“Anything wrong?” Claire asked
“Oh no, nothing, that’s fine. It might make life easier, if I end up missing the train. A cab back from outside of London would probably cost a fortune.” Michael stood up to stretch his legs and to change his view from Claire's assets.
“Then it’s settled, keep an eye on your inbox. Well it's been lovely but I had best be heading off home now, chores to do, cats to feed, spells to cast…” After a pause Claire added “That last part is a joke by the way.”
“Coming back to the station with me, or would you like to stay here for a while?” Claire asked.
“Do you mind?” Michael felt a little rude, not realising feelings were so easy to read.
“Nah, it’s only a short walk and it's still early yet. Besides I think I’m old enough to take care of myself now,. Claire winked.
“Ok well take care and safe trip home,” Michael said exchanging an awkward half hug with Claire, trying to keep his mind on the big metal ship in front of him and off other big things in his field of view.
“You too. See you on Friday,” Claire replied as she began walking off. Jazen said a hasty goodbye to Jasmine and glared at Michael as he hurried to catch up with Claire. Michael just sighed and sat back down on the bench, feeling very drained.
Jasmine sat down on the bench next to him. She manifested her wings to give them a quick stretch and shake before folding them neatly back behind her again. She looked a little like a parakeet or finch stretching their wings before takeoff, except it was even cuter on an angel.
“Interesting conversation?” Jasmine asked, an edge to her voice.
“A little too interesting." Michael replied slouching on the bench and leaning his head back to look at the sky.
"Claire is a pretty intense and perceptive person. She's invited me for dinner on Friday.” Michael replied slouching on the bench and leaning his head back to look at the sky.
“Well that should be nice, I would watch out for Jazen though. He was glaring daggers at you.”
“Well it's your job to keep him entertained while I’m there. Besides I don’t really intend to do anything apart from have dinner and spend time talking with her,” Michael thought about Jasmine's feelings,“ Besides I don’t really see her in that way…”
Why had he felt the need to add that last bit? It instantly seemed to make Jasmine more relaxed, and the edge he was sensing from her disappeared.
“That’s good; I will do my best to keep the guy off your back. He really is a good and devoted Guardian, he just…”
“Loves her to much?” Michael finished
“Yes…although he really shouldn’t. It’s not our place to love our charges in that way, only to look after them.”
“I wonder why it has to be that way?” Michael asked the sky as he leant back staring.
Jasmine joined him looking up, letting Michael lean his head on her shoulder.
Chapter 5: Unwelcome Developments
It was time to head home. An hour had already passed by without Michael noticing. Again the day had been full of interesting events, although they seemed relaxed compared to the previous day. Was he starting to adapt to all the strange things occurring in his life? After finding out angels were real, anything else seemed a bit tame.
It was so comfortable leaning on Jasmine's wing, Michael didnt really want to move, but it was late afternoon, and getting a little chilly. Did people think it was strange, him sitting with his head leaning on thin air? A child stopped to look for a moment, but no one else had paid him any attention; there were tons of weirdos in London.
Yawning, Michael shifted and got himself to his feet. Jasmine didnt move from the bench, staring up at the sky. Michael couldn’t help but grin at the bright warming smile she wore. A strange thrill ran down his spine as he thought about her, butterflies swarming in his stomach.
Jasmine turned to face Michael, an expression on her face that mirrored his own. Her sparkling eyes lingered on him for a moment, before she held out her hand. Taking the cue, Michael helped her up. Jasmine made a little bounce as she stood, and also de-manifested her wings. She had mentioned to Michael that keeping them released for too long was tiring.
The walk back to Liverpool Street station was filled with an odd silence, a mix of awkwardness and anticipation. Michael tried to start a conversation a few times, but every time the words eluded him and faded on his lips. Jasmine remained deep in thought and didn't speak.
Jazen’s accusation of jealousy also hung in her mind. Such an emotion was not befitting of an angel. In truth, it was this kind of dark feeling that caused the Great War in heaven so long ago.
They arrived at the station just as dusk was starting to settle. Light shone through the huge glass ceiling, casting strange shadows and reflecting off surfaces to form in hazy orange pools.
Michael pushed his way through the throng of commuters finishing off their day, eager to return home for dinner and television. He tried not to pay too much attention to their Guardians. With such a crowd, it would be difficult to single out anyone in need of help and even harder to actually assist without drawing unwelcome attention. He was very tired and weary. It was tempting just to get a cab home again but, with the way things were going in the world, saving the fare was the sensible thing to do.
Jasmine surprised Michael by grabbing his hand. She wore a guilty expression, and Michael could tell something was troubling her. The sudden physical contact surprised him; it felt different from when they had held hands before. This time, it sent an electric jolt up his arm, causing him to snap his head round. The feeling was energizing, and from the expression on Jasmine’s face, she had the same sensation.
Michael made his way out of the station. The bus stop the usual line for the rush hour. He'd walk down to the next stop, where there would likely be a fewer people and less wait to get onto the bus. He was weary but somehow, with Jasmine holding his hand, he felt just that little bit better.
