Angel Eclipsed (The Louisiangel Series Book 2) (7 page)

I followed Joshua to the messiest desk in the room. I could have heaped all the items from the other seven onto one, and it still would have been tidier. “Take a seat,” he said, bypassing his desk and heading for a filing cabinet.

“Where?” I asked. He glanced back over his shoulder and pulled a face at me. While it wasn’t that a hazmat suit would have been advisable to sit there, I did wonder how his desk and his apartment could be such polar opposites. I was contemplating attempting to organize it when a folder was waved in front of my face. I took it from Joshua and began pouring over the pages inside it.

I was just finishing up the conclusion that told me Paige and two of the bouncers, Elliot and Simon, had all been working together. Bee’s had not been part of any of their activities and all of the other members of staff cleared. From the other side of the room, a voice disturbed my reading. “What are you doing with that?”

I looked up and found that I was alone in the room, with the exception of Leon who was making a beeline for me. I opened my mouth, ready to explain that Joshua had let me read it, but something told me that would get him into trouble. “I got bored, I’m sorry,” I lied instead.

Leon took the folder from me, glancing at the cover inscription. His brown eyes narrowed at me. “Why are you here, Ms. Connors?” he asked me. “Since we’ve established you’re not a tourist, you should be in college.”

My cheeks flamed. The first time I had met Leon was after I had been arrested – I had been trying to help Joshua and ended up taking on four college guys, all of whom came out of the fight worse than me. At the time, I had panicked and taken advantage of my accent, claiming I was on vacation. When Joshua had realized he needed to explain my presence, that was when he had gained permission for me to help by telling his lieutenant I was a psychic.

I chewed at my lip, wondering what the best way to explain this was. I couldn’t tell him the truth. I had told my aunt what I was, and if it wasn’t for the fact I had done it while Dream Walking which at the time I wasn’t aware of being able to do, then the consequences could have been much worse.

I didn’t want to lie either. Lying to a police officer hadn’t been the smartest of moves last time, and that was something else which could have had disastrous consequences; like being arrested. Or rather, being arrested, and then having to explain why I wasn’t aging while I was in prison. In this case, I probably wasn’t likely to be arrested, but it would cause unnecessary attention being pointed at the convent. “I dropped out,” I muttered finding the only answer I could. It wasn’t that far from the truth.

Leon dropped the folder on his desk, opposite the one Joshua sat at, before folding his arms to stare down at me. “And if I contact Tulane, I take it I will find the paperwork confirming this?”

“I haven’t gotten around to it yet,” I mumbled, finally looking away. I wasn’t entirely sure if I needed to notify the college of anything, in all honesty. I guess all I needed to do was not re-enroll, but I wasn’t entirely certain. I also had a sneaky suspicion Leon was good at his job. Very good.

I could feel him staring at me, but I kept my gaze planted firmly on one of the half dozen disposable coffee cups on Joshua’s desk. Finally, he took a couple of steps away, and I looked up, only to find him wheeling his desk chair around to me. He sat down and leaned forward so that we were looking at each other at eye level.

“Joshua told me what happened during the hurricane, and I read your statement too,” he said eventually. “I can see that you both care about each other, and I don’t doubt that you saved his life that night.” I stared at him, my eyes wide. “The thing is Joshua has worked his ass off to get where he is today. As far as I know, this is the only program in the country where someone his age could make detective. And he could do it. But not by getting mixed up with someone like you.”

I continued to stare at him in bewilderment. Sure I had gone out drinking, and I had been pulling in solid B’s at college, but I had never been arrested or in trouble with the police. I was the girl who would get called upon to help look after kids. I was responsible when I needed to be. I’d never even had a detention.

And yet Leon was under the impression I was a troublemaker?

“After that night, I looked up your file,” Leon continued. “If Hurricane Tabitha hadn’t have hit, I would have done it sooner.” He sighed as I gave him a blank stare. “I found your missing persons’ report.”

My mouth formed an ‘o’. I hadn’t even thought about that. Of course Sarah had reported me missing. I had gone out drinking one night and didn’t go home.

“You want to explain that?” Leon asked.

The reason for that was that I had been murdered and then spent six months asleep while my body adjusted to being an angel. I shook my head. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t. And even if I could, I wouldn’t. He didn’t believe I was a psychic. He wasn’t going to believe me if I told him I was dead.

