Fee's Writings
An Angel's Touch: Chapter Three
Warnings: None
Warnings: None
The next morning when Natalie awoke to Suzie licking her face and whining in her customary, puppyish way that she wanted to go for a walk, it took several moments for her memory to catch up to her. Once it had, and had given her a sharp kick in the behind, she sat up abruptly, instantly dizzied by the sudden rush of blood to her head.
Had it actually happened, or had she been dreaming? After all, one could never be sure these days what the chemicals in the air were doing to ones mind.
She got up, checked the time (nine-thirty) and pulled on some jeans and a t-shirt.
Natalie Briana Lucas was twenty-six years old, and a teacher at her local primary school. Spending thirty-something weeks a year around squealing, messy children had effectively destroyed any wish the might have had to procreate, and so she had Suzie, a recent purchase, who had the mentality of a three-year-old human, anyway, and was more than enough for her to be coping with.
It was currently two weeks into the summer holidays, which was probably lucky for Ameron. Natalie had five and a half weeks to figure out who he was and where he was from, as well as doing the work that a teacher was expected to do in holidays marking, lesson plans, and so on.
She was almost afraid to look into the spare room. However, when she did and saw Ameron there, sleeping soundly, an unexplainable sense of relief flooded her. Quietly, she closed the door, almost tripping over her dog who had been following her like a shadow.
"Alright, alright." she muttered, striding into the kitchen and picking up Suzie's leash from a countertop. Suzie woofed happily and danced about, claws clicking on the linoleum flooring. When Natalie had managed to get the leash on her, she carefully locked up the house and left, taking the same route that she had done the previous day. Upon reaching the spot where she'd found Ameron, she stopped, sliding down into the ditch. She wanted to find something - anything - that might give her some clue as to who he was. It hadn't taken a genius to figure out that he'd been raped, so maybe the person who'd raped him had dropped something, an ID... anything at all.
Crouching, she picked up one of the feathers that were still scattered on the ground, and almost dropped it, staring at it in astonishment.
"It's warm..." she whispered in awe, stroking it over her palm. She could feel the heat radiating from it. Picking up another she found the same phenomenon, holding the two in her hand. Looking up, she frowned and stood, peering closely at the branches above her. They looked as if they'd been scorched.
A movement in the corner of her eye caused her attention to be drawn back to the path. Suzie began to growl deeply at the person stood there.
A slender, elegantly-dressed young man with dark hair watched her, his hands shoved nonchalantly into his pockets.
"I'd stop poking about if I were you, human." he said coolly. "You might find yourself in more trouble than you bargained for."
Natalie's eyes narrowed. She got the distinct impression that this stranger knew something about Ameron, and for no explainable reason she hated him more and more every second. "Who are you?"
The male smirked, and Natalie felt a chill run through her. "My name is unpronounceable to most, so you may address me as Sae." With that, he turned away and disappeared from her line of sight.
"Hey! Wait!" she yelled, scrambling out of the ditch to go after him. However, when she made it to the path, he was gone. She growled in irritation and glanced to Suzie, who now seemed perfectly happy. Her nose wrinkled a little. "Sulphur..." she muttered. Why had he called her 'human'?
Scowling lightly, she called Suzie to her, and still with the feathers in her hand continued on her route, thinking so hard that she almost went right past her house, having to be reminded by a crack in the pavement as she nearly tripped over it.
"Whoops!" she yelped, catching herself then laughing nervously, pulling her keys out of her pocket. Twirling them around her finger she half skipped towards the door, unlocking it and going back in.
After checking that Ameron was still there, which he was, she headed into the kitchen to get some breakfast.
* * *
When he had not emerged by gone midday, she went to look in on him.
"Ameron?" she whispered, pushing open the door.
The young man was on his back, still sleeping, though from the state he seemed to be in he might as well have been unconscious. Obviously flushed, he was tossing and turning fitfully, fists clenching. Hurrying over, Natalie pressed her palm to his forehead, frowning as he flinched away and gasped softly.
"Oh dear..." Natalie murmured, stroking his hair back. "You're not very well, are you?" She shook her head, rising and returning a minute later with a flannel, bowl, glass and a jug of water. Perching on the side of the bed she filled the bowl and glass, setting the former to one side then gently lifting his head, helping him take a sip of the water. He managed it, coughing lightly and wincing.
