The Angel Side Read online

  Any other day, Etta’s room would be a mess with her new brown and blue polka dotted comforter hanging off the side of the bed, dirty clothes and shoes strewn across the hardwood floor, and her school work and books scattered on her white wicker vanity. Seeing her bed made, her books in their proper place on the shelf above her mirror, her shoes neatly organized on the rack in the closet, and her clothes in the laundry basket only further added to my guilt for missing her. She had waited for me as long as possible before giving up and moving on with her day.

  I had been proud of her for finally making the bed, but I hadn’t had the energy to go back home, so I pulled the blanket back. As I sat on the edge of the bed to remove my boots and leg plates, I heard the heavy footsteps of John coming up the stairs. By the time I removed my gorget, pauldrons and cuirass, John had been standing in doorway, arms folded across his chest. Ignoring his disappointed gaze, I finished removing the rest of my armor in hopes the man would see I didn’t care what he had to say.

  “Missed her again?” John asked as he sat next to me.

  “Yup.” I replied with a long drawn sigh.

  “Eh, you’ll catch her next time.” John patted my knee.

  “Yup.” I said with slight indignation as I allowed my upper body to fall back onto the bed.

  The pillow top of the mattress engulfed my tired body, luring me to snuggle in and sleep for an eternity. Listening to the sandman’s sirens, I closed my eyes just when the bed jolted as John got up.

  “You’re not just burning the candle at both ends; you’re hitting the middle of it with a blow torch.” John whispered under his breath as he got up from the bed.

  From day one he’d been against me being with his daughter, Etta. Even after teaming up to fight off Lucifer, Vetis and his thugs, John and I constantly got into petty spats over what was best for Etta. He didn’t want his daughter “wasting her life waiting on a Demon who momentarily found his Angel side” as he put it. I simply wanted him to butt out of our business. I had the feeling John had been trying to goat rope me into a squabble, but his statement had hit too close to the truth to neglect.

  “Something on your mind, John?” I replied as I pulled the comforter over my chest.

  “Just worried about you. You’re looking pretty haggard and tired. You’ve been running from one place to another like a squirrel on crack.” John raked a hand through his hair as he stood in the doorway.

  “Well, no worries. I’m not running anywhere right now.” I said, pulling a pillow under my head.

  “You know there’s a much easier way to handle family and work. I’ve been doing it for over thirty years in the Marine Corps. Tell them no.” John walked to the window, closing the drapes.

  “What do mean tell them no?” I inquired, lifting a pillow from my face.

  “I mean, when a man needs his rest, he says no. As in ‘No, I can’t go to the movies with you. I just got done fighting off a horde of Demons for two weeks.’ or ‘No, I’m sorry, but I can’t make it to the rehearsal dinner. I haven’t slept in days because I’ve been trying to give the citizens of Syria hope because some tyrannical government decided to wage war against its own people.’ I think Etta is capable of understanding that if you’d only tell her instead of keeping her in the dark. I think we can both agree she’s spent enough time there.” John replied.

  “I just don’t want her thinking she’s not important, that she doesn’t come first.” I said as I rubbed my sore, tired eyes.

  Releasing a gaping yawn, I looked over at a picture of Etta and me on her nightstand. A happy, squealing Etta faced the camera as the lean, acne-infested illusion of Ramen snorted on the ticklish spot on her neck. Those smiles of hers had been the most important thing to me for millenniums. As much as I hated donning my ‘Ramen’ form, I came to terms with the fact I had to wear it whenever I left the Divad home and entered Earth’s society.

  Though I gradually made changes to my human appearance to resemble more of my natural self, such as clearing up my face, growing a full patch of chest hair, and filling out the thin frame a little more, part of me resented Ramen for being the one in the picture, for being the one making her squeal with laughter, and for being the one by her side when veiled eyes were upon us. It should have been the real me in the photo.

