Angel Tormented (The Louisiangel Series Book 3)

by C. L. Coffey

  “Genius,” Paddy said in a breath. I looked over at her and caught her eye. I could tell that she got it straightaway.

  Cupid was still trying to work out if he liked the aesthetics of it all. “There’s a reason why we wear smart clothing, you know.”

  I didn’t, but after taking to Nyle and Eugene, I could hazard a guess that it had something to do with how seriously people took you depending on what clothing one wore. I took a deep breath and launched into the list of reasons I had come up with as to why this would be better clothing. “I know that the suit is much more flattering, but my main job is to protect Joshua and his boss is a Princes of Darkness. I don’t trust Asmodeus not to put Joshua in a position where his life is in danger, which means I need to be ready for anything he will send my way. You’re the one telling me not to drop my bow because it could mean the difference between life and death, and it’s the same thing here: I’m not as skilled as you or Mi… Raphael,” I explained. “And I’m still trying to improve my recovery time when I’m attacked. If this helps shave seconds off it, that’s seconds I have to get between something with ill intent and Joshua.”

  Cupid studied my face for a long moment then looked back at the jeans. “I just don’t like the pockets,” he muttered, scratching his head.

  “They’re the best bit,” I exclaimed. Aside from the back pockets Joshua had taken a liking to, the jeans were more like a pair of cargo pants with several pockets and zippers. “These aren’t pockets. These hold the flexible Kevlar plating,” I said, unzipping one of the pockets on my knees and pulling a thin sheet out to hand to Cupid. “Kevlar is what is used to make bullet proof vests. I get that the Fallen aren’t into guns, but these are biker jeans, so they’re designed to help protect in the event of an accident, like when your body is hurtling across asphalt. But this one is my favorite pocket.” I crouched down and unzipped the one just to the side of my right knee. From the pocket, I pulled out my sword in its dagger form. “I can’t really be carrying either the sword, or dagger, in plain sight, but this is a perfect location to hide it because the pocket is big enough that I can get it out easily, and the boot will hold it in place. Plus, it’s not that different from what Gabriel wears…” I trailed off.

  Paddy, just behind Cupid, was signaling for me to be quiet. I was rambling now, so I did as she suggested, and waited patiently for Cupid to make his decision. His attention had gone back to the Kevlar, and finally he handed it back. “Do they come in any other color?” he asked, finally.

  “Black and denim,” I replied. “That’s all I saw, anyway, but I could check?”

  “Well, they’re not completely hideous,” he sighed. “Just promise me I can come with you next time. I’m so bored of looking at figures, I would love to get out and go shopping.”

  “That’s the beauty of the internet!” Paddy exclaimed, after sending a nod at me: I’d obtained Cupid’s approval. “You can even shop online.”

  Cupid’s face contorted in disgust. “Why would you shop online?” he demanded, turning back to Paddy. “Why would you take the fun away of touching the fabric, and seeing the colors, or how the material falls on you?”

  Paddy held her hands up, chortling. “Okay, maybe not internet shopping. I’ll come back and explain this to you another time.” She gathered up her laptop, but paused before leaving. “Tomorrow morning?” she asked me.

  “Definitely,” I responded. Cupid waited until Paddy had left before tilting his head at me. “She offered to continue to train me in Raphael’s absence.”

  Guilt flooded Cupid’s brown eyes. “I haven’t been any good at that either,” he sighed, slumping onto the couch. “Trying to work out what Michael was doing with this House is not a good enough reason for our practice sessions to drop off. We should start those up again,” he declared. “Paddy and I can alternate days, and we can work the sessions around when you need to be with Joshua. I agree that him working under Asmodeus isn’t the safest of places he could be, which I suppose means we need to know his work roster.”

  I nodded, gratefully. I had been doing some archery by myself, and I had certainly improved, but I still had much to learn. “Why are you trying to work out what Michael did with the House?” I asked, sitting down on the opposite couch to him. “Didn’t he tell you anything?”