"Hani thaymaia..." he mumbled.
"It hurts?" Natalie guessed by his pained tone. "Shh..."
Soaking the flannel then wringing it out, she dabbed his forehead. Soon, she began talking to him, even though he couldn't respond to her.
"You know," she said. "I was out with Suzie, and this man just appeared from nowhere, said something to me, then he was gone." She frowned to herself and laughed softly. "Said I should call him Sae."
Ameron shivered, whispering one word that undoubtedly only his accent could pronounce. "Saethundugina..."
"You know him?" Natalie asked, then realised that he barely understood a word she was saying to him.
Oh yes, Ameron did indeed know Sae. The demon was infamous for his powers of seduction, as well as the pain he enjoyed inflicting on his 'lovers'. Devastatingly intelligent, charming, handsome and possessing an odd fetish for whips, Sae had been responsible for many an angel's damnation. He tended to go for those in the Lower Choirs, since he was not as powerful as Mazgoturthakal was. He and Ameron had had several run-ins over the years, all of which had ended worse for the demon.
So, naturally, he had been very pleased to hear of his fall. The reason he had not been there to congratulate Maz was a simple one - the bastard had gotten there before he had. Now, all he could do was ensure that Ameron stayed fallen.
"Tenai te'drei phyle ce oulnai ca." Ameron murmured. Natalie hushed him, re-cooling the cloth and continuing to use it. She would have given him painkillers, but she had no idea what he was allergic to so she didn't want to risk it.
Ameron couldn't remember a time when he'd felt like this. His entire body felt like it was on fire, every muscle was aching and the lower levels of Hell seemed to have decided to set up camp in his brain and have a party. The cloth on his forehead was deliciously cool, however, and it was helping.
Why was she being so kind to him? He had no prior experience of mortals and Sari had told him that they were all out for themselves. Had she been lying to him? Perhaps... or maybe that was her experience. His own mind told him, as he felt Natalie slip her hand into his and grip it lightly, that maybe humans were not all that bad.
"Sorry..." he mumbled quietly.
"That's alright," Natalie replied. "I-" Cutting herself off, she stared at him. Where could he have picked that word up from? She couldn't ever remember saying it around him. Shaking her head a little, she continued. "I don't have anything else to be doing... nothing important, at least."
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
"And where have you been?"
"That is none of your business."
"Tormenting the lower choirs again? You know that's going to get you into trouble someday."
Dark eyes looked up, stormy and smouldering. Slim, long fingered hands picked a book up from a table and opened it, flicking through the pages with interest that was more than a little feigned. "What I get up to in my spare time is not your concern, Abartulai."
Abartulai pouted, getting up from the bed and walking over to him, only the gentle swish and rustle of silk announcing her approach. She slipped her arms around him but he didn't even give her a cursory glance.
"Come on, Sae..." she purred, taking the book from him. "Loosen up... let's go somewhere... Helialni's nice right now... We could-"
"Enough." He didn't have to shout. Simply the tone of his voice was enough to make her fall silent. "Listen to me, Abartulai, and listen well. I have not worked as hard as I have, to fall prey to the temptations of people like you."
He walked out, ignoring the sounds of shattering glass that indicated a temper tantrum from the demoness, letting the door of his rooms close behind him. She'd scream herself into a semi-coma and leave him alone for a little while, which was probably for the best.
"Hullo, Sae."
He pushed his hands into his pockets as Mazgoturthakal fell into step beside him. Somehow, the bastard always knew where he was, no matter how hard he tried to stay out of his way.
"Piss off." he replied sharply.
"Oh, come now, is that any way to talk to your-"
Sae turned on him, annoyed by the fact that he had to look up at the other demon. "Do you get some kind of pleasure out of irritating me?" Not even letting Maz speak, he went on, his voice staying at that same flat, level tone that unnerved most people. "Honestly, does your dense, fetid mind get a thrill out of seeing me annoyed?"
Maz frowned slightly. "I never thought about it that way, but perhaps it does." He shrugged. "I suppose you've heard about how I brought that angel down."
"Mm." Sae had accepted that Maz wasn't going to leave him alone until he'd spoken with him a little. He could never understand the need that the demon had to speak with him. "I'll never forgive you that."
Maz snorted quietly. "Forgiveness is for the Heavens, brother. We have no use of it down here."
