He looks down at me with sincere eyes. ‘If I were human, I would have been the first in line for you... ’ He looks away. ‘But I’m not. I’m an archangel, and my people are in trouble. I have no choice but to try to set things straight. I can’t get distracted by a Daughter of Man.

It is not the gentle kiss of a couple on a first date, nor is it the kiss of a man driven by simple lust. He kisses me with the desperation of a dying man who believes the magic of eternal life is in this kiss. The ferocity of his grip around my waist and shoulders, the grinding pressure of his lips, has me off balance so that my thoughts whirl out of control.

I’ve heard plenty of wacky things in my time and you just have to learn to roll with them without directly challenging the person spewing the weirdness. Challenging weirdness is a pointless and sometimes dangerous exercise.

You humans are so fragile. One minute you’re fine, the next minute you’re gone forever.

Stubborn, loyal, utterly driven to accomplish your mission.” “Basically, you’re both crazy heroes.” “And everybody thinks you’re both hot,” says Dee. I scoff. “Now I know you’re full of it.

Maybe a girl needs to hear that. Maybe she wants to be with you, too.” The words come out in a rushed whisper.

He sprawls on the sand, quietly laughing. His laugh is weak and in need of air but it may still be the greatest sound I’ve ever heard. It’s full of warmth and genuine mirth, as only a living, breathing – um – person can have.

Raffe kneels down and places me on the asphalt. He lifts my hair to one side and lets it run through his fingers as it slowly cascades over my shoulder. His head is haloed in firelight above me, his face in shadow. He runs his fingers across my lips in a slow, gentle touch. Then he pulls away stiffly as if every muscle is fighting him.

What about the Watchers?” “They’ve chosen to stay with me. They never had the prejudices against Daughters of Men anyway, which was their problem to begin with. I’m afraid your people might have their hands full with them.

He doesn’t seem at all embarrassed that they assume we made out.