Angel in the Night

Angel of Fur and Lace

By Laer Minuial

Christina Edwards was a stripper. She didn't do it because she needed the money, she did it because she loved the way she looked without her clothes, and apparently, other people did too. Today she was heading to the local prison to visit one Tony Dracon, who because of his excessive influence in the system, was allowed a girl to come in every other week. The prison hadn't gotten to the point where they would allow him a conjugal visit, but a tube of lubricant and an hour with a stripper was fine with them. This was her second visit. As far as she knew, he had never asked for the same girl twice.

He was alright, as clients went. He wasn't allowed to touch her, and he always requested that the side of the room he sat in was darker so that she couldn't see him well. She supposed it was probably some insecurity about his anatomy, and since all she did was dance for him, it didn't make much of a difference.

She had sent him a note this time, asking if he had any special requests. He had sent one back, fur and black lace. It had come with a fur coat that covered her completely from her neck to her ankles. It was blue tinted and real fur, worth a fortune. What was he doing? She was some girl his goons had found in a club, she shouldn't be getting special gifts.

After she left the prison, she snuggled back into the coat. He wanted her back a third time, and wanted her to wear the coat again. She understood why he had picked out that coat though, lying naked on it was the closest to heaven she had been in many years.

Checking makeup in the mirror of her compact with the light of a street lamp, she saw something move behind her in the darkness. A gun was pressed against her back.

"Don't move, lady," said a gravely voice. "I don't want to have to get blood all over that pretty coat of yours."

"You won't have to.." Christina smiled, and turned slowly toward him.

She struck suddenly, grabbing the gun with one hand and slamming her stiletto into his groin. He dropped like a stone, and she pointed the gun back at him.

"Now, lets talk like grown ups, shall we?" she cocked the gun, and then cocked her head to the side, listening to the thugs behind her walk up.

"Are you in need of assistance, Miss Edwards?"

Tony's goons. They had followed her, of course. Tony probably wanted to make sure that the woman on whom he had bestowed a coat worth a couple grand was going to stay alive long enough to visit him again.

"I'm just fine," she replied to them. "This gentleman just gave me a new toy, and he was on his way home. Thank you for offering your assistance."

"It was no problem." The goons replied, and faded away after the mugger, who limped slowly away.

Christina emptied the gun's clip into a garbage can, and slowly crushed it with her fist. It was good to have the power back again. The sign of the phoenix on her chest, a remnant of what her heart once was, glowed slightly in the darkness. She continued towards her home, ignoring the gargoyle hiding in the shadows, watching her.