The next stop along the road was no less busy and had a huge line too, but this time of shoppers carrying bags brimming with clothing, DVDs and all sorts. There were even a few tourists sporting geeky union jack baseball caps and carrying souvenirs; Michael had almost totally forgotten there had been a royal wedding recently.
Bored of the repeated bus lines, Michael was tired enough to spend the money on a cab home. He doubled back on himself with Jasmine in tow, cutting through a side street and alley to get to the nearest taxi rank. He avoided returning to the station though. He'd have about as much chance grabbing a cab there as winning the lottery with a baseball card.
The side street was quiet with just a few people packing up storefronts and emptying bins, but the alley was deserted. Jasmine resisted as they walked down it, pulling back on him a little. She leaned closer to whisper to him.
“I have a very bad sense down here, Michael. We should turn back and find another route,”
“It'd take another ten minutes. Come on, we're almost to the end. Besides I've got you to protect me.” Michael felt uneasy. But he felt too tired to give it any thought.
Jasmine had a huge sense of evil as they continued to walk, but guessed as they were halfway through anyway it would be pointless to turn around. She muttered a silent hymn under her breath and stretched her wings one at a time, preparing just in case something happened, but hoping it wouldn’t.
A few metres from the end, a figure blocked their path. It had no clear form, and was only visible as a shimmering humanoid shape of darkness against the light cast into the alley. It made no aggressive moves as they approached, but stood directly in their path, blocking the way. Michael stopped as he felt a sudden cold, the figure blocking their path was most definitely supernatural.
“What the heck is that?” Michael whispered.
“That’s a spectre, it’s another type of lesser demon. They are born of man's petty desires. It's probably why it's being spiteful and blocking us.” Jasmine tugged Michael to turn around.
Michael stepped backwards slowly, keeping his eyes on the shimmering form of darkness before him. It made no move to advance, merely blocking their exit.
Michael continued to back up, but a scream from Jasmine sent him stumbling in surprise, and he lost his footing. Michael fell over and scrambled to stand up. He tried to find something to fetch up against, and quickly glanced at the spectre to check if it had attacked. The creature had not moved. Michael turned to see Jasmine cowering on ground, hands over her head. Behind them stood a man in a dark blue suit and sunglasses.
A sense of danger came from the man, but why? He looked fairly normal apart from wearing sunglasses at dusk. The man was tall, with very pale skin and a strong build. He wore a superior grin that irritated Michael.
“Hello there, are you ok?” The grin never left the man's face.
Michael glanced towards Jasmine, who stood up but still seemed shaky. She was clearly terrified. This man had to be bad news, neither the specter or the imp had affected her so badly in the past. Michael faced the man defiantly, and for the first time noticed the red aura that seemed to surround him.
"Fine, thanks, just a bit startled. We took a wrong turn and need to go back,” Michael answered. An ordinary person wouldn't be able to see Jasmine. If he didn't react to the word we then?
“Oh, well, don’t mind me. I’m just passing through.” The man pushed past Michael, walking towards the spectre.
“You take care of yourself, Michael. Don't let the spectre bother you. He’s just there to keep an eye on things. You had better talk to your angel before she pees herself. We will be seeing you very, very soon.” He disappeared round the corner.
Michael would at that moment have breathed a sigh of relief, but the stranger’s last words were like daggers in his mind. The man knew his name, he knew Jasmine was there and he knew about the spectre. Michael's felt his face drain of colour and his hands go tingly. The stranger could only have been a demon…the “We will be seeing you soon,” what could it have meant? What did this man have planned for him?
***
Around the corner, Garamond stopped and laughed silently. It was funny how the world worked. The very person he'd been watching so intently had walked right above his lair. He'd sensed Michael and couldn't resist the chance to play with him. He had used one of his nearby lackeys to possess. Perhaps he could play with him a little longer. It was not time to put his plans into action yet, but that didn’t mean no fun could be had. He turned to the spectre and raised his right arm, palm flat and facing it.
“Infernus,” Garamond whispered the trigger spell. “Attack them, but do not severely wound either of them.” The spectre shimmered more violently in reply.
He felt like enjoying a night of excess in his possessed body. The brief, but amusing encounter had left him in the mood for some drinking, sex and random petty destruction. He left the Spectre to its fate, content to sense how things played out from a distance.
***
Jasmine recovered her senses just in time to see Michael rushed by the Spectre. Within the dark shimmering mass, two angry red glows sat roughly where its eyes should have been. She knocked Michael to the ground just before the creature rushed over, leaving an ice cold wind in it’s wake. Small puddles of water froze in the alley around them and Michael’s breath misted in the air.
It was the second time now she had nearly failed her charge by focusing on her own emotions. She was not supposed to feel fear like that, but what simple Guardian could stand against one of the infernal scourge’s? It had to be Garamond or one of his most powerful minions. She kicked herself mentally, and promised to return on high. She needed to find a way to overcome how she had been feeling. She needed to regain her focus.