Slowly, and with an air of infinite patience, Saethundugina closed his near-cobalt eyes and shook his head. "Maz... unlike you, I remember what we had before. Know this, brother, I corrupt because it is the only option that I have, but if I could go back, I would."
He was faintly aware that Mazgoturthakal had stopped in his tracks and was staring after him, but nonetheless he carried on, head down and a light scowl marring his troubled features. He could forgive his brother for his impertinence. He was only young, after all. Sae sighed, glancing over his shoulder. Maz had gone. Leaning against a wall he tipped his head back and closed his eyes, a self-mocking chuckle slipping through his lips as he slid to the ground.
"God" he murmured, resting his forehead on his knees. Pushing his fingers into his hair and tugging hard he was the very image of frustration.
Sae didn't move for a while, and then he slowly got up, brushed himself down and walked off as if nothing had happened. It wouldn't do for other people to see him like that. He had enough trouble keeping his feelings inside as it was, without everyone else getting wind of them.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Ring... Ring...
"Come on, Liza. Pick up the phone..."
Ring... Ring...
"Come on..."
Ring... Ri-
"Hello?"
"Liza! It's Nat."
A laugh from the other end of the phone suddenly served to reassure her that everything was right with the world. Liza's laugh had that sort of quality.
"You sound pretty stressed. Is anything- Emma! Put that down! Sorry. Is anything the matter?"
Natalie had smiled as she heard Liza break off to shout at her youngest daughter, Emma, but the question brought her attention back and she sniffed slightly. "Yes. Well. No sort of. Liza, I need you to come over."
"Oh, hon, I'd love to, but Ian's out and I can't get a sitter for the kids-"
"That's fine. Bring them." Natalie said quickly, flapping her free hand as if Liza could see it.
"Are you sure?" Liza sounded surprised, and Natalie could see in her mind's eye the shocked expression on her face. Her friend knew that she didn't much like having children in the house, and so for her to so dismissively tell Liza that they could come was unheard of.
"Yes, yes I'm sure. Come now."
"Okay... Nat, is something wrong? You sound really tense."
"I'll tell you when you get here." The last thing she wanted to do was explain this over the phone. She wasn't even sure that she'd be able to do that.
"Alright. Give me half an hour to make the kids look presentable, then I'll be right over."
"Great. See you then."
Had it actually happened, or had she been dreaming? After all, one could never be sure these days what the chemicals in the air were doing to ones mind.
She got up, checked the time (nine-thirty) and pulled on some jeans and a t-shirt.
Natalie Briana Lucas was twenty-six years old, and a teacher at her local primary school. Spending thirty-something weeks a year around squealing, messy children had effectively destroyed any wish the might have had to procreate, and so she had Suzie, a recent purchase, who had the mentality of a three-year-old human, anyway, and was more than enough for her to be coping with.
It was currently two weeks into the summer holidays, which was probably lucky for Ameron. Natalie had five and a half weeks to figure out who he was and where he was from, as well as doing the work that a teacher was expected to do in holidays marking, lesson plans, and so on.
She was almost afraid to look into the spare room. However, when she did and saw Ameron there, sleeping soundly, an unexplainable sense of relief flooded her. Quietly, she closed the door, almost tripping over her dog who had been following her like a shadow.
"Alright, alright." she muttered, striding into the kitchen and picking up Suzie's leash from a countertop. Suzie woofed happily and danced about, claws clicking on the linoleum flooring. When Natalie had managed to get the leash on her, she carefully locked up the house and left, taking the same route that she had done the previous day. Upon reaching the spot where she'd found Ameron, she stopped, sliding down into the ditch. She wanted to find something - anything - that might give her some clue as to who he was. It hadn't taken a genius to figure out that he'd been raped, so maybe the person who'd raped him had dropped something, an ID... anything at all.
Crouching, she picked up one of the feathers that were still scattered on the ground, and almost dropped it, staring at it in astonishment.
"It's warm..." she whispered in awe, stroking it over her palm. She could feel the heat radiating from it. Picking up another she found the same phenomenon, holding the two in her hand. Looking up, she frowned and stood, peering closely at the branches above her. They looked as if they'd been scorched.
A movement in the corner of her eye caused her attention to be drawn back to the path. Suzie began to growl deeply at the person stood there.
