ARCHANGEL

by Bernard Lee DeLeo

  “I believe they wanted free drinks,” Abaddon answered in place of Raphael. “Right, Raph?”

  “My brother, you are becoming knowledgeable faster than I dreamed possible,” Raphael complimented Abaddon.

  “And you’re just going to bend over and take it?”

  “It’s…it’s okay, Ange.” Catherine slurred her words slightly. “They’ll…”

  “You stay out of this, lightweight. What about it, Raph?”

  “What would you have us do, Sister Angelina? They aren’t demons.”

  “They prey on people, probably anytime the four of them go on a date to somewhere fancy,” Angelina argued.

  “Maybe, but we aren’t law enforcement. I won’t agree to pay for their drinks if they order again. How’s that?”

  “It’s a start. They’re ruining our evening.”

  “I think they’re funny,” Catherine interjected. “Can I have another Zombie?”

  “No!” Angelina stated emphatically. “You’re already five sheets into the wind.”

  “I think Ange is right,” Raphael said apologetically. “These Zombie drinks are very potent. Why don’t we have dinner?”

  “Because I don’t want to eat with those flakes,” Angelina said.

  “And I want another Zombie,” Catherine reiterated.

  “We will humiliate your unconscious body after you pass out, Sister Mary Catherine,” Abaddon joked uncharacteristically, drawing laughter from even Catherine.

  “Here, Cat, have the rest of my Zombie,” Raphael offered, ignoring Angelina’s protests.

  “Thank you, Raph.” Catherine stuck her tongue out at Angelina. “You didn’t backwash in this did you, Raph?”

  “Very funny, Cat. Just sip it, okay?”

  “Yes, Mommy.”

  The dance ended. The uninvited happy couples hurried back to the table. After sitting down the two men finished their drinks. Pete held up his glass.

  “How about another round, Raphy?”

  “No more freebies tonight, Pete, sorry.”

  Pete leaned in close to Raphael, evoking another hurried negative headshake from Raphael to Abaddon who was no longer smiling. “You don’t want to do that, Raphy. Just buy us all another round and we’ll stay friends.”

  “You mean we can’t be friends if I don’t buy you all another round?”

  “The turtle’s a funny guy, Jake, huh?” Pete asked his friend without moving away from Raphael.

  “Better do what he says, Raphy,” Jake added, while Wendy and Chloe looked on with more than ordinary glee.

  “These bimbos have been through this all before,” Angelina stood up in disgust. “Look at them, they’re practically drooling. Get the hell away from our table you deadbeats before I kick Pete in the balls so hard his dog Toto will bark in pain.”

  Raphael and Catherine erupted in helpless laughter at Angelina’s pronouncement. Abaddon’s eyes focused on Angelina with undisguised admiration. Pete stood up slowly but Jake grabbed his arm.

  “C’mon, Pete, we’ve had our fun with these rubes.”

  “For your own sake, do as your friend asks,” Abaddon advised.

  “Oh yeah, what are you going to do about it, Armadillo?” Pete leaned belligerently, toward Abaddon.

  “If I move,” Abaddon began in a voice so filled with icy menace Raphael stopped laughing immediately, “your head and that of your friend’s will be lying on the floor next to your still twitching bodies.”

  “Pete, don’t do anything stupid,” Jake urged. “Security is already starting to eyeball us. Wendy, Chloe, help me out here.”

  Wendy’s casual interest in Abaddon turned to fear as she looked into his eyes. She stood quickly away from the table. Chloe followed her friend’s lead, taking Pete’s other arm. Pete made as if to pull away, but he had also been staring into Abaddon’s eyes. He allowed his friends to guide him toward the bar. Abaddon watched the group until they were out of sight amidst the many people crowded around the bar. He turned to Angelina, grasping her hand as she was still standing next to him.

  “You were very formidable, my love.”

  Angelina sat down and kissed Abaddon’s hand. “And you… you were bluffing.”

  Abaddon grinned. “Yes, but it was fun.”

  “You were bluffing? I did not hear any bluffing.”

  “It would not be a bluff if you could tell I was bluffing, Raph.” Abaddon chuckled at Raphael’s surprise. “You or I could have simply gripped his arm for a moment and he would have dropped to his knees ready to do our bidding.”

  “So, why didn’t you?” Raphael was impressed at Abaddon’s surprising maneuver.

  “I didn’t like him or his friends.” Abaddon stood up. “Would you dance with me, Angelina?”

  “Would I?” Angelina slithered up within Abaddon’s arms for a moment. “This will be my first dance… with a guy anyhow.”

  “This will be my first dance too… with anyone.”

  “I’ll make sure after you dance with me this one time you won’t want to dance with anyone else.” Angelina led Abaddon by the hand to the dance floor.

  Chapter 13

  Fisherman’s Wharf

  “They look good together. Everyone in the place is watching them.”

  “My brother’s control seems to be increasing in leaps and bounds,” Raphael replied.