“Who the hell was that guy, and why is that thing attacking us now? I thought it wasn’t dangerous unless hungry?”
“That guy we can talk about later. The spectre has been commanded to attack us, and we need to get into some light." Jasmine helped Michael to his feet and urged him into a run.
The Spectre had turned and was making ready for another pass, Jasmine felt angry red eyes boring into her as she ran. They reached the end of the alley as it rushed at them. Jasmine pulled Michael down at the last moment, but the Spectre grazed him, and ice formed over his right shoulder. Michael grimaced in pain.
The sun was low on the horizon now, the street lights had come on. The side street they had emerged on was almost deserted, with only a couple of store holders packing up inside their shops.
The Spectre was lining up for another attack. Jasmine pushed Michael under a street light and stood directly in front of him. She still held onto his hand tightly.
It moved towards them more slowly this time. It surrounded the patch of light cast by the street lamp, enveloping Jasmine in darkness. Multiple angry red eyes bored into them from all sides as she stood defiantly with Michael up against the street lamp. Jasmine shut her eyes and looked up directly into the overhead light as she recited:
“Darkness of spirit
Darkness born of desire
Go now diminish
Burn in purest fire.”
The Spectre faded slightly, but came back stronger. The darkness reformed and pushed up against the light cast by the street lamp. The lamp flickered, Was the bulb about to burn out? Jasmine repeated the verse with similar temporary effect. Michael, to Jasmine's suprise, took her other hand, and began repeating her words, whispering it as she sang.
“Darkness of spirit
Darkness born of desire
Go now, diminish
Burn in Heaven's purest fire.”
The extra word came naturally and without prompting. Having Michael recite the verse with her had made her add it without even thinking. The result was miraculous, a blinding flash of light as the bulb burnt out and exploded. Thousands of tiny, incandescent sparks showered over the darkness surrounding them. Each spark ignited on the Spectre and burst into a tiny flame. The small flames joined into a pyre, banishing the Spectre into the pit.
Jasmine breathed a sigh of relief, there was nothing around them but paving stones and a few lazy pigeons. No one seemed to have noticed, or the store holders were ignoring them thinking they were lunatics.
Jasmine turned to Michael and before she could think her lips met his. Her whole body felt hot and her emotions became a confused mess making Jasmine feel dizzy. It all happened so fast, she barely had time to realise what she had done. She quickly pulled away looking shocked at herself.
“Uh...can we forget that happened?”
Michael simply nodded in reply. Jasmine knew he wouldn't forget it, but hoped he would at least not bring it up with her.
Jasmine praised the Symphony that she had chosen to be Michael’s Guardian. He was special, and not just in the way all humans were. There was something about him no other mortal could claim. Somehow, he could sing with her and boost her abilities. Who knew what he might be capable of in the future? It wasn't all roses however; Garamond seemed to be showing an interest and, the Spectres attack only suggested more danger in the future. Jasmine decided she would have to return on high as soon as she could for guidance.
“Let’s get home." Michael said disturbing Jasmine’s chain of thought. "It’s getting late and, after this day, I could really use a strong drink and a good night's sleep.”
“Sure let’s get out of here!” They headed off to find a taxi home.
***
Garamond had sensed the Spectre’s demise even from the early-opening gentlemen's club, where two women sat indulging him with drink and something a bit more adult. The lesser demons destruction had been inevitable, but to sense the mortal's power in action had been positively delicious. He would be a very strong asset when turned.
“Almost time, Michael my friend. Just wait a little longer.”
“Sorry hun?” One of the women leaned up.
> “Shut up and carry on, I wasn’t talking to you.”
Garamond said through his possessed body’s voice, enhancing its depth and strength. The woman shrugged and got back to her business. Garamond ignored how she dipped her fingers into his wallet and lifted some money in response.
Garamond shut his eyes and leaned back, starting an atonal hum through his borrowed body's voice box. the two women around him both winced as the sound shot straight through their brains. They jerked upright in an instant, faces masks of fear and began shaking violently.
Bat-like wings sprouted from the two serving girl's backs, elegantly curved horns pushing through the skin of their foreheads. A baleful glow lit up blue eyes even as a whipcord thin tail emerged just above an elegantly formed behind. One of the girls saw Garamond’s half-nakedness and plunged down to resume her previous business. The other crept towards him, purring like a cat and grinning widely to show a mouth full of serrated teeth.
“Hello succubi. I’m glad see you,”
“Garamonnnd, it feels like years since we saw you." The purring woman said pouting lips the colour of blood.
"You always summon our sisters and never us. We were feeling neglected.”
“It’s because you two are very special to me. I could never use you in the way I use your sisters.” Garamond felt a trickle of blood run from below; the other sister had finished her ministrations. Hopefully she hadn’t damaged his host too badly. The security guard was useful and very discreet...and utterly corrupt of soul.
Guardian Angel Page 9