Nathaniel Teen Angel (2 page)

Chapter Two

Eloise smiled. “Ignore Tom. He’s harmless really.” She poured some apple juice into a glass and handed it to him. “Here, drink this while I make you some hot tea.”

As Nathaniel lifted the glass to his lips, his hand trembled. It would be the first thing other than sea water he’d ever tasted, except for Eloise’s sweet kiss. When he swirled the juice around his tongue, his eyes widened, then he thirstily gulped the rest of it in one go. “Mmm, that was good, thank you.” He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and placed the tumbler in the sink.

Eloise smiled. “You must have been thirsty. Are you hungry? Your stomach keeps growing.”

The last thing on Nathaniel’s mind was food. He just wanted to wash the filth from his hair and body and dress in some clean clothes. Meeting Eloise for the first time when he was so filthy and dishevelled wasn’t what he had envisioned. He shook his head. “No, I’m fine thank you, and don’t worry about the tea. The juice hit the spot.”

Tom came striding into the kitchen. “Okay, mate. You’re bath is ready.”

Eloise led him into the bathroom. “By the way, what is your name?”

Not knowing if she would remember seeing him as her guardian angel when she was unconscious in the hospital, he just said, “Nate.”

That’s nice,” she said.

“Not as lovely as yours, Eloise.”

She stared at him. “How did you know my name? Tom called me Elle.”

Oops, he’d made his first mistake. He shrugged. “Um, I just guessed that Elle must be short for Eloise. Sorry if I’m wrong.”

“No, you’re not wrong. That is my name.”

Tom looked sideways at him. “Well, I still don’t trust you, Natey boy. I think you’re up to something.”

Eloise spun around and glared at him. “Tom, if you don’t stop being rude, you can leave.”

Tom pressed his hands on his hips. “I’m not going anywhere until your mother gets home. He could be a serial killer for all you know.”

“Oh, stop it, Tom. Just go and watch TV or something.”

Giving Nathaniel the evil eye, he stormed down the hall.

Eloise put a clean towel on the bathroom stool. “Do you need any help getting undressed? Your jacket looks like it’s stuck to your back.”

Nathaniel shook his head. “No, I’ll be fine thanks, and I really appreciated you helping me.”

She smiled. “How could I not help you? You’re injured. Okay, I’ll leave you to it. Oh, and help yourself to anything you need in the cabinet. There’s shaving cream, after shave, deodorants, and there’s a packet of new toothbrushes and razor blades in there somewhere. Just use whatever you need.”

“Thank you, Eloise. You’re a life saver.”

She looked at him for a moment, then quivered.

Sucking in a deep breath, he gazed at her as he tried to figure out if she’d trembled because she was attracted to him, or if she was just frightened.

He soon got his answer when she touched his hand, sending a thrill from his fingers to his toes.

She smiled. “I’m sure you’ll feel much better after your bath.”

Enjoying the tingling sensations, he stared at her heart-shaped mouth. Funny, he’d never noticed how beautiful her lips were before, but he so wanted to kiss them. His heart thumping madly, he raised his gaze to her eyes and his soul melted. They were pools of smouldering green beneath thick dark lashes, and the way she was looking at him was sending shivers down his spine.

Her cheeks went suddenly red. “Um ... I’d better go and get you some clean clothes out of my dad’s wardrobe. You look about the same size as him. I won’t be long.”

After closing the door, Nathaniel locked the latch and leaned against the door. She was even more adorable than he knew. Seeing her from a human body was totally different than seeing her through an angel’s eyes. And she smelled so darn good. He just wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her sweet mouth, though she’d probably scream her head off if he tried that while looking like a beat-up derelict tramp. Plus he couldn’t let her see the wounds on his back, there’d be no way to explain them. Hopefully they’d heal without leaving scars.

After stripping off the filthy clothes, he dropped them on the floor and stepped into the bath. Enjoying the warmth of the water, he lowered himself into the suds. “Ahhh, that feels s so good,” he said to himself, but as he rested his head on the back of the tub, his back
and shoulders smarted. Unable to help himself, he yelled out in pain. “Aaaarr shit!”

Though his back hurt badly, he gripped the edge of the bath and took short fast breaths. He had to stay in the water if he wanted his wounds to heal. After soaking for a while, the stinging eased and he began to relax as he washed the rest of his body with soap. Realising he’d left Eloi
se alone with Tom, he pulled the plug out and stepped onto the fluffy blue bath mat. Hopefully, Tom wasn’t trying to talk Eloise into calling the police on him, but from her reaction a few minutes ago, he didn’t think she would.

As he patted himself dry with a large white towel, he chuckled. It sure was strange using the bathroom as a human instead of seeing it as an angel. He knew he had a lot to learn about being human, but knowing how girls complained about boys with foul smelling breath and bo
dy odour, he decided to make himself as presentable as possible.

