Chapter 34.

Her hair flowed down her back in a long black curtain, swept back and braided with gold framing her face like the halo of an angel. And what an angel she was. The closely fitted white silk robe that draped elegantly across her body, held in place with tiny ribbons of gold. Around her waist, a corset of gold satin emphasising her perfect proportions to full advantage. At the bottom of her shapely, long legs was a pair of impossibly high gold sandals tied in a similar fashion to her dress.

As she moved through the crowded room all eyes, both male and female, turned to worship her. What an Angel. How ironic that a demon thrown from the very pits of hell would show up impressively dressed as the most exquisite angel imaginable? Of course, she wasn’t the only one, there were the cliché white fluffy winged, sparkly haloed, skimpy clad, blonde-haired angels and on the other side, the red painted faced males complete with red plastic horns, tails and pitchforks. But then this was the ‘Gilbert Foundation’s Annual Angels and Demons Charity Ball’. A grown up’s version of playing dress up to raise money for the sick little kiddies in the local hospital; held in City Hall and boasting society’s who’s who list, a roll call of all the rich and corrupt scum that ran the city. But if ever there was a place to encourage man’s nature attraction to evil, this was it.

Champagne flute in had she lay languidly on one of the brocade-covered couches in the far corner of the decadently decorated room. Watching, waiting, scanning the room for him, hoping he would show his face, not daring to glimpse into the future to find out for sure.

What a bore the party had turned out to be, the usual spectacle of men fawning all over her and women just hating her. Taking a sip from the champagne in her hand, her head drifted slowly upwards and there he was. Tall, dark, mysterious and elegant, dressed in a simple tuxedo. He was strong and firmly built, warm brown hair that was more long that short, rich brown eyes the colour of polished mahogany wood, he was everything she remembered him to be.

He watched her for a little while, drinking in her beauty before he would make his way across the crowded room. She was divine. Her eyes were like pieces of dark green coloured glass, reflecting the light and alluring from a distance, but nothing substantial behind them. She was that one thing that tempted every man and fuelled his desire. He defied any man to resist her. Even he had trouble. But then he knew what lay behind those eyes.

He weaved through the bodies on the dance floor as the small orchestra played, watching her every move as he inched closer. She lifted a strawberry from the silver dish on the table in front of her and dipped into the champagne, slowly bringing it closer to her lips. Every man within a ten feet radius of her waited breathlessly for the strawberry’s first kiss. He couldn’t help but smile at her blatant seduction technique.

“Would such a beautiful angel honour me with a dance?” His rich voice stunning all around. Every man wishing he’d had the courage to ask the same question. Licking her lips, she answered him with a simple nod of her head. And with the extension of a hand, they were on the dance floor. The sharp plucking sound across the violin strings and the slow, slow, quick, quick, slow time of the music indicated the passion of a tango was required. His hand snapped firmly into place on her back and their carriage straightened as they traversed the dance floor, all eyes glazed in admiration at the beautiful spectacle playing out before them.

“Isn’t your costume a little vague for tonight’s proceedings.” Arianne asked as they moved, body pressed against body. The warmth that radiated from the stranger was glorious.

“Does it really matter what I wear? It’s not like anyone would care.” She melted with every syllable that he uttered. “Tell me Arianne, what is your boss up to these days?” The rich warmth of his voice tickled her ear and sent a pleasant sensation down her spine.

“What makes you so sure I would know anything of Nick’s business. I am but a humble servant in the grand scheme of things, much like yourself.” The condescension of her tone spurred him to pull her in abruptly, making her squeak uncontrollably, an action that only further fuelled her desire towards him.

“You and I both know that you possess a particularly special gift. Please, tell me what you know.” Arianne kept silent, and still they danced, again he pleaded with her. “I know that he is up to something, I just need you to tell me what.”

After a moment she replied, “It really does seem too long since you and I last spoke. Since you last looked at me. How long would you say?” There was a mocking quality in her voice that betrayed her discomfort in discussing the antics that Nick had been getting ‘up to’.

“Yes, it has been a while now.” He paused, sensing her concern. “What’s with the false pleasantries, I know how much you despise them?” He gazed down into her face, his large brown eyes, warm and radiant. She began to melt, once again. How she hated her position when she was in his arms.

“Why do you always come to me? You give me nothing in return.” Still trying to avoid actually telling him anything. He smiled. “All I’d want is one little kiss. It wouldn’t be that hard. I’ll tell you everything I know, for a kiss. I think that’s a fair offer.” The music was coming to an end and their dance was coming to its resolution.

“That’s not possible. I can’t give you what you want.” The rich tones of his voice were more serious now than they had ever been. “You know that.”

“Then I can’t give you what you want either.” She was defiant. There was no way she was going to let him walk out of her life again and leave her to an eternity of the same old shit.

As the music ended and their dancing finished with her curled into his chest, her back to him. He bent his head forward reaching just beyond her ear to her cheek. “I will find out. With or without you.” And with that he had released her, leaving her and City Hall behind.

“Damn you Michael, why do all angels have to be so moralistic?” Frustrated and angry she decided that there was nothing left there to induce her to stay. Better to warn Nick that heaven and all its glory was on to him.

Michael stood outside City Hall, waiting to see her leave. He knew she’d go straight to Nick, and tell him about their little meeting. He could have got her to tell him a lot more, but the price was too high. An angel and a demon kiss. It had been heard of before sure, but he wasn’t prepared to live with the consequences. A mortal’s lifetime on earth, give up his position in heaven. Lesser angels had attempted it, fallen into hell’s trap too. But an Archangel? No, that was unspeakable, and just the sort of thing Nick would want. He couldn’t do it, even if it meant giving Arianne her freedom. Even if it meant having the woman he loved by his side.