Much later, after Raphael had satisfied himself by checking her very thoroughly for any bruise or scratch, Elena took herself down to the open plan gardens that were well hidden. Dressed only in flowing white trousers and a strappy top, she could fasten herself, she began a yoga routine that had been adapted to her wings. Yoga wouldn't have been her first choice, and neither was the tai chi she had begun practicing. But the lack of violence was something she needed, even if she had been re-born in death.
Taking a deep breath, she flung her wings out in a defiant display of strength, although she couldn't see anyone Archangels had spies everywhere and she couldn't be seen as weak, after all Raphael was one of the Cadre, to show even a second of weakness would sign both of their death warrants. Elena paused, the hairs on the back of her neck standing on edge. Although she was surrounded in silence, she trusted her senses and they were telling her someone or something was close. She picked up the sword and began to go through a more vigorous routine, a variation of a dance with swords.
A slow round of applause confirmed her suspicions and she stopped suddenly, the sword a mere millimetre away from a pretty red hairs throat. The throat was decorated with a plain black choker. The angel was dressed simply in ¾ length black leggings and a strappy white vest. The simplicity of the outfit was enough to shock Elena as well as the modernity of it. The Angel's wings were just as simple, a stunning green with no glimpses of any other colour. They were breath-taking in their pureness.
"I'm sorry, Guild Hunter. I did not mean to spy. I simply wanted to watch you practise." The angel lowered her eyes and Elena found herself putting down the sword, the sense of danger from her companion still very much there but not at nuclear yet.
Elena cleared her throat. "That's ok." She studied the angel again. "I'm sorry but you have me at a disadvantage, I don't believe I've seen you before."
The angel giggled and gracefully sat on the floor, arms wrapped around her knees. "You wouldn't have done, Guild Hunter. I snuck out tonight, but don't tell anyone." Another giggle, that sounded off to Elena. Raphael, crazy red head angel with green wings. Do I need to be worried? The familiar wash of sea breeze and salt washed over her. One of the seven is on their way.
Elena kept her eyes on the angel, who was watching her with intensity. "I'm Anouk, and I'm kept under lock and key. A story to keep the babes well behaved."
It was then Elena notice the fresh scars from wrist to elbow. She recognised them as self-harm scars. Anouk giggled again. "Oh Guild Hunter, I don't think you've ever met an angel like me." More giggles, that caused Elena's whole body to go on high alert, her eyes looking over the angel for any type of weapon.
Anouk stood and stretched, similar in a way to the routine that Elena was in the middle of, but much more graceful. Elena watched dumbfounded as the angel began to dance a simple ballet. "You know, mental illness affects angels too." An arched eyebrow, as she spun once with perfect poise. "I've seen so much death, destruction and violence." Another pointed toe and spin. "I was born during violence, cut from my mother's womb as she was beheaded." She jumped, using her wings to slow her decent. "Keir did his best, but mental illness isn't really recognised in the angel world. So, they lock me away. A nightmare that can't be seen." Anouk paused, her feet ballerina perfect. "Jessamy hides as she's scared what the humans will think of a defected angel. She proves we're not perfect." Another spin, faster this time. Her green wings were held tight against her back, until she suddenly spun them out causing Elena to jump backwards, against a solid wall of muscle.
Galen placed a hand on Elena's shoulder as Venom appeared on her other side. She pulled in the wind and sea that was pure Raphael from their presence and didn't even flinch, when Venom winked at her as he removed his trademark sun glasses.
"Anouk, where is your guard?" Venom's white shirt suddenly seemed to take her interest as she slid up to him, breasts rubbing against his chest. Elena looked away, as Anouk stuck out her tongue and licked his jawline. "I've been naughty." A girlish giggle and she spun away. To his credit, Venom didn't even wipe his face, he just stared on in boredom. Anouk pouted at him. "Did you want to play little snake?" She hissed and laughed again, seemingly searching the sky for something. That something proved to be Raphael, who landed with effortless grace in front of Elena.
Elena frowned but didn't say anything. Typical Raphael being over protected. She did however protest when Galen began to pull her away. "What the fuck?" Her words were swallowed by the air as Galen flew up in the air, arms wrapped tight around her waist. We are so having words about this later Archangel.