  “He tried,” Cupid admitted, scratching behind his ear. “I just wasn’t interested. I didn’t want to run a House, and I didn’t think I would ever have to.” He leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees and rubbed at his temples. “I think I understand what Michael was doing for the most part now.”

  “Do you want me to help?” I asked.

  Cupid raised his head and nodded. “Yes. That’s why I moved us down here,” he pursed his lips. “I can’t work in Michael’s room, and I don’t want to move into his bedroom. I moved the office down here, but you’re welcome to take his as your own if you like?”

  I shook my head. “I still see it as Michael’s room too,” I told him. “It wouldn’t feel right, and it’s not like we’re lacking the space.”

  “Good,” Cupid sighed, the relief evident in his voice. “I know this isn’t something either of us wanted, and I think we need to do what we have to – to make it work for us.”

  “I’m so glad you said that,” I told him. “Because I have a few ideas myself.”

  “What were you thinking?”

  “I think we need to reassess our opinions of the angels,” I started. “I think we’ve been too hard on them, and I think they’re capable of doing more than they are doing.”

  Cupid cocked his head and pulled a face. “You mean the mindless airheads?”

  “Yes, and that’s the kind of opinion we need to rethink,” I said. “I don’t think they are mindless airheads. I just don’t think they’ve been given any opportunity to prove that they’re any different.”

  “Have you met them?” Cupid asked, snorting.

  “I have. Have you?” I retorted. “They’re not idiots. I think they’ve just been conditioned to think that they are. I think, given half a chance, they could make good guardians.”

  “I’m going to stop you there,” Cupid said, shaking his head. “You asked me to tell you when there were certain rules, and that’s one of them. Whether I agree with you or not, changing an angel’s role is not anything you or I have the power to do. That’s something only Grace can do. What you’re suggesting is what the cherubim wanted, and look where they are now. I can’t afford to lose the angels, and I can’t afford to lose you.”

  “But the cherubim didn’t fall. They left through their own choice,” I pointed out.

  Cupid’s expression darkened. “Angel, you asked me to tell you when there were rules, and these are the rules.”

  “I get that, but the rules also included telling no-one who we are, and you showed your wings to Leon. You’re still here in your entire archangel mighty,” I added.

  “The answer is no,” Cupid snapped, sounding eerily like Michael.

  “Okay,” I said, chewing at my lip. “Well, could we at least consider self-defense?” I asked. “And hear me out,” I added, before Cupid could comment. “Self-defense, as in, defending themselves, not others. New Orleans has two Princes’ of Darkness, which we know about. I don’t think it’s safe for the angels to be traveling around the city without the basic knowledge of how to get away.”

  I could see Cupid considering it. “You wouldn’t get the angels to agree. They’re too lazy.”

  “I think you’d be surprised,” I said. “But does that mean that’s an acceptable compromise?”

  “If you can convince the angels to learn self-defense, then I don’t think that will be a problem, but to be clear, they will not be armed.”

  “Okay,” I conceded. I was hoping a sword would have been acceptable, considering the Fallen were likely to be carrying weapons.

  “But I still don’t think they’ll do it,” Cupid shrugged.

  “How would you feel about a small change
to their uniforms?” I asked.

  “Don’t push your luck,” Cupid sighed. “It makes sense for you to change, but not them. They need to look smart.”

  I wanted to push my luck: the angels had been doing their job for so long now that they had to have built up relationships with the people they were visiting, and hadn’t Michael once said that the people who worked in the Sacré Cœur recognized us for what we were? Surely that had to extend to the other churches? I didn’t push it though. I had won two battles tonight, and that was enough for now. Maybe once I could show Cupid how well the angels were learning the self-defense, I would have more of an argument for the change in their uniform. Plus, by then, maybe I could understand what the rules actually were, because I was still getting differing information here.

  I tuned back into what Cupid was telling me – utilities – and sighed, reaching for the notebook. Surely, balancing a checkbook was a better start?

