An Angel's Ascent

by Christina Worrell

  “If they’re easy, then we wouldn’t need to do this,” Raven replied. She was the serious one of the bunch. Don’t get me wrong, she could party as hard as the rest of us and get as silly as a three-year old when the mood suited her.

  “So now what?” Alisa asked, stretching her legs. She was the one who waited for the next thrill, optimistic that she’d come out on top every time. She soaked danger up and relished it, like a cat does catnip, for crying out loud. She was losing her frigging mind; I thought sometimes.

  “I got work in the morning, so I’m going home to bed,” I told the others. Responsibility was a bitch sometimes. I wasn’t really in the mood to party any ways. I was looking forward to finishing a book I started last week. I was such a book worm. I owned literally, in my apartment not the store, over two thousand books. Hell in the last year I’d read and gifted twice that much to various people or sold from the bookstore.

  “Want us to walk you home?” Simone asked. Impatient or not I was a Wiccan sister, and she would always put that first. Our bond as a coven was unbreakable, or so I hoped.

  “I’m only three blocks away. It’s out of your way. I’ll be fine. There’s no point in you walking all that way,” I said. They knew I was the roughest, toughest of us and could hold my own in nearly any situation, well any normal situation that was. Hell, they had no self-esteem issues about me going head first into any fight. They knew they were my backup. I know that sounds conceited, but it’s the truth. We knew our individual jobs and we did them well.

  Simone was staying the night with Raven and Alisa. Otherwise she and I’d have walked together. The girls wanted to start hanging out together, as friends. I didn’t get close to people. It was hard for me to. It took years of building trust. This was something that I refused to give on.

  “If you’re sure you want to do this Angel... Call us if you need us,” Raven replied uncertainly. She smiled at me making sure I really was cool with it.

  “I will, night,” I said smiling back, and watching them turn to leave. If I called anyone friend, it was Alisa, Simone, and Michael. Raven would be my best, if I had to call her anything, or a true sister, not by blood but by love.

  I wasn’t worried about them. They were only a block from the duplex and there was no ozone chemical smell.

  I waved and headed back to my house. It was after nine and too late for me to socialize any way, business came first. I never regretted it either. I missed my old life, but never regretted what it had become.

  Not even a block away I began to hear footsteps echoing mine. I ignored them hoping they would either go away, or I’d be home before they caught up. It was a small town so kidnappings didn’t happen much, but it had entertainment that most small towns didn’t, clubs and bars and such. I had no idea why, but it did, which brought the nightlife.

  My pursuer sped up, and at this rate would catch me before the block ended. I sped up myself and reached the next streetlight before I turned to face them. It was hard to see, but I could make out a vague outline. Shit… why tonight? Why could I not get a break? Maybe Headless Demon had a buddy… a buddy who wanted vengeance on the one who had decapitated our latest corpse. It was probably one of those flesh-eating demons. Eek, I was starting to scare myself.

  I hoped it was one of the girls coming after me as I hurried on. Looking back over my shoulder, I quickly decided it wasn’t. Whoever chased me was insanely feet tall. I turned and rushed to the end of the next block.

  “Angel, wait up!” a familiar male voice called. Huh… the other demon couldn’t know my name? And why was I running. There was only one set of footsteps. I was fully charged and primed so I could take on almost any single demon.

  Confused I turn back around. Sighing with relief, I realized it was only Michael.

  “I thought that was you,” he said. I was going to kill him. I might break Raven’s heart, but I was definitely going to kill him.

  “You scared the hell out of me, you idiot! You don’t chase a girl down a street just to see who it is! I could’ve hurt you!” Damn it, I really could have, silly little me running. I stood a good chance of getting hurt it was true, but only if it was two or more demons or more than two or three guys.

  “Chill out, I just ran into Raven and your other friends and heard you were walking home alone. I’m a bit bigger than you, and I seriously doubt you could hurt a fly.” Was he drunk or high, surely he had noticed by now while helping me lift the stuff in the store that I wasn’t some little teeny cheerleader with noodle arms? Really, it was kind of insulting. Or did he honestly think he was so super strong that I was more or less directing him. Probably, I thought smirking.

