While the masked men's hair was black as night, mama's was a strawberry blonde and papa's was mousy; the hair I do have is a dark auburn, sometimes described as "French hair'. I can, however, see traces of auburn when the light plays across it.
"Who are you?" I ask Mr. L.
"I am your father, aji."
"What did you say?"
"What, 'aji'?" He asks, and I nod my head in agreement. "'Aji' means 'little one' or 'child' in Kalekan, a dialect of the language you will need to learn: the language of the Angelus."
"Why?"
"Because, ma petite, your parentage is not completely human. You are half Angelus. And that half will soon become evident."
"What is an Angelus?"
"You are just old enough that the signs will start to appear soon. Have you ever either noticed or been told that your eyes turn colors, especially when emotional?"
"Sometimes they flash a vivid blue—even in the light," I answer.
Mr. L's hands disappear into the folds of his robe. I am with him in his private railcar. I did not know many people still rode the rails… His hands are very thin, long, and pale—much like mine… He holds in his seemingly delicate digits a vial containing a golden liquid.
"Drink this," he commands in a gentle, yet firm voice.
"Is it poison?" I ask. He laughs.
"No, aji. It is mei'I, a type of honey made from the nectar of the moonflower, taken at night during the height of the full moon. It is magical, ma petite."
I take it from his chilly fingers; raise it to my "nose", and then to my lips. It smells like honey, but with some unknown sweet spice. It tastes very good. It fills me with a warm feeling and I can feel my senses opening and expanding.
I didn't realize my eyes were closed until I opened them and looked. I could see power, many, many lines of power surrounding me.
Feathers surround Mr. L! What in the world? He has wings! Is he an angel? But… he has two pairs!
"Are… are you…"
"An angel?" He finishes. "No, my dear, I am not. I was once human like you. Well, only half human. You are almost pureblooded Angelus and so you should start growing yours soon also."
"Can you fly?"
"Yes, but it's easier at night."