  “My duty to the Corps superseded my duties to my family. From day one marines are told if the Marine Corps wanted you to have a family, they’d issue you one. It wasn’t until I saw war time that I understood why they drilled it into our heads. When you put something or someone above the safety of your brothers in arms, you’re putting them and yourself in harm’s way. And if you do that, what’s the point in having a family if you’re simply going to die on them or get yourself hurt, leaving them to change your diapers?” John sat back down on the bed, pulling me from my moment of self-envy.

  “What’s your point? If I don’t leave Etta, she’ll be forced to change my diapers?”

  “No. My point is Etta doesn’t come first. Your duties as an Arch do…the same as mine while I served this great nation and now serve our Father. You are entrusted to protect and guide mankind. That’s your number one priority. It always will be. To put Etta above all others will only impair your ability to accomplish the tasks Father has given you. It’s what I have been trying to tell you and Etta. You’re a bigger fool than I thought if you still believe having a relationship with a human will be easy.” John snatched the picture frame from my hand and slammed it back down onto the nightstand.

  I reared up at his display of disrespect. John jumped to his feet, meeting me chest to chest.

  “Look, I just got ripped into by Father. I don’t need it from you too!” I yelled, digging my finger into John’s shoulder.

  John swatted my hand as he leaned up toward me.

  “And there’s the famous temper again. Look, I’m not here to fight with you. I’ve accepted that my daughter isn’t going to give you up, and no matter what I do, I can’t get rid of you. But what I see standing in front of me right now is not a man worthy of my baby girl. If you can’t meet your simplest of needs, how do you expect to meet any of hers? Do you not see the pattern here? You’re falling apart, Ra.”

  “Typical John. When I ask you for help I’m not asking you to tell me what I’m doing wrong. I’m asking you to help me do it right!” Ignoring the strong urge to punch him, I shoved past John and plopped onto the bed.

  “You can start doing it right by getting some sleep. Etta’ll be home in a couple hours. I’ll have her wake you up.” John threw the blanket over me then lumbered out of the room.

  I had been running on empty, and all the arguing drained me. Before I knew it, I had fallen asleep.

  ****

  “Hey, sleepyhead. Time to get up, or you’ll be late for work.” the soft coo of Etta’s voice whispered in my ear.

  Wrapping my arm around her, I pulled her into the bed and snuggled my head into her neck. The scent of her vanilla perfume and almond body wash awoke all my senses. Peppering her neck with kisses, Etta squirmed until she rolled on top of me.

  “Come on. Your shift starts in thirty.” Etta’s hands traveled up my chest as she leaned over, kissing my neck up to my cheek and finally my lips. A strand of her wavy brown hair tickled my ear. Pushing it back behind her ear, I pressed her full lips harder with mine, but she jerked away, taking the blanket with her.

  “I have plenty of time.” I grumbled as I went to pull her back in bed. Etta jumped up from the bed toward the closet.

  Rolling onto my side, I wanted the best view of her hips swaying as she made the few steps into the closet, and then back.

  “Maybe I should call in and take the day off.” I said, wiggling my brows.

  “Get dressed.” Etta tossed my delivery driver uniform on the bed.

  I swung my legs over the edge and yanked Etta onto my lap. Etta cupped my jaw, preventing me from covering her in the licks and kisses I had planned.

  “Ra, you know better than anyone w
e need the money. Gabriel and Amy are getting married tomorrow. They’re going to need the house to themselves and I don’t know about you, but I do not want to live with my parents.”

  “I have an apartment, Etta. We can live there. ” Annoyed at the dose of reality Etta splashed in my face, I fell back onto the bed.

  “I told you, Ra, it’s too small. Where would we put our stuff?” Etta pointed at my armor at the base of the bedframe. “It can barely hold what little you and Gabriel store there as it is.” She continued as she attempted to lift my cuirass.

  “I’ll get that.” I replied as I took my breastplate from her and set it on the floor. Engulfing her with my body, dipping her, I caressed Etta’s back and hips and feverishly nibbled on her throat.

  “Ra, stop.” Etta turned her head as she pushed away from me. “You know the rules. Not as long as I am human and you are an Angel. Now, quit stalling, and get dressed.” Etta stormed away, slamming the bedroom door behind her.

