Angel Food Cake

Dinner was spectacular. But unfortunately, it always was. One annoying quirk of living on Earth: hunger. While residing in the 9 or Silver cities hunger was an obsolete sentiment. Hunger and gluttony were an exclusivity to Earth. One reason why the majority of Angels feared humanity. The idea of uncontrollable and debilitating urges petrified her people. A terror she understood.

Scarlett sat at the head of the dinner table fingering the silver locket at her throat that caged her bound and broken wings while Marie, Pytr, Bryant and his mother Magdalene’s banter swirled around her. As Marie’s orgasm inducing gumbo fornicated with Scarlett’s taste buds she could only muse that out of her millennia’s worth of tables this one was definitely filled with the strangest bedfellows. Even if they all fit together like fated puzzle pieces, each misfit was relying on her to eliminate the nuisance known as her emotional baggage.

Scarlett watched from the head of the table as Pytr filled the room with light and witty conversation. Pytr’s demeanor and decadent Italian syntax always left anyone who was blessed enough to find themselves in his presence with a feeling of savory satisfaction. He teased and flirted until his ‘victims’ felt indulged and full. It was one of his regularly sharpened weapons. He had told her long ago when they had first met that you would always catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Scarlett understood the sentiment. Respected it even. But could never relate. Perfect example: the Bryant kidnapping debacle. Honey and an Italian accent possibly might have been a smarter strategic decision in hindsight. Regardless of her poor vinegar smeared mistakes Scarlett regretted nothing. Never in her darkest moments had she believed she would finally make it to this moment. Revenge at her fingertips. Her eternity had been an agonizing chess game. Every move fate had sequestered against her she had played back. Maybe not effortlessly, but calculated. And now, watching Pytr and Marie, entertaining Bryant and his mother she realized how consequential this moment was. Both Marie and Pytr were millennia younger than Scarlett yet they looked at her with a look that bordered on parental pride. Over the years, as seasons had past they had become her Knight and Bishop. Both integral pieces to the puzzle of the apocalypse. Both enduring hardships in their lives to get to where they were. Both complimenting her carefully orchestrated plans of revenge and potentially stopping the inevitable dystopia of the future. Marie’s sultry anger could catapult her power into an never-ending force that could murder in a lethel and unforgiving manner. And Pytr’s sweet genius that was unexpectedly equally as dangerous. Pytr’s complex brain was hidden by his decadent bewitching smile. One of the more valuable reasons why Scarlett had chosen him so long ago to guide her in this path to her destiny. He was wiser than any human she had ever encountered. Pytr’s passion was a relentless and deadly charisma. It was also the reason why Marie had been so drawn to him. Marie had a psychotic and rabid soul. They both had lived many years past their expiration dates. Well past the time when any exhausted soul could let go of the anger it carried. Yet Marie kept all of her rage tucked within herself. Waiting for the perfect time for revenge. She and Scarlett were kindred spirits that way. Pytr and Marie were two humans who had not been destined to meet in this world. Both had been fated to die alone, cursed by their preordained decisions. Scarlett had seen through the curtains of destiny. Only time would tell if she had chosen wisely.

Magdalene yawned at the head of the table.

“Bella mamma, why have you allowed me to carry on when you are obviously so tired.” Pytr smoothly chastised. He subtly leaned towards her, his thick soothing accent lassoing around the poor woman like a sticky spider web. Perfect scenario and part two of Scarlett’s road to vengeance: Bryant moved into her residence. Existence would be tremendously easier if Scarlett could just keep an Angelic eye on Bryant. His family included. Blaming that spiteful bitch Fate, Bryant’s family were magnets to any and all life-shattering trouble.

“After everything I’ve witnessed. I’m just scared for you. All of you.” Scarlett finally chimed in. Pytr winked in approval. Marie lifted a haughty eyebrow in surprise: Badass Fallen Angel credibility in question. Scarlett wanted to pretend that her declaration had been dripped in theatrics and manipulation. But if Scarlett was truthful with herself, which she unfortunately always was Bryant and his family's safety was extremely important to her. “Please don’t leave.” Scarlett lamely whispered. The genuine anxiety in her voice echoing in the room. Both Pytr and Marie’s gazes bores intently into Scarlett’s face, shocked by the genuine emotionally heavy currents in her voice as Magdalene locked eyes with Bryant and the Scarlett nodding in understanding and then acceptance. Pytr, the perfect Italian gentleman offered to show Magdalene and her Bryant’s sisters to their respective rooms, while Marie began to gather the bowls that littered the table and walked towards the kitchen. She stopped in the doorway and turned her head, her braided curls dancing around her face.

“Stay.” She called over her shoulder. “We have much to discuss.” She looked pointedly at Bryant as she spoke and exited just as swiftly as her words.

“Well that sounded ominous.” Bryant muttered standing up to pace the length of the dining room, running his hands through his unruly coarse curls.

“Time to put on your big boy pants.” Scarlett said picking up her glass and saluting Bryant.

“Seems like I never get to take them off.” He muttered midpace. Bryant’s barbed spirit always thrilled her. Most humans would never be stupid enough to speak to a being that held as much power as she did as he spoke to her.

“Tell me. What are you anxious for?”

