Chevalier's Angel - Chapter 2

        Petros looked to his left and found Arianna sitting next to the bed in a chair sound asleep. A blanket was wrapped around her shoulders and she clutched a white rosary in her hand.

        As if she knew she was being watched, Arianna opened her eyes. She smiled at her patient. “How are you feeling Petros?” She asked quietly.

        “As though I was run over by a tank.” He grumbled.

        “I'm not surprised. You were struck pretty hard on the head. The gash was quite deep.”

        “I'm keeping you from your own rest.” He said as he began to sit up.

        Arianna got up from the chair and sat on the edge of the bed. “No don't get up. You're bound to get dizzy.” She said as she tried to get him to lie down again by gently pressing on his bare shoulders.

        Petros groaned. She was right he felt very dizzy as soon as his head left the pillow. “I'm sorry to inconvenience you Arianna.”

        Arianna scoffed. “I can forgo my bed for a night. As much as your pride won't allow you to believe it; you're wounded.”

        “I can sleep on the floor. It wouldn't be the first time I've had to.”

        Arianna chuckled. “Now is not the time to be valiant, chevalier. But it's nice to know that chivalry isn't dead.” She said as she placed the covers up below his shoulders.

        “Are you always so unyielding?” He grumbled.

        “No more than you.” She replied with a gleam in her eyes and a smirk on her lips.

        Petros chuckled then groaned. “I think it's a little too soon for me to laugh.”

        “Sorry. No more jokes, I promise.”

        “Do you always sleep with a rosary?” He asked to appease his curiosity.

        Arianna had forgotten that she was still holding it in her hands. “Not usually. I fell asleep while I was praying for you.”

        “For me?” He asked in confusion.

        “Yes to Saint Michael.”

        “The patron saint of knights?”

        Arianna smiled and nodded.

        Petros felt a little uncomfortable. No one had ever prayed for him before. “Are they a family heirloom?” When Arianna looked a little confused he added. “I'm referring to the beads. They look to be almost antique.”

“Yes, they were my grandmothers.” She said as she placed them in his hand. “They were made with rose petals from her bridal bouquet. My mother gave them to me before she…” Arianna's voice trailed off and she looked away.

“I'm sorry Arianna. I did not mean to stir up bad memories.”

She smiled at him. “You had no way of knowing Petros. No harm done.”

“How did you end up here?”

Arianna's smile grew slightly dimmer. “The less you know about me the better, chevalier.”

There was an awkward silence between the two as they looked at one another.

That was until a loud pounding on Arianna's front door followed by a rude. “I know you're in there girl. Open the damned door!” Interupted them.

Arianna visibly jumped.

Petros reached for her hand. “Who on earth is that?”

“My new landlord. I wish his father hadn't passed away. He was a very nice man”

“Will he go away if you ignore him?”

“Not very likely.” She sighed. “I'll try to get rid of him.”

There was more pounding on the door. “Get your pretty little backside out of bed and open this door now!”

Arianna rolled her eyes in aggravation. She tried to stand but Petros didn't let go of her hand.

“Let me answer the door. I have a few choice words for that bounder.” He said sounding rather irritated.

“You're forgetting that you can barely sit up let alone stand Petros. Don't worry it'll be fine.”

“You should not have to deal with the likes of him.”

“There are many things in life that we wish we didn't have to deal with, Petros. Now please let me get this over with before he breaks the door down.”

Arianna didn't wait for Petros' approval she removed his hand from hers and left the room.

“Stubborn girl.” He mumbled as he attempted to sit up. It was going to take a while but he was determined to get out of the bed and defend Arianna. He owed her at least that much for all she had done for him.

Arianna unlocked her door and had to leap back so she was not hit with it when her landlord flung it open. “It's about time wench.”

“What do you want Raymond?” She asked indignantly.

“The rent. It's overdue.”

“And I would have the rent had you not gone to my place of work last week and berated me in front of my employers. I was let go right after you left.”

Raymond snickered over that bit of information. “You know you could always marry me and we could forget all about your rent.”

“I'd rather burn in hell then marry a wretch like you.”