He found a new toothbrush and disposable razor, then brushed his teeth. After shampoo
ing his matted hair in the sink, he wrapped the towel around his head and looked at his back in the mirror. Though his wounds still hurt, he was pleased the bleeding had stopped.

After covering his face with shaving cream, he slowly ran the razor across his cheeks, and though he tried to shave as gently as humans did, he managed to cut himself three times. “Darn it,” he murmured as tiny droplets of blood beaded on his chin. Then he remembered Eloise’s father saying he used aftershave as an antiseptic to kill germs and to numb the pain. Deciding to try it, he opened one of the spicy smelling colognes and splashed it onto his face.

“Eeeeeeoww!” he screamed, shuddering with excruciating pain. Not only was his chin stinging like Hell, but the cologne had splashed onto the wounds on his back and seeped into his busted knuckles. After turning on the cold tap, he held his hands under the water. “
Shit
that hurt.”

When the pain subsided, he screwed the top back on the cologne and shoved it back into the cabinet. Being human was a lot more painful than he’d ever imagin
ed, though he knew he’d suffer anything for a chance with Eloise.

Picturing
himself holding her in his arms and kissing her passionately, he grabbed a hand towel and began drying the water from his hips and thighs, but when he caught sight of himself in the full length mirror, his eyes grew wide. He was glad he still looked young and had the same muscular physique, but his masculine body parts now had a lot more definition, even his facial features were more distinct. He couldn’t work out why, but he liked the changes, and for the first time in his whole existence, he felt sexy and sensual. Staring at his reflection, he posed like a bodybuilder.

The door suddenly opened and Eloise peeked in. “Are you all right? I heard you yell out—oops.” Blushing, she froze on the spot as she stared wide-eyed at his naked body.

Skidding on the wet floor, he covered himself with his hands.

“Um sorry,” she stuttered. “I thought you were still in the bath and I forgot to tell you the lock is broken.” Biting her lip, she made a quick exit and closed the door.

Holy shit! Squeezing his eyes shut, he leaned against the door. His face was burning with pure embarrassment and his heart was hammering against his ribs. Not only had Eloise just seen him stark naked, she’d witnessed his stirrings of physical lust. Though he had no control over what just happened, he felt so embarrassed. Being human sure wasn’t easy and he didn’t know how he was going to face her now. Peeking at himself in mirror again, he held his face in shame. The towel was still wrapped around his head and his cheeks were practically purple. “Oh, Eloise,” he whispered. “What
have
you got me into?”

When she tapped lightly on the door again, he jerked with fright as he fumbled to drag the towel from his head to his waist. At this rate, he’d have a heart attack before ever getting to first base with her.

“Nate,” she shouted. “I’ve got some clean clothes for you. I’ll put them on the floor, okay?”

Holding the towel tightly around his waist, he opened the door and held out his hand. “Thanks, Eloise.”

Still blushing, she plonked the clothes on his arm. “I’ve made some soup if you’d like some.”

“Sure, that’ll be great.”

She blinked. “Gosh you look different now that you’ve cleaned up. I thought you were much older.”

He raised a brow. “Why? How old do you think I am?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know, but you don’t look much older than me.”

He grinned. Oh, he looked
that
young? Goodness, what would she think if she knew he was thousands of years old? Would she be interested in him then? Or horrified?

“Well, how old are you?”

Without thinking, he said, “Nineteen.”

She smiled. “Well get dressed and come and join us for dinner.”

“You mean, you and Tom?”

“Yes, my dad’s away and my mum won’t be home for hours.”

He smiled. “Thank you. That will be lovely.”

As she turned to leave, she hesitated. “Oh, and I’m really sorry I barged in on you. I didn’t mean to. The lock broke because my cat climbed through the window and wouldn’t come back out, so I had to force the door open. I should’ve told you.”

His face grew hot again and so did his body, so he moved back behind the door. Poking his head out, he smiled to put her at ease. “Don’t worry about it. It was Matilda’s fault.”

Her eyes went round. “How do you know my cat’s name?”

Uh-oh! Another slipup. “Oh, I heard you call her that.”

She smiled, her emerald green eyes sparkling from the reflection of the light. “Oh, I see. Well, hurry and come out for dinner.”

When she walked back down the hall, he closed the door. Oh, why did she have to be so darned adorable? He pulled on her father’s boxer shorts, then slipped into the denim jeans. They were a bit too big around the waist and hung low on his hips, but the tea-shirt and pullover fit tight across his chest. He pulled on the joggers she’d given him and was relieved they fit. He was glad he didn’t have to keep wearing the smelly shoes and clothes he’d stolen from the public showers at Creed Valley Beach. On his way out the door, he tossed the filthy discarded clothes in the bathroom trash bin, then strode down to the kitchen.

