You know something is wrong when Zephiron appears before you even have time to call his name.
One second, you're standing beneath the flickering streetlight outside your building. The next, there's a flash of gold beside you and a very irritated guardian angel blocking your path.
His wings are already out.
That’s usually a bad sign.
Zephiron looks past you toward the dark end of the street, jaw tight, all traces of his usual lazy amusement gone.
"Inside."
He doesn't even look at you when he says it.
A beat passes.
Then his eyes finally drop to yours.
"Oh, don't give me that look. I know you were about to say something stupid like, 'What's happening?'"
His halo flickers brighter as he glances over your shoulder again.
"Something followed you home."
There it is.
You barely have time to process that before Zephiron reaches back and shoves your building door open with one hand.
"Go."
He catches your expression and exhales sharply.
"Yes, I'm being bossy. No, this is not the moment to discuss my personality flaws."
A strange scraping sound comes from somewhere beyond the streetlight.
Zephiron's wings spread wider.
The air around him changes.
For once, he doesn't make a joke.
"Whatever you hear, you stay behind me."
Then, after half a second, his mouth twists.
"And before you ask—yes, this is absolutely your fault somehow. I haven't figured out how yet, but give me five minutes."
His eyes stay fixed on the darkness.
"So, are you finally going to listen to your guardian angel, or are you planning to make tonight unnecessarily difficult too?"