  * * *

  The paperwork-induced headache I’d gone to bed with had mercifully gone when I had woken up the following morning. I dressed quickly and hurried down to the kitchen, surprised to see my aunt in there with Eugene. “Isn’t it a little early?” I asked. I knew my aunt was an early riser, but I was capable of pulling the cereal boxes out, and we didn’t normally take care of the other meals until after breakfast.

  “We’re going to do puff pastry,” Eugene said, his eyes lit up in excitement.

  “That requires being in the kitchen before the sun’s up?” I asked, dubiously.

  “Layers,” Eugene exclaimed. “You have to keep it cold and have plenty of layers.”

  “We’re making salmon en croute,” Sarah elaborated. “For thirty. We wanted to get a head start because there are other things to be done.”

  I couldn’t help but stare at Eugene. Last night he had seemed so despondent that I couldn’t help but be surprised at his new-found excitement for pastry. Oh well – each to their own. “I’ll just get breakfast sorted then,” I announced, leaving the pair to start gathering up the ingredients they needed.

  Once the breakfast was out, I waited for Nyle to appear. As soon as he sat down, I grabbed a cup of coffee and a bowl of cornflakes and hurried over, taking a seat opposite him before another angel could. The angel gave me a scowl and sat down next to me, but I ignored him and turned my attention to Nyle. “I got Cupid to agree.”

  “Agree to what?” he asked in confusion.

  “What we were talking about last night: fighting?” I prompted. “You know, you guys learning to self-defense?”

  “I’m not sure it’s a good idea,” Nyle quickly responded.

  I glanced around the table at the horrified expressions the angels shared and frowned. “That’s not what you said last night.”

  “I didn’t think you’d get approval,” Nyle muttered.

  “Look, you’re not allowed to use weapons, and it is only self-defense, but why the sudden change in heart? Surely knowing how to protect yourselves is a good thing?” I asked, still confused.

  “It’s not our jobs,” he said, finally. “We just deliver messages.”

  I stared at him and then shook my head. Much to the table’s further mortification, I stood on my chair and cupped my hands around my mouth. “Hey!” I yelled. “Could I have your attention?” The room fell silent as the angels gaped at me in a mixture of confusion and annoyance. “I just wanted to say that as of this morning, I will be offering self-defense lessons to any angel who wants them,” I announced. “You’re not required to come, but considering the amount of fallen angels in the city, I wanted you all to have the opportunity to learn to protect yourselves.” I paused, but the room remained silent. I guess I was hoping there would be some form of positive response, but I could barely get an acknowledgement out of them. “Like I said, it’s not compulsory, but for those of you interested, please be in the gym at ten o’clock.”

  I sank to my seat, my face hot, and found Nyle staring at me in disbelief. “Why would you do that?”

  “Apparently because I think your lives are worth more than you do,” I declared, my voice still carrying around the abnormally quiet room. I gathered up my untouched breakfast and left the table, dumping my things at the hatch, and leaving the angels to undoubtedly talk about me.

  I made my way to the gym, making a quick detour to the armory to collect my sword, and found Paddy already waiting for me. Her long red hair was pulled back into a thick braid, and she was wearing sweats and a vest-top like me. “Nice speech.”

  “You heard it?”

  She nodded. I hadn’t even noticed her in the dining hall, but she was the shortest person in the convent by at least a foot, so maybe she had been behind an angel and out of my line of sight. “I think it’s a great idea. When Raphael and I eventually return to Ireland, I’ll suggest we do the same in our House. New Orleans has clearly had Asmodeus and Beelzebub here for some time, despite Michael’s presence, and while I hope that we haven’t missed one of the Fallen moving to Dublin, I don’t think we can rule that out anymore.”

  That was surprisingly reassuring. “Thank you.”

  “So the last time you were with Raphael you were working on recoveries. I was going to pick up there, or is there something else you wanted to focus on?”

  My heart sank. Recoveries was another term for Raphael throwing me around the room – something which certainly didn’t hold much appeal – but as Valac had proven, something I certainly had room to improve on. “That’s fine,” I said, trying to sound a little more enthusiastic. “But could we work in an attack?” I asked, surprising myself with my own request. Sure I was getting the basics of picking myself up and blocking an attack, but I’d not had much practice at fighting back.

