
Two
Cleo
Idiot. He’s a hopelessly optimistic idiot. And it’s going to get him locked away. Or worse.
This isn't our first encounter. Recently, he needed help accessing the library—more specifically, the archives chamber within the library—and I assisted him. We exchanged small talk, I shared my name, and that was that. The moment hasn’t crossed my mind since.
Yes, I’ve been watching him, but he doesn’t know that.
Ugh. I know what it sounds like, but there’s more to it than meets the eye.
“So, you’re an Archangel, huh? Thought so. You give off the vibe.” He stares straight ahead, nodding. “It makes sense. I wondered how you already knew my name the other day when I visited the library. Do Archangels know the names of all angels?”
My lips press together so tight they burn.
“I’m not an Archangel, Kai.” My eyes bore into his. “I’m a Watcher.”
His eyes widen as he peers back into mine. “Whoa… I don’t think I’ve met any Watchers yet. In fact, Matt specifically told us we didn’t need to learn about Watchers, so he taught us the bare minimum… You watch the Guardians, don’t you? How does that work?”
“We don’t have the time for a full lesson on how watching works—”
“I’d beg to differ,” he cuts me off and crosses his arms. I can’t stand being interrupted, but I let it slide. “We have all the time in the world. Honestly, I really want to hear about what your nine-to-five looks like.”
He spots the small sofa just behind me and lazily walks toward it, patting it down.
“What are you doing?” I turn toward him and narrow my eyes.
“Obviously making myself comfortable. You should try it—you seem tense.” He plops down, leaning back in the seat, then runs his hands through his hair nonchalantly.
My lips part in temporary shock at his lack of regard, then I straighten, folding my arms tightly while continuing to lean against the desk.
“Fine. Yes, Watchers watch Guardians, but we’re not always watching you all—that would be a major invasion of privacy, and quite frankly, I have much better things to do than watch angels do frivolous things.
” I’ve definitely seen some things I didn’t want to see while doing my job before.
I let out a sigh. “I digress. Watchers are retired Guardians who choose to stay in this realm—Eloras, in case you needed a reminder—rather than ascend to the golden lands above.
We're tethered to our Guardians, similar to the way Guardians are tethered to their assignment, except we feel a physical thread inwardly connecting us to our assignments.
Most Watchers are assigned to dozens of angels at any given time.
"When our assignment is close to breaking a divine law, we feel a tugging sensation, and then we draw from our magic within to pinpoint which angel is the culprit. Once we identify the angel, we can tug on our connected thread to reel them back in. If desired, we can instantly teleport to their side to prevent them from wreaking havoc further.”
He furrows his brows and then nods slowly. “So, I was being watched this entire time?”
“No. You weren’t watched the entire time. As I just stated, we only monitor angels for rule breaking, really,” I say plainly.
“How long have you been watching me?” he asks with a tone of suspicion in his voice.
“I was assigned to you a couple of months ago,” I answer honestly. I’ve got nothing left to lose at this point.
If he's a sinking ship, I’m the anchor pulling him under even deeper.
“So, this means you knew that Jasper had the ability to see me when I ran into you recently?”
I nod.
“Did you know why he could see me this entire time?” His jaw tenses, his patience wearing thin.
“I had my guesses.”
“And you didn’t care to fill me in on those guesses when I visited the library, desperately seeking answers?” he accuses.
Ah, he’s growing irritated. Good. Maybe he’s finally comprehending the gravity of this situation.
“Why would I?” I gasp in surprise, then smile coyly. “You appeared to have it all under control.”
“Well, I did have it under control, but the outside counsel would’ve been real nice.
” He schools his features, no longer carelessly slouching.
No, his knee is shaking rhythmically, and he’s rubbing his thigh, seeming uneasy now.
“I crossed the veil and revealed myself to my sister. I also kept Jasper’s ability to see me a secret. ”
“Yes.”
“I’m doomed, aren’t I?”
“Yes. Unequivocally doomed, Kai Greene.” He nods, then shuts his eyes tightly. Finally. He gets it. “Do you need a refresher on the five Guardian laws?”
“Why would you ask that?”
