by Robin Roseau
We both watched her as she left the office. We waited a moment longer before Evaline asked, "What do you suppose she'll do if you're not out there in five minutes and one second?"
"Come storming back in here. What did you want, Evaline?"
"Friendship."
I stared at her.
"And you should call Marley."
I thought about it. "I'm a little raw. I need a little time."
"All right. I understand that. I also thought perhaps you had questions."
"What did you really want from this, once you realized I hadn't betrayed you?"
"I needed her to sign this agreement in good faith," Evaline said.
"Why didn't you take her like you took Rachel?"
"She's a quarter angel, Teigan. I don't want that kind of attention."
"And Rachel?"
"I want to thank you for that. I didn't know what to do about her."
"You must have encountered this before."
"Not with a friend. A former friend, anyway." She looked away, and I saw a tear form in her eye. I wouldn't have believed a demon could cry, but what did I know about demons.
"You have a lot of friends, Evaline."
"They're damaged. Even you're damaged."
"Everyone is damaged."
"Rachel wasn't. She was pure." She turned to me. "Do you know what demons are?"
"No."
"If you go back far enough, we're the byproduct of devils and humans."
"Seriously?"
"And do you know what a devil is?" I shook my head. "Fallen angels, Teigan."
I considered what she said for a while. "I still don't understand."
"I haven't lied to you, Teigan, but I haven't told you everything, either. Rachel and I weren't only friends. We became lovers. And she didn't guess I was a demon. I told her."
"Which came first?"
"We'd been lovers since not long after we met."
"And why did you tell her?"
"She told me she loved me, Teigan." She brushed the tear away. "No one like her has ever told me she loved me. Teigan, if someone like her, someone that pure, can love me after knowing who I am, and she loves me from that moment until the day she dies, then she can petition God."
"Petition God for what."
"To let me ascend."
"Oh, Evaline," I said.
"That's not why I did any of it. I have to come to it unselfishly. I'm not sure I am completely unselfish. Who is?" She grew quiet for a minute. "We were friends, and then lovers and friends. And then she told me she loved me, and I knew I loved her. And so I told her. I showed her."
I didn't say anything.
She turned to me. "I still love her. But I'm a demon at heart. I can't suffer betrayal like that and not have retribution of some sort. But if you ever find a way to pay off the rest of her sentence, please come to me. I'll free her if you find a way to pay for her that I can accept."
I nodded. "Do you want me to tell Beth any of this?"
"No. Ms. Brewer and I could never be friends, and I will not let her buy off her cousin's sentence. I'd let you, but I can't think of a price I'm willing to let you offer."
I nodded again. "All right."
"So, please. May I call you a friend, Teigan?"
I thought carefully. "I'd like that. But give me a little time."
"There's another charity event next month. Is that enough time?"
I laughed. "Let me think about it."
"I'll call you next week with the details. You better go now, before Ms. Brewer makes a stormy reappearance. Have a coke and then come back. I'll have made arrangements by then. Are you coming with us?"
"Yes," I said. "Will I be hooded?"
"I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it." We both stood. I turned for the door but then turned around and pulled the demon into my arms. We hugged tightly.
* * * *
Beth and I waited quietly. We were in a library this time, with floor to ceiling books on every wall and several comfortable-looking sofas and chairs to lounge in. We didn't talk.
Then the door opened, and we both stood. Evaline strode in with Rachel following behind her. Rachel was dressed in a plain skirt, white blouse, and sweater. She was barefoot, and her head was lowered as she meekly followed Evaline. Evaline gestured, and three of us took seats, Evaline and I on chairs and Beth on the sofa. Rachel lowered herself to her knees and bowed her head at Evaline's feet.
Beth saw this, and her lips tightened, but she didn't say a word.
"Rachel," Evaline said. "Your cousin has come to visit. You may sit on the sofa with her. She wishes to speak with you."
"Make her go away," Rachel said quietly. "Please, Mistress. Make her go away."
"I can't do that, Rachel," Evaline replied. "She and I have come to an agreement, and this is part of the agreement. Get up and sit on the sofa next to her."
Rachel obeyed immediately. After experiencing Evaline's control over me, I wasn't surprised.
But Evaline turned to me. "I leave her free will. She obeys me because she wants to, not because I control her soul."
"If I'm good," Rachel said softly, "My Mistress gives me extra privileges."
"What sort of privileges?" I asked.
"She brings me here and lets me pick books to read," Rachel said.
"Is that why you obey her?"
"No. I obey her because I must serve my punishment. I can't begin my penance without my punishment first."
"Rachel," said Evaline. "Your cousin, Elisabeth, and Teigan have helped me to help you. Do you want to know how they did that?" The girl nodded. "They helped me decide about your punishment. And your cousin bought your soul back from me, but only when your punishment is over."
Rachel looked up at that, and I saw hope. Tears began to flow from her cheeks. "I won't go to hell?"
"No," Evaline said. "I told you before that you weren't going to hell, but Elisabeth and Teigan have helped to make sure."
"But-" She looked around a little wildly. "Part of my punishment is begging you to feed from me. If a demon feeds from me, isn't she eating my soul and taking it to hell?"