  “Cursed Giants.” I snapped, yanking my breastplate and pauldrons from the floor.

  The Giants had been a group of four male Guardian Angels sent to Earth to help a few lost souls. To show their great power they took the form of man, only their size dwarfed most trees and buildings of the time. Once here, instead of keeping to their task at hand, they succumbed to bodily pleasures with the local women. Father called them back home but lust-drunk, they had refused his demand. Suddenly half-breeds between Angels and humans rose at alarming rates, wreaking havoc on the order of life on Earth. With the outward appearance of a human and the abilities of celestial beings, the so-called ‘sons of man’ were waging wars, enslaving whole races, and threatening all life on Earth, as their fathers continued to procreate to keep their son’s ranks up.

  The Arches were ordered to remove Rephaim, Zuzim, Emim, and Amorites wings, damning them to life in Hell. Once we accomplished our mission, Father released a plague on Earth that would sterilize the spawn of the Rephaim, Zuzim, Emim, and Amorites bloodlines, preventing their abilities from being passed from mother to daughter and father to son. Once Father was sure the threat had been extinguished, a new law was put into place stating that no Angel shall mate with any human, and any caught doing so would receive a fate worse than that of the Giants. They would be sentenced to Purgatory. But, understanding the urges one would have, Father allowed mating between the Angels, but only after marriage.

  With the thought of that punishment, my engines went from full throttle to a screeching stop. I put on my pizza delivery uniform and stored my armor in the attic, as to not be accidently stumbled upon by René or any other veiled eyes.

  As I finished fastening my shoes, Etta stepped back into the room.

  “Hey, I’m sorry. I know it’s hard for you. It’s hard for me too, but we can do this, Ra.”

  “I know. I’m sorry too. I didn’t realize I’d gotten so worked up.” I replied, resting my hands on Etta’s hips as she clasped her hands around my neck.

  “Now, get to work. I’ll see you at tonight’s session.” Etta pecked me on my cheek.

  “Tonight’s session?”

  “Yes, Ra. It’s Thursday. We always meet with Saraqael on Thursday. You’re going to make it, right? Or are you going to skip out like you have the previous three appointments?” Etta stepped back.

  As if I didn’t have enough on my plate. After the last battle for Etta’s soul and Father granting her and Amy the right to keep their knowledge of the world beyond the veil, Etta explained that we needed to strengthen our relationship by going to marriage counseling. Due to our unique situation the only available ‘counselor’ had been Saraqael. Once a week I’d been forced to talk about my ‘feelings’ with my wife in front of a fellow Arch.

  It wouldn’t have been an issue if Saraqael had the capacity to separate personal life and work life. There I’d be, ready to engage in battle, and Saraqael would ask if Etta and I had done our ‘marital homework’. Trust me, the last thing you want to think about when fighting off bloodthirsty Demons is how badly a trust exercise blew up in your face with your wife.

  “I’m going to make it. It slipped my mind is all with the bachelor party tonight.”

  “Well, if you made a habit of going maybe it wouldn’t ‘slip’ your mind. You have to start taking the counseling more seriously, Ra. We both have major trust issues, and Saraqael’s trying to help.” Etta snipped.

  “I still disagree with ‘Dr. Saraqael’s’ theory about my time in Hell giving me trust issues, but I am taking it seriously.” I rebutted.

  “Are you? Because all you’ve done is mock him and his advice.”

  “I’m not mocking it. I just think he’s off base. Look, I don’t want to fight with you too. I’ve done enough fighting for one day. But you have to believe me that I’m not skipping out on counseling on purpose. I don’t wake up and ask myself ‘how can I piss off my wife today? Oh, I know. I’ll ditch out on marriage counseling’. I love you. I will do anything to make us work, and I am honestly trying. Please, see and trust in that.” I pleaded as I held her hands firmly in mine.

  “You’re right. I’m sorry. I love you, and I just want us to have every chance possible to make it. Sometimes it feels as if I’m doing it by myself, but we can talk about it later tonight. You better get to work. I have some homework to get done before counseling and the bachelorette party.”

