“When Jack was twenty-one, he worked for a man named Van Buren. While working there, he befriended Van Buren’s oldest son, Luke, and because Jack spent so much time with Luke, my father in turn spent quite a bit of time in Luke’s home.

“It didn’t take long for Luke’s younger sister, Lillian, to catch Gabe’s attention. Lillian is my mother. Similar to the way I feel about you, he couldn’t stay away from her. Eventually he made the choice to reveal himself to her, which is against the rules.”

I started to ask about the rules, but Jared held a finger up so that I would let him continue, “Gabe made a huge sacrifice to be with Lillian. He loved her, and so as far as he was concerned, he had no choice. Even though he had given up everything, his existence still depended on Jack.”

I shook my head. “Why did it depend on my father?”

“Gabe was assigned to him. For my father, and those like him, he is assigned to someone—his Taleh—from their birth. Because I’m half of what my father was, the draw isn’t right away. We have to figure it out on our own, and that’s part of why my siblings and I are the bastards of Gabe’s world.”

“Gabe’s world? I’m sorry, Jared, I don’t understand,” I shook my head in frustration.

Jared’s hardened expression smoothed into a warm smile. “I know. You will. I’m trying to explain this in the best way possible. Trust me.”

“Sweet potato fries?” I smiled, trying to lighten the mood.

Jared’s grin widened. “Sweet potato fries.”

He watched me for a moment, and several emotions scrolled across his face. His hands touched my cheeks and then he pressed his lips against mine. It felt like he was saying goodbye.

He reluctantly let me go, and avoided my eyes when he spoke. “We aren’t accepted by Gabe’s family or his enemies. It makes it very difficult to do our job in some ways, and easier in others.”

“You mean as protectors,” I determined. Jared confirmed my revelation with an approving nod, but my expression caused his small smile to vanish.

“What?” he spoke in a soft, hesitant tone.

“Are you saying there is a society of protectors out there that all do…what you do?”

“S-Sort of. But it’s…providential.” He waited anxiously for my mind to catch up to what he was saying.

“Providential?” I repeated, letting the word simmer...providential protectors. He chose his words carefully, specifically attaching divinity to describe the family he referred to. When the comprehension hit, Jared winced. “Are you talking angels, Jared?” I said, indignant.

“I told you it would be your first inclination.”