"No, Rachel. I don't eat your soul. I told you that, too."
She looked down. "Demons lie. That's what Father Alexander always said. Demons lie."
Beth looked at Evaline. "Will you be hurt if I show my aspect?"
"No," Evaline said with a shake of her head.
"Rachel, look at me." She turned Rachel towards her. Rachel turned her head, but she kept her eyes lowered. "Really look at me, Rachel." And then after a moment, Beth began to glow, brighter and brighter. And then I saw what looked like the ghost of angel wings spread out behind her. There weren't real wings, but they were there nevertheless, shimmering behind her. Then it faded, and Beth looked tired.
"An angel?" Rachel said. "Are you an angel, Beth?"
"A quarter angel," Beth said. "Only a quarter. But do you know what that means?"
Rachel shook her head.
"It means I can't lie to you. And it also means I can tell when someone has a pure soul." She turned to Evaline. "Give it back. Give her soul back."
"Look more closely," Evaline said. "I can take it. I can claim it, because she betrayed me. But I haven't taken it."
And so Beth looked closely at her cousin, and she inhaled deeply.
"Your soul is there, Rachel. And it is stained. The last time I saw you, it was pure white. But now it is stained with your guilt. But it is not stained like it would if you were going to hell. I cannot free you from the demon, but she has vowed to release you in due time. And once she has, you will have paid for betraying her. You did betray her, didn't you?"
"Yes." Rachel began to cry. "I'm so sorry." She looked over at Evaline. "I loved her. But she's a demon." She looked back at Beth. "My soul is stained because I loved a demon."
"No. Your soul is stained because you betrayed a friend." She looked over at Evaline, and her tone changed. "And while she is not physica
lly hurt, somehow your betrayal was worse than someone else's might have been." Evaline nodded, just once.
"It's because she loved me, too, and I destroyed that love," Rachel said. She turned to Evaline. "I must be punished."
Beth turned Rachel back to face her again. "But the important part, Rachel, is that in the end, you're going to be okay. I'm going to come to visit you, not often, but often enough. And one day you'll be free, and you'll come home, and maybe your soul won't be as pure as it once was, but it will be more pure than most."
"Even if I let a demon feed from me."
"Even if you let this demon feed from you," Beth said. "I don't know if you should let any other demons feed from you."
At that, Rachel nodded and then threw herself into her cousin's arms.
We let her cry for a while. Then Evaline said gently, "I believe that settles one portion of our agreement." And over Rachel's shoulder, Beth nodded.
"We'll let them talk," Evaline said, getting to her feet. I rose as well, accepted the hood, and allowed her to take me elsewhere.
Time
Time passed.
I called Marley. Evaline gave me her number. "I'm sorry it's taken so long."
"I am, too," she said. "I'm seeing someone."
"Really?" I asked. "That's great! Anyone I know?"
She laughed. "Yes. She once gave you her phone number on a twenty dollar bill." And so, I laughed with her.
"Is she dating Poppy or Marley?"
"Marley," she said. "But in the bedroom, sometimes Poppy comes out to play."
"Oh, does she?"
"Uh huh. Poppy likes to tie her up."
I laughed again.
"It might not last," Marley said. "She doesn't seem like the kind interested in commitment. But for now, it's good. And the sex is great."
We talked for a little while, then she grew quiet. I thought perhaps it was time to hang up, and so I told her I should let her go.
"Wait," she said. "If it doesn't last..."
"Then you'll call me," I said. "Evaline knows how to reach me."
"I will," she said. "But I have to ask you something else."
"All right."
"Would you let Poppy tie you up? 'Cause Poppy really likes to tie a woman up. But you're a cop. Maybe you can't let go that way."
I laughed. "For Poppy, I could make exceptions."
"Only for Poppy?"
I thought about it carefully. "Maybe for Marley, too."
I could hear her grin. "I'm glad you called, Lacey."
"It's Teigan right now. I'm not sure Lacey really exists."
"Lacey was really funny," Marley replied. "I like women who make me laugh. So Lacey better exist."
"Well, for Marley," I said, "I think Lacey exists. But she isn't an exotic dancer."
She laughed. "That's for darned sure!"
* * * *
Evaline did indeed call to tell me more about the charity event. I didn't tell her, but I reserved the dates while telling her to give me more time to recover from everything. Three days before the night in question, her driver appeared with a garment bag and a message.
"Try it on," said the note. "And then call me."
The dress was stunning and entirely not me. But I called her.
"Please," was her first word to me. "I know I'm asking you to do something that's outside your norm. Please accept my invitation."
"I'm not ready for another night of debauchery with you."
"I don't believe I offered one."
"Oh please. You had expectations."
"I'll deliver you safely home whenever you ask, Teigan. Please say 'yes'."
I looked down at the dress. I looked at my far-from-stylish hair. I looked at my nails, even more ragged than they were normally.
"I can't," I said finally, my voice quiet.
On the other end of the call, she grew still. "Why not, and don't lie to me."
"I just can't."
"Tell me why not."
I didn't answer, so after a good half minute of silence, she said, "I want to play a game."