“And I take it you’re not a psychic either?”

I chewed at my lip, unsure what to say. I still didn’t want to lie, and I certainly didn’t want to get Joshua in trouble. He had signed forms and made it official.

Leon exhaled slowly. “I knew Joshua’s dad. He trained me and was my partner for years. I promised him that I would look after Joshua, and I intend on keeping that promise. I’m sure you’re a good kid at heart, but running away from home, dropping out of college and pretending to be something that you’re not?” Leon shook his head. “If you care for him, like I truly think you do, you will stay away from him. Let him get on with his life, get out of probation and become the outstanding detective I know he can be… before you drag him down with you.”

Table Etiquette

I could feel my hands start to tremble and before I would let Leon see that, I clamped my palms down on my thighs.

“Look,” Leon continued. “I only want what’s best for Joshua, and you’re not it. That stunt during the hurricane had him suspended, and when he came back, his head was only half in the game. From what I can gather you’ve performed a second disappearing act, because he has been trying to find you for well over a month. Surely you can see you are the opposite of what he needs? Even the lieutenant can see it and he’s busy letting Josh know it too.”

I blinked rapidly, feeling tears building up, but refusing to let them out. I hadn’t thought about it. I had been so wrapped up in my own guilt that I hadn’t even looked at the bigger picture, at how this was affecting Joshua. Leon was right. I was bad for him and it wasn’t as though I didn’t already know that. If I hadn’t have been here, Joshua would never had been taken by Lilah. The best thing I could do right now was say goodbye and request Michael find him a new guardian angel.

Leon leaned over and patted my shoulder. Then, he stood, and wheeled the chair back to his desk. I rose to my feet and smoothed my top out for something to do to keep my hands steady. With a last second decision, I plucked the mobile phone from my pocket and left it on Joshua’s desk. I cleared my throat, but kept my eyes trained on the phone. “Will you let Joshua know I had to get back?” I asked Leon. “I have to get ready for dinner.”

I didn’t wait for a response before leaving the office. I had taken a few steps along the corridor when a door opened and someone stepped out. I sidestepped out of the way of Joshua’s lieutenant just in time. “Ms. Connors, correct?”

I froze, staring up at the imposing man. Lieutenant Asmodeus was old: probably in his late fifties, but for an old guy, I guess, he was pretty good looking. Well, he was the kind of man my aunt would find attractive. His hair and moustache were streaked with gray, and his face had its share of wrinkles, but his eyes still commanded a level of respect. “Sorry, sir,” I told him. “I was just leaving.” He looked me up and down, frowning. “I don’t want to get Joshua in any trouble. Leon’s already spoken to me,” I added. He nodded, and I took the opportunity to move.

I left the precinct and started walking down the street. I only got a couple of blocks before I had to sit down. The street was deserted and I didn’t think anything of sitting on the ground and leaning back against a boarded up building, vaguely acknowledging that it was a store which hadn’t survived Hurricane Tabitha. I leaned back, one hand propping me up, while the other clutched at my chest. For some reason, I felt like I couldn’t catch my breath, and it had nothing to do with the wall of humidity. Everything Leon had just told me made sense. It was logical, it was the truth, and I agreed with him. So why did I feel like I had just plucked my own heart from out of my chest?

“Angel? What the hell?”

I looked up, confused to find my vision blurry, but recognizing the voice. My heart reacted to it, doing a little flip flop, but it was followed up simultaneously by it dropping into the pit of my stomach.

Joshua crouched down in front of me. “Why are you crying? What happened? Leon said...” he shook his head. “Angel, speak to me.”

“I’m not crying,” I told him, my hand automatically leaving my chest to wipe my eyes. I pulled my hand away and examined it. Not only was my vision cleared, but my hands were wet. “Oh,” I muttered, softly. Well that explained a lot. “I’m sorry,” I said, wiping my hands on my shorts. I got to my feet, making Joshua take a step back. “I didn’t mean to make you worry. You shouldn’t worry about me anymore, anyway.”

Joshua stepped forward, closing the gap. “What do you mean I shouldn’t worry? I haven’t stopped worrying about you.”

