Edge of Thorns 2 - Pt 18

Part 18
I don't think I'll get much done in the way of writing tonight, and I should apologize for the way I left. Guess it is a good thing Alton did my work for me, even if I still don't like it...

The writer ran his fingers through his drenched hair, slicking it back. "Sterling & Son. I need to apologize to Alton."

Micah raised an eyebrow. He offered Nathan his hand and helped him to his feet, folding his wings back as he started down the sidewalk towards his car (which Nathan could have sworn wasn't there before). Thunder rumbled in the distance, and the writer quickly followed after him, watching silently as the angel's wings faded away and he entered the vehicle. Another, louder thunder roll prompted him to jog faster around to the passenger's side, not hesitating to let himself in. Before Micah could ask about his last comment, Nathan turned to him to elaborate.

"I got upset with him."

The angel rolled his eyes and started the car, pulling away from the curb. "He made one of his offers to you, did he not?"

"No, he didn't make an offer. He just... sort of did it." Nathan sighed. "Enya talked him into finishing my news articles for me, so I could stay longer. I... felt guilty..."

"And you still do?"

"Yes."

"Good." Micah cast him a quick glance. "It says a lot for your moral character."

Nathan scoffed. "Yeah, well I'm almost grateful for it now. At this rate, even if I went home now and typed them up, I wouldn't have anything substantial to submit. Maybe if I hadn't gotten lost..."

"At least you did not make a bargain with him. That burden is on Enya's shoulders, not yours. Otherwise, you may have had more to worry about than your guilt."

They were quiet for a few minutes after that, the storm growing worse again, and neither said another word until they were nearing the bookstore. "Micah?" Nathan eventually said. "Can I ask you a stupid question?"

"That depends on how stupid it is, but go on."

"Why did we drive here?" He looked over at him, curious. "Can't you teleport like Alton, or is that his domain alone?"

"I can," Micah said calmly, parking behind the shop. "But we would not have been able to talk if I had teleported us here, would we?"

"Oh." Nathan looked away. He hadn't thought of that. "That make sense."

It was still raining heavily as they walked up to the back, and a sudden flash of lightning across the sky sent Nathan scrambling towards the door. Micah continued to walk, but didn't hesitate to let them both inside once he was next to him. Loud music was coming from upstairs again, and the angel scoffed as he made his way towards the steps. He didn't knock on the apartment door either, opening it as casually as if he too lived there. Just like earlier, they were greeted with a loud blast of the song:

"I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing! Roman Cavalry choirs are singing..."

Sprawled out on the sofa, Enya watched in amusement while Alton belted the lyrics of Viva La Vida into the microphone, dancing along with his character on the television screen. She happened to glance back and spot the pair at the entrance, and eagerly waved at them. "Change your mind, Nathan?" she signed.

He shrugged, shaking when he saw another flash of lightning. "Got lost." He gave Alton another glance, eyes widening. "He's... really good."

"What did you expect?" Enya laughed. "Remember who he is."

"Show off," Micah signed with a roll of his eyes.

When the song ended, Alton finally turned around, smiling when he saw his new guests. "Micah! Nathan!" He bounced happily. "And here I was worried that I'd angered both of you. Want to join us?"

The angel shook his head, but did return the smile with a light one of his own. "You know I cannot sing."

"Pfft!" Alton chuckled as he passed the microphone to Enya. "All the more reason for you to try. It'll be good for a laugh." His smile lessened, and he chewed on his lip. "You aren't still mad at me, are you? About the job?"

To this, Micah took a deep breath and closed his eyes, but he again shook his head. "As much as I loath the restrictions of maintaining a mortal identity, the events of Halloween made it unavoidable. I would have been neglecting my duties if I did not stop those men, and at least I can continue my work under the guise of a detective." He opened his eyes and bowed his head towards the other man. "I am sorry, Lumiel. I should have not left you on your own that night."

Alton blushed, but eased some before he turned towards Nathan. "And you? Are you still angry with me for doing your work, and..." his gaze drifted towards Enya for a moment, "... not explaining?"

Nathan's response was similar to Micah's as he took a deep breath and also shook his head. "Can't really be mad when the weather has stopped me from getting home to write my articles. And you've already explained why you won't tell me the other thing. I'm guessing part of the test is figuring out the why, isn't it?"

That made the devil grin, a playfully devious smirk spreading across his lips, the only thing he'd give the writer for an answer. But somehow, this made Micah scowl. "You told him?" he asked, his voice dangerously soft.

"He guessed," Alton quickly explained while he sat down on the sofa, patting the seat beside him. "I haven't given him details, Micah. I know better. This is my area of expertise."

The angel still frowned, but moved beside him anyway, sitting next to him on the cushion. Up until then, Enya had been trying to find a song she wanted to sing, but she turned around again to look Nathan's way. "Want to join us? We can make you a character and you can jump on in. It's really fun!"

"Sure, I guess." Nathan rubbed his neck and joined the rest of them, trying not to look at Enya as he moved beside her. Even though Alton hadn't said it directly, he just knew her resemblance to Marni was part of his test, and he had to figure out why for his own sanity, at the very least. Thanks to their conversation at dinner, she would be helping him handle to Sins; there was no avoiding seeing the similarities.

"Hey. Are you alright?"

Nathan looked at her, knots twisting in his stomach at the déjà vu. Enya continued to stare, frowning in concern, waiting for his answer.

She's not Marni... she's not Marni... she's not Marni... But God, she looks just like her! That's what upsets me.

But should I tell Enya that? Last time, I got a slap in the face for my troubles, but maybe now...

Or she'll still think I'm crazy. God, what do I do?