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

hindrance. Life is going to happen either way, you might as well enjoy it while you can. You know better than anyone knows how quick it can be altered.”
    I was stunned into silence. Somewhere Father Paul was mentally high fiving Hadraniel. Father Paul always tells me I’m too dark and uninvolved. I knew Hadraniel had a point, but I didn’t know how to do that. He seemed so natural at mingling with the humans. Maybe having witnessed all that I have, I knew how this was going to end. I knew saving Gray wouldn’t keep him safe from feeling all the things that were going to come with the aftermath of the earthquake. I knew that whether I allowed myself to open up, or if I stayed away, I would still pity him for those emotions.
    “Took you long enough.” Declan’s voice broke my train of thought. He was sitting on the steps of the cottage. Gosh, he really knew what clothes accentuated his body. He still had his church clothes on - khakis, a sky blue button-down with the sleeves rolled up and boots. He knew he looked good too. He was staring at me as I took him in. I shook my head, remembering the promise I made myself last night.
    “Sorry, we were stopped by the bookstore owner.”
    “Ah, yes, Mr. Whitstock, he’s very helpful. So, what’s for lunch?”
    “Bayla made some kind of soup and taught me how to mix a salad. We figured we could eat first before discussing our plans.”
    “Sounds good to me.” Declan rubbed his belly and licked his lips.
    I didn’t think I could ever get used to this demon. Lunch proceeded without any further sarcasm or real issues. We discussed the sermon, and the area where Declan lived, and how he was liking his first mission location. He was definitely very charming. I had to remind myself throughout lunch that it was his job to be charming and not to fall for this act.
    “Shall we move out to the garden area to have our business meeting?” I asked. Sitting outside would allow me to have a visual reminder of the devastation that would be occurring soon.
    The boys simply nodded, grabbed their lemonade and followed me out back. The view from our garden area was a meadow full of flowers and surrounding trees. It was quiet, peaceful, and private. Privacy was very important for this conversation. I hadn’t lied to Hadraniel when I said we would be sticking to the original plan for what to share with Declan, but I would be adding him into the getaway plan. I needed to know where he was going to be during the quake.
    “Do you want to go first, or would you prefer we start?”
    “You can start.” Declan raised his glass in my direction.
    “Our plan is to continue to gain the trust of the group by joining in on get-togethers as much as possible in hopes of being able to invite them somewhere the weekend of the quake to ensure their safety.”
    “I must say, I’m kind of let down, Bay. I really was expecting some large elaborate plan. You are the Great Bayla, Angel Collector of Souls!  I came here expecting to be blown away. It’s a nice plan, I suppose. And If I wasn’t in the picture,” he was making grand gestures with his hands as he spoke, “I’m betting it would work great too. Your goal is to save him from the quake, but MY goal is that he doesn’t survive. Which really sucks because he’s a pretty cool dude. I don’t have a plan...yet. Well, other than to make sure your plan doesn’t work.” There was an air of arrogance to him that betrayed any and all previous displays of being a semi-decent guy. “Thanks for the info, though, because now I know I just have to keep him from going with you for that weekend and stay here where the quake is going to hit. I may even use that pretty Hannah as bait.” He winked, finished his lemonade and stood to go.
    Hadraniel was scowling. I could feel his anger building up, but I placed my hand on his shoulder before he had a chance to stand. I didn’t need him to mess up this plan. While Declan had been harsher than I’d