  Growling I thanked him. He walked me to my door and waited until I was inside with the alarm set. He had more of a chance getting hurt than me. I guess a good arm wrestling match was in order.

  I grumbled as I made my way upstairs. Thank the gods, I wasn’t old or something. Grateful as I was, it still had been quite scary. I mean how many times does it turn out to be a friend, ask women who have been in my same situation; they'd agree with me. Bad ass as I was, I still knew how bad ass the boogey man could be. I’d be stupid if I didn’t.

  I found a quick snack and checked my phone messages. I called the girls and let them know I made it safely, if you didn’t count shock or near heart attack. I poured myself a glass of wine to soothe my nerves before I checked all my locks and windows. I felt jumpy tonight, for some reason.

  After I took a shower and dressed in warm clothes for the night I snuggled up in my king sized super soft bed. It was getting cold outside. I wouldn’t turn my heat on unless it dropped below freezing though. My comforter was thick and warm. I was still a little nervous, so I jumped up and put on soothing music before I went to sleep. For a Sunday, it was a bit more eventful than usual. Thankfully, sleep came with only the usual nightmares. Some of which are so mortifyingly hellish and bone chilling I can’t possibly describe them.

  CHAPTER TWO

  The next day started the same as any other Monday. I opened my store at seven a.m., as usual. The college student’s order books here sometimes for their classes so I have to be open early unfortunately.

  I boot up my laptop and check all my sites while chugging my energy drink. I’m so addicted.

  I look over my profile on one of my social sites and consider my appearance while I wait for customers. I’m Goth to the core, to start with.

  I’m five feet even, weighing a little over a hundred and have long, dark mahogany, wavy hair. My eyes are a shade of Hazel, but not the way you think. They are purple and bluish green, always changing colors on me. I’m muscular in a very curvy, womanly way, odd for such a petite body. I’ve pushed my body and ate right since the age of seven. I have a very light sprinkle of freckles on my nose and shoulders. Something I’ve always hated, but it’s only the Irish coming out in me.

  If I had to describe myself, I’d say I’m responsible, smart but not a super genius and always eager to learn more. I’m also honest and hardworking, friendly but shielded yet not really too shy, and helpful but not one to go out of my way for a person. The last part sounds a little, what’s the word… oh yeah, lazy, maybe selfish, but I don’t see myself that way because I’m always pushing myself to do better every chance I can. Others say different and Raven will lie. I’m what I am, and if someone doesn’t like me. I say go scr… never mind, you get the point.

  After finding my CD's and adjusting the volume I then play online for an hour or until my first customer.

  I usually start on shop chores then. Boring to most, but being a witch, I like to rearrange my candles, decor, and books. I love all the symbols and smells. The smells, ah that is a subject for another day but let us just say relaxing… the bookkeeping isn't so bad either, when you get used to it.

  It takes me three hours on Saturdays while I’m in the store any ways, in between customers. It’s a lot better than manual labor for sure, and I’m not really a people person, which sounds odd
in this business, by that I mean more like public as in food service. People are just so picky and demanding. Books are not quite as important, and people who love books seem more relaxed to me.

  I have no social life people, sad but true. I use to visit the local clubs, but that was before I opened Faellin Angels Realm, pronounced Fallen. It even has its own website, which is neat. I found that supernatural beings tend to haunt clubs or warehouse parties looking for drunk or drugged unsuspecting women, and having sensed their true identity I wasn't up for being lunch if they got hungry or if a war between good and bad broke out. I learned going in a group was safer. Like I said smart…

  I’ve dated a little, but none of the guys here were my type. One has thought it his dying mission to win me over. Sadly, I think that I’m waiting on my hero from some book to sweep me off my feet. I know that will never happen, but one can hope. Someone mythical maybe, like a vampire. A hero or bad boy who needs to be shown the way back to good, I’m not insane I swear, and you can feel free to laugh. I just feel that I’m waiting for someone special to come along, and if I give in to Mr. Infatuated then I’ll never know. If I grow old alone it’s my own fault I know. I brought it on myself. Geriatric, strange, and batty Angel will be living in a nursing home watching old ass comedies and complaining about the service and lack of respect.