  Catherine giggled. “If he steps on Angelina’s toes we’ll be in the emergency room tonight.”

  Raphael looked over at Catherine, hearing the slurring become more pronounced in her speech. “You aren’t sipping, Cat. Our last fight bothered you more than you let on. Why not tell me what this drinking binge is all about.”

  “Binge?” Catherine sat up straighter. “I’m o…okay, Raph. This is just so nice. We…we’re such magnets for trouble, we…we can’t even let our guard down for a moment. It’s kind of funny.”

  “I’m afraid we’ll always stand out in a crowd no matter where we go, Cat,” Raphael patted Catherine’s hand. “Think of it this way - we battle earth shattering demons. What’s a little barroom scuffle to warriors like us?”

  Catherine laughed, nodding her head in agreement. “When you put it like that, it does seem a little silly to sweat the small stuff.”

  “Exactly my point and now that I don’t have to worry about Abaddon actually tearing someone’s head off in public even I will be able to relax.”

  “I didn’t think he was bluffing either, Raph,” Catherine confided. “Hey, where did he learn how to dance?”

  Raphael turned his attention to the dance floor where Abaddon moved as smoothly dancing with Angelina as he moved in battle against the horde of Lucifer. Raphael grinned, admiration and love for Abaddon so plain on his face, Catherine clasped his hand with both of hers.

  “The children are growing up so fast.” Catherine sighed theatrically.

  “Cat, you are getting to be a real comedian.”

  “That’s comedienne, Raph,” Catherine corrected with only a slight slur.

  “I will let them abuse you after you pass out, Cat. You will surely wake up with a bald head or made up like a clown.”

  “You wouldn’t!”

  “I will indeed,” Raphael confirmed. “You must be an example for Angelina.”

  “I…I’m having a hard enough time maintaining for myself let alone for her. This coming down after a confrontation like we had is…”

  “Okay, I won’t let them humiliate you,” Raphael interrupted. “C’mon, why don’t we order you something to eat?”

  “Let’s go to Fisherman’s Wharf. We can eat at one of those little restaurants down there and then we can walk along the shoreline,” Catherine suggested.

  “I have no objections if Angelina doesn’t mind leaving the audience her and my brother seem to be drawing.”

  Catherine saw Abaddon sweep Angelina up in his arms with a final flourish as the music ended. The couple received a smattering of applause as Abaddon slowly allowed Angelina to slide down to her feet. Angeli
na kissed him with lingering passion. The couple returned to the table with Angelina staying closely in front of Abaddon. When they were seated again, Angelina sipped her coffee, unwilling to look away from Abaddon for even a moment.

  “Ange, I was telling Raph we should go down to Fisherman’s Wharf to eat. Then we’ll go for a walk along the pier.”

  “Hey,” Angelina said, turning reluctantly to look at Catherine, “that actually sounds like fun. Maybe you aren’t as wasted as I thought you were. I’d love to go for a walk on the wharf. Because of our Lord’s interest in boats and fishing you must be familiar with ships, aren’t you, Raph?”

  “Not for a very long time. I am very interested in seeing some modern ships close up. I believe the air will be good for Cat too.”

  Catherine finished Raphael’s Zombie with an exaggerated slurp and a contented sigh. “I’m ready.”

  Angelina popped up quickly. She grabbed Catherine by the earlobe, provoking a gasp of protest. “C’mon you, we’re going to the bathroom before we leave.”

  “Okay, okay!” Catherine giggled, brushing away Angelina’s hand.

  “You haven’t said much, brother,” Raphael remarked as the two nuns walked toward the restroom.

  “I am having a great time.” Abaddon did not take his eyes away from the women until they were out of sight. “It is surprising to me Sister Mary Catherine wishes to leave here so soon.”

  “You like the dancing, huh?”

  Abaddon was silent for a moment before nodding his head with a grin. “I am very fond of the music and dancing. Perhaps we could stay for another night here.”

  “I don’t see why not. Were Pete and his friends still around the bar?”

  “No, I believe they moved on to their next freebie as you put it.”

  “I should have put a hand on him.”

  “Do you think our touch will have positive results every time, Raph?”

  “I thought about it when you mentioned Pete would have done our bidding instantly after coming into contact with us. Those women put their hands on us but went on with their act as if nothing happened.”

  “I think our touch will be hurtful to some. I know mine will be, which is why I kept from coming into contact with the four of them.”

  “Sister Mary Catherine’s idea to leave here may be the best plan of action. We must take our cue from her and Sister Angelina as much as possible. They have good instincts.”

  “It would seem Catherine may be a bit lacking on instinct tonight, Raph.”

  “She is having a hard time coming down mentally from our battles.”

  “It is understandable. Sister Mary Catherine cannot hope to retain the pureness of spirit she exhibited in the prison cell after repeated contact with these demons. Our Lord will surely overlook a small loss of innocence.”

  “Even the Lord had a glass of wine,” Raphael agreed. “We will redirect her energies from now on.”

