A Little Broken [Three Trinities Haven Church]

[Ezekiel]

He didn’t interrupt the musing but he didn’t stop the smiling either. Of course, he happened to know a little something of why Oriena had turned to so much oblivion to keep herself afloat in the first place. He found Sasha’s deliberations sweetly delicious, especially as he decided to accept the misnomer of Zeke’s care. At that he glanced down at her like a sacrifice on the church tiles, completely vulnerable. He’d bought all Oriena’s Almaz debt, not because it was an investment or because he was feeling benevolent, but because he liked watching her fall. Over and over. Because she hated being indebted, and she hated being helped, but she hated abandonment more. She’d continued screaming long after Ilya’s girls were done knitting her flesh. And she’d whimpered long after that. Completely senseless.

Oh she’d hate waking up here. And Zeke was looking forward to it.

“You don’t owe me anything for that. The church is open to everyone who needs it.” He waved a hand at the sea of sleeping bags and partitions, and then he stood again.

“We’ve met. In fact his little undercity excursion is why we’re all here,” he said, though he didn’t elaborate further; it wasn’t exactly a secret. “He helps now and then, keeps the church stable, makes himself useful, keeps an eye on some of the little ferals.” A finger pointed up at the roof in example. The building had been abandoned long before the Angel repurposed it for the people, but there were no leaks from the storm outside. Nox had a beautifully complex sense of guilt, and Zeke made full use of it.