  So yeah, I need to socialize a little but considering I’m not twenty-one yet and have completed some college, have a few black belts, and own the business of my dreams, then I’m doing good, damn good. I’m so not ready for kids, maybe one day. I’m young, so I’m in no hurry. I have a three-bedroom apartment above my store and a nice porch on the roof, so I have very little bills. Surprisingly, the apartment isn't tiny. It has two walk-in closets, a master room and bath, and I turned the dining room into an office. I save the guest rooms for visitors. You never know when one may pop in. You know what I mean, it happens to all of us. Even those of us without family, they find you even if their some long lost distant cousin or in-law from another country. That and Raven uses one about once a month or so.

  Speaking of visitors…

  A fellow witch by the name of Bella strolls in with a huge smile on her face. Ugh, I didn’t want to deal with her emotional roller coaster this early. These were the times I dreaded being an empath. I really needed to work on my shielding.

  “I did it!” she says dancing towards me, happiness and pride slamming into me. Well at least it felt good… so far.

  “Um, did what?” I asked the confusion plain on my face. With her, you never knew, she was one of those who believed the pool was on the top floor, or would buy a seat ticket on a plane to Mars without question.

  “I called forth the power of our ancestors.” She smiled and danced around the store, worrying me just a little. This one was clearly certifiable. Power of our ancestors, I asked myself…

  I stared at her like she has lost her mind, which is the best possibility. I mean IF she could call forth ANY thing I seriously think it’d be a bad idea, especially for her. She’s one of those people that shouldn’t cross the street alone much less play with fireworks aka magic.

  “Remember the book I ordered from you? I’ve been studying it madly. I found a surge in power last night. I did my circle as you showed me, but somehow something still escaped, along with this power… such amazing power. It's like I overdosed on energy pills Angel!” Her giggly optimism was a tad overwhelming. I suddenly imagined cheery, little, teeny boppers.

  Worried I thought about the possibilities. One she may have really done something, or two she just did a major spell, and the side effects are just that amazing. I hear it’s like sex. I do spells all the time, but I’ve never had my clothes off, so I wouldn't know. I was going to go with the latter of the two.

  “Well, um, IF something did come through, then it’s gone. Chances are the power or energy you feel is temporary. That book you ordered is just your basic stuff. I thumbed through it. There shouldn't be anything in it that could, let’s say, open a door or dimension no matter how small. Did you use the salt like I asked?” I always check personally before sending out books. I don’t need more demons running around or something worse. What a nightmare.

  “No, but I thought spells drained your energy; that's what you told me, remember." She sighed with a pouty face. Great I ruined her happy moment.

  “I'd say a majority of spells or magic will drain you, especially if it's a heavy-duty spell. It could kill you. Ones that are tied to an entity though are loaded with their energy. There’re times when you get energy from them. It all depends on whether or not you use your energy or something else’s. And next time, please use salt. It’s the most basic tool in witchcraft for casting protection circles, protecting, or spell ingredients, and easy to obtain and use. It could save your life.” It may not contain much based on the entity's abilities, but it was well worth the time it took to make the circle.

  “So I could have released something?” she asked checking out the new crystals, I’d gotten in my last shipment. These were the real deal. Based on the color or type, they could do different things, like dull pain, heal the spirit, and ward off evil. Sounds silly but I keep one by all my doors and windows and I’ve never had anything evil enter.

  “Well, yes but not from a door. Something that was tied, as you would say, bound to a spell or object. Those entities are usually minor and are no more harmful than a ghost or playful poltergeist. Which I have never seen or felt,” I explained, this was child's magic she knew. Well, a child who has grown up with it as I did.

