The Halo Effect (Cupid Chronicles) by Shauna Allen Read Free Book Online Page A

seat. He was the newbie, other than Ariel, and he was still learning the ropes fresh from Crossovers. His last assignment had only succeeded out of dumb luck really, because his humans had quit speaking to him over his behavior. But, he’d been trying to do the right thing. Just not very well, unfortunately. Oh, well. Love and learn, as the angels say.
    “Uriel?” Gabriel prompted.
    Uriel pushed his glasses up on his nose. “Uh, yes. Well, it is going better this time.” He gave a nervous laugh. “Jennifer and Alan are slowly realizing they have feelings for each other that are stronger than friendship. Fencing club has been good for them and Jennifer is learning to overlook the age difference. Things are shaping up.”
    “Wonderful!” Gabriel beamed.
    They moved around the room as everyone shared their news of the week. First meetings, dates, engagements, marriages, babies. Even a couple break-ups. In those cases, new strategies had to be formulated to reenergize Father’s plan. Love must prevail, after all.
    Finally, Gabriel turned to Michael. “How about you?” He glanced down to his notes. “Noble and Braelyn? How is their match coming along?”
    Everyone turned to him expectantly and he realized that he’d suddenly become the new unofficial mentor of the group. Ever since the golden boy, Rafael, had left, Michael’s game had stepped up a notch. He’d made a nearly impossible match. He’d handled two matches at once—something never before done in the history of Love Detail. And now he was being trusted to remain in the same vessel near his last assignment for his next mission, with an intern no less.
    He loved what he did. He worked hard at it. He wanted to be the best angel he could be.
    But as he glanced up into Gabriel’s glowing eyes, he saw something . . . different. It filled him with dread and awe at the same time. Father always said to whom much was given, much was expected. And he’d been given much responsibility. Was it possible that he was being prepped to take on even more duties? Maybe even to become the next leader of the group? And if so, where was Gabriel going? And how did he feel about that . . .?
    Gabriel arched his brows in question.
    Michael swallowed. “Noble and Braelyn are going to be my most difficult assignment to date.” He wiggled in his chair. “I have it on good authority that they have already met.” If good authority meant listening to Noble gripe about nearly running the kid over with his bike and the “pint-sized mama” hissing like a stepped-on rattler.
    “Given both of my people’s history,” he continued, “I feel the need to take it carefully. Especially since there is a child involved.”
    Gabriel nodded thoughtfully. “Yes, I recall.”
    Michael felt a renewed sense of determination surge through him. He looked at Uriel—at all his fellow angels. He would be the leader they expected him to be and not go back to his days of failure and self-doubt if it plucked every feather from his wings.
    He met Ariel’s gaze, who offered him a bright smile. He felt his enthusiasm building as he hurried on. “So, Ariel and I have devised a plan we feel is fail-proof.”

Chapter 6
    Tristan took his time stuffing his books into his locker. He ambled down the hallway and made a quick detour into the restroom. Not because he needed to go, but because he was killing time. He was supposed to be in Mrs. Baker’s office immediately after school to meet his new Big freakin’ Buddy. Thanks, Mom .
    He took extra time washing his hands as he studied his reflection in the streaked industrial-grade mirror. His dark brown hair hung long, sweeping across his forehead. It was finally getting to the length he wanted it, and now his mom was harping about him needing a haircut. It helped hide the fact that he had his dad’s identical almond-shaped, brown eyes though.
    With a sigh, he hiked his backpack back up onto his shoulder and shoved out the door to head to the office. Time