“I know, and I’m sorry,” I apologized. I looked briefly at him, catching the deep blue of his eyes, and then looked away.

“Will you quit apologizing?” Joshua demanded. He pulled something out of his pocket and held out the phone. “And I bought you this so I would worry less. You’re supposed to send me a text, not leave the phone on my desk. How am I supposed to find you easily?”

“You’re not. I was returning it,” I admitted.

“I thought we had covered this?” Joshua sighed. “Do I have to play the ‘how do I get in touch with my guardian angel’ card again? Because I will.”

“That won’t work for much longer, anyway,” I mumbled, unable to make the words loud and clear like they needed to be. Saying them aloud was making me hurt again and my hand went to my chest, rubbing at it.

In a quick motion, Joshua reached out and grasped at my hand, holding it still. I blinked and found myself looking at him, surprised to see he looked troubled. “What does that mean?” he asked me slowly. “And why do you look like you’re in pain again?”

I took a deep breath and dropped my head. “I can’t be your guardian angel anymore.”

I tried to pull my hand free from Joshua’s grasp, but he only tightened his grip. When his other hand gently tugged my face to be looking at him, his warm touch made me jump. “Why not?” he asked. “Did Michael say something?”

I slumped back against the wall, the action bringing Joshua back with me. He caught himself at the last moment, but the gap between us was non-existent. Finally, I shook my head. “He didn’t have to,” I said.

I could see Joshua studying me when something flashed through his eyes. Just as quickly, he stepped back, releasing me. Then he was looking at me as though he didn’t recognize me. “So you decided that I was better off with a different angel?” he asked slowly. He took another step back as something else flashed through his gaze. I recognized it the moment it changed those bright blue eyes into dark stormy skies: anger. “You decided what was best for me? Without even talking to me about it? Damnit, Angel, you just left the phone on my desk and walked away!”

I swallowed, surprised to find my tongue was sticking to the roof of my mouth. I had only ever seen Joshua angry once before. That had been because of me too. I’d told him what I was and he hadn’t handled it brilliantly. “Because I don’t know what I’m doing,” I admitted. “I am new to this, and I am not doing a good job. You keep getting in trouble because of me. You nearly died!”

“You think I know what I’m doing?” Joshua cried, raking his hands through his hair. “You think I don’t lie awake at night wondering why I’m so special, why
I
need a guardian angel? What the hell makes me,” he thumped his chest, “So god damn special? Because I don’t have a clue, Angel.” His hand shot out, grabbing at my shoulders. I gasped, more from the shock than anything. Joshua didn’t seem to realize.

“Miss, are you alright?”

We both turned to find a passer-by watching us with concern. His hand was holding a phone and he looked primed to dial 911. Instantly, Joshua released me and took a step back. “I’m fine,” I quickly assured him, inwardly wincing at the fact my voice was shaking.

“Doesn’t look like it,” the man disagreed.

“I am,” I repeated.

The man looked between the two of us, considering my words, and then slipped his phone in his pocket. “That is no way to treat a lady,” he told Joshua sternly.

“You’re right, I’m sorry,” Joshua agreed.

“It’s not me you need to be apologizing to,” the man pointed out.

I looked up at Joshua and found him nodding. He turned to me. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly.

“Its fine,” I repeated again, glancing back at the man. He took another minute to watch us and then carried on his way. I watched him until he disappeared around a corner, before finally turning back to Joshua. “I need to go,” I suddenly blurted out. “I’m sorry, Joshua, but this is the way it has to be.”

I didn’t wait for an answer, marching with a purpose back in the direction of the convent. It was a good thing he didn’t call after me. I think that if he had, if he’d had made more of a fuss, I would have caved. But it also stung that he didn’t.

It took me ten minutes to make it back to the convent. I slipped in, vaguely noting the corridors were full of the other angels, but not really registering any of their handsome faces. In the shelter of my room, I stripped, dumping my clothes in a heap on the end of my bed, before shutting the bathroom door behind me.

It was only when I reached to turn the shower on that I saw I was still trembling. I paused, clenching my fists, and took a deep breath. With the gulp of air still firmly locked in my lungs, I closed my eyes and focused my thoughts.

