Angel Eclipsed (The Louisiangel Series Book 2) by C. L. Coffey Page B

with serving dishes. It was that wonderful aroma I had smelled in the dining room earlier.
    “If they’re not food what are they?” I demanded.
    “A pastry? A desert? A snack? Food should be nutritional and substantial,” Cupid disagreed, as Veronica unloaded the cart onto the table. She then worked her way around the table serving up the tacos.
    “In which case I don’t have a favorite food,” I shrugged. “I like them all. Except rice pudding.”
    “Rice pudding is not a food,” Cupid disagreed. “It’s a desert just like éclairs.”
    Veronica had finished dishing up dinner but instead of leaving the room like I was expecting she stood back to one side as though to remain there all evening, like a waitress. It felt weird.
    For a period the only noises coming from around the table were those of people eating. I did my best to ignore Veronica and instead focused on the food in front of me. It was easier than I thought. I’d never experienced cooking by any other cherubim, but the ones that resided in our House were masters. I don’t think I’d ever had tacos that tasted as good as these.
    “So,” said Raphael, finally. “Cupid tells me you are his star pupil at archery.”
    I blinked, and then looked suspiciously at Cupid. “Aren’t I your only pupil in archery?” I asked him.
    Cupid flashed me cheeky grin. “I suppose that depends on your definition of pupil? I mean, you actually have to turn up to training for me to be able to teach you, and for you to be my pupil.”
    I frowned at the not-so-subtle dig. Before I could apologize Michael spoke up. “You are to resume both the lessons with myself and Cupid tomorrow,” he informed me. I nodded seeing no reason to disagree. I needed to be able to wound, not kill.
    “Have you had any joy hunting out the Plague of Snakes?” I asked Raphael.
    “We have had a few leads, but so far nothing has panned out,” Raphael replied, after glancing over at Michael as though he had to check his permission to answer my question.
    “Because they’re not here? Because they’re covering their tracks?” I could feel Michael’s gaze burning into the side of my head, but I kept my attention focused on both Paddy and Raphael.
    “We don’t know,” Paddy said carefully. “So far, there has been no definitive proof of the group resurfacing here in New Orleans.”
    “Is there anything I can do to help you? I mean, is there something I can be keeping my eye out for?” I offered.
    “ Angel ,” Michael’s warning tone echoed in my head.
    I ignored him. “You said when they were in Ireland they were trying to raise Lucifer. How?”
    “They thought they could raise Lucifer,” Paddy corrected me. “Lucifer is dead. He cannot be raised.”
    “You all keep saying that, how can you be sure?” I asked in frustration.
    “Because I killed him,” Michael snapped angrily, slamming his fist hard enough on the table that all the plates bounced and rattled. “I’m not going to have this conversation with you again. And you will not bring it up or speak Lucifer’s name to me anymore.” His tone was one I recognized. It was the one where, no matter what I wanted, his decision was final. “Now finish your tacos.”
    I glowered at him, but did exactly as he ordered, and picked up the last taco on my plate. My cheeks flamed.
    The room settled into an awkward silence until finally Raphael spoke. “The Plague of Snakes is dangerous,” he said, causing me to stare at him with my eyes wide. “Not because Lucifer can be raised from the dead. As Michael has said, this is not possible. Paddy and I eradicated the Plague of Snakes centuries ago, but that hasn’t stopped man from finding old texts and thinking they can resurrect the group. They are dangerous because they think Lucifer can be raised from the dead. They based their beliefs on a centuries-old story that if enough souls can be corrupted it will give Lucifer the strength he needs.”
    I wanted to ask what Lucifer