A slender, elegantly-dressed young man with dark hair watched her, his hands shoved nonchalantly into his pockets.
"I'd stop poking about if I were you, human." he said coolly. "You might find yourself in more trouble than you bargained for."
Natalie's eyes narrowed. She got the distinct impression that this stranger knew something about Ameron, and for no explainable reason she hated him more and more every second. "Who are you?"
The male smirked, and Natalie felt a chill run through her. "My name is unpronounceable to most, so you may address me as Sae." With that, he turned away and disappeared from her line of sight.
"Hey! Wait!" she yelled, scrambling out of the ditch to go after him. However, when she made it to the path, he was gone. She growled in irritation and glanced to Suzie, who now seemed perfectly happy. Her nose wrinkled a little. "Sulphur..." she muttered. Why had he called her 'human'?
Scowling lightly, she called Suzie to her, and still with the feathers in her hand continued on her route, thinking so hard that she almost went right past her house, having to be reminded by a crack in the pavement as she nearly tripped over it.
"Whoops!" she yelped, catching herself then laughing nervously, pulling her keys out of her pocket. Twirling them around her finger she half skipped towards the door, unlocking it and going back in.
After checking that Ameron was still there, which he was, she headed into the kitchen to get some breakfast.
* * *
When he had not emerged by gone midday, she went to look in on him.
"Ameron?" she whispered, pushing open the door.
The young man was on his back, still sleeping, though from the state he seemed to be in he might as well have been unconscious. Obviously flushed, he was tossing and turning fitfully, fists clenching. Hurrying over, Natalie pressed her palm to his forehead, frowning as he flinched away and gasped softly.
"Oh dear..." Natalie murmured, stroking his hair back. "You're not very well, are you?" She shook her head, rising and returning a minute later with a flannel, bowl, glass and a jug of water. Perching on the side of the bed she filled the bowl and glass, setting the former to one side then gently lifting his head, helping him take a sip of the water. He managed it, coughing lightly and wincing.
"Hani thaymaia..." he mumbled.
"It hurts?" Natalie guessed by his pained tone. "Shh..."
Soaking the flannel then wringing it out, she dabbed his forehead. Soon, she began talking to him, even though he couldn't respond to her.
"You know," she said. "I was out with Suzie, and this man just appeared from nowhere, said something to me, then he was gone." She frowned to herself and laughed softly. "Said I should call him Sae."
Ameron shivered, whispering one word that undoubtedly only his accent could pronounce. "Saethundugina..."
"You know him?" Natalie asked, then realised that he barely understood a word she was saying to him.
Oh yes, Ameron did indeed know Sae. The demon was infamous for his powers of seduction, as well as the pain he enjoyed inflicting on his 'lovers'. Devastatingly intelligent, charming, handsome and possessing an odd fetish for whips, Sae had been responsible for many an angel's damnation. He tended to go for those in the Lower Choirs, since he was not as powerful as Mazgoturthakal was. He and Ameron had had several run-ins over the years, all of which had ended worse for the demon.
So, naturally, he had been very pleased to hear of his fall. The reason he had not been there to congratulate Maz was a simple one - the bastard had gotten there before he had. Now, all he could do was ensure that Ameron stayed fallen.
"Tenai te'drei phyle ce oulnai ca." Ameron murmured. Natalie hushed him, re-cooling the cloth and continuing to use it. She would have given him painkillers, but she had no idea what he was allergic to so she didn't want to risk it.
Ameron couldn't remember a time when he'd felt like this. His entire body felt like it was on fire, every muscle was aching and the lower levels of Hell seemed to have decided to set up camp in his brain and have a party. The cloth on his forehead was deliciously cool, however, and it was helping.
Why was she being so kind to him? He had no prior experience of mortals and Sari had told him that they were all out for themselves. Had she been lying to him? Perhaps... or maybe that was her experience. His own mind told him, as he felt Natalie slip her hand into his and grip it lightly, that maybe humans were not all that bad.
"Sorry..." he mumbled quietly.
"That's alright," Natalie replied. "I-" Cutting herself off, she stared at him. Where could he have picked that word up from? She couldn't ever remember saying it around him. Shaking her head a little, she continued. "I don't have anything else to be doing... nothing important, at least."
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
"And where have you been?"
"That is none of your business."
