SWNOVELS Chapter 20: Lesson Three
Angel’s POV
Taala and Angel slid to their normal spots on the couch. Taala stared with a frown for a long time all around her, then cleared his throat. “Do you have any requests for today my dear?”
Angel nodded slowly as she thought of proper wording. “I’d like to know about demon senses. Or demon powers? And.. what decides how you’ll look when turned from human to Hell’s servant?” Taala smirked and nodded once.
“I’ll start with appearance. There are two things known to happen, and the rest is completely random. Every demon will get horns from the head and an eye colour change. Our eyes change to match our main house Mistress. My main house is wrath, so I see out of red ones now.” He took a drink and motioned his beer mug behind himself without moving those red eyes from Angel. “Alastair back there serves pride, so his are white. You can tell which house a demon serves with a single glance.” He raised his glass and sipped through giving the list. “Envy, green. Gluttony, yellow. Sloth, blue. Lust, purple. Greed, black.”
Angel committed the colours to memory. “What were you like as an angel, sir?”
Taala laughed. It was a hearty echoing laugh and Angel actually liked it. He thought for a minute, drumming black nails on his glass. “I suppose I was still scary then. Tall and thick, with this black hair and some blue eyes. Never without my sword.” He looked down to his glass with a far away look. “Gray wings.” He added.
Angel wanted to ask what happened to his wings and if transformations hurt, but felt like those were possibly painful, inappropriate questions. She just nodded. He came back to the present with many blinks and took a long drink.
“Demon senses grow stronger over time, but when we are changed we get the ability to see auras as well as pull the secret each person holds to their heart. Auras are coloured energy that surround each body and are affected by mood and emotions. Someone's aura is usually a combination of colours, with one being more dominant than others. This is how we can tell when someone is lying, as the colours will flicker with black guilt for a moment.”
Angel nodded quickly. She wished she could see auras. “What am I?”
Taala considered, but she believed he was stalling for what to tell her. “Each person has a soul shade. Some colour they perpetually show under everything else. Your soul shade means independent and wise.”
“Thank you sir.” Angel smiled genuinely at the big demon. “And.. how do you see the secret of a heart?”
“By a favour only Angel. Demons cannot touch skin to skin without a favour exchange, or it would burn the skin on both sides for days. Like being alight with flames. With a touch of skin granted though, we may see the heart’s greatest desire, which we could offer a subsequent soul favour to grant. This is where the term sell your soul to the Devil comes from.” Taala drained his beer while Angel stared at her hands. His lips wkere pursed in thought and he spoke when she lifted eyes to him again.
“Angel, would you grant ME a favour?”
Angel stared wide eyed. “What- What would be the exchange?”
“Shake my hand my dear, and I will give your dagger a protection charm for 3 continuous hours.”
Angel’s mouth fell open for a long inhaled breath. “You wish to know my heart’s desire.”
A single nod.
“Can I know what it is too?”
A negative shake.
“Oh. What is a protection charm?”
“A safety bubble. Anyone too close with aggressive emotions will feel physical pressure to step back and a crushing sense of impending doom if they remain close.”
Wow, a valuable chip in a game of war, and something she felt he must think she needed based on today’s aura. “Can I choose the hours to start later?”
A head tilt, then a single nod.
Angel chewed her bottom lip. Was this a trust exercise? He had said no one ever accepted favours asked by demons. What would Taala use the answer for? Gabe had said to weigh all deals carefully. She glanced to Castiel who was fake polishing a mug while staring their way. How badly would Castiel react to another deal with Taala? Worst thought of all.. what could be the harm? “Castiel must not see.” she said eventually.
Taala laughed again. “I am agreed.” Taala stood, his tall body and full cloak blocked Castiel from view. He extended a silver hand with long piano fingers to Angel. She slid forward on the couch and stared at the huge hand. Deep breath taken, she slid her small hand into his grip and shook it.
Angel felt nothing but watched the demon’s face with interest. He closed his eyes, inhaled and exhaled deeply, and then frowned. When he opened his eyes he retracted his hand and nodded once to Angel, giving another deep breath. “When you wish to start the charm hours, come find me Angel.” He left as he always did, tucking the jerky bag under his cloak and disappearing past the window outside.
Angel splayed out on the couch a moment, head rested on the back to stare at the ceiling. Momentarily composed a, she dropped her mask again and headed to Castiel.