  “Oh, that’s right. You and the girls are going to check out half-naked men.” I joked.

  “Oh, please. Even if I wanted to see someone other than you half naked, Amy would never go for it. Her sisters are coming tonight. We’ll probably do something stupid like toilet paper wedding dresses while we sip 7-UP.” Etta teased back as she walked me to the door. With a soft peck on the cheek, she said goodbye.

  As I sauntered down the stoop, I realized I left my work hat at my place down the street. I had been running behind, so after making sure the coast was clear, I flashed to the apartment I shared with Gabriel.

  We rented a meager two bedroom apartment above the laundromat where Gabriel and I committed our first crime after coming to Earth as humans. I didn’t see how the owner of our shabby shack had the audacity to call the renovated attic an ‘apartment’. The bedrooms were nothing more than oversized closets. The living room and kitchen combined were cozier than most studio rentals. But with Gabriel’s student income and our pizza delivery jobs, it had been all we were able to afford.

  Though I would have been perfectly happy staying at the Divad’s, René started asking too many questions. Gabriel had to keep up appearances for Amy’s family, since their religion forbade the love birds from living together before marriage. The upside to our place…it was a two minute walk to the Divad’s house and Amy’s house, and right next door to the pizza joint we worked at.

  Grabbing my hat from the coffee table I ran out the door toward work. As I walked in, Gabriel gave me an eye roll warning me our little weasel of a manager, Richie, had been waiting for me.

  The Napoleon complex afflicted jerk made it known from my first interview that he didn’t care for me. But being the only pizza parlor in town, two short blocks from the Marine Corps barracks and a couple miles from base housing, he had been desperately short handed on delivery drivers. With no other applicants, he had been forced to hire me but never let me forget he’d fire me in a heartbeat should I slip up even the slightest. I’d given the short, fat, balding rat plenty of occasions to let me go, but the demands of running a successful delivery joint took precedence over his disdain for one man.

  “Ramen! You’re late. That’s the third time this week. I should fire you right now, but we got three deliveries waiting on you. Clock in, and get on it.” Richie shoved the heating bag full of blazing hot pizza into my arms.

  “Yes, sir.” I mockingly replied.

  “Only one more day, Brother. After the wedding I won’t need your help with rent anymore.” Sensing my aggravation toward our mutual pizza nemesis, Gabriel whispered in my ear as he gave my arm
a light squeeze.

  “I know. Getting nervous yet?” I asked as we both walked out to our cars.

  “Heck no. I’m excited and still shocked. Who would have thought I’d be getting married?” Gabriel replied with an ear to ear grin.

  It had been good to see my brother so happy breaking his vow to never wed. Too many times Gabriel had to tell a spouse, a mother, or a father their loved one had fallen to the depths of Hell or Purgatory. Not wishing the same message to be given to someone close to him, he gave up his attempt to court his lifelong crush, Charoum, and denounced any socialization outside the circle of Arches. Females practically threw themselves at him, but the man wouldn’t even bat an eye their way. The one thing my brother, Gabriel, looked forward to with any ounce of excitement had been the next battle.

  All of that changed when he met Amy a few months ago. Her lively personality, quick wit, tall yet plump build, round hazel eyes, curly blonde hair, and coy smile had been too much for Gabriel to resist. As if he’d been a rescued dog, he clung to his savior, Amy, showering her with affection and begged for attention in return anytime she glanced his way. And as if Amy hadn’t been perfect for Gabriel already, it had been revealed that Amy was the vessel carrying the soul of the Angel Charoum. The same one he had been in love with since puberty.

  Though he had finally found his mate for all time and eternity, and truly seemed happy, it didn’t take a genius to see the upcoming nuptials had been weighing on him. As each day passed it seemed an inner battle left more and more wear on his already aged appearance. I didn’t need the rumor mill to tell me that he had been thinking about stepping down as an Arch. Being in love meant he now had something to lose, or worse yet, Amy could lose him. Being an Arch increased those chances a hundred fold.

  “It’s a shocker all right. Rumors have it you might be stepping down as an Arch.” I asked with a raised brow.