My Fallen Angel

I couldn't keep going like this.
It had been a week since I'd left, and my heart ached every day. I never should have told Ashlandil the truth, but I couldn't keep it to myself anymore. He needed to know. I had never expected him to be so angry.
I sighed, and glimpsed myself in a passing store window. I was looking very bad. My face was pale, my eyes violet and they looked almost too large for my face. I was a sickly color of white, and my lips were bloodless. My hair was limp against my shoulders, and the hunger pains were almost excruciating.
I didn't have much longer left. I had to do something.
I was back in L.A., and I was hunting down some of the angels I had glimpsed at Andys concert that first night.
I needed help.
I walked aimlessly until I sensed one, and honed in on it, seeing a club set down into the sidewalk, the windows flashing with multi-colored lights.
Club Dremel? It looked rough.
I glanced down at my clothing. I had on torn skinny jeand and a white t shirt. I wouldn't fit in there. But I didn't have a choice.
Maybe it would be angels that I had once been friends with, that didn't hold a grudge against me for my "high and mighty" attitude, as Ashlandil had so often put it.
I took a breath, and then entered the club. I stepped inside, immediately disoriented by the flashing lights, and kept my gaze to the floor as I walked to the bar, needing a place to gain my bearings.
I stepped to it, and glanced around, searching them out. My eyes went to the empty stage, wishing I could climb on it for a better view.
I glanced behind me as I caught a scent, and then saw her, her natural bright pink hair weaving its way through the crowd towards me.
"Theda," I breathed as she stepped to me, and she gave me a bright smile.
"Kenali!" She wrapped me in a swift hug, holding me tightly.
I had lucked up.
Theda had been one of the harp players, and she had danced with me so many times.
I actually had missed her.
She pulled away from me, glancing me over with a worried look.
"How long have you been here?" she asked me. "I thought I saw you at Andiels concert a few weeks ago, but I wasn't sure if it was you or not."
"It was me," I said, and cleared my throat. "I Fell."
Her brown eyes gazed at me in concern. "Have you not sinned yet? You look awful, Kenali!"
I frowned.
"It's been a rough couple of weeks," I muttered. "I don't like this world."
"You'll get used to it," she assured me, brushing my hand behind my ear. "Once you get your sins in. Come on! Raza and Cronus are here, too."
She clamped her hand on mine and began dragging me through the crowd, and we stepped up to a table where the two male angels sat.
They both turned their gazes on us.
Cronus was big, broad shouldered and tall, and you could see his muscles before anything else. He had been one of the top warriors, his strength legendary.
Think Hercules.
His brown hair was still the same as always, though he had two round rings in his lips. He looked impenetrable, actually. Raza always looked fried, in my opinion. His black hair was long and spiky, and his eyes were always roving, never staying still too long. He had the space between his eyes pierced with silver orbs, and snake and angel bites.
He was the same height as Theda, who was just a bit taller then me.
I hadn't been aware any of them were friends.
"Kenali." Raza didn't seemed too surprised to see me. "You finally came to the fun side, huh?"
"Raza, please," Theda sighed at him, and sat down in his lap. I took the only other chair cautiously. I had wondered how I would be recieved.
"What are you doing here?" Cronus asked softly after a moment. "You were one of the most loyal."
"Andiel is in trouble. Seraphine is after him, so I Fell, thinking I could stop her. But this world proves to be harsher then I expected."
"Seraphine?" Theda tilted her head back thoughtfully. "I'd almost forgotten about her! Is she evil or something?"
"She's holding a grudge," I explained wearily. "Against Andiel. He's been given an extraordinary chance at being human, and she wants to take that away."
"I can't blame her, lucky bastard," Raza sighed. "He gets all the perks and none of the punishments. You must care a great deal to Fall for him just for that."
I didn't respond.
"Can't Ashlandil keep him safe?" Theda asked. "It seems he's loving the rockstar life."
I clenched my fists.
"He's useless, and selfish. He doesn't care about anyone," I muttered, staring a hole into the table. "He won't help."
"Wow, okay. You guys don't get along, huh?" she gazed at me, propping her chin in her hand. "But you're in love with Andiel, aren't you? You Fell so he could have a chance at a normal life! How romantic," she sighed.
"Theda ---." Raza started.
"We're going to help you!" Theda announced, cutting him off. "You are?" I blinked at her. That had been easy.
"Yeah! First, though, we're gonna have to get you sinning so you're healthy again. And some new clothes. And then we can track down Andiel and get you guys together and ---."
"Whoa! Theda, slow down. I haven't told you everything yet ---."
"It doesn't matter." she smiled at me. "I've already decided to help. So we will, won't we, guys?"
They didn't look impressed.

Notes