Chapter 21

I did the spell over and over and the result was always the same. I had to believe that Gadreel's grace was indeed me, if that made sense. I had to let it sink in and then I looked at Gadreel, totally flabbergasted.

"If that's true, wouldn't you know it?" I asked him and he looked at me with what looked like a hint of sadness, but also seemed like sympathy.

"Not unless it was concealed." He replied and then I was baffled all over again.

He approached me and hesitantly placed his hands on my shoulders and started right into my eyes. For the moment, I felt like I was captivated. His green eyes just felt like a scenic view to get lost in.

"We must seek someone to help." He said softly, but there was something in his eyes. Was he happy? It was hard to tell. "A medium, perhaps." He added and then, when he pulled back, I nodded my head and grabbed my phone. I couldn't shake off that look in Gadreel's eyes.

It was as if my mind was on autopilot as I dialed the numbers of one of my acquaintances who was friends with a psychic. I waited and when they answered the phone, it sort of snapped me of out it and helped me to focus.

"Hey Max." I said and he was silent for some time.

"Anne, I'm a little busy." He said and I arched an eyebrow.

"Like 'hunting' busy or 'banging another hooker' busy?" I asked him and he let out a small laugh, which made me grin. Max wasn't like Brennan. He was reserved, but just don't piss him off. I saw someone do it once and that guy lost a few teeth.

"Hunting." He replied. "Just doing some research." He added and I smiled.

"I just called for that psychic's number, if that's okay." I said and I heard him typing away at a computer.

"Yeah, I'll hang up and text it to you." He said and, without warning, hung up. Okay, apparently the guy couldn't multitask. A few seconds later, I received a text message from Max with the number, an address and her name: Roxanne.

"Got it." I said and saved it in my contacts, then called her. I waited a few seconds and she answered, sounding nice and giddy like she was about to break into song.

"Hello."

"I'm a friend of Max Boyden." I said and she sort of hummed.

"Haven't heard from the little bugger in a long time." she said and sort of sighed, but in a giddy sort of way. I didn't know if she was charming or annoying. "What can I do for you, doll?" she asked me.

"I was wondering if I could see you. I need your help." I said and she was silent for some time, but I could hear slight noises in the background.

"Where exactly are you?" she asked me.

"Boise, Idaho." I replied and she sighed happily.

"That's not too far. About a day or so." She said and there was more noise. "I trust that Max gave you my address?" she asked and I confirmed it. "Alright, see you soon, Anne." She said and hung up. I remained still, stunned by something. It hit me at that moment that I never told her my name. How the Hell did she know my name?

Psychics: life's pleasant little mysteries.

I put my phone on the table and glanced at Gadreel who stared at me with a small smile.

"What would you like to do?" he asked me and I thought of so many things, mainly about him and a bed…, but I brushed it off.

"No use wasting money on this room. We drive over, do whatever, and come back" I replied and he nodded. I still couldn't get passed the idea that I had his grace. As I began gathering my things to put them all back into my bags, Gadreel was bringing everything out to my car. I couldn't help but wonder if this is why we were meant to meet each other; because I had his grace, somehow. Once he got it back, what would happen?

I didn't want to think of it, but my mind wasn't listening to my heart.

He'd be an angel again. We'd find everything to break Metatron's spell and then he'd be free to return to Heaven as a hero. Did I want that for him? Yes, but I would be back to being lonely. How dreadful.

Once I was finished, Gadreel took my bags and offered to drive. That snapped me out of my thoughts and brought my attention up to his beautiful face.

"You need more sleep." I said and he gave me a soft smile. "Have you forgotten that you're still human?" I asked and then he smiled brilliantly and it sort of stunned me into silence.

"No, I haven't, Anne." He replied and walked out to the car when I followed shortly after. I don't know why we were leaving so soon, but I guess we were both eager to solve this. And for Gadreel, I know he probably wanted his grace back in the worst way. Honestly, I wanted to give it to him. if it was in me… please, someone take it out!

We ate a little in the car and then Gadreel relaxed in the passenger seat and fell asleep. I had to tell myself that helping him was more important than my desire to be with him. Difficult, but necessary.

I did my best to keep on the right road and changed radio channels whenever the songs turned to shit. I would glance at Gadreel once in a while and fight the urge to stroke his sandy blond hair.

Yeah, I was attracted to him, but at this point, I think it's safe to say it was becoming more than that. However, I couldn't admit anything to myself or I would enable Hell to break loose within me. I've done it before.

Derek Jackson back in high school was my crush and I was still hurt from Brett Harvey rejecting me. I didn't want to like another guy; I didn't want to be hurt again. So, my mind said: "don't go there and you won't get hurt". But Derek was just so cute! And when I admitted to myself that I liked him, that's when my heart wasted no time in doing flips around him. Did it work out? No. It never did.

So, looking at Gadreel, whatever I was feeling, I couldn't admit any of it or I'd be opening the Pandora's Box that is my heart. The best way to take my mind off of this was to focus on Roxanne and what could possibly happen.

Yeah, like Gadreel gets his grace back, breaks Metatron's spell and I never see him again. I'd be back to my lonely nights on the highway.

Okay, so my plan to avoid that dreadful thought got shot in the face. I have to think of something that won't bring me back to my feelings for Gadreel. But like what? I tried to think and everything pretty much brought me back to Gadreel.

"Damn." I whispered to myself.