The troublesome beast chose that moment to glance at him. The corner streetlamp provided little light in the darkened alley, but it was enough for Luc to see the smug triumph in the feline face. He also recognized the celestial being inside the animal. Now he understood why Belthas had set out to terrorize it.
Any half-baked plans he and Nadia might’ve had regarding sex were null and void.
He’d been cock-blocked by an angel in disguise.
7
As they consumed their dinner, Nadia’s new feline friend huddled by the open balcony door. No doubt prepared to bolt if Luc paid her any undue attention. As soon as they were alone, he’d make sure the angel understood the triscelene was under his protection. Unless the creature wanted to start a fight it couldn’t possibly win, it would accede to his wishes.
Not five minutes later, Nadia excused herself to use the restroom, affording him the opportunity to speak freely.
“Ariel, yes?” he asked with a casual sip of wine.
The angel in fur clothing shot him an alarmed look.
“You’re surprised I know who you are. You shouldn’t be.” He smiled, and it wasn’t at all pleasant. “What I don’t know, I make it a point to. Who consigned you to your current form and why?”
An image of a furious Michael flashed in the beast’s mind, telling Luc all he needed to know.
“I see.” And he suspected he did. The angel had bristled, making clear she was no fan of his brother’s, which could work in his favor. “Nadia saved you tonight. You owe her protection.”
Ariel rolled her eyes and glanced away.
“Should you do anything to harm her, I will make Belthas’s attempted torture of you seem like child’s play, do you understand?”
Her gaze locked with his, defiant and proud.
“That arrogance is likely what placed you squarely on Michael’s bad side,” he mused with another sip of his drink. “He’s an ass on a good day.”
Luc would’ve sworn he saw an amused spark in her wide, pale-green eyes.
“You and I will call a truce, Ariel. If you watch out for Nadia and alert me to potential danger, I will find a way to free you from his curse.”
He heard the question in her mind.
“How did you know he was responsible for locking me in this form?”
“I’ve known him a great many years, and am well aware of what he does to those who incur his displeasure.” Luc grimaced. “He would see you as an underling, not worthy of compassion.”
“Some would say it was mercy that he didn’t kill me for disobeying orders.”
“How long have you been trapped?”
“A decade.”
Forcing one of their own to endure life on the streets, scrounging for scraps to survive, was Machiavellian. He swore under his breath, furious at the cruelty.
“Michael didn’t offer you mercy, Ariel. He devised a much slower death sentence,” he stated coolly. “But I shall help you.”
“You are not to be trusted.”
Bitterness turned his mouth down. These newer recruits had been brainwashed.
Nadia joined them, cutting off any further communication. But Luc sensed the instant Ariel unbent. A moment later, she wove in and out of her new charge’s legs, rubbing her jaw against Nadia’s leggings.
“Oh!” Happiness bloomed on Nadia’s expressive face. “She’s relaxing enough to trust me!”
“It appears she is,” he agreed, giving Ariel a steady look. “Smart cat.”
