Blas Archangels [Sample Only]

-4- Condescension

-4- Condescension

The waiter called Myron escorts me to the seat opposite the mystery man, Valentine. I slide into the leather booth and cross my knees and clasp my hands, trying to appear... I don't know... polite or something.

I watch as Valentine nods to Myron, who leaves the restaurant and stands outside. He looks like he's on guard duty, but I assume it's a mid-shift break from his job in the fancy restaurant.

"Don't be afraid to eat," Valentine speaks well, straightening up, I watch as his wings flutter a bit and sparkly dust slowly sheds off his deeply ash toned feathers.

Beautiful.

I'm entranced already.

Forget the food and wine.

"Are you invisible to everyone else here? What's your species?" I ask, my lips turning up into a smile.

"Well, those certainly aren't the first questions I expected to come out of your mouth, Ivy," Valentine's hands land on the cutlery, his face turns to stone and I think he's angry.

He doesn't explain.

Oh, awkward... he waits for my reply.

"...forgive me, I don't actually know what your letter was referring to... in terms of us..." I whisper this.

"It's true, they can't hear us. You're correct so you don't have to whisper like a mouse,"...so he was impatient too... Valentine motions to the food again, "...the letter, was obviously about this... dinner... I expect you'll try the selection? Unless you prefer to devour with your eyes..." he glances at me in disapproval.

My whole confidence slips out of place for a second and my thoughts scramble briefly.

I gulp because I get the feeling he isn't used to talking to people who don't understand how important he is.

I look at the food and pick up a short bread angel, nibbling on the wings. I chew and swallow while Valentine blinks for the first time.

Once and slowly.

Yep, he was arrogant.

"I'm inviting you back to the E.W." I note that he decides he better get straight to the point.

"I will not break a law –" I slowly put the angel down.

"On the contrary, you will cross the E. Horizon tonight, or I will send out Myron to gut you and deliver your corpse to be resurrected as a blood leeching pet... I don't want that for you, Ivy, I want your will to act for your own accord, for your survival," Valentine dips his finger in a copper bowl of melted chocolate and he tastes it with mild joy.

...what did he just say to me...?

I've lost my little cute smile.

I've lost my nerve.

I've lost my confidence.

Gut me...?

Corpse?

I was having dinner with a psychopath.

I had to get the hell out of here!

...Uno...

...his name and his face and his admission on the bridge, causes me to hesitate.

"December," I whisper her name while gulping down my nausea.

I catch him off guard and Valentine's face finally shows more than a second of emotion. He's blue eyes narrow, his mouth curling with displeasure.