An Angel's Ascent (7 page)

I locked up at ten that night and made plans to run by the bank when Raven came in. I was a little late in dropping it off, but things had been busy recently with the rise in customers. If things picked up much more I’d have to put her on the payroll, I realized.

Soup and hot tea were my dinner for the night. I love mushrooms so much I put them in everything. Egg drop soup, fresh mushrooms, and a tension relieving tea was my idea of a nice meal.

I took a nice, hot shower, dressed in my most comfy nightgown, and climbed straight into bed. No nightmares that night or none that I remembered anyway. I woke with a weird feeling but threw it off along with the blanket. When did I ever not have weird feelings?

I skipped my jog again and decided to check out my new weapons. I did my hair and put some regular clothes on; designer jeans, a black tee shirt with the name of my store on the front, bangle bracelets, and some comfy, black, tennis shoes.

Breakfast was a banana nut muffin between morning rituals and an energy drink.

“
Ah, elfin hell!” I was running late again… how did I do it?

By the time I got downstairs and opened it was six thirty, and the phone was ringing. I answered some questions and then had to open the store, so again I had to postpone playing with my new toys. See what a full-time business is like?

I sold another couple of hundred dollars’ worth of merchandise and realized my shelves were looking a little bare, even after the restocking I’d done yesterday. I’d have to set a few boxes out for Raven and see if she could stock for me. About three boxes should get me through the weekend. Raven knew where most of the stuff in the back was, and if we were out on the floor, she could run to the back and find it pretty quickly.

Frank called to say Saturday night, he’d definitely arrange something.

“
You’re a great man Frank…” I said, flattering his already large ego.

“
You’re just as great Angel, see you later little one…” he replied before hanging up.

Yay, I was going to shake my stuff and check out the band’s lead vocals. Oh man, was I starting to get tingly and enthusiastic.

CHAPTER FOUR

Friday was really busy and kept me on my feet. Lunchtime I spent on paperwork and an energy drink. By the time Raven walked in thirty minutes early I was exhausted and more than ready to run to the bank. I thanked her, and literally ran to drop the cash off. It was well over twenty-five thousand, and that told me just how many customers I’d had recently. I’d sold a lot of things out of the medieval section, some worth several thousand by themselves. I made a promise to myself to make more trips.

After bills, I’d only have twenty thousand or so in checking and three or four times that in savings, which I never touched. My credit card bill was due and around five thousand minimum. I paid my insurance on the business and car at the same time. It was due yearly and soon.

Stocking book's shelves always put a dent in my account.

I ran back home, took a super short shower, and dressed in one of the outfits from the mall. I was impressed by the outcome and felt like showing it. It’d been sometime since I went out, and I really needed this. If any of Michael’s crowd was there, then they were going to assume he had a hot date. It was about time for that too, but I didn’t want to break his heart so I had to keep flirting to a minimum, even with other guys, because he might be offended.

I wasn't a natural flirt, but it came out when I was in a good mood, so I had to rein it in a little tonight. I loved to dance and had the body for it. I could out dance most people and often did. I drank very little, but when I did I enjoyed it.

Seven o'clock showed up so fast I was shocked. I was feeling giddy. I sighed and ran downstairs with my chunky boots clunking down each step making all kinds of noise, to see Michael and Raven chatting. I knew Raven liked Michael, but his eyes saw nothing but me when I came into the room. I had to work on him noticing her. Maybe if I ever found a date he’d give up.

“
Angel!” they both gushed in unison. Both of their eyes were wide open in complete astonishment. Apparently, they had become used to my casual outfits I wore around work.

“
I'll take that as a comment,” I said laughing. Raven was feeling a bit jealous, and I wondered if I should feel sorry for her. She would not want me to.

“
You’re hot my girl... I was just asking Michael if this was a date,” Raven commented, smiling broadly. Apparently, she was fishing for info as well.

“
Nope, we’re just going as friends. We want to check out the band Undead Ones.”

“
They're a good band. I was going to go but didn't have the money. Rumor has it; they may be in town a while anyway. I also think it’s about time you got out.” Raven replied, staring at Michael, who was looking exceptionally hot himself.

“
That’s cool,” Michael said staring at me, obviously not paying attention to anything Raven had said. She was wounded emotionally but only continued smiling. She glanced at me quickly remembering my gift, aka curse, and that I would know exactly what she’d just felt.

I felt like I was in some creepy movie where everybody liked someone who liked someone else. Damn, this was bringing my natural high down. Moving on…

“
Okay time to go. I want to see what these guys look like,” I said to both of them, emphasizing the end of my sentence in a rocker chick kind of way.

Raven smiled at me with this look that said girl if you only knew, and then told Michael later, who mumbled and followed me.

Fifteen minutes, and thirty or so catcalls later, we finally made it to the club. I’m not sure if Michael thought he was getting compliments on having such a hot girl, or if they were ignoring him and hitting on me. Either way I ignored them except for the booty touch one attempted, who found himself upside down on the ground holding the now cracked nuts he received with birth.

The line was long, but I walked right up to the bouncer. I think his name was Cody. Who was breeding these giants? Everyone was getting so tall these days, except me of course. Of course, I’m a short freak so maybe it was just me.

“
Angel and Michael, Franks expecting us,” I explained confidently.

The guy, Cody or not, called inside, and then showed us in.

We were shown to a table close to the front of the club next to the stage. The table was decorated and had a propped up card that read my name. I’d have to personally thank Frank for the special attention.

There were no waiters except on special occasions. It was a self-serve kind of place.

Deaths Door had changed and quite a bit. It was now dark but flashy. reminding me of a medieval castle. Thrilling, haunting, and dark, the way I liked my men. I really have had men on the brain lately… maybe it was time to de-virginize myself. I rolled my eyes and said not likely.