I lean in close to him. “Rule number one: do not harm your living being. Rule number two: do not alter fate—”
“C’mon, I know—”
“Rule number three: remain focused on your guarded’s journey throughout your mission. Rule number four: stay in proximity to your assignee. Rule number five—”
“You’ve made your point. I get it. I broke some rules, like the most sacred rule. I know—”
I lift his chin and whisper, “Do not cross the veil to reveal yourself.”
“Wow, okay. You are one for drama, aren’t you?
” He holds my gaze, unyielding. “For the one hundredth time, I know I screwed up. If the only reason you dragged me into this room—against my will, I might add—was to drill shame into me even further, congrats. You did it.” He stands up, brushing his shoulder against me as he walks toward the door.
“But guess what? I’d do it again in a heartbeat for her. ”
He turns his back on me and reaches for the knob.
“Kai, wait—” And only for a split second, my voice breaks against my will. I clear my throat. “Don’t tell them.”
He pauses, resting his hand on the doorknob. “Why shouldn’t I? My destiny seems to be set in stone. What difference does it make?”
“Do you truly not care if they imprison or banish you from the realm? Do you not care to get your wings?”
“It’s not that I don’t care. I just care more about staying true to who I am. I’ve had to hide a lot of information recently, and it’s getting old. I’m ready to set the truth free.”
Does he truly have no regard for the consequences of his actions? I’ve been in this realm for decades, and during all that time, I have never come across an angel who broke this particular rule.
Not only will he be punished—I will be, too. I should’ve stopped him. As soon as I felt the thread tugging, I could’ve teleported to his side and forced him to submit. I also probably should’ve alerted the Archangels that Jasper could see him.
But for reasons I can’t logically explain, I didn’t.
Now we’re both doomed.
This might have been romantic in another story.
“I’m not afraid.” He turns around nonchalantly to face me, but upon glancing at me, he cocks an eyebrow. “Are you?”
I press my lips into a firm line. “Fine. If you won’t withhold the truth for yourself, consider doing it for me. You’re not the only one your heinous action affects. I’ll be punished, too.”
As if a layer of fog has lifted from his gaze, realization crosses his features. “I see. You could’ve stopped me from crossing the veil to reveal myself, but you didn’t. I broke the most sacred law under your authority.”
I nod, tucking a strand of black hair that fell into my face behind my ear and fidgeting with my light blue blouse to do something with my hands.
It’s ridiculous. During all my years of watching, I intervened in the simplest of rule breaks. Once I scolded a Guardian who teleported to Singapore for a quick getaway while his assignee slept one night. I’ve stepped in when Guardians pull small ghostly pranks on the living.
But I didn’t step in when Kai broke the biggest damn rule in the book.
“Just trust me. We'll be fine.” He tosses me a reassuring grin as his hazel eyes soften. My cheeks grow warm under his gaze.
Basking in his warmth for even a millisecond feels dangerous. He may appear harmless to the world, but I know danger when I see it, and he has danger written all over him. Knowing my fate rests in his hands brings me no comfort.
“Your judgment will take place this evening just after the sun sets. There’s no need to head to the throne room until then; they won’t let you in until it’s your turn. Believe it or not, it’s actually customary for Watchers to greet their Guardians like this upon their mission completion.”
“You’re telling me that yanking me into a dark closet with zero context is customary? Angels are so unhinged, holy hell.” He pushes his hand through his waves and fixes his gaze on our surroundings again.
I suppress a smile at that and flick on the lamp.
“Ah, well, this closet is actually my office. It’s not much, but I’m quite fond of it.” I gaze around at the small room, taking account of my white desk, cream-colored sofa, lamps, and bookshelf. Tonight, he may very well ruin everything I’ve worked for in one single meeting with the Archangels.
“Why do you have bedding in your office?” His voice disrupts my thoughts as he quirks his head toward the pillow and folded woven blanket resting beneath the sofa.
“And why is that any of your business?” I raise a brow, to which he groans. I don’t hide my smile this time. He notices.
“Whatever. Okay. Well, thanks for the rundown. You were very… efficient,” he says. “I guess I’ll see you at my judgment tonight?”
“That, you will. Enjoy your last couple of hours of freedom,” I mumble, reaching down to grasp the knob and turning it slowly. “If you choose not to tell, just know—your secret is safe with me.”
“And your secret is safe with me.” He wiggles his eyebrows, stepping into the hallway and heading back toward the foyer.
We are indeed undoubtedly doomed.