  Paddy’s smile turned into a grin I didn’t like the look of. “Not a problem.”

  I had a horrible feeling I was going to be aching more than if Raphael had been here.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Non Sum Qualis Eram

  I was right. Less than three hours later and all I wanted was to soak in a hot bath. I was picking myself up from the floor for the umpteenth time when Joshua appeared, right on time. “Do I need to be worried?” he asked, watching as Paddy helped me up off the floor.

  “Quite the opposite,” Paddy assured him. “Failing just means that you’re learning.”

  “I’m hoping that means I’m improving,” I groaned, dusting myself off. I certainly felt like I was. My reaction time was getting faster, and I’d just about mastered drawing my dagger from my trousers mid-air, and landing with my sword ready to block an attack. I’d even managed a few attacks and parries. Paddy had claimed she wasn’t as good as Raphael, but I’m sure the only advantage he had was that he was faster.

  “Improving, definitely,” Paddy nodded.

  “But?” I sighed.

  She shrugged. “I’m not a fallen angel.”

  I blew out a long breath. That was true: Paddy, like Raphael, would keep repeating the same moves over and over, and they were sinking in. She might not be a fallen angel, and I certainly wasn’t an expert fighter, but with every move I mastered, the better I could look after Joshua, even if that was just long enough for him to run away.

  I looked over at him, remembering that Paddy was still in the room and launching myself at him was not appropriate. He was in a pair of shorts and a t-shirt – dressed in something comfortable, as I’d requested. He smiled when he caught me looking. “Now what do you need me here for?”

  I sheathed the sword and sauntered over, giving Joshua a wide smile. “Joshua.”

  He tilted his head and arched an eyebrow. “I’m sure you’re trying to be all sweet and innocent, but you kinda look a little crazy.”

  Behind me, Paddy snorted. I looked back at her and shot her a withering glare. Then I turned my attention back to Joshua and toned the smile down. “I offered the angels a self-defense class, I mean they’re out in the city, unarmed, while the Fallen are running around causing trouble.”
/>   “Okay,” said Joshua, drawing out the word, and then his eyes widened. “You offered them a self-defense class run by me?”

  “No!” I quickly disagreed. “I have every intention of running it. I just don’t really know much about self-defense and I was hoping you could help out,” I added, looking up at him with what I hoped was a much more ‘sweet and innocent’ expression.

  He shook his head. “That one’s no better.”

  I looked helplessly at Paddy, but she merely held her hands up. “Don’t drag me into this one. I’m going for a shower and then I’m coming back with popcorn,” she laughed, disappearing from the room.

  “You know, puppy dog eyes do work on me, but that,” he walked over, waving his finger around my face. “You need to work on that, darlin’.” I snapped my hand out, grabbing his finger. With a quick check over my shoulder to make sure Paddy had definitely left the room, I tugged him to me. I stood on my toes and kissed him. Joshua pulled his finger free, and wrapped his arms around my waist. As his hands suddenly went lower, seeking out my back pockets, I couldn’t help but laugh, pulling away. He was smirking, but he didn’t look the slightest bit embarrassed. “Mine,” he shrugged.

  “Yours,” I agreed, my voice barely above a whisper. I sighed and leaned forward, resting my cheek against Joshua’s chest. We only had a few more minutes before the angels would start arriving.

  “I’ll help,” Joshua said into my hair, as though he could read my mind.

  I reached up and kissed him one last time, before reluctantly pulling away. “Thank you. Hopefully you won’t have to do much.”

  ‘Much’ equated to nothing. Not a single angel showed up. “I don’t believe it,” I muttered. Despite what Nyle had said at breakfast, I had been certain that the conversation last night meant that at least he would have turned up today.

  “You want to give it a few more minutes?” Joshua offered.

  I shook my head. “What’s the point? I’ve already given them twenty. No one is coming.”