“I don’t know.” The pacing continued.

“Walking into this big ass house. It just made things feel super real.”

“Unfortunately the apocalypse is as real as it can get.”

“I just felt-” He stopped as if he’d already said too much.

“You felt what?” She hedged. Secret’s made her nervous. Not being able to read Bryant had become torture.

“I just-” He stopped his pacing to look up to the ceiling as if to ask her Grandfather for the right words. Good job getting that asshole to answer your prayers. “I felt security in the mystery of you.”

“I thought I had been extremely forthcoming with you during this entire process.” Bryant continued his pacing at her words. Not a good sign.

“I was cool with your Buffy the Fallen Angel Demon slayer vibe. But now, meeting the Alfreds to your Batman. I don’t know. It just made me realize that you’re not just my Guardian Angel. You're a real person.”

“Thank you?” Scarlett had no idea what else she was supposed to say.

“And I would just like to note mon petit I am no Alfred. More like M and Money Penny.” Marie entered with steaming cups of coffee balanced on a large silver platter. Coffee. Human’s most superior invention.

“Or Natasha and Boris.” Pytr added as he entered the room behind his counterpart.

“Mr & Mrs. Smith.” Marie shot back playfully at the Mr. to her Mrs.

“Bryant meet my technology and weapon’s specialist: Pytr. Pytr took a deep formal bow before taking a relaxed seat next to Scarlett.

“And my everything else: Marie.” She finished with a slight smile directed towards Marie’s way. As much as she would deny against it Pytr and Marie were more than just loyal soldiers. They were family.

Gracefully depositing the caffeine platter Marie shot Bryant one of her infamous stares, freezing him in his Puma’s mid-pace.

“Pitit Mwen, I know you’re scared.” Marie motioned for him to sit and sip the coffee she offered.

“Shitless.” He said with a mouth full of caffeine. Scarlett with a mouth just as full couldn’t judge.

“You love your family.” Marie stated. No question in her words. She was always matter of fact. The characteristic Scarlett respected most about her Knight. Her creole accent was less honey and more alligator, raspy and sharp. Marie continued as she sat down with her own coffee, conveniently ignoring the dozen other chairs at the dinner table and sitting on her husband’s welcoming lap. Scarlett had been enveloped in Marie’s censor filled stare before and almost felt pity for Bryant. Centuries in the 9-Cities and Scarlett still would never underestimate Marie. The woman was an entity with powers even a Fallen Angel did not fuck with.

“Beyond a doubt.” Bryant replied holding Marie’s intense gaze. Scarlett beamed in pride. Marie nodded in respect.

“So then tell me then cher, what would you do to ensure your family's safety?”

“You know the answer to that.” Bryant’s tone was crisp, over the set up, ready for the punchline. Marie looked into her delicate mug. Pytr was the only one not drinking coffee. His diet known to be particularly boring and bland. He would have probably loved the food in the Silver Cities. He caressed the exposed back of Marie's neck, calming her chaotic powers in a way only he could. Marie’s eyes glittered with unshed tears but her face set in stone.

“This prophecy-” She started. Forcing the painful memories out of her mouth. “This prophecy has been whispered by my ancestors from before I was born in 1801.

“Black doesn’t crack.” Bryant whispered under his breath his eyes filled with surprise.

“And neither does destiny.” Marie answered. “It bends cher, but it never breaks. You’re path. My path. Pytr’s path. Even this divine being’s path has all been foretold.”

“What if I don’t like the path I’ve been given. What if I want to two-step down another road?” Bryant was reaching for an answer that Scarlett knew Marie would never willingly give.

“Our paths are brutal.”

“Savage.” Pytr offered.

“Cruel.” Scarlett added. Marie continued as if no one had spoken.

“During my human lifetime I felt an irrational obligation to serve my community. Fate gave me an unique opportunity. One foot by my colored brethren. One foot in the shadows with respect from my white colleagues. I tried to forge my own path. A powerful Creole woman with my own set of rules and beliefs. Manipulating the political and religious influence of the rich white men who laughably thought they were using me. As if they could influence me: Marie Laveau.”

“Bullshit!” Bryant shouted finally stopping in his tracks. Marie’s power crackled in the room, causing the air in the room to become dense like heavy snakes wrapping heavily around their throats. Three out of four people in the room did not need to breathe. Bryant began to choke. Pytr still stroking Marie’s hair whispered something in Marie’s ear that had her smiling behind her cup. Bryant was suddenly able to take huge gulps of air.

“The point being mon petit. Even I am not immune to that bitch Fate’s will. I fought my destiny until it murdered me one night in the guise of my lover’s embrace. And I became nothing but a Voodoo myth.”

“So to summarize:” Bryant gasped out still trying to catch his breath. “Suck it up? Because what? I can’t change destiny?”

“And because we’re the good guys.” Marie added with an uncharacteristic twinkle in her eye. Bryant threw himself into one of the dozen people open chairs obviously exhausted but resigned.

“I’m just going to throw this out there: I never signed up for this job.”

“Wait!? Mi amore you never told me there was a sign up sheet!”

“So what now?” Bryant asked ignoring Pytr’s jab.

“We plan.” Scarlett said finally speaking.

“Plan for what?”

“The apocalypse.”