Raymond struck her across the face. “You little bitch. You're lucky to even have an offer of marriage with your stature such as it is.”

“Marrying you would be like jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire. You'll get your money when I find a new job. Get out!”

“You owe me something for rent and I will not 'get out' until I collect.”

Raymond grabbed her wrist with inhuman speed and backhanded her across the side of her head. His large ring hit her square on the temple.

Arianna could feel the blood running down her face and the blow had dazed her.

Raymond tossed her up on the table like a rag doll sending all that was on it flying to the floor. He pinned her hands above her head. “I've always wondered if half breeds like you bleed when they lose their virginity. Let's find out shall we?”

Arianna was still a bit stunned from the blow and it took a moment to realize what Raymond had said. She instinctively kicked him between the legs as hard as she could.

Raymond backed away howling in pain giving Arianna the chance to roll off of the table.

It didn't take Raymond very long to recover and he was very angry. “You will pay for that bitch!” He took a knife and began stalking toward her.

Arianna slowly backed away from him. She was trying to make it to her coat where she kept a few stun darts but tripped over the tea pot that had been flung onto the floor when Raymond tossed her up on the table.

Arianna bumped her head on the corner of the desk as she fell which only added to the fogginess in her head. She was never going to make it to her coat now.

Raymond just snickered as he raised his blade. “I'll cut you to ribbons.”

Before Raymond could lunge at her, someone grabbed him by the back of the collar and tossed him across the room.

“Just try and lay another finger on her and it shall be you that will be cut to ribbons.” Petros threatened in a booming voice.

Arianna was slowing trying to stand using the desk for assistance. “Petros don't,” She whispered as she staggered towards him.

Petros reached back and guided Arianna to stand behind him. She practically fell against him where her head was still swimming.

“You forget who has the weapon, knight.” Raymond dared to say.

“I don't need a weapon to take care of a low life like you.”

“I'll report you to your superior. You'll be disciplined for assaulting a nobleman. You Inquisitors think you rule the countryside.”

Petros snorted. “Nobleman? You act more like a savage. And as far as you reporting me to my superior; I guarantee the Cardinal will believe me over you.”

Raymond paled. “The Cardinal? That means you're…”

“Brother Petros Orcini, director of the Inquisitorial department.”

“Il Luinante.” Raymond said in quiet awe.

“One in the same; and if you don't want me to prove it, I suggest you leave now.”

Raymond slowly backed out of the tiny apartment with fear in his eyes then broke into a full fledged run as he disappeared from their site.

Petros had been running on pure adrenaline as soon as he heard the resounding slap that Raymond had given Arianna. Now that the drama was over, his stamina was beginning to leave his body again.

He put his arm around Arianna and lowered the both of them down to the floor. “My apologies for taking so long to get out here; I'm still feeling a bit drained.” He reached for a linen napkin that had been sent flying to the floor and dabbed at the wound at her temple.

“I asked you to stay put.” She quietly scolded; then added. “But I'm glad you didn't listen to me.”

“You can't stay here, you're not safe.”

“You've given me enough time to find somewhere else to live. Raymond won't be back for at least a week.”

“No, you're coming back to the Vatican with me. I've all ready called for my comrades to come and get us.”

“I don't think I would be accepted by the Vatican, Petros.”

“Why would you think such a thing?”

“Because of what I am.”

“Terrans and Methuselah are at peace now. You will be welcomed.”

“My mother was Terran, my father was Methuselah therefore I am neither.”

“Therefore you are both.” He corrected. “Now stop making excuses. I'm not known for being generous so take advantage of one of the few times I am.” He added with a reassuring smile.

“I'm suddenly feeling too tired to argue with you chevalier.”

“Then rest,” Petros said as he gently moved Arianna so her head was resting against his chest. “Help will be here soon.”

Arianna could not fight the overwhelming urge to close her eyes any longer. “I'm sorry to be such a burden.” She mumbled as she drifted off into unconsciousness.

“You're not a burden Arianna.” Petros almost whispered. If she was anything she was a blessing to him last night.