“Yes, I am.” She hadn’t known he was aware of that.
“Don’t feel obligated to share it with me. I understand it is confidential.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re very privileged to have a mentorship with Adriel. As one of the Powers, he is unfathomably wise.”
“Yes, he is.” She shifted on her feet.
“I placed a request to receive mentorship from a Second Sphere angel centuries ago, but it has never been approved.”
“Oh, well, I’m sure you will get someone soon.” She offered a reassuring smile. “I was only allowed to keep my mentor because of, well…”
“Yes, of course.”
Because of who I was before my shameful incident.Everyone knew Sunshine had once been Shamsiel of the Principalities with a seat on the Tribunal, only to be demoted to guardian as a punishment for her failings.
Everyone knew, but they never spoke of it.
She knew it was meant to be a courtesy, but sometimes it made her feel like she didn’t exist. Her past had been swept under the rug, never to be mentioned again, until she began to wonder if it had happened at all. Ifshehad happened. If she mattered.
When she’d been demoted after her incident, she’d become someone else, and she’d chosen a new name to reflect that. She’d picked Sunshine because she needed the reminder to keep her mind turned toward the light, to keep fighting the darkness that had haunted her since.
Shamsiel had been powerful and respected. Sunshine was broken, but she was also growing.Striving.Focused on her goal.
“If you’ll excuse me,” she said, “I must be on my way.”
“Of course. I apologize for detaining you.”
“It was no trouble at all. It’s always a pleasure to speak to you, Raphael.”
“And you, Shamsiel.” He bowed his head briefly. “Best of luck with your task for Adriel. And…” His gaze flicked to the robes over her arm. “Your mending.”
* * *
After Raum showered,shaved, brushed his teeth, and took his sweet time doing it, he headed back to the kitchen where the others were still working. It was starting to look less like a frat house, so progress was being made.
“I have to go,” he told them, “else I’d stay and help.” No, he wouldn’t. He wasn’t cleaning up a mess he had no part in making.
“No, you wouldn’t,” Iris said, immediately calling him on it. “But how nice of you to lie.”
He actually managed a laugh. Maybe she knew him better than he thought.
“By the way, I heard you got a job at an animal shelter.”
His eyes narrowed as he waited for her to tease him like his brothers had.
“I think that’s great. My cat loves you, and he hates everyone, even me. Obviously, you have a gift.”
“You’re working at a shelter?” Lily cut in. “That’s so cool! Can we come by sometime to visit?”
“Sure.”Please do not.“I gotta go.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Tell Meph and Bel that I…won’t be around much for a few days.”
Mist’s head swiveled around, and he pinned him with that look again. “Where are you going?”
Just say the lie. Open your mouth and spew the suspicious piece-of-shit lie that Sunshine blatantly gave permission for you to say.
“I just…need some alone time. I’ll be around though.”
