PROLOGUE
The celestial Chamber of Judgment was not cozy by any stretch of the imagination. Most of the time it appeared to be nothing more than white roiling walls of mist, which the angel Agon found downright dreary. But his associate Samael deemed it necessary, believing that human souls facing judgment were better off with no distractions. This was probably why Samael’s face was now scrunched in open disapproval—an expression Agon had grown used to over the centuries.
“What,” Samael demanded, pointing an elegant finger at the object against the chamber wall, “is that?” With his blond ringlets and cherub cheeks, he looked like a Renaissance painting of a frazzled choir boy.
It made Agon want to smile, but he refrained. For an angel as old as himself, he’d learned a thing or two. Instead, he drew up to his full height, impressive even by angelic standards, and stretched his snowy wings wide. “It’s called a recliner,” he said cheerfully. “For sitting and resting. Very comforting to humans, from what I gather.”
Samael looked incredulous. “I’ve told you before, this is no place of solace. Human souls are summoned here to face judgment, and not all of them are headed to a comfortable destination.”
“True.” Agon sat on the edge of the overstuffed chair, swiveling left, then right. “But I see no harm in offering them a place to rest while we review their lives. If nothing else, it will provide an alternative to their usual pacing and wringing of hands and stumbling about in distress. It is pitiable when they do that, you must admit.”
Samael sighed, shook his head and turned toward the wall of mist. A good sign, Agon decided. For now, it seemed the new chair could stay. Perhaps later he could bring in a few other earthly things to liven up the place, but what was that human expression? Ah, yes. Baby steps.
“We haven’t time for your antics,” Samael muttered, waving a hand at the wall of mist. “Our wayward rogue is about to learn a valuable lesson.”
The mist cleared, revealing a city street at night. A swarthy stranger in a black leather jacket and designer jeans pulled his motorcycle to a stop outside a sports bar.
Agon rose from the chair and went to stand beside Samael as they watched the scene unfold. “You’re sure this man is just like Liam O’Connor?”
“He has all the same traits as the rogue,” Samael said. “The arrogance, the selfish motives, the questionable morals. He wasn’t originally scheduled to cross paths with Liam, but it was easy enough to arrange.”
Agon tilted his dark head, studying the man who was now sauntering toward the entrance of the bar. A neon sign that read ROOKIES blinked above the door. “And you’re certain introducing this man to Liam will serve a useful purpose?”
Samael crossed his arms. “It will be good for Liam to see his own personality traits reflected in someone else. Perhaps then, through serious introspection, the rogue will realize his many faults and be at peace with the task we’ve given him.”
“Perhaps,” Agon said, though he wasn’t so sure. Liam O’Connor and peace did not seem to mix. The man was hell-bent on winning Cora McLeod for himself, no matter how much he assured the angels he was trying to help Cora achieve her true destiny by marrying Finley Walsh. Agon knew what desperation looked like in a man’s eyes, and paired with determination, it could be a dangerous combination. Liam had both in abundance. “I hope it works. He only has two months left to achieve his task.”
Samael let out a huff. “It has to work. We can’t interfere with his free will, and this is the last thing I could think of to help steer him in the right direction. We’ve already agreed to some of the ‘boosts’ he’s asked for. Rudimentary computer knowledge. Fair warning when we plan to visit. We’ve even made it so he’d no longer feel pain whenever he and Cora touch.” He gave Agon a stern look. “That last one was only because you advocated so strongly on his behalf.”
“I think we can trust him to make the right decisions,” Agon said. “I know he seems like a lost cause, but let us have faith that he will prevail.”
“Mmm, faith,” Samael said as they watched the tall man disappear into the bar. “In a rogue. What could possibly go wrong?”
1
Liam O’Connor wrapped his arm around Cora McLeod, shifting her body so she was exactly where he wanted her, flush against his. “Now, don’t overthink it. Just let it happen.”
“I can’t believe I’m doing this.” Cora’s voice was like a whisper of silk against his skin.
He closed his eyes, savoring the exquisite nearness of her. He’d waited lifetimes to hold her in his arms again.
“You can go now, Liam.” Cora stuck her tongue between her teeth, squinted one eye and aimed at the dartboard on the wall. “I’ve got this.”
Liam stepped back, already missing her warmth and the sweet herbal scent of her hair. It had been several days since he’d learned he could touch her without that initial snap of pain, and he’d been elated the angels had granted him that. There weren’t many reasons to like those two, but that was a big one.
It was her friend Suzette Wilson’s idea for them to all come to Rookies, a sports bar near the Providence Falls university district. Suzette had insisted Cora and Liam needed to spend Saturday night doing something fun with “normal people,” and she wasn’t wrong. They’d been wrapped up in police work ever since the murder of John Brady, a respected businessman in the community who also happened to be the husband of Liam’s ex-mistress. It had been a complicated month, and if it wasn’t for the kindhearted Cora and the well-meaning street kid Billy Mac intervening on his behalf, Liam might’ve lost his only chance at redemption. Now he had two months left to save his immortal soul, but he could focus on that tomorrow. Tonight it was nice to get out and do something carefree.
“You can do it, Cora,” a man’s deep voice said from the bar.
Liam hid his grimace with a swig of beer. Suzette had also taken it upon herself to invite the world’s greatest bore, Finley Walsh. Unfortunately, Finn was Cora’s destined soul mate, and as much as Liam hated the task the angels had given him, he had to somehow find a way to make Cora fall in love with the man. If he didn’t succeed, well... Best not to think about the alternative.
Cora drew her hand back and let the dart fly. It missed the entire board by a good eighteen inches, landing with a thunk against the wood-paneled wall. She gave a frustrated growl and stomped her foot, which made Liam smile. Cora was adorable. Standing before him in blue jeans, a fitted cream sweater and heeled boots, the top of her head barely reached his chin, but she had enough feisty spirit to rival anyone. A blond curl fell across her sun-kissed face, and Liam struggled with the urge to reach out and smooth it back. She had no idea how beautiful she was to him. No idea how much he wanted her.