The dancing area was in the middle, the tables lining the sides. We could actually see well from here. The tables were on a balcony so that you could see the stage over the dancers. We went to the bar to order drinks. Frank slipped us mixed drinks all night, specially made by him and no one else. He knew we drank little and made the drinks super weak so at best by the end of the night we'd still only have a slight buzz. I would not allow him to get caught serving alcohol to minors. Besides I was a weapon, and it was never good idea for someone to be drunk and holding weapons, mine being skills.

The setup crew was rearranging the instruments, adjusting wires and frequencies. The band was waiting nearby on the stage looking out. I saw five of the six and wondered where their leader Aries was. Of those five, every one of them was the hottest guy I had ever seen. They were tall, as in almost titans. They could’ve been basketball players just standing next to the net and dropping the ball in, okay not literally, at least six eight. Maybe even seven feet, and from where I sat you could easily see they were built. Not overdone, but visibly toned. Their chests were muscled exactly right with broad manly shoulders. They had not just a six pack, but eight packs so perfectly formed you could see them through their tight black band shirts. Everything flawlessly proportioned. These were massive guys, more suited to bodyguard work, or as my overactive imagination wanted to say gods…

The lights dimmed, and everything got quiet. We heard the band getting positioned, but couldn't see anything. I felt a weird sensation go up my back and looked at Michael.

He was grinning widely in the dark looking for people he knew. Perhaps showing off what others would assume was his date. I didn’t mind if it helped improved his rep. He needed a self-esteem boost desperately.

I sat back waiting for the band to start. The hairs on my neck stood up, and I shivered. It felt like something had caressed my arm. I was getting major emotional feedback, had been since I walked in, but it got stronger the closer I got to the stage. This was the other reason I avoided clubs. Luckily, these people were in a very excited and stable mood. When I went into crowds, it was hard to block the vibes. I had gotten it down sufficiently that I no longer got major migraines from all of the overload, at least not immediately. I could block good enough now that this crowd should have been fairly easy, but for some reason, I was having trouble blocking someone, a single individual. Whoever was doing this was completely overwhelming me, like there was a straight conduit from them to me. Luckily, the feelings were neutral. I felt apprehension, nervousness, anticipation or something along those lines, but no major emotions like anger or depression.

One of the bass guitar players on stage struck a cord, and the music started. I looked at Michael. He was ready to dance as well it seemed. His long lanky body with broad shoulders and long arms made a good dancing partner, which countered my obvious height disability. He was far from an expert dancer, but he was not embarrassing as some men I’d danced with could be. Some guys just ground their hips against my ass, jumped or rocked in place, or the funniest jerked their necks back and forth and flapped their arms. So comical sometimes I could barely dance. I usually walked away.

The feelings were still strong as hell and were manipulating. I was quickly feeling nervous myself, but with all the good vibes I was getting around me, I thought what the hell, maybe dancing would take my mind off of it and calm me. I definitely needed to strengthen my shields though. Practice time Sunday.

We made our way carefully down to the dance floor, with me clunking along in my sexy thigh-high boots, and luckily found a place near the front, next to the stage. It was early, so the club wouldn't be packed until later. Sexual tension was the major feeling among the dancers. Fine with me as long as it didn’t break through and have me humping someone; I thought to myself. Hee hee, I imagined a dog getting it on, trying to hump someone’s leg. Actually, that was kind of gross.

I was moving to the music and finding my rhythm when I looked up to check out the lead vocal, and my gut hit the floor. Not only was he gorgeous as they came, I felt like someone punched me in the stomach when he turned those shocking eyes on me. I melted like butter and felt my defenses fly away at the same time, which sounds impossible, but hey, I couldn't explain it any better. Picking my jaw up from the floor, figuratively, I seriously checked him out. I was good looking, but I was so far out of this hunk’s league it truly wasn’t funny. I felt like I’d just suddenly combusted into flames. Breathe girl, just breathe. Oh and keep dancing, I told myself.

His eyes were intense, glowing, and knocked the breath from me. The color was nearly unidentifiable, a true icy mix of colors. Chills ran up and down my body as they raked me over. Almost neon hues of color filled his piercing eyes and seemed to capture me in the moment as if time stood still. I was close enough even in the dark to notice this, but with the way those eyes made me feel I might’ve been able to see them from space. For a second, I was able to pull my gaze away from his beautiful eyes and noticed that his band seemed nervous. However, before I could even process this my gaze was locked back on him again. All of this took place in less than three seconds.

I glanced around the dance floor to see if anyone else was having the same effects as me. Everyone looked relaxed and mellow. No one that I could tell was looking nervous or angry.

Looking back on stage I saw he was staring at me, and then he skipped a beat. The band noticed but kept playing. His eyes couldn't be mortal. They seared me to the spot. They were shades of black, silver and ice blue all at the same time. Brooding eyes, melodramatic, and sensual all rolled up in one. I felt like a wolf thrown into heat by her alpha. I’d been as curious as any person about the opposite sex, but never quite ready to find out. I’d without any questions have trouble denying this man if he so much as hinted he wanted me sexually. My clothes would vanish, and I’d be a slave. A very willing sex slave. I giggled at that. Lots of nasty thoughts crept through my head at that point. I really needed to read books other than the romantic and sexual kind.

My body throbbed to the music, my poor heart pounding a rhythm of its own.

Aries’ eyes never left me as I danced, and I danced as if he and I were alone here, like I was doing it just for him. In a way, I was. I wanted to be noticed, to stand out, so when we met he would see me. Most famous people say hi but never see you, not unless you too are famous, or exotically beautiful. Was I famous, exotic or beautiful? No to the first one, and not at the required level on the last one, I reminded myself.