  “Well I’m going to try it again. I can only do it on a full moon, so I have time. I also need some ingredients. I’ll leave you the list.”

  “Sure thing, I’ll order some more this weekend. I’ll make sure to add yours to my list, Bella. By the way, how is your mother?”

  Bella's mother had moved off and left her alone with her older sister. She was a little loopy, in my opinion. I think she lost it when her old man left her for her neighbor and moved to Mexico. At least, that’s what she claimed. If I had children, I’d like to think I’d put them before myself in nearly every case. Some parents were just selfish and or lazy.

  “I haven't heard from her in two weeks. Sis says soon she’ll call around if she doesn't call us first. Mom’s been visiting different family members.” Her emotions plunged for a moment.

  “I’m sure she is fine. I have a feeling she’s just looking for your dad. He should be helping her take care of you guys. I don’t think it’s your Aunts place to pay your bills. She may have a lot of money, but your dad should be here or send something. My parents are gone, if they were here I know they wouldn't just disappear,” I told her while scanning her list. A few things on it I would substitute because combined they could be mildly dangerous. At least for a witch like Bella, little power, lots of random spur of the moment bad ideas.

  “I know that’s why I got a job last week. I forgot to tell you. Remember that guy who moved to town three weeks ago? Well, he’s single.” She wiggled her eyebrows and smiled like she had a secret she just couldn’t wait to share.

  “This doesn't sound good Bella...” I said, rolling my eyes at her puppy love expression.

  “No silly, he works sixty hours a week and has no one to clean for him and take care of his dog. Sometimes he travels, so I offered to clean and dog sit. He pays me pretty good, nine dollars an hour or fifty a day.” She checked her nails pausing to buff one and showing it off like those women do who think they are just the frigging bomb or something. Remind me why I liked this girl again…

  “That’s good. Just watch out, he’s new to town,” I replied. Bella tended to be naive about things sometimes, like most teenagers. I was always talking her out of various things. Like the three-day trip to Florida with her two new neighbors who had moved in less than two weeks before, or buying some kind of shipment from a door-to-door salesman. She’d not even seen a picture, just took his word for it. Woe for a man who took responsibility
for her. I should probably write up a manual of do’s and don’ts for him, but I’d probably run out of ink halfway through.

  “Yep.”

  I went back to her list. Some of the ingredients would be expensive, even for Miss fifty dollars a day dog sitter. Ha if she only knew how much I made in a single day she’d beg me for a job. Maybe I was being sensitive, but I was right.

  “Bella, this list could get pricey. Since you’re working now I could keep a small tab for you, but I can’t allow you to fall behind. Would you like me to break this down to two orders, maybe three?” I asked, glancing over to where she was checking out the tarot cards.

  “As long as it's here by the next full moon,” she replied.

  “Yep, not a problem,” I said glancing at the window as a large family walked by laughing and having fun. Part of me wanted that.

  “Well I got to go. I promised I’d pay bills and shop.”

  Bella waved and pranced out, all emotions following behind.

  I sighed and decided to take a break. More customers could come in at any time. You learn to take them while you can.

  I decided to grab a drink from my little fridge and finish my email while I had time. Mainly, my coven saying they would either be late or miss our next semiannual meeting.

  Here I should say that my coven is unique. We’re not hung up on practicalities. We’re more of a free coven and basically just check in online. Every now and then we actually met in person. Nowadays, it was hard to get more than five sisters together at the same time. I was also dealing with the demon hunts, which of course were random but still necessary.

  The day was kind of slow, but the weekends near payday were hopping so I wasn't worried. I catered to several types of people so my business went well. If one area was slow, another may be booming. Typically, if you had even a little money, everyone found something here. Incense was five for two dollars and fifty cents. Various types of candles from scented to unscented, twenty or so different shades of colors, and then the pretty décor kind not for burning. All my items started from a dollar and up.