The Forsaken(5)
No Cherub will stand in my path. I will ascend…or die trying.
“Can I help you?” The man behind the bar wearing a dark navy suit nailed him with a stony look. He was all business, and for a second Nathanael felt like one of his older Seraphim brothers was assessing him. The urge to shuffle his feet hit him, but he resisted, barely. Wearing casual teenage clothing had been a necessity, but the tight jeans made him conscious he was overly tall compared to most youths and much more muscular. The black dress jacket over his long-sleeved shirt he’d purchased on a whim after going to the Seraphim safe house. What he had discovered there didn’t sit well with him.
None of the Earth-bound angels wanted anything to do with the heavenly exiled Cherubs. They knew of their existence but didn’t interact with them, and that confused Nathanael.
Why would they treat them with scorn? They were females, and if Nathanael had his way, they would be protected by the Earth-born Seraphim. When he had mentioned that, the patriarch of the house had silenced him. Nathanael had wanted to argue his point but the patriarch had made it clear they had approached the fallen angels and been told to leave them alone. Why the man listened to them mystified Nathanael. The fallen angels needed protecting, and while he had pleaded his case late into the night, the patriarch would not budge. If the female angels needed him, they had to come to the Seraphim safe house and not the other way around. Frustrated, Nathanael had left. He felt more disgusted with his brethren than anything else. A Seraphim was a warrior, but it would appear on Earth the Earth-born angels were made up mostly of lawyers, bankers, and businessmen.
In the heavens life was simple. Seraphim angels safeguarded Cherubs. Cherubs were female and their role was to please the Seraphim. Of the same caste system, heaven was divided by the sexes and each had their preordained role. A Royal Seraphim, like his father, who held importance on the Council, were a caste above regular Seraphim. And if Nathanael had his way, that would become his life. Only one little thing stood in his way—his fallen mate. But, just like his Father, he was one determined Seraphim. He’d secure his Cherub, get her to repent for her sins, and then all would be right in his world.
Scanning the crowd, Nathanael vowed tonight to discover where his Cherub was and return with her to the heavenly realm for good. Then in a decade’s time they’d undergo the x’simcha ceremony, binding two souls together to breed future Seraphim if they were boys and future Cherubs if they were girls. Simple. They way of heaven-born angels.
“Take it you understand the rules here,” stated the man, who still eyed him suspiciously.
Nathanael nodded.
“And this is your first time in the area?”
Nathanael knew the man was fishing for information, but the last thing he wanted was conversation with another useless human. “What do you recommend for a drink?” he asked, changing the subject.
The man gave a crafty smile. “Scorched Earth.”
“What?”
“The drink Scorched Earth is what I’d recommend for you.”
Nathanael nodded, and the guy handed him a blood-colored drink, a mix of the copper liquid, some from the red, and some from a bottle the bartender had under the counter. The drink cost Nathanael six dollars. He paid for his beverage, smiled, and leaned back against the counter, taking a sip of the syrupy drink. Bitterness singed his throat and he coughed up a storm.
The man chuckled as he went on to serve another customer. Nathanael fought not to curse. Only his strict upbringing kept him from saying what he really thought of the human. Whatever was in the drink tickled his throat, but once he calmed down the warmth from the bitter liquid enveloping his belly wasn’t all that unpleasant.
The bartender rematerialized by Nathanael. “So, what brings you to these parts?”
Nosy human. “I’m looking for someone.”
“There’s lots of someone’s here. Anyone in particular? I know most of the regular kids…and some of the ones no longer allowed in here.”
“Do you run this place?” asked Nathanael, trying to get a sense if the human really could be helpful.
The human chuckled. “I guess. Most days, I feel like this place runs me. I’m either the janitor, guidance counselor, or damn accountant. This building is mine. This rec center is also mine, so if you’re looking for trouble, take it elsewhere. I’ve spent a lot of money on this place trying to make it inviting for the kids.”
“Certainly looks better than the last one I was in. All they had were rows of tables, and the kids were bored to tears playing some stupid game called Bingo,” said Nathanael. He took a cautious sip of the brew this time, not wanting to let on he hated the cursed drink.
“That would be Caldwell’s Recreational Center. The city owns that hellhole and it’s totally useless. Listen, I’ve got to chat with someone back stage but if you need another drink or want to talk later, I’ll be back.”
Nathanael just grinned. Maybe the human wasn’t all that bad.
Quiet descended over the bar the minute the shimmering lights and techno beat ceased. A hush of anticipation soared through the motley teenagers.
Nathanael felt his body gravitate toward the stage and realized he too was caught up in the crowd’s anticipation. A mass of excited people, four levels deep, stood between him and the dark backdrop. Muffled conversations and hushed whispers thickened the air. The mood in the place moved from partying delight to sweet ecstasy. The curtains swung up like a billowing cloud and there before him stood four Cherubs, their heavenly bodies on display in clothing that would make the Mistress weep. Each wore a pleated black-and-white skirt barely covering their bottoms, high-top red sneakers with black laces that traveled all the way up to the knees, and white blouses tied into halter tops that showcased more of their honey-colored, heavenly flesh.