Falling (The Soul Collectors Series Book 1) by Tara Benham

benefit both of us. Since you are so well trained in observation, as you say, he must have given something away.”
    “First of all, he is really dorky. Like really dorky,” he extended the second really out for several seconds. “Second of all, I don’t know any other demons, but he just doesn’t seem like how we were taught demons should be. Sure, he’s clever, and pretty good at making other people like him, but he just doesn’t seem to be evil. I don’t get it.  In training, we are taught that all demons are conniving and that they use their looks to manipulate others to follow them. Declan just doesn’t fit those descriptions. Most of the day, he explained the areas we were checking out and asked about you. Not about your job, or your plans, but what you like to eat or do, what makes you laugh. Those kinds of questions.”
    “It’s still probably just his way of getting to me. Maybe he thinks if he can get me to like him, I’ll give in to him easier. I am resolved though. I will be kind towards him, but I will treat him like I would have treated Meph. We have a mission to save Gray, and I, WE, will succeed in that mission.”
    “That’s true. He could be trying a different angle, but honestly, I don’t think that’s it at all. I think he likes you, Bayla, which is just as dangerous. Angels and demons cannot be together. We learned about some that tried in the past. It never worked out well, specifically for the angels.” He shuddered at whatever he had learned in class. The Blues are privileged to information most angels are not.
    “Rest assured, Had, that I have no interested in trying to have a relationship with Declan or with anyone for that matter. Other than the Elders and Father Paul, I think you’re the only angel I’ve ever spent this much time with outside of mandatory gatherings.”
    “But you live with Aniston.”
    “I do. I’m sure you’ll find this hard to believe, but I’m not big on chipperness, or friends in general. Well, that is, I wasn’t before this trip. After spending time with Hannah and the others, I think I would like to give Aniston a chance. I think I may actually like her, and will probably make her a friend.”
    “Is she really that bad?” Hadraniel’s face fell a little.
    “No, not at all actually. It’s just I’ve always liked my alone time, Had. Honestly, it was easier before because if I didn’t make connections to others, I wouldn’t have feelings. I’m sure you can see why not having feelings would help. At least, that’s what I used to think. I think feelings aren’t so bad now.”
    He grinned and nodded. “I’m glad you don’t think Aniston is all that bad. I may ask the Elders to see if we would make a good match. If we are, then you’ll be stuck with her forever, ‘cause you’re already stuck with me for life, Bay.”
    “There are worse fates.” I smirked, and he threw a pillow at me. I caught it, put it behind my head and snickered.
    “Bayla.” He looked at me no longer grinning. “Is your fate worse than that? Is that why you made me promise?”
    “Had.” I grimaced, “please don’t ask me that question. We already discussed what could possibly happen and why. I don’t want to think about that right now. I have every intention of saving Gray, and anyone else who may need it as well. So we need to work on making ways to ensure that, not thinking of ways to save me.”
    “Okay. I know we said we needed to rest some today, so I’m going to put on some music. Care if I do some earthquake and camping research while you relax?”
    “As you wish, my dear Blue.”   
    He snickered, turned on some relaxing music, and before I knew it, I had drifted into a deep sleep. My worries seeped into my dreams. I had to fight Meph in my dream. I had to fend him off while Gray was falling. I knew it was just a dream because Gray was falling upwards, but it was still stressful for me. I don’t know how long I slept, or fought rather. But I