"I'm...sorry. I didn't know-"

His brows furrow he looks up me up and down. "Could you hear Vartan earlier? Before I brought you here?"

I nod. "He said to take me to paradise. Which I am assuming is here." I look around crossing my arms over my chest. Why am I feeling out of place all of a sudden.

Levi continue to look at me confused. Does he know he's making me feel awkward? Yeah it's odd that I know a foreign laugh but I don't need the weird looks. I am still me.

I walk toward him and place my hands on his chest.

Levi stills and looks towards the sky. "They're gone." He says attentively.

That isn't the reaction I hoped for. I clear my throat and immediately move my hand from his chest. "Why didn't Labos find us? We are literally feet away from the clearing."

It's a fair question. Why didn't any of those creatures come barreling in and tear this garden apart?

"Technically, no one is able to step foot in this garden. No mortal or immortal. Only me. This is my paradise, if you will. Sanctuary. Vartan has one also. It's basically the source of our power." He looks away curiously. "I wonder if you're able to enter Vartan's?"

"Your parents? Haven't they seen this garden?" I turn and sit on the ledge of the fountain and look up at him.

"Whenever my mom tries to enter, she suddenly forgets why she even came out in the first place and leaves. My father knows about this place and knows not to enter. Not that he could."

I rake my hand though my hair and sigh heavily. Things are so awkward between us and now I am thrown into his world.

I was a normal country girl who led a simple life with two of the most important people in my life.

Now angels and demons are fighting over me. How crazy is that?

"So do you know what they want from me exactly?" I turn to him with my brows furrowing.

Levi looks towards the grass in front of him. "Not exactly. But I'm sure it has to do with the fact that you can see us." He looks back at me. A serious look on his face. "All of us."

"Well why did he call you brother and a demon?" I ask taking a seat on the ledge. I was growing more and more tired but I want all my questions answered.

Tonight.

Levi sighs and nods. A look a shame spreads throughout his face. "Forcas and the others are the Fallen. They were once Angels that served the creator. The first original angels. When Lucifer was thrown out of heaven, a handful of angels were thrown out with him. The demons you met tonight then rebelled against Lucifer and basically have been serving a millenia stewing in their own filth for betraying the betrayer."

I scoff and shake my head. "How poetic."

"I don't know how they got past the seraphim at the boundary but they did. The only thing I can think of is they had help."

The hairs in the back of my neck stand up. That definitely isn't good.

"Help how? As in earthly help or hell help?"

Levi shrugs. "Your guess is as good as mine."

"Wait! Back up," I say confused. "How are you and Vartan here? Now."

"Well when we died, Vartan and I were sent straight to hell. It brought me great satisfaction to know that my father went straight to heaven. We were tortured for about a decade when one day the torturing stopped. We were in such bad shape that we agreed to torture others if it meant our torment would stop. We did so happily."

"Something huge happened down there one day. A lot of the tortured souls in hell where basically given a free pass to heaven, Vartan and I included. But because we were converted to demons, we werent allowed to receive everything heaven had to offer. So, we were assigned as Seraphim. Guardians if you will. Since Vartan and I are demons, we are actually the strongest and biggest of all Seraphim."

I sit their dumbstruck. Never in a million years would I suspect such things could happen. "Why are you living on earth though?"

"Basically insubordination. You would think the creator would just send us back to hell or end our lives but we were banished." Levi sulks as he gently touches the fountain water, causing a small ripple.

He looks up at the statue and continues. "What's worse is because we are half angel, we have a longing to be up there. Yes, I live a life of luxury, but heaven is my home. Its where my heart and my power lie."

I turn and follow his gaze. "I thought the fountain was your source of power."

Levi nods and looks at me with such sadness. "It is. However, our source of power on earth is meant as a punishment of what was. Its a constant reminder of how we were disobedient."

I gently place my hand on his lap. "I'm sorry."

"Everytime you saw me ascending in the night, it was me trying to get back home. My wings catching on fire is a sign of rejection. I am not allowed back up there."

My eyes pool. This is heartbreaking to hear. "Do you think you'll be allowed back up there?"

Levi sighs as he looks up into the sky. "I honestly dont know. Earth was hell, unbearable, until I met you, Emery. Now I feel like I can never let you go and I don't want to. I lived for so long having everyone around me cater to me and giving me everything I want. Throw their lives at my feet because of my looks and wealth. You are the first person to treat me with hate and disgust. It's refreshing," he chuckles.

Levi looks back down at me and stares at my lips. I smile at him and tuck a strand of hair behind my ear.

As Levi slowly leans in, I follow as I close my eyes. I open my eyes and Levi stills, pulling his cell phone out.

"It's Vartan!" He stands quickly and accepts the call.

My heart falls and I close my eyes.

Damn you, Vartan!

Levi places the call of speakerphone. "Var, where are you?

"In my sanctuary. We need to talk! Tell Emery to go to the last place she went before the festival. Ill meet you there in thirty," Vartan says and hangs up.

Levi looks at me confused. "The last place?"

"The lake. Outside Ackley," I tell him standing from the ledge.

Levi shifts uncomfortably. "Alright, you drive. I need to be on the look out just in case we are followed."

I sent a quick message to my dad letting him know I was out with Katey. That I didn't know what time I'd be home and not to worry. If I didnt make it home by 1 am I would just spend the night at her house. He agreed.

I also sent Katey a text informing her of what I told my dad. She said she'd only agree if I spilled the beans about everything pertaining to Levi. I agreed.

Which I wouldnt, of course.

"How are you feeling about everything I told you tonight?" Levi asks from the backseat. I was driving his escalade as he sat behind me. He was making sure he got a good view of everything around us.

"I don't know," I say honestly. "It's so much information to process but it surely isnt going to scare me away."

I feel Levi massage the back of my head soothingly and I smile.

"I'm not going anywhere either, mouse."

We get to the lake twenty minutes later. I pull into the dark parking lot and see no one. I look around and see an older model mustang toward the back, a street lamp illuminating above it.

"Is that Vartan's mustang?" I ask driving cautiously towards it. It was the only car in the lot.

"Where?" Levi asks looking around. He jumps to the front seat and looks toward the direction of the street light. "I dont see any car."

What?! "It's right in front us, Levi. You dont see that old, black, mustang?" I say pointing to it. I immediately stopped the car. If I could see it, and he couldnt, then something was wrong.

I put the car in park twenty feet from the mustang and jump out of the truck. Levi follows.

"Levi, why can I see the car and you can't?" I ask as my heart begins to race.

Levi walked towards me and put his arms around me. "I'm not sure."

Suddenly the car's headlights flicker. "Oh my god!" I say panicking. "The driver side door is opening! Someone's getting out!"