I was responsible for Joshua. I was the one who was supposed to keep him alive. I had nearly failed at that, and I had nearly cost him his job. Making sure he had a new guardian wasn’t in my best interest: it was in his. When I opened my eyes, and slowly released the breath, my hands weren’t shaking anymore. I quickly showered and returned to my room.

My internal clock told me it wouldn’t be long until it was time for dinner. With that in mind I pulled open my closet and examined the contents. When I had arrived at the convent I had been provided with a uniform. It consisted of a pair of smart trousers, a waistcoat, and shirts in various colors. In the end I pulled out a version of one of the uniforms with the deep blue shirt.

I left my room and made my way downstairs to the large dining room. Although we didn’t need to eat food on a regular basis, whichever of the cherubim was responsible for the cooking in the building, they did a fantastic job. The smell of freshly made Mexican food assaulted my nostrils making my mouth water. I started to make my way to the serving hatch but as I drew near a door opened and Veronica stepped out.

I’m sure I won’t be alone by saying my image of the cherubim originally consisted of squidgy babies in diapers, wings, and a tiny bow and arrow. In reality, a cherub was an angel whose physical appearance was akin to the stereotype of an emo teenager. Veronica was no different and like all the other angels, she was extraordinarily beautiful.

Her attention was focused on the box she was carrying, but when she looked up and her slate colored eyes found my green ones, her mouth fell open. “Oh my gosh!” she exclaimed. She flicked her thick black bangs out of her eyes. “You really did leave your room.” She gave me a stern look as she drew close. “About time too. Michael was all about leaving you in there but if you hadn’t have come out, I would have gone in there and dragged you out by your ankles.”

“I didn’t mean to make you worry,” I said quietly. “I just…”

“I know,” Veronica told me. “Well I don’t,” she frowned. “Not really, anyway. But I understand.”

“Have I interrupted something?” I asked, nodding at the box in her hand, moving away from the awkward topic.

She looked relieved that I had and glanced down at the box. “Actually, I was just taking these to the conservatory.” She frowned at me. “Michael didn’t tell you that the dinner was being held in the conservatory, did he?”

“No,” I said. “Actually, I don’t even know how to get to the conservatory.”

“Well it’s a good thing I’m heading there,” Veronica beamed. “Follow me.”

The box Veronica was carrying looked heavy especially with her slim frame, but cherubim were also not lacking in the strength department. I followed behind her until doors needed opening.

The conservatory was a much more intimate setting than the dining room. The sun, heading towards the horizon, set the contents of the room aglow. In the center of the room was a large circular table with five chairs spaced evenly around it. Veronica set her box down on one of them. “Do you need a hand?” I asked her, watching her as she pulled out what looked like the convent’s best dinnerware, and began to place it around the table.

She spared me a glance to shake her head but continued with her task. “I’m good, thank you. Why don’t you sit down? The others will be in soon.”

“Are you sure there is nothing I can do?” I asked. I felt uncomfortable allowing her to do all the work.

“It’s my job,” Veronica assured me. “I don’t mind. Besides, Michael would not be happy if he found you helping me with this.”

“This?” I repeated. “Why not?”

Veronica shrugged. “We all have our jobs. You are an angel. Actually,” she frowned. “You’re an archangel in training. You have a job as a guardian. Like Cupid says, I’m ‘the help’. That’s my job.”

I pursed my lips but said nothing. I'd
At
heard Cupid refer to Veronica and the other cherubim as the help before. I also knew Cupid adored Veronica and there was no way he used that term maliciously. That being said, there was something bitter in Veronica’s tone, and I found myself starting to question just how she and the other cherubim felt about their role. She had mentioned on several occasions that the reason she was here on earth, rather than heaven, was because the cherubim were sure a war was coming and this time they would spend it on the front line.

I waited until she had set one place before taking the seat. “I never knew Paddy, St Patrick, I mean, was a woman. Well, St Patricia would obviously be a woman, but St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland? I never saw that coming.”

Veronica looked up and over at me. The look of confusion was brief and quickly replaced with a burst of laughter. “No, you wouldn’t. She got her sainthood during a very sketchy period in history. She isn’t the first woman who had to pretend to be a guy. It’s a shame she was nearly 2000 years too late for the women’s rights movement.” Her pretty features grew sad. She finished setting the table and then stashed the box into a cabinet.