Violet dragged Zeke to the waiting room.

She squatted to the timber sofa and pulled Zeke down beside her. “That thing isn’t an angel.”

“What?”

“You said that it was infected with a demonic virus, right?”

Zeke read the urgency in her eyes. “Naomi? Yeah,” he answered. He took a moment to recall the name and then said, “Boggad Infectious Metamorph.”

“It’s obvious that she isn’t an angel. A demonic microorganism could never survive in something with purity levels that high, in other words, an angel.” Violet bit her lip. “I know how it feels to be near one. That thing in the room emanates an angelic aura for sure, but it… feels different. If only I could scan her soul’s purity levels. I don’t know how to do that spell, though.” She gave Zeke a look and said, “Do you have a device in here to scan her purity levels?” Violet noticed the confusion on Zeke’s face and added, “Right.” She stroked her chin. “It’s probably best not to.”

“So, you’re saying that she doesn’t have a 100 percent purity level like all angels should,” Zeke said.

“Mhm.”

“You mentioned that angels who lose just one percent of their purity become something similar to a human. Is that the case here?”

Violet smiled at him. Zeke could tell she was happy that he was picking up on the supernatural jargon, remembering rules he learned earlier. It was thanks to his grandmother’s teachings that he was able to absorb mystic materials so well.

“I don’t think so,” Violet said. “Why would a Dominion work hard to get back a misbehaved angel? When an angel’s purity lowers, they are banished or destroyed. That’s about it. It doesn’t make sense for Nananiel to have been that desperate…” Violet trailed off.

“Wait, I have a question. Back outside, you said you used supplements to lower your purity? How does that work?”

Violet sank back into the cushionless sofa. “Now, you can’t just use Black Magic without watching your soul’s purity. If your purity is lower than 50 percent, it makes you more vulnerable to demon attacks and contracting many curses and supernatural ailments. But being in the upper quarter of purity can be dangerous too. Having over 75 percent purity keeps many demons away, but attracts the most rare and dangerous ones willing to challenge your levels of purity to take it over. They have a low success rate though, but the risk is massive.”

“So, below 50 and over 75 is dangerous to humans, but I guess that both give you access to the most powerful spells.”

“Bravo, Rulitos. That’s exactly it. To add, 10 percent and 90 percent come with the craziest spells. It’s a gamble worth taking. That’s why supplements are important for going up and down the purity spectrum.”

“What happens if a human’s purity level reaches zero percent?”

“They become a demon with no way of turning back to a human. Losing access to White Magic and, well… their souls becoming a permanent resident of Hell.”

“How about 100 percent?”

“You die. A 100 percent pure human soul is a state of one that is ascending to Heaven. The angels wash away all the impurity for you before taking you up. There is no way for a human to have 100 percent purity and walk the earth.”

“From one to 99 is what we can manage.” Zeke studied Violet. “What’s the highest purity your soul ever reached?”

“75.”

“And lowest?”

Violet smirked. “Zero-point-six.”

Zeke shivered. She was that close to turning into a demon and she’s talking about it as if it were a story about popping a painful zit or something.

“The only reason you aren’t crying and running for your life right now, is because I am controlling the aura I am putting off. If I didn’t concentrate, you wouldn’t be able to talk to me right now.”

Zeke witnessed a sinister glint in her eye. “Wait, what percentage is your purity right now?”

“Oh, Rulitos, I know you, telling you would just stress you out.”

“Not telling me stresses me out, too!”

Violet stood up. Zeke did as well, like a child copying their father, and stared at her, awaiting further instructions.

Violet shot a grim look at Zeke. “Rulitos, listen carefully.”

Zeke nodded and focused on Violet.

“Don’t give Naomi up to the angels.”

“Wait. Do you know what she is?”

Violet placed her hands on his shoulders and said, “No.”

Zeke heaved a sigh. “Are you just not telling me the truth for no good reason at all either than to stir up mystery? I really hate that trope.”

“I honestly have no idea what it is, but the angels want it real bad for something. Maybe, she’s a weapon? Nonetheless, you can never let the angels have their way. Never.” She leaned closer to Zeke. The silent rage burning in her eyes, waiting to be let out to wreak havoc, fixed on Zeke. A caged animal bounded behind her violet-hued eyes.

“Do you understand me, Ezequias? They can’t be trusted.”

“Angels can’t be trusted? But… they’re angels! If we can’t trust angels, then who do we trust?”

“Humans.”

“Yeah, humans are a real riot in the trustworthy department”

Violet stifled a laugh. “You’re right. Just me, then. Only trust me. Don’t let Nananiel succeed.”

“How did you show up at the right time, Vee?”

“When I transported to your house, I put a tracking spell on you. One specialized for the Neurologist. I can see what you see, hear what you hear.”

