The Sinner

by Emma Scott

“Is this real?” “It is real.” “Why me?” “Lucy born of light, you can help me be something other than…what I am.”

“If love is the answer, Lucy Dennings, then we’ve lost already.” “Why?” “Because there is no love left in me.”

“Forgive me, Lucy born of light. I’m more beast than human after living so long in the dark.”

I grinned. The demon was sort of adorable when he was contrite. And sexy.

“Grief isn’t weakness,” I said quietly. “It’s a sign of love. It’s love that endures—”

“I don’t know what they thought in Larsa, circa 17th century BCE, but in this era, the standard of beauty is not me.” “Then it has no standards,” he spat.

“I can’t make Guy fall in love with you,” Cas agreed, gritting out each word. Then his voice softened, turned gruff. “But if we guide him to you, I don’t see how he could help it.”

“It’s just that…I’m worried about you. It’s super nice that you want to help me out with Guy, but this is your eternal soul we’re talking about.” “Super nice,” Cas said icily. “Yes, that’s exactly what I am.”

I wanted Casziel to come back. I wanted Casziel to come back more than I wanted Guy to think I was beautiful. That was the only truth I had.

Russia. Japan. All the lifetimes she can’t remember. You’ve been her guardian angel.