A pot of soup was simmering on the stove and a beautiful aroma was coming from the oven. Nathaniel rubbed his belly. The smell of it was making his stomach grumble and he couldn’t wait to taste his first ever meal. Wondering where Eloise was, he wandered down to the lounge room to see if she was watching TV with Tom. He could hear
One Direction
singing ‘
More Than This
’ on the television,  but as he reached the open door, he stopped in his tracks and pressed his hand to his sinking heart. Oh, not again. Eloise was sat on the couch with Tom and he was kissing her gently on the lips.

All the blood drained from Nathaniel’s face and he was sure he was about to throw up. He wanted to drag Tom away from her an
d kick him out the house, but he couldn’t do that. Knowing he was being ridiculous, he held his stomach and cursed himself for turning into a lovesick wimp.

Deciding to go into the kitchen before Eloise saw him spying on her, he turned to leave, but a movement at the other side of the room caught his eye. After zipping behind the door, he peered through the crack, then his eyes widened with fury.

Wearing nothing but tight-fitting black jeans and his wings furled behind his back, Devlin was watching Eloise as he crouched on the window ledge.

Nathaniel held his head. Holly Heaven! Why on Earth did Devlin have to turn up now?

Chapter Three

Praying Devlin hadn’t spotted him, Nathaniel watched from behind the door. There was no way he was letting that evil angel anywhere near Eloise, but as he moved to stop him, Devlin shot into Tom’s body, possessing him
and pulling Eloise into his arms. As he kissed her passionately, he slid his hands beneath her sweater and began caressing her back.

Nathaniel clenched his fists with rage, but without his wings and angel powers, there was nothing he could do. It just wasn’t right that Devlin had kept his wings when he was so evil. Obviously Lucifer had helped him somehow.
Holding his head in despair, Nathaniel knew if he attempted to drag Devlin away and beat him to a pulp, Eloise would think he was attacking Tom and call the cops on him. Chewing his lip, he tried to think, but when Devlin moved his hands up to her chest, his blood boiled and he slipped out from behind the door. No way was he letting Devlin molest her like that. Then his stomach lurched as he realized if Michael or some other angel burned Devlin’s wings off for what he was doing, Eloise could get caught in the flames.

Devlin had his back to him, so at least he
could drag him away from her before that happened, but as he tiptoed through the doorway, Eloise sat up and adjusted her top. “Tom, behave.”

Nathaniel darted back behind the door before she saw him, but as he trembled with uncontrollable rage, he knew Devlin wouldn’t give up that easy. With nothing but his bare fists to fight with, Nathaniel felt suddenly inadequate. Michael was right. Without angel powers, he was useless. And if he attempted to challenge Devlin, Lucifer would probably turn up. Between the two of them, they could snuff him out, and then Eloise would be in even more danger. He certainly wasn’t going to risk her life for his own stupid pride.

Clasping his hands together, Nathaniel prayed Eloise would send Tom home, then Devlin would have to go too. After all, he couldn’t do anything without a body to possess. Then a horrible thought crossed his mind.
Jesus!
If Devlin spotted him behind the door, he might attempt to possess
his
body to get to Eloise. Holy Heaven, he had to get out of there and fast, but not until he was sure Devlin and Tom had left. No way was he was leaving Devlin here do whatever he wanted to Eloise.

Nathaniel raked his hands through his hair and tried to think. His heart was thundering
against his ribs and his stomach was churning. How dare Devlin come into Eloise’s house and molest her like that? He never used to be so evil. Sure he’d kissed Eloise himself, but he loved her and would never let anything bad happen to her. Devlin wanted to hand her soul to Lucifer. Holy Heaven, there was only one thing he could do. If he took Michael’s offer to become Eloise’s guardian angel again, he’d have the power to burn Devlin’s wings off and turn him into a human, then he’d be powerless to possess human boys just to get to Eloise.

He rubbed his chin. Even if Devlin was a human, he’d still try to date her, though Nathaniel had enough faith in Eloise’s judgment to know she’d see through his charm to his evil soul, and as her guardian again, he’d make sure of it.

Scowling, he wondered why his own wings had been burned off for kissing Eloise, yet Devlin still had his. It didn’t make sense—unless God was worried about Eloise getting injured. Maybe he’d banish Devlin to Earth later, but what if he didn’t?

As
One Direction
sang,
‘C’mon, C’mon’
on the TV, Devlin pulled Eloise to her feet and started dancing her around the room to the music.

“Tom, stop it. I have to dish dinner out,” she giggled. “Plus I don’t know how to dance like that.”

Leaning her backward over his knee, Devlin kissed her neck. “Well, my love, I will teach you.” Pulling her back up, he twirled her around under his hand. “See, you can do it.”

As she chuckled, he scooped her into his arms and kissed her again, but when he started carrying her towards her bedroom, Nathaniel saw red. He had to do something, and fast.