The creepy statement made Zeke elated for a reason he couldn’t explain. He smiled. She smiled back and focused on him with a tantalizing oeillade. Zeke swore that her vibrant eyes were growing brighter by the second.

“Vee, can’t you just stay here and protect us then?”

Violet backed up and withdrew her hands. “I’ll show up whenever you’re in trouble again, but listen, the angels will take a different approach, knowing that we’re of the Tainted Generation. They can’t track us easily. As for the Transportation Sigil from your grandmother’s book, I hope that it’s an augmented variant. A sigil that prevents certain creatures from seeing or using it. Nananiel complained about not being able to sense Naomi… either way, be mindful of where you draw that thing.”

“Okay,” Zeke said and nodded.

Violet put her hand on Zeke’s cheek. “Good.”

“Does this mean that my grandmother was a part of a Tainted Generation? The Twelfth, maybe?”

Violet’s hand slipped away. “No. That’s impossible. The members of the next Tainted Generation are only born after every single member of the previous Tainted Generation dies. The new members are all born within the span of a year.” She snapped her fingers. “Oh, yeah! I forgot to tell you! There’s something important about the Tainted Generation that you need to know. For every generation. There’s a prophecy…”

“Why did I think I was going to go through this thing without ever having to hear the prophecy cliche…?”

Zeke’s eyes followed Violet as she sauntered around the trestle table in a half circle and explained, “For every Generation, there is a Damned and a Deliverer. The Damned will be sent to Hell after they die, no matter what they do. The Deliverer will be sent to Heaven after they die, no matter what they do.”

Terror shot up Zeke’s spine. He trembled and murmured, “What about the others? What happens when they die?”

Violet stopped and shrugged. “Nobody knows. They don’t show up in Hell or Heaven.”

Zeke scrambled around the other side of the trestle table and approached Violet. “So, who is the Damned and the Deliverer of this Generation?” He questioned, unable to eliminate the quaver in his voice.

Violet shrugged again and untied the shirt from her waist. “Nobody knows. You can only figure out after you die. Pretty messed up, right? The Damned. A guaranteed spot in Hell, no matter what they do. Burning for eternity.”

Zeke shivered at how loosely she talked about being condemned. “What title did the… Thirteenth Damned have?”

Violet paused and put on her shirt. “Diagnostician.”

Zeke’s heart plummeted to his stomach. A hopeless, dreadful feeling took over and his face became sullen. He stared at her mindlessly as Violet buttoned up her shirt, afterward; she started walking to the door.

“Wait, Vee!”

She stopped and turned back to him.

“You really can’t stay?”

“No, Rulitos.” Violet raised her hands. “Sorry, I can’t stay. I’m too busy in Argentina, but if you ever want to ask me about something—and it has to be related to the supernatural! Then, all you have to do is think about it and call for me. I’ll come. As for… the other things. The time will come when we can talk about it. Okay, Rulitos?”

Violet turned to the door and opened it before he got the chance to answer. Zeke heard another door open from behind. He stood idly and watched Violet walk back into the office. She closed the door behind her. He didn’t bother going after her, worrying that it was inevitable. Whenever Violet would proclaim her departure and set off, you’d have no chance of finding her until she wanted you to.

Now, with magic, finding her against her will is even more of an impossibility.

Ugo stopped beside Zeke and stared at the door. “She’s gone, huh?”

“Yeah.”

“We’ll see her again.”

Ugo patted Zeke on the back and stood in the unbearable silence with him. All Zeke could feel was dread. The despair disabled his movement. He was as still as a painting.

Ugo asked, “Do you think Vee has a boyfriend?”

He gained the will to move again to give Ugo a rotten look. “Dios Mio, dude,” Zeke grumbled as he walked away.

###

Zeke and Ugo entered the patient room. Naomi was seated in her bed, staring at the screen of Ugo’s backup cell phone wrapped in her hands. AJ leaned against the wall, eyeing Naomi from a distance.

“What did you and Vee talk about?” AJ asked Zeke.

“Uh, she just said ‘goodbye’”

Zeke made a mental note to explain to her later and walked up to Naomi.

Naomi looked up at Zeke. “Aww… I was hoping to spend some time with Vee.”

“You call her ‘Violet’!” AJ snapped at Naomi.

“Sorry.”

Zeke sighed and looked down on the cellphone screen. She was playing sudoku and at a top expert level. She must’ve rushed through the levels with ease. He leaned down to Naomi and studied her. Naomi held his investigative stare carelessly.

He noticed the dried black stains across her shirt and loose tie. Her wide, bright, childlike eyes were brimming with guilelessness. He could sense the naivety and gullibility in her. Her purity. It wasn’t much different from what he felt from Nananiel before he became hostile. Zeke felt as though he could tell her anything in that moment, and she would believe it immediately. No questions asked.

