Page 2 of Light

“Wasn’t the pox. Mart’s claimin' wild beasts.”

“Dollymop never did shoot us straight.”

“What then?”

“Damfino.”

Gabriel slid his stool back, reaching for his hat. The only wild beasts terrorizing London streets were the nasdaqu-ush. He strode for the door, placing it atop his head.

“Gotta pay fer that!” the barman shouted behind him.

Scowling, he turned, setting two coins on the counter—more than enough to pay for a meal and a pint. The barman nodded and turned away, saying nothing about the food he’d not yet been served.

It was just as well—he wouldn’t have eaten it.

Streaks of orange slid between narrow gaps in buildings, lighting his path as he turned onto Mill Street and lengthened his stride. He could have moved through air to arrive in moments, but it would not be dark for some time, and though he was loath to admit it, he liked the filthy cobbled streets of South London.

It was alive with pain and suffering in a manner he knew too well. The stench of misery and loss clung to the air, coating his skin. He felt a quiet companionship among those who understood him in a way his brethren never would.

Dina may have been right when she surmised he had lost more of his soul than the other seraphim.

If it was meant as a punishment for their dalliances with humans all those centuries ago, why had he been dealt the worst blow? He’d never known the touch of a mortal, never given in to the temptations of human flesh.

He stopped, peering up at the shanty of a building leaning against its neighbor. It was the perfect place for the nasdaqu-ush to hunt. Mere steps from the Thames and bordered on two sides by dark alcoves, the creatures could easily slip in and out unseen.

Red rimmed the horizon, painting the landscape in shades of gray. It was nearly time.

Gabriel knocked.

Slowly, the door creaked open, revealing a sallow face framed in dark, greasy curls. Mart’s sharp eyes trailed down Gabriel’s pristine breeches and back up. A wide grin split her face, exposing cracked, yellow teeth.

“What can I do you for ya this eve, kind sir?”

“I’d like a room.”

Chapter 2

Gabriel

Gabriel leaned against the window frame of his rented room. Outside, the night was warm. Sticky heat pressed against the cool of the building’s aged walls as he trailed his gaze over the dark nooks and crannies below.

A boy, not yet twelve, worked methodically down the street, lighting each hanging lantern. He made his way toward the building, stopping at each to relight his wick before raising it on an extended pole. As he drew nearer, the path lit, illuminating darkened corners.

A light knock caught Gabriel momentarily by surprise. He stood, cracking the door. Mart stared up at him, her watery eyes glinting.

“I’ll be sendin’ my best girl in, sir. Do ya have a preference? I got girls of all shapes ‘n sizes. Ya won’t be disappointed.”

Gabriel grimaced. “I’ll only require the room. Thank you.”

Mart’s eyes narrowed. “There’ll be no foul deeds done here, sir. The room’s fur pleasure only.”

Gabriel nodded, pulling five gold coins out. “Nothing untoward will happen; I assure you.”

Her mouth fell slack as she accepted his coin. It was far too large a sum for the establishment, but it would ensure he was undisturbed for the rest of the evening.

He glanced over his shoulder, back to the street below. She said something else, but he wasn't listening. The boy was gone. Lit lanterns stopped just outside her building. The damned woman had distracted him.

“Excuse me, I forgot my coat. I’ll return momentarily.” He pushed the door wide, stepping around Mart, and moved swiftly down the hall. Tuning out the crude sounds and muffled banging of furniture against walls inside, he listened.

---