8. Kushiel

Kushiel was… Well, he didn't know what he was. Confused? He felt a bit like a lost soul himself.

Angels and demons could not see the mortal souls who chose to be ghosts.

It didn't make any sense.

Yet the more Kushiel thought about it, the more it did make sense. He had never seen a ghost in his time topside. Granted, most angels and demons didn't spend a ton of time topside, but those who did never mentioned ghosts.

The leadership team controlled every aspect of, well, everything, although they had been getting better as of late. But there were constantly memos about souls and afterlife placements and reincarnation numbers. Yet Kushiel could not ever, not even once, remember anything about ghosts.

The leadership team loved numbers. Each ghost would have been assigned a ticket and probably a time limit on Earth, and yet none of that was the case as far as Kushiel knew. Yes, there were meetings every few decades between departments, and members of the ghosthood department were there, yet Kushiel couldn't ever remember them adding anything. He didn't even remember them talking. No one asked them questions. They didn't report numbers or data or anything else.

A few centuries ago when the leadership team had insisted more souls were needed for the growing population, no one had thought to suggest reincarnating ghosts. It hadn't even been brought up. Why not? It would have made the most sense.

It was odd.

Kushiel didn't understand any of this.

He felt a hand gently rest on his, and he couldn't help his flinch, making Cass pull back.

Shit.

He was immediately embarrassed. He wasn't in heaven or hell. Touch didn't hurt his skin here on Earth, but it had been a spontaneous reaction, and he could barely look up to see the hurt or anger in Cass's face. The man had been beyond patient and kind with him, and here he was mucking things up again.

"Hey," Cass's soft voice said. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"Sorry. I was just thinking," Kushiel muttered, mortified by his reaction. He finally looked up, and Cass's face was soft and kind. It made his eyes feel a little wet, and he didn't even know why.

He cleared his throat. "I, um, I don't know anything about ghosts. Which is odd when I think about it. Even the leadership team doesn't really deal with ghosts, and they have their hands in everything."

"Well, they wouldn't have anything to do with ghosts," Cass stated, like it was obvious.

Kushiel felt a bit stupid, but his lost souls were too important for him to not ask questions. "Why not?"

"Who makes up the leadership team?" Cass asked.

"Well, I don't actually know any of their names. Actually, I'm not even sure they have names," Kushiel pondered.

Cass just laughed. "Yes, that's probably true. But who are they?"

It hit Kushiel then. Of course. "Angels and demons."

"Right," Cass replied. "Angels and demons, none of which can see ghosts. So they can't keep track of them, or try to influence them, or try to send them on to the afterlife."

"But…" Kushiel paused, thinking. "We have a reincarnation team."

"Made up of angels and demons, I'm sure," Cass responded.

"Just angels, I think," Kushiel responded. "But we also have a ghosthood team."

"And who is on that?" Cass asked curiously.

"I… I don't know," Kushiel responded, suddenly realizing that fact. They were always hooded and wore gray, and they didn't really interact, and Kushiel suddenly had no idea if they were angels or demons… or something else entirely. But what else? Mortal souls were not allowed in the afterlife.

Well, except apparently Michael was.

"Would ghosts be in the afterlife?" Kushiel asked. "Is that what they are?"

"I'm not sure," Cass shrugged. "Ghosts tend to be ghosts because they want to stay on the mortal plane of existence and not be part of the afterlife. But I suppose anything is possible. If they are angels or demons then they aren't typical, because you lot cannot see ghosts."

Kushiel absorbed that. So Cass didn't quite know everything, but he certainly knew a lot. More than Kushiel, apparently, at least when it came to being topside. Since that's where Kushiel's current work was, he was glad to have Cass helping him.

"Thank you," Kushiel said sincerely. "Thank you for helping me."

"Of course," Cass replied. "I would help whether or not I got a divine message from Gabriel. A ghost in that kind of shape… Well, how could I not help?"

