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

Gray, using the sight he showed me earlier today, I could explain the need to visit that place. This also meant I needed to figure out a way to spend time with Declan to get to know him a little better. This was not something I looked forward to in the least. I scanned the back area of the store and saw he was still brooding. He was leaning against a shelf, reading something, but the scowl remained. Something inside of me danced, and I mentally scolded it. Now was not the time to feel human emotions towards a demon or any man, for that matter. I hadn’t noticed I was staring until he looked up, and his gray eyes met mine. The stare was intense; there was an unfamiliar look in his eyes, and it wasn’t entirely unpleasant. I had to look away. I looked over to Mr. Whitstock who curiously was smiling. I stuck my tongue out at him, and he gave a boisterous laugh, startling Hadraniel.
    “I’m sorry. I think I may be going a little stir crazy. Shall we break again? This time together,” I added that after I was given a very pointed look, “in order to eat supper? I know I am hungry. Let’s head to the café.”
    “Sounds like a good plan to me.”
    “Oh, Haddy.” I teased, “Any plan with food sounds like a good plan to you.” I needed to keep up with the brother/sister façade because as far as Had knew, Mr. Whitstock was just Mr. Whitstock.

 
    A man who was completely innocent, offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including his enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act. ~Mahatma Gandhi
     
    Dinner was a fun event. Hannah joined us during her break. It was a nice distraction from my thoughts as we sat around the table at the café having fun and laughing. Declan turned the charm on full blast, regaling us with the adventures of his travels. Whether they were stories made up for the part he was playing or if they were true, they were funny. He was telling us about getting lost in a foreign country, with no real knowledge of the language. After some confusion with the hostel clerk, he was able to procure a bed for the evening. He proceeded to explain that because of the lack of communication, he ended up sharing a bed with a little old lady who thought he was sent as an answer to her prayers, and he had to spend the majority of the night fighting off her advances by hiding in the bathroom of the hostel. We were in tears by the time he finished his story. Hannah had spit water everywhere, and Mr. Whitstock almost fell off his chair. Declan chuckled some at his story, but mostly he looked amused at his ability to make the four of us laugh so hard. We were just calming down when Gray headed our way for his break. Hannah gathered herself and waved bye as she went back to work. Gray took her seat.
    “Y’all sound like you’re having a great time.” he said to no one in particular. He then leaned towards me. “I guess this means you’re feeling better than you were earlier?” His forehead wrinkled in concern.
    “I am. Thank you for asking.” His smile was kind and warm. Gray was special. This I could tell, yet I still didn’t know why his kindness made him more worthy than other humans to be saved from the fast approaching earthquake.
    “You’re welcome. Anytime you need a break from these knuckleheads, you just let me or Hannah know.”
    Declan was scowling, but Hadraniel had a look of mischief in his eyes. Mr. Whitstock was grinning.
    “I’m sure she will be entirely too busy these next few weeks.” Declan responded before I could. I shot him a look that warned him to not answer for me again.
    “Gray, that is a kind offer. I may take you up on that if I get a chance, but unfortunately, Declan is correct. I have a lot of research to get through before school starts, and our parents will be stopping by to check on us. However, Haddy and I were talking about planning a camping trip for the weekend before classes start. We’ve narrowed it down to the valley you showed me