  “If she came up with our journey to this Fisherman’s Wharf, Sister Mary Catherine appears capable of recognizing when to get some fresh air.” Abaddon stood when he saw the two nuns coming into view.

  “Perhaps. On the other hand, she may not have wanted to see you rip the heads off recalcitrant humans who make the mistake of bothering us.”

  “Perhaps,” Abaddon mimicked. “You are still sore I fooled you with my bluff, Raph?”

  “That was no bluff,” Raphael said with certainty.

  “It was too.”

  “Not,” Raphael shot back quickly as Angelina and Catherine joined them.

  “Was too.”

  “Was not, my brother.”

  “Was…”

  “Hey, what are you two snipping back and forth like children about?” Catherine broke in with a laugh.

  “We were watching you weave your way over here. Abaddon bet you were close to falling,” Raphael adlibbed adroitly, earning Abaddon a warning finger from Catherine. “I of course upheld your sobriety and told him you were not even close to falling down.”

  “Thanks, Raph.” Catherine looked at Abaddon reproachfully. “I am in complete control of my faculties.”

  This statement sent Angelina into another fit of laughter with Abaddon and Raphael looking at her questioningly while Catherine merely looked uneasy. Angelina pointed her finger at Catherine.

  “She…she fell off the toilet.” Angelina collapsed against Abaddon in laughter.

  “You…you promised not to tell!” Catherine angrily smacked Angelina’s shoulder. She folded her arms across her chest, glaring at Abaddon and Raphael as if daring them to laugh. “Your day is coming, little missy.”

  “First…first off, ouch.” Angelina rubbed her shoulder. “It…it’s just you looked so sanctimonious standing there bragging about your control. Get over yourself. Let’s go eat.”

  “Okay,” Catherine agreed, taking Raphael’s arm. “I’m not talking to you again tonight, Sister Angelina.”

  “Can I have that in writing,” Angelina called out as Raphael escorted Catherine toward the restaurant exit. “Hey, Raph, let’s take a limo to the wharf. It will be a comfortable fit for all of us and we won’t have to worry about the Hummer.”

  “I like your idea, Ange, but I doubt more than one of us would be worried about the Hummer.”

  At the entrance to the Mark Hopkins hotel Raphael spotted the concierge they knew.

  “James,” Raphael called out as a flurry of activity with people entering and exiting vehicles flowed in constant motion around the entrance.

  James hurried over to grasp Raphael’s hand.

  “My Lord Raphael, how may I be of service?”

  “Can you acquire a limousine service for us this evening?”

  “Of course,” James answered, taking out his phone and fingering a button on the pad. After a minute talking, James put his phone away. “Ten minutes, my Lord. I asked for one I felt suitable to hold you and your party.”

  “You are the man, my young friend,” Raphael told the beaming concierge. He forced a hundred dollar bill into the protesting James’ hand. “Take it, James, you are worth every penny.”

  “Thank you, my Lord. Call me if you need anything tonight. Here’s my card.”

  “I will.” Raphael pocketed the card. James hurried away to resume his duties.

  “I know what I want to drink when we get down to the wharf,” Catherine said.

  “We’re going to eat, Cat,” Raphael reminded her.

  “I have a great buzz going. This fresh air really woke me up. I’m fine,” Catherine insisted. “Let’s hit some of the little places on the way to the restaurant. I’ll have an Irish Coffee. That way I’ll…”

  “You’ll be a wide awake drunk,” Angelina broke in. “Will you at least pretend to have some control. I…”

  “Please, Ange?” Catherine pleaded comically with her hands clasped in front of her chest.

  “What happened to your promise not to talk to me? Fine, but it’s your funeral. Don’t blame us when you wake up in the morning with the Notre Dame Cathedral Bell going off in your head, hunchbacked over the toilet.”

  “I promise to only sip a couple Irish Coffees,” Catherine stated after pausing for the two Archangels to stop laughing over Angelina’s prediction. “Wow, here’s our ride already.”

  A stretch limousine parked in front of the hotel. James ran around to the driver’s window to point out his night’s fare. After stopping in front of the four companions, the driver exited the vehicle to hurry around the gleaming black limousine. Above average height himself, the stocky blonde haired man looked up at the two Archangels apprehensively.

  “I am Serge,” the driver told them in heavily accented English, absently smoothing the front of his gray suit. “I am at your service.”

  “I’m Raphael and this is my brother Abaddon. The ladies are Catherine and Angelina. We’re very glad to meet you, Serge.” Raphael shook hands with Serge. “We do need your valuable service for the evening.”

  Serge’s face went bl
ank for a moment, his eyes betraying at first confusion and then joy. He gripped Raphael’s hand with both of his, staring up into the Archangel’s face unbelievingly.

  “Wh…where would you like to go?” Serge asked.

  “We’d like you to take us on a tour of the wharf area first,” Angelina spoke up for Raphael, waving a hand in front of the startled driver’s face. “Then we’d like to stop for a drink at a nice bar.”