Eloise struggled to get free. “Tom, put me down.”

Devlin grinned. “Aw, you know you love it when I kiss you.”

She kicked her legs. “Stop it, Tom, my mother will be home soon.”

He threw his head back and laughed. “No she won’t. She’s at the movies. Come on
, Eloise, it’s much more comfortable on your bed.”

Eloise pounded his shoulders with her fists. “Tom, this isn’t funny anymore. Stop messing about and put me down. You’re being an idiot.”

As he strode into her bedroom, Nathaniel crept up behind him, ready to grab him the moment he put Eloise down, but as he tossed her onto the bed, a key jiggled in the front door.

Within seconds, Devlin flew out of the bedroom window, leaving Tom in a confused heap on the floor. Nathaniel decided he’d better make a quick exit and go and look for Michael before Devlin came back.

When the front door opened, Nathaniel bolted out the back and ran down the side of the house to the street. After making sure no one was looking out the front window, he sprinted down the road towards the beach. What was going on and why hadn’t Michael told him what Devlin was up to? And why hadn’t he helped Eloise?

H
is pulse pounding in his ears, Nathaniel charged up the lookout steps two at a time. He had to speak to Michael as soon as possible. Reaching the top, he panted for breath and sat on the bench in the dark. Though his belly was crying out for sustenance, it was nothing like the pain he felt in his heart. He’d been so close to holding Eloise in his arms, but Devlin had put a stop to that. Oh, why was he such a thorn in his side? Would it never end?

Nathaniel
rested his head in his hands. All he wanted was to be left alone to be with Eloise. She was his destiny and he knew it, but if he didn’t get his wings back soon, Devlin would get to her, and who knows what he’d do. It certainly wouldn’t be anything good.

With a fury boiling his blood, he gritted his teeth and shouted to the sky. “Michael, where are you? What’s going on? Eloise is in trouble and I need my wings back, now!”

Though he waited for an answer, none came. With a frustrated sigh, he slumped in his seat and resigned himself to wait until morning. There was nothing else he could do. If he risked going back to Eloise, Devlin could be waiting to possess him. At least her mother had come home. He shook his head. It was so unfair. All he wanted was to stay as a human and hopefully win Eloise’s heart, but as a man, he knew he wouldn’t be able to save her from likes of Devlin. And from the looks of things, Devlin must’ve already done a deal with Lucifer. How else was he able to kiss and molest Eloise without getting his wings burned off?

With an urge to punch a tree again, Nathaniel looked at his injured knuckles. He soon thought better of it. It was way too painful and his fingers hadn’t even healed yet.  He knew now, there was no way he could stay on Earth as a man. Not if it meant putting Eloise in danger. Michael was right after all. The only way to fight Lucifer and Devlin was with the help of God and getting his angel powers back. Eloise meant more to him than anything in the whole universe and he had to put her safety first, even if it meant breaking his own heart in the process.

Realising he’d just made up his mind to claim back his wings, he sobbed into his hands. The pain in his heart was too much to bear and he had no idea how to cope with it. Being a human was harder than he’d ever expected, certainly harder than being an angel.

Hearing the neighing of a horse, he gazed up at the sky. Michael was charging through the ominous clouds on his majestic white stallion, his gleaming blue sword held out in front of him.

Though Nathaniel was relieved to see him, he didn’t really want to be caught crying like a baby. Why couldn’t he have turned up earlier when Eloise needed help?

When the horse landed in front of him, Michael hopped off and shoved his sword into his sheath. “What’s up? I heard you call out for help, so I take it you’ve already made your decision.”

Wiping the tears from his face, Nathaniel blinked up at Michael’s bright aura. “I guess so.”

Michael looked him up and down. “You certainly look very handsome now you’ve cleaned up and shaved, Nathaniel. But from the miserable look on your face, I take it your date with Eloise didn’t go to plan.”

Nathaniel narrowed his eyes at him. “You’re darn right it didn’t go to plan, but you knew it wouldn’t, didn’t you? That’s why you arrived with your sword. Did you expect to run into your nemesis tonight?”

“I wouldn’t exactly call Lucifer my nemesis. He’s below that. But it seems he has your ward in his radar. That’s why I’m here, isn’t it? Now, I need to know what you’ve decided to do before I go, so what’s your answer?”

“You already know what my answer is. You tricked me. You said I had until tomorrow morning to decide what to do, yet you knew I’d soon come back up here, begging for my wings.”

“Hmm, it’s not like you to be so belligerent, Nathaniel. Tell me what happened so I can help you?”

“Here we go again. You say you want to
help
me, but where were you earlier when I
needed
your help? You must’ve known what was going to happen.”

“I’m not sure exactly what you’re talking about, Nathaniel, so spit it out.”