Free Beloved Purgatory (Fallen Angels, Book 2) by Katherine Pine

her by the shoulders.
She wrapped her arms around my neck as I hauled her to her feet.
"You know, you're not as light as you look."
    "Devi," she whispered.
    A chill shot through me. She hadn't even
pretended to smile when I made that lame joke. Her eyes just
focused on me, unblinking, waiting for my answer.
    I couldn't give her one. I didn't want to
hate her, or Oz. I didn't want things between us to change. It felt
like one of those things might have happened if I uncovered
whatever she'd tried so desperately to hide.
    "I need to think," I said. "And we need to
stop Forneus."
    She shook her head. "You don't understand
what you're saying."
    I didn't stick around to listen to her try
to talk me out of it. The principal's office was so close. I could
probably get there in a few--
    Jasmine caught my arm. The angel appeared
right in front of me.
    Oh right. I was trying to outrun two
supernatural creatures.
    "You can't stop me," I growled.
    They both shared a pitying look.
    Alright, that was kind of stupid. I needed a
new tactic. "Let me go!"
    Jasmine didn't acknowledge my demand. "Did
you not hear a word I said?"
    "I can't believe you'd stop me, especially
since you seem to hate the deal you made with him."
    Her grip on me tightened. She opened her
mouth, but before she could respond the principal's door swung
open.
    Forneus strode into the hallway. The
principal followed so closely that he almost tripped on the devil's
heels. For some reason, the scene reminded me of a baby duck
following its mother on its way to the pond for its first swim.
    The principal patted his comb-over. "Thank
you, Forneus. I'm deeply touched by your dedication to
education."
    Um, what? Even Forneus seemed somewhat appalled by those
words, though he recovered quickly.
    Then the principal saw Jasmine and me
playing tug-o-war with my arm. "Oh, girls. I didn't see you there.
Shouldn't you be in class?"
    I couldn't think of a response. Luckily I
didn't have to.
    "This is an unexpected pleasure," Forneus
smirked. "Devi and Jasmine can show me around a bit on their way to
their next class, and we can begin to learn more about each
other."
    "Why would we want to do that?" I blurted
out.
    The principal balked at my harsh tone.
"Devi, I expected more from you."
    Did he? Really? From the way he'd glared at
me in his office this morning, I doubted he believed I was below
doing anything.
    "It's alright," Forneus chuckled. "Guidance
counselors are used to students putting up a front."
    I froze.
    Jasmine seemed as worried as I did. "What
are you talking about, uncle?"
    The principal puffed up his chest. "Remember
how we agreed you should see a guidance counselor once a week?
Well, Forneus just happens to be a therapist! He will be a
brilliant addition to our faculty."
    No. This wasn't happening.
It didn't make any sense. "Forneus is not a therapist. Besides, we already
have one."
    "Who has wanted to retire for years, and now
he'll have the money to do so." The principal gave Forneus a
devotional smile.
    My stomach turned. No. Oh God no. Please don't tell me that frumpy
man had given his soul away so one of his aged co-workers could
retire.
    The principal clapped his hands once. "Now,
if you'll excuse me--"
    "Forneus is not who you think he is," I
blurted out.
    The principal frowned. "What do you
mean?"
    Forneus flashed his teeth.
"Yes, Devi, what do you mean?"
    "He's a devil," I whispered. "You gave him
your soul, didn't you?"
    The principal's eyes were so wide they were
being ripped open. Forneus was biting his lips, probably to keep
from laughing. That was the last straw for me--the smug look on his
face, his complete willingness to manipulate someone trying so hard
to do the right thing. "Give him back his soul. Now."
    Jasmine stuffed her hand in my mouth and
wrapped her other arm around my chest. "Sorry, we should get
going," she groaned as I elbowed her in the ribs.
    "What is going on here?" The principal's
voice sounded as frantic as I felt. "Do we need to call