The Shadress (MCD x Reader)

Ch. 13- Fallen Angels

With a carefully crafted grace, I sat myself in the armchair across the room from our lord. Garroth, opting to stand next to Aphmau, was currently leaning in to whisper something to her. I don't hear their words due to some spells I have put on my house for privacy and secrecy. Laurence sits on the edge of the couch closest to her and Katelyn sits closest to me.

The options are the most optimal for everyone, and I can readily tell they must've discussed this, whether to Aphmau's knowledge or not.

As the pair across from me finished, I could tell that Aphmau seemed surprised; her eyes were glazed over and unfocused on the vase of flowers on my coffee table: white roses and purple hyacinths.

"Welcome to my home. Apologies that I do not have any beverages prepared. You could say I was caught off guard by this impromptu meeting." I cross my right leg over my left and set my hands on my lap, relaxed and non-threatening.

The air is tense but somehow still light. They don't have anything to accuse me of, I'm sure, but they must have found something they assume is troubling.

"You were the one to suggest we look into Irene's Fallen Angel." Katelyn starts us off with a question disguised as a statement.

I smile at her, look down for a moment, and then push my hair behind my ears before responding, "I am."

"Then why didn't you tell us there were more?" Laurence crosses his arms and leans into the cushions of my expensive fabric furniture.

I hum.

"Emmalyn - our scholar and librarian - found several instances throughout history where Irene had a fallen angel. Two actually," Aphmau explained.

Ah.

"I'm beginning to suspect that you have more you are hiding." Aphmau frowned at her own words. I wonder what made her think I told her everything. "You said you were the only one who has been alive as long as Irene, but you lied, considering the descriptions of the two individuals were the same through every account."

Before I can even ponder how to respond to that, Katelyn snorts a laugh. "No, she didn't." I raise an eyebrow at where this is going.

"But she said-"

"At first she said that, yes." Katelyn leans forward, bracing her arms against her knees. "But after a certain someone came to Phoenix Drop that changed, didn't it?"

It was a taunt, directed at me despite her looking at Lady Aphmau. I chuckle. "It did. My brother, if you'll recall, has been alive at least a hundred years before I met Irene."

There's a bout of silence that settles between us nicely. I would be bothered by the lack of any additional background sound if it weren't my doing.

Garroth breaks the quiet that fell upon us. "Your brother is recalled as a fallen angel?"

"I was just as confused as you are." I give a half smile and shrug. "My brother is the exact opposite of me if you couldn't tell by the brief reunion we had. My powers involve darkness and all that begets it. My dear brother, on the other hand, deals with the light. Essentially, we are polar opposites."

"So he should be regarded as an angel without being called fallen?" Aphmau asks. I bite down on the smile that begins to form due to her words.

"Yes." I bow my head as a sort of nod. "He has the halo to prove it as well."

"If he doesn't deserve to be called fallen, why is he working with Zane?" Katelyn raises an eyebrow. Between her words, there's a subtle hint that I might be helping the pair without telling anyone.