Kushiel nodded, and the two sat for a moment. Kushiel wasn't sure what else to say. He didn't know what to do next. He supposed he could go do some research in heaven or in hell, but he honestly wasn't looking forward to the pain of going back to either one. He also wasn't sure how far he would get, since whoever did this wouldn't be stepping up to explain, and he doubted anyone else had any idea of what happened.

Cass yawned, and Kushiel looked out the window and realized quite suddenly that it was dark out. Cass followed his gaze and nodded, like he was acknowledging how late it was. Kushiel felt a little stupid for overstaying his welcome, but at least he would get to see Cass again. After all, they'd be working together. He was cheered immensely by the idea that this wasn't goodbye. He stood up, ready to take his leave, and Cass stood up too.

"Well—" Kushiel started, but Cass interrupted him.

"The guest room closest to mine is made up, so we'll be sharing a bathroom, if you don't mind. Not that you need to shower or anything," Cass laughed, turning and starting to walk towards the stairs. "I know angels and demons have fun powers, but hot, steamy showers are pretty amazing, and even you lot ought to enjoy them now and again," he called over his shoulder. "And we didn't really eat dinner, because I was snacking at the shop and ate a late lunch, but I can cook something if you're hungry."

Kushiel muttered a "No thanks" to food then followed Cass, feeling vaguely flabbergasted. He was staying over? Why was he staying over?

"I have great towels, too. Soft and plush. Bath sheets, they call them. There's actually a tub with jets if you really want to enjoy the pleasures of mortal flesh," Cass joked, starting up the stairs.

Kushiel followed, and he was glad that Cass wasn't facing him, because he blushed at the last line. Pleasure of the mortal flesh made him think of something other than hot baths, and following Cass up the steps and seeing a view of his backside did not help matters.

Cassius had a lovely backside.

Not that Kushiel should be thinking about such things. And that wasn't because he was an angel—he knew some angels who partook of pleasure more exuberantly than some demons. Not that he was totally angelic anymore, anyway. It was just that he had a job to do.

It had also been a really long time since he'd partaken in any sort of pleasures. Angels certainly weren't approaching him, and demons tended to think that angels were stuffy. Of course he had demon friends, but he wouldn't risk their friendship with anything that might make things… awkward.

He almost bumped into Cass, who had stopped near the end of the upstairs hallway. Cass turned to look at him, and Kushiel couldn't help it, he blushed again.

Cass didn't say anything, though, he just waved his arm towards the open doorway.

Kushiel entered and noted a four poster bed with a light blue, plush comforter, a dresser, a nightstand, and a rather soft looking rug. There were two doors in the room as well, one which probably led to a closet, and another which must lead to the shared bathroom.

Kushiel looked at Cass, who smiled softly at him from just inside the doorway. "I know you can just magic up some sweats or something to sleep in, but you're welcome to anything I have, although my pants will probably be a bit short on you. Help yourself to any food or drink downstairs as well if you want something."

Cass waited a moment, then he turned to go, but Kushiel was suddenly a little desperate to not lose sight of him.

"What about the soul? The ghost, I mean?" Kushiel asked, realizing as he said it that it was a question he probably should have asked sooner.

"Ah. It's here already," Cass said. "It came in as soon as you entered the room. Does that bother you?"

"No. Not at all. I think I will rest easier knowing that it is here with me. Perhaps I am familiar." Kushiel hoped so, at least.

Cass smiled again, and Kushiel thought how sweet and kind that smile was.

"Thank you," Kushiel murmured.

"You're welcome. I'm right next door if you need me," Cass answered, and then he was gone, the door shutting behind him.

Kushiel sat on the bed, and it was amazingly soft. He laid on it then, wondering when the last time he had actually rested was. Not since he had found the mountain empty, and he wasn't sure how long before that.

He felt the presence of the soul next to him, and the weight of it was familiar and comforting. "I will not fail you, lost one," he murmured.

He knew he needed to think of a plan of action, but his thoughts were distracted by the thoughtfulness and kindness of Cass. The bed was soft, the weight of the lost soul was like a warm presence curled up next to him, and he felt more at peace than he had since Erebus. He closed his eyes, determined to think of what to do next, only the darkness behind his eyelids lulled him into rest.