"Tormenting the lower choirs again? You know that's going to get you into trouble someday."
Dark eyes looked up, stormy and smouldering. Slim, long fingered hands picked a book up from a table and opened it, flicking through the pages with interest that was more than a little feigned. "What I get up to in my spare time is not your concern, Abartulai."
Abartulai pouted, getting up from the bed and walking over to him, only the gentle swish and rustle of silk announcing her approach. She slipped her arms around him but he didn't even give her a cursory glance.
"Come on, Sae..." she purred, taking the book from him. "Loosen up... let's go somewhere... Helialni's nice right now... We could-"
"Enough." He didn't have to shout. Simply the tone of his voice was enough to make her fall silent. "Listen to me, Abartulai, and listen well. I have not worked as hard as I have, to fall prey to the temptations of people like you."
He walked out, ignoring the sounds of shattering glass that indicated a temper tantrum from the demoness, letting the door of his rooms close behind him. She'd scream herself into a semi-coma and leave him alone for a little while, which was probably for the best.
"Hullo, Sae."
He pushed his hands into his pockets as Mazgoturthakal fell into step beside him. Somehow, the bastard always knew where he was, no matter how hard he tried to stay out of his way.
"Piss off." he replied sharply.
"Oh, come now, is that any way to talk to your-"
Sae turned on him, annoyed by the fact that he had to look up at the other demon. "Do you get some kind of pleasure out of irritating me?" Not even letting Maz speak, he went on, his voice staying at that same flat, level tone that unnerved most people. "Honestly, does your dense, fetid mind get a thrill out of seeing me annoyed?"
Maz frowned slightly. "I never thought about it that way, but perhaps it does." He shrugged. "I suppose you've heard about how I brought that angel down."
"Mm." Sae had accepted that Maz wasn't going to leave him alone until he'd spoken with him a little. He could never understand the need that the demon had to speak with him. "I'll never forgive you that."
Maz snorted quietly. "Forgiveness is for the Heavens, brother. We have no use of it down here."
Slowly, and with an air of infinite patience, Saethundugina closed his near-cobalt eyes and shook his head. "Maz... unlike you, I remember what we had before. Know this, brother, I corrupt because it is the only option that I have, but if I could go back, I would."
He was faintly aware that Mazgoturthakal had stopped in his tracks and was staring after him, but nonetheless he carried on, head down and a light scowl marring his troubled features. He could forgive his brother for his impertinence. He was only young, after all. Sae sighed, glancing over his shoulder. Maz had gone. Leaning against a wall he tipped his head back and closed his eyes, a self-mocking chuckle slipping through his lips as he slid to the ground.
"God" he murmured, resting his forehead on his knees. Pushing his fingers into his hair and tugging hard he was the very image of frustration.
Sae didn't move for a while, and then he slowly got up, brushed himself down and walked off as if nothing had happened. It wouldn't do for other people to see him like that. He had enough trouble keeping his feelings inside as it was, without everyone else getting wind of them.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Ring... Ring...
"Come on, Liza. Pick up the phone..."
Ring... Ring...
"Come on..."
Ring... Ri-
"Hello?"
"Liza! It's Nat."
A laugh from the other end of the phone suddenly served to reassure her that everything was right with the world. Liza's laugh had that sort of quality.
"You sound pretty stressed. Is anything- Emma! Put that down! Sorry. Is anything the matter?"
Natalie had smiled as she heard Liza break off to shout at her youngest daughter, Emma, but the question brought her attention back and she sniffed slightly. "Yes. Well. No sort of. Liza, I need you to come over."
"Oh, hon, I'd love to, but Ian's out and I can't get a sitter for the kids-"
"That's fine. Bring them." Natalie said quickly, flapping her free hand as if Liza could see it.
"Are you sure?" Liza sounded surprised, and Natalie could see in her mind's eye the shocked expression on her face. Her friend knew that she didn't much like having children in the house, and so for her to so dismissively tell Liza that they could come was unheard of.
"Yes, yes I'm sure. Come now."
"Okay... Nat, is something wrong? You sound really tense."
"I'll tell you when you get here." The last thing she wanted to do was explain this over the phone. She wasn't even sure that she'd be able to do that.
"Alright. Give me half an hour to make the kids look presentable, then I'll be right over."
"Great. See you then."