SWNOVELS Chapter 21: Distracted
Castiel’s POV
“Good lesson?” Castiel asked with forced interest as she entered his space bubble and leaned against the back ledge with him. Their elbows were innocently touching, and had the bar been empty he would have pulled her flush against him so MUCH more was touching.
“Yes, very interesting! And Taala called me smart! Or wait, no, my soul is smart.” Of course it was, his clever girl.
“Auras?”
“Yes! Do you know what your soul thing is? Soul shade?”
“Somewhere between red and orange. Taala once teased that my soul was either always angry and hungry, or strong and confident. I choose to believe the latter two.” Castiel smiled at the memory, one of the only good ones he had of a demon Taala. Back when he was first changed and still wanted redemption for his crimes. Now he leads the city Legion of sinners against his former kin. His smile had unconsciously morphed into a frown and he shook his head to right it.
“What was he like? You know, as an angel?”
“Um. Imposing. Fiercely loyal and by the book. He was the Angel of Death, and there can only be one at a time. They collect the souls of the faithful and carry them to God. Think Grim Reaper but with a sword. Taala even still wears the cloak.” She giggled and it was a stunning sound.
Then she stared up at him. He read in her eyes the ‘what happened?’ question. “Taala lost his heart slowly, hate building in his core when a large group were free of consequence while many innocents perished at their hands. They killed for fun and we could not stop it. Taala’s wrath eventually released uncontrolled rage and the whole group were exterminated.”
Angel gasped and covered her mouth. Castiel nodded and slid a hand up and down the bare skin of her back. His skin tingled at the touch. He’d hug her senseless as soon as he could and replace her pale cheeks with that sweet blush he loved. They stood silent for a long time.
She suddenly changed topics with a cleared throat. “So, um, can vampires drink and eat like humans? In books they can only have blood.”
Castiel frowned and scuffed his boot on the floor. Eventually he spoke. “I told you I’d always give you honest answers, Angel. The Coven can eat or drink as we do, only if they fill their stomach with blood within a couple hours.” He watched Angel for understanding.
Her eyes widened and she breathed out an “Oh.” Castiel watched the gears turn in her pretty head. “Castiel?”
“Yes, love?”
“Where do they get all the blood from?”
Jesus she was into heavy topics all of a sudden. He looked her over, thinking of the best way to answer. With how many vampires filled the bar daily, and even more on the regular with likable Angel around now, there must be a constant blood bag buffet back at the hospital. Or worse? “I’m not entirely sure love. They had a stockpile of previously donated blood bags, but sometimes they drink fresh from a lone traveller. I- I don’t want you thinking about that though Angel.” He stroked up and down her back again.
She nodded quickly, and seeming to listen again jumped topics. “Castiel, can I go out for a couple hours? I want to meet with Parker and I think doing it on her turf helps my case.” Castiel vehemently shook his head. She darted to stand in front of him and added before he could speak “I can take Alastair with me.” He knew his face was one of shock again. He was failing terribly at trying to keep up with her today. “He’s, um, my self-appointed bodyguard.. for some reason. He wants to make sure I’m safe. I can take him with me to the store?”
Holy Hell, what an image! She might as well link arms with Eva and Gabe and stroll into Syndicate with nearly all factions represented. Lord above! He looked over at Alastair staring out the window. “Stay here.” He commanded to her and she nodded quickly, hugging herself.
He strode the short distance to Alastair and dropped into the chair opposite him. “I’d like a favour.” Alastair looked surprised at Castiel’s proximity, and then annoyed as he joined the table uninvited. He donned his best authoritative voice under the glare of white irises. “Apply it to envy or pride, but I don’t want Angel going anywhere without me. I don’t trust anyone else. She is… determined though and I need protection for her. I offer unlimited drinks to you tomorrow in exchange for your protection over her physical safety the next couple hours.”
Castiel hadn’t even taken a breath when Alastair said “Agreed.” Jesus, he did want to protect Angel! He probably could have offered him just a free shot instead. He made a mental note to speak with the dark lycan as the demon obviously knew something he wasn’t saying. Castiel nodded and went back to Angel, shifting anxiously in place where he left her.
He held two fingers in the air in front of her. “You have 2 hours. I will descend the Heavens on Syndicate in 2 hours 1 minute if you are not back standing here.” He pointed to the floor. She nodded quickly and smiled, rising on tiptoe to smooch his jawline. She spun and pulled a butterknife from her back pocket while grabbing a sealed beer bottle. She held the two items up side by side at Castiel and dropped the knife to the payment box.
Alastair had already stood and was standing by the door when Angel jogged to meet him with bottle in hand. He opened the door for her while staring down the street toward Pack territory. She looked too, and then pushed off the other direction toward Syndicate with the lumbering hellhound following. Hell’s bells, how’d he explain this later?