But there was no use in doubting Violet. She had more experience in the crazy, supernatural side of the world. She saved him and Ugo and risked her life fighting an angel to keep them safe. Doubting her would be the ultimate form of ingratitude.

Zeke leaned closer, gazing deeper into her innocent eyes.

Naomi giggled. “Is this an examination?”

Zeke remained silent and put on a stern look. Somewhere behind those eyes was a mischievous aura, aware of its successful deceit. Naomi wasn’t an angel, and she willfully led them to believe that she was.

“My patient… the angel.”

“My doctor… the human!” Naomi said.

He had to try better than that. Naomi was cunning and had to be aware of that. He pulled back. “Everything’s good,” Zeke said.

“You can move away from her now,” Ugo hissed from the door.

“I’m sorry to ask this of you…” Naomi mumbled suddenly.

“What is it?” Zeke asked.

Naomi let out a soft sob. “Please,” she shrieked. “Don’t let them take me away.”

“Who are ‘them’?” AJ asked.

This was it. Naomi was opening up. She shifted in her bed and let the cellphone slip out of her hands. She gripped on tightly to the bedsheets and pulled them up.

Zeke had to test her response. He launched the bait. “An angel. By the name of Nananiel came looking for you.”

Naomi’s eyes darted to Zeke. Her face twisted in shock.

AJ pushed herself off the wall. “What?”

“Nananiel was looking for Naomi. He almost killed us for it. Vee saved us,” Ugo explained to AJ.

“You were able to fend off Nananiel?” Naomi exclaimed in awe. “That’s amazing. Your magic truly is unparalleled. Fighting against warriors like him is no trial for Healers, I see.”

“What does Nananiel want you for exactly?” Zeke questioned.

“I don’t know,” Naomi mumbled.

“Shocker,” AJ said.

Zeke found himself switching over to AJ’s side. He knew that Naomi was lying about her identity, so everything else that she claimed to not know could be a blatant lie as well.

But she was still his patient, the first person who he had ever saved successfully. He couldn’t just give up her like nothing, and Violet said to never let the angels have their way. Giving her up was not an option.

So, he backed off.

“Okay,” Zeke said nonchalantly.

Suddenly, Naomi’s expression crumbled. She eyed Zeke and pleaded, “Don’t let Nananiel take me.” Tears ran down her cheeks. “Don’t let any of them take me back. I-I-I don’t want to go back!” She grabbed Zeke by the collar and shook him back and forth. “I don’t want to be back in that cage! I was in there for so, so, so, so, so, so, so long! I can’t go back! I can’t go back! I can’t go back!”

Her strength was insane. Violent vibrations traveled across his bones. He was convinced she was going to accidentally push his ribcage out of his back or cause his head to fling out of his torso like a finishing move in a gory video game.

“I can’t go back!” She shouted, this time with a piercing angelic cry that caused the room to shake. Ugo and AJ dropped to the floor with a harsh thud.

Zeke grabbed her by the wrists. “Okay! Okay! We won’t! Please, calm down!”

The shaking stopped. Naomi winded down and slowly let go of Zeke.

“Thank you. Sorry.”

Zeke stared at her as he gasped for air, as if he just won an underwater breath holding competition. His ears were ringing, and he groaned at the pain. He turned back and Ugo and AJ were climbing back to their feet.

“Sorry,” Naomi repeated.

“No need to apologize,” Zeke said. He straightened his collar. “You’re my patient. Of course, I won’t let you leave until you’ve fully recovered.”

“Zeke, I don’t ever want to go back.”

“Right. Right. I understand that, then I guess, you can stay with us for as long as you like.”

Naomi’s eyes lit up. Instantly shifting to a state of jubilance. “Does this mean we’re friends?”

Zeke stared at Naomi with a vacant look. “Sure!” He blurted with uncertainty. “Who says doctors can’t be friends with their patients?”

Naomi cheered and turned away to do a little silent victory dance.

Zeke looked over at a confused Ugo and AJ. He shrugged at them in confusion.

Ugo turned to AJ and asked, “Did I just get friendzoned?” He shot a look at Zeke. “And did you just help it happen?”

Naomi assaulted Zeke with a powerful hug. She tightened her hold on his neck and pushed her cheeks against his.

“Cabron!” Ugo shouted. He ran toward Zeke and got stopped by AJ, who pulled him back from his hood.

Naomi let go of Zeke and gazed at him. “Promise me. You won’t let them take me.”

This is what Violet wants. She’s smarter, wiser, braver than he could ever hope to be.

Wonderful. Beautiful. Playful. Funny. Perfect.

His judgement compared to hers meant nothing. Violet knows best. She always does. Zeke made a fist and held out his pinky finger.

“I promise.”