ANGELS IN ALLEYWAYS
By:Rachel Kramer
09/22/09

HISTORY

I held the cup of hot cocoa firmly with both hands, trying to absorb its warmth. Nathan, Larson, and I were sitting at a booth together in one of the airport's restaurant outlets. My stomach was full and warm from the chicken noodle soup I'd ordered. Larson hadn't ordered anything - no surprise there - because vamps only drink human blood. Nathan on the other hand had ordered a BLT and a coke, but more than half of his food remained. Since he was literally an angel, I figured his kind were able to consume human food but didn't actually need it to survive.

The place was deserted and we were in a pretty secluded area so I took the opportunity to question Larson on my demon dilemma.

"Nathan told me you could help find the demon that killed my sister. Is that true?"

"Absolutely. There isn't a supernatural being I cannot track," he told me smugly.

"Perfect! So who is he and where can I find his charbroiled ass?"

Larson shrugged indifferently, "I don't know his name. As for his whereabouts, well, he's probably vacationing back in hell for the time being, afraid of running into you; as he should be."

Just Great! Larson was telling me things I could have guessed at! I slumped in my seat, disappointment shredding my mood.

"You don't honestly have such little faith in me, do you love?"

"You can't even tell me his name," I whined. "What good are you?"

Larson looked mischievous as ever. "Give me twenty four hours. I'll have a name for you then," he said giving me a wink.

My chipper mood returned in an instance, "Now we're talking!"

Nathan chimed in just then, "Thanks for your help Larson, it is greatly appreciated."

"Anytime old friend."

"Be sure to contact us immediately when there's a development," Nathan added.

Larson laughed like he'd just heard a funny joke, "I have no plans to stay here in Alaska, Nethaneel. I can just as easily dig up information in Texas. Besides, Viktoriya will need training if she plans to survive the confrontation with her demon."

That made my mouth flop open. Larson...coming to Texas? How does that even sound like a good idea? Of course, I reveled in the idea of a vampire training me in self defense, but outside of that pro were a cluster of cons. Austin was teaming with people who had pulses. Whether or not Larson had control over his bloodlust was unknown to me, but it didn't matter. Either way, Larson was a vampire, and sooner or later he'd get hungry.

"No," Nathan said before I did.

Larson wiggled his finger at Nathan in a come-hither motion. Obligingly, Nathan leaned in. "I should let you in on a little secret." There was a dramatic pause, then, "it's a free country jerkface!"

I couldn't help but laugh at Larson's use of the word I'd used earlier. Nathan's facial expression only made the whole situation even funnier, making giggles ripple through me. When I'd finally settled down I noticed they both watched me with mild amusement.

Nathan turned back to face Larson, "You have made your point. Guess I will be seeing you in Austin then."

Larson flashed us his usual grin, showing off his fangs. "You can count on it," and with those last promising words Larson rose from our booth and left, leaving me and Nathan to ourselves.

"Well, this ought to be interesting."

"How do you mean?" Nathan asked.

"Oh, I don't know, he's just a vampire...and Austin's the all-you-can-eat-buffet for his kind," I responded with feigned nonchalance.

Nathan smiled. Apparently the idea didn't bother him, "You have no reason to worry, Viktoriya. Larson will behave himself."

"How can you be so sure?" I implored.

Nathan's eyes glazed over recalling some past memory. "Larson and I go back some time. Deep down he has always been a good person. Mischievous yes, but his heart is good. ?Besides, if he does hurt anyone, he'll be dealt with..."

"When you say Larson and you go way back, what exactly do you mean?"

"Once upon a time, I was his guardian angel, but my position as so was revoked when he became a creature of the night."

I wasn't sure what I'd been expecting Nathan to say, but that had not been it. It just seemed weird to think of Larson as once being human. It was even weirder to picture Nathan as his guardian angel.

I carried on with my twenty questions regardless. "Did he choose to turn?"

I saw sadness in Nathan's eyes before I heard it in his voice, "No Viktoriya, he did not. It is rare to find those who are given a choice." The tone in Nathan's voice as he explained this to me sent shivers down my spine.