Page 34 of Far From Center
How to explain this? “We go more by energy signature. They might think I look somewhat familiar, but I I’m hoping they won’t know who I am. Some demons can hide their energy signature, but it’s not a skill many angels have. The Archangel Gabriel would never be able to successfully masquerade as a powerless human. As an angel I’d never be fully undetectable to another angel.”
Nyalla shot him a skeptical look. “Maybe. But I get the feeling this Tura is perceptive and he’s clearly worked with demons, mages, and humans before. You may not have the energy signature of an angel, but you’re stupidly arrogant for a human. And you’re weird. He’ll know something is off.”
“I’m weird?” Why did that sting so badly? “What do you mean I’m weird? I’m an angel who has been magically turned into a human, who has suffered a catastrophic degradation in his vibration levels. I’m sorry if you think that makes me weird.”
Why was he snapping at her like that? He felt somewhat angry, but mostly he felt hurt. He wanted her to like him. He didn’t want her to think him weird.”
Her eyes were shiny again, and he suddenly felt a pang of guilt.
“I’m sorry. This is all my fault. I have this gift, but I can’t seem to tell the difference between angels and demons. I know you find that insulting, and I know we hashed all this out before, but I’m so sorry. I feel horrible for what happened to you. And although technically it wasn’t my fault, I still feel to blame. You’re not weird. Actually you are but you’re no more weird than I am. And I’m pretty weird. Remember that I was a slave to the elves in Hel since infancy. I’ve only been here among the humans for the last three years. Sometimes I say or do things and my human friends give me that look and I feel like such an outsider. If you’re weird, well, I’m just as weird as you are.”
It made him feel slightly better. “Weird or not, I’m not letting you face Tura alone. And even if he doesn’t show, I’m not letting you face that Gormand alone. Or even the skinny demon with the crooked nose. I need to stay near you and protect you. I don’t know whether it’s an angel thing or this incredibly odd-feeling human body I’m in, but I need to protect you.”
Her brows knitted together. “No. It’s too risky for you. You can watch from over at the bar or something if you really need to, but I don’t want you there. I’ve got two demons to guard me. I’ll be fine.”
“You’re demon guards are worthless. They vanished before the Gormand even got here, and never even checked back in with you. Where are they? They could be on the other side of the island for all we know. Why did the Iblis send you here with such inept companions? It’s inexcusable for her to provide you with such an incompetent guard. When I return, I intend on taking this up with her.” He was furious. If the Iblis was here right now, he’d have some stern words for the imp. He might even stab her with a fork.
Nyalla’s eyes were shining again, but this time it was from something other than sorrow or guilt. “Snip and Terrelle have good intentions. An information demon is bound to be distracted by new experiences, and Snip…well he’s here because he did a favor for Sam and she promised him a vacation. I honestly think part of my job duties are to look after him, rather than him looking after me.”
He glared at her, although it wasn’t Nyalla he was angry with. “That doesn’t matter. It’s inexcusable for you to be sent on an important mission with a side task to babysit a Low, and your only guard is a Noodle distracted by license plates and examples of modern human currency.”
She blinked and bit her lip. “Okay, you’re right. But I still am requesting that you stand ten feet or so away, pretending to not be with me. You’ll be close enough to hear if I need you, but hopefully not so close that the angel will think something is suspicious.”
“Then we have a deal.” Gabriel nodded. “Shall we go back to the hotel? I’ve no idea where your companions went to, but I’m sure they can make their way back on their own. I’m feeling strangely lethargic and my neck is having to struggle to support my head right now.”
Nyalla looked around the bar. “They wouldn’t have left me, at least I don’t think so. Let’s have another drink and wait another ten or twenty minutes. The party bus comes by every half an hour, so we’ve got time.”
He’d never been tired before. He’d never slept before. It was an odd feeling, this warm, fuzzy, wanting to curl up with something soft and someone warm feeling. But he could push back the urge to rest his head on the table if Nyalla needed to stay.
The waitress came by and Nyalla ordered another beer. Gabriel ordered one too, even though he had no intention of drinking it. To do otherwise seemed impolite. Although, if he were completely honest with himself, both the leftover food on the table and the idea of a beverage was more than appealing. His mouth felt sticky and dry, and the horrible kale and beet salad, as nutritious as it was, had done little to satisfy his hunger.
Nyalla paid the waitress when she brought their beers, while he stared at the mug of amber liquid with longing. Nyalla appeared to be enjoying hers, a few dewy drops of the liquid clinging to her upper lip. In a daze, he reached out and swiped them with his index finger, bringing the liquid to his mouth.
Bitter, with a taste of barley and rye with the alcoholic byproduct of yeast consumption of residual sugars from the roasting process. Simple, yet balanced and complex. If he weren’t an angel, he would quite enjoy this beverage.
But even more, he enjoyed the wide-eyed look Nyalla gave him after he’d brushed the drops of beer foam from her mouth. Her lips were soft and full. Inviting. He remembered what they felt like against his, how amazing that kiss last night in the moonlight had been. He leaned close, his forehead nearly touching hers. Their breath mingled, his lips so close to hers.
Something slammed on the table and Nyalla jumped back, her face flushing red as she jerked abruptly away. Gabriel watched her for a moment then turned to see Snip practically dancing at the edge of their table.
Actually hewasdancing, although his movements were far more lewd then they were aesthetically pleasing.
“What?” Gabriel snarled. “And where in all of creation have you been?”
Snip bounced a few times then plopped into a seat. “I had sex! At least I think it was sex. It’s hard to tell what humans consider to be sexual intercourse, but by my standards I’m going to consider my cherry popped.”
Gabriel didn’t want the images that were now rushing through his mind.
“No!” Nyalla covered her ears. “Snip, we don’t want to hear the details. It’s not polite to kiss and tell.”
“Well then, that shouldn’t be a problem since there was no kissing involved. I got to put my fingers in her–”
“No!” Gabriel and Nyalla shouted in unison.
Snip looked insulted. “She quite enjoyed it. And I had no idea how enjoyable it was to bring pleasure to another. I went into the bathroom and jerked my chicken until I blew all over the inside of the stall door.”
“I really didn’t need to know that,” Nyalla said.
“Me either,” Gabriel agreed. “And I’m more determined than ever to not use the urination facilities in this establishment.”
