ForsakingEternity Read Free Page B

answer Adam needed. He was doing
it because he couldn’t not do it. Renatus was simply irresistible.
    “I don’t want to see you get hurt again.”
    “Don’t worry, Tom. I’m going into this with my eyes wide
open.”

Chapter Two
     
    Ren placed the large jar on the counter in front of Maggie.
    “I need paper currency please.”
    “What are you doing here?” The pretty redhead’s mouth
dropped open and she stared at him in wide-eyed surprise.
    His smile slipped a little. “This is a moneychanger
institution, is it not?”
    “Well, yes. Banks are moneychangers I guess. I just thought
you’d gone…home.” She cast a quick look around her, a reminder that he could
not behave freely here. Maggie knew him, but the other humans mustn’t think him
anything other than a man.
    “Let’s count this out and you can tell me why you need
cash.” She scooped a handful of change from the jar and frowned. “Ren, why are
all these coins wet?”
    “Because I found them in water fountains.”
    The corner of her mouth twitched in amusement.
    “I guess it’s one way for an angel to get cash,” she said,
keeping her voice low enough to mask their conversation. “Can you use some of
that mojo of yours to dry them off?” She waved one hand at the jar.
    “Oh, of course.” He laid his hands on the jar and let some
of his power flow through it. “I will make sure I do that before I arrive next
time.”
    “Next time? This isn’t enough for you?”
    “I don’t know. How much will I need to purchase a meal in a
restaurant?”
    Maggie blinked at him. “You’re eating in restaurants?”
    “I need to live among humans for…a little while.”
    If Maggie noticed his hesitation, she didn’t show it. She
moved the coins, counting the amounts aloud until they were all tallied.
    “Wow, not a bad haul. Next time I’m short on rent I’ll have
to send Dom out to hit a few fountains.” She counted out the bills, then placed
her hand over his as he reached for the money. “I don’t know what’s up, but if
you need help call Dom. He’d be here in an instant for you. You know that,
right?”
    His wings, hidden from the humans, quivered at the name.
Every feather prickled in reaction. One in particular tingled with awareness.
His fingers itched to stroke it, to soothe it as he had so many times over the
past months. Dom’s feather. Its inky smear against the white of his own plumage
had been his anchor during the longest days of his existence, his comfort
through the pain of loss.
    “I cannot see him. Don’t ask it of me, Maggie.”
    “He misses you.”
    “And I him.” Taking a small step back from the teller
window, he carefully folded the bills and placed them in his pocket.
    “We’re not busy. I’ll go see if I can leave early and we can
talk. Why don’t you go wait over there,” she said, waving toward the exit.
    He gave her a small nod of acquiescence and took a seat on a
bench near the door. He perched on the edge, his hands on his knees, and
watched the humans. Most went by him without a glance in his direction, but
others would look at him with puzzlement on their features, as if they knew he
wasn’t what he seemed. He ducked his head to stare at the floor.
    Their prying eyes made him feel conspicuous, something an
angel should never be. A tingle of unease washed over his skin. He kept his
eyes averted and willed the people to pass by, tried to force the vulnerability
away.
    “Is something wrong?”
    His head snapped up and Maggie stood before him, her purse
in hand and her expression concerned.
    “The humans watched me as they passed.”
    “Is that bad?”
    “No. I’m just unaccustomed to attention. I suppose if I
intend to be among them, I should expect to be noticed.”
    She gave him another worried look before directing him out
of the bank. Once in her car she sat, key in hand, and stared at him as if he
were a riddle to solve. But then, to her, he probably was. “What’s going on,
Ren?”
    He