"Oh, I don't think so."
"Just wait until you hear the rules. I get to make five statements. Each statement will be about your true reason. You will tell me whether I am right or wrong. Each will be closer and closer to the truth. For each one I get wrong, I'll knock one month off Rachel's sentence, but if I zero in on the real reason, and then find a way to solve the problem, you'll attend with me."
"You suck."
"That may be. Are we playing my game?"
"Fine."
"It's not because you don't want to do something with me."
I thought carefully. "I don't want to play this game."
"I presume that means I'm right. Two. It's because you're afraid you'll stand out like a sore thumb."
I sighed. "You suck."
"Two for two. Three. It's due to your appearance."
"What's wrong with my appearance?"
"I love the way you look. You're the one who is self-conscious about it. Right or wrong."
I sighed. "Three for three. But stop."
"Oh, I don't think so."
"You have to get at least one wrong."
"No, I do not."
"Rachel-"
"You agreed to these rules, Teigan. Now be an honorable player."
I sighed. "Fine."
"You probably haven't had your hair done at a proper salon since the last event, and I bet you're biting your nails besides. And you don't know how to do your own makeup."
I didn't respond.
"Four for four?" she verified.
"Yes," I growled.
"It seems like a fairly obvious solution is at hand," she said. "You only need a spa day." She paused. "You're on a cop's salary. You're on a cop's schedule." She paused for a moment. "It's one of the two."
"Maybe it is. Maybe it isn't. But you have to pick one."
She laughed. "No, I don't. I only need to present a solution to the problem. We're going to the spa together on Friday afternoon. I'll be there at two. My treat."
"And work? I have a job, you know. I can't take time off with three days notice."
"And so I will pull strings. One call to the mayor should handle it, don't you think?"
"You can't call the mayor and ask her to let me have the afternoon off!"
"I certainly can," she said.
"That's as bad as if my mommy called in sick for me."
"Not if I tell her you're using your job as an excuse to not see me and ask her to remove the impediment for me."
"Evaline..."
"Hang up now. I have to call the mayor. I'll see you Friday."
I sighed. "I already took the day off."
She began laughing. "This was about money?"
I didn't say anything.
"Come on, Teigan. You're going to let money get in our way? Seriously?"
"I had to put new tires on my car," I said. "And I need a new roof on the house, but I'm praying it makes it until next year, because I can't afford to do it this year."
She grew still. Then she said quietly, "If you need money, Teigan."
"I'm not asking you for money."
"I wasn't going to suggest that. I was going to suggest there are good tips in dancing."
I paused for a moment then began laughing.
"Should we add you to the schedule for ladies' night?"
"No."
"I'll let you pick the music."
"No."
"But I get to pick your costumes. I guarantee you'll make more money if you let me dress you."
"That was a one-time deal."
"We'll see," she said. "Friday at two."
"The gown is stunning," I admitted. "And so not me."
"It's entirely Lacey, though," she said with a laugh.
"And you're Cagney?"
"Oh, please," she replied. "Friday at two."
"Friday at two," I agreed.
* * * *
I had an amazing tim
e. But I didn't let her take me back to her place afterwards. Instead, she delivered me home.
Then we sat together in my living room, talking until late. The eventual kiss goodnight was warm and sweet.
* * * *
Life continued. At work, I took on new cases. I solved some. I didn't solve others. That was the way of police work.
Marley's new girlfriend must not have been so afraid of commitment after all. Evaline told me they had moved in together, and shortly afterwards, a ring appeared on Marley's left hand. I felt a loss, as I thought I had missed an important opportunity.
Evaline and I were at lunch at the time -- at a sushi restaurant, no less. I had asked her to take me to her favorite.
"What's wrong?" She asked perhaps five minutes later. "You're monosyllabic."
"Nothing," I said.
"Sorry, that was two syllables," Evaline said with a quick smile. "Tell me, Teigan." Then she paused. "Oh. Marley."
I sighed and nodded. "You're too perceptive. I'm out for lunch with you and sad because I missed an opportunity with her."
"Well, I admit that I would have been pleased if the two of you had found love with each other, I think Aggie is a better fit for her."
I looked away, unsure if I wanted to hear how I'd have been bad for Marley.
"Hey. Look at me."
"No."
"After what we've been through, I would think there are two words we can use about each other."
At that I turned to face her. "What words?"
"Honesty and trust."
I sighed. "Fine. What?"
"You're a protector."
"And there's something wrong with that?"
"No. And Marley would be happy to let you protect her. You would keep her warm and safe. And that would be a good thing."
"So?"
"And she would stay where she feels safe. She would stay Marley. But she desperately wants to be Poppy. Oh, not all the time. But sometimes. With you, she would never need to be Poppy. You would be Poppy for her. She'd be safe and happy. But Aggie doesn't protect her, and so she takes more risks. Being Poppy is a risk." Evaline gestured with her hand, the gesture meaning little but to punctuate her comments. "Do you understand?"
"I don't know." I looked away again. "With children, if they are over-protected, they don't learn to protect themselves."
"Right. And some protection is good. But you can't keep a child in a big hamster bubble their entire lives. You have to let them fall."