Lucifer

Lana:

(Many millennia ago)

“Apolliana. Awaken my child.”

I look up at the barren walls of my prison and see The Creator materialize before me. My thoughts fly around my head like whispers that I cannot manage to hear, and my body aches painfully. I curl up in the corner of my bed, my torn wings fluttering behind me and my small bloody frame trembling. My eyes hurt from the light now beaming around us. It’s been so long since I have seen anything but darkness. There have only been a few situations where I’ve died and experienced respite. But I soon reemerge into my angelic shell and cycle back into my madness. I don’t even know how long I’ve been locked inside this non-existence. Many would say that angels cannot be vicious, but I’m drowning in my pain and death. My long golden hair, covered in blood and gore, falls around me like a bloody pelt, and my torn robe hangs off my mangled form. I try not to blink too much, but the light is unbearable.

Memories of tearing through angels besiege me as my rage threatens to consume me again. I look at my soiled hands and see dried blood rings beneath my torn nails before I look back up at the two beings standing before me.

“Is it time…is it time for me to die? Is death coming?” I ask dazedly as I rock in place and quote words that I’ve heard The Creator say.

“So will it be with the resurrection of the dead? The body that is sown is perishable; it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power, and it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.”

The Creator’s large form wavers back and forth before mine. Unlike angels, The Creator has no true shape or gender. The Creator is light and darkness. The Creator just is. Some call him father and some mother. But there’s no acknowledgment of which is correct. The other archangel stands stall, his muscled body and sword arm stiff as he readies to attack. I try to see him, but my vision burns to the point that it’s difficult to see anything clearly. I only know what he is because the monster inside me cries for me to tear him apart. His grace extends from his body, scratching my skin like gravel and making my hunger for death and blood unbearable.

“You have been living in non-existence for centuries, my child. I had hoped that your madness had waned, but you have continued to tear through your own body until you’re mere ribbons.”

Using my matted hair as a curtain, I seethe and curl my fingers inside of my palms, fighting the urge to lunge at the creature who has placed me in this prison. It has been so long since I’ve felt anything but madness and fear. I am the first of my kind. A female archangel, created to mate with The Creator’s favored son. But my fate was irrevocably changed by the one I’m meant to be with.

I laugh a manic laugh as the irony of my situation flits through my mind.

The archangel stiffens further and takes a step forward. “Her madness has declined.”

My laugh grows into a cackle as I slide closer to the angel and grit out. “Come to me, angel. Let me taste your grace.”

His gasp of horror echoes inside of the tiny cell.

“My child, it is time for you to find your peace. You cannot continue to exist in this manner.”

My eyes fill with tears as the madness swirls in my mind. “I did not ask for this! You made me this way!” I scream out. “I can’t die. You will not let me die! This pain will not cease!” I scratch at my chest as my soul burns inside of me painfully. “Please, send me to the fade?”

“So will it be with the resurrection of the dead? The sown body is perishable; it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power, and it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.”

I repeat over and over as I try to find solace and center my muddled mind.

The Creator denies my claim. “I know you are in pain, but I cannot undo what has been destined. Lucifer made his choice, which I know doomed you as well. However, I do have a way for your situation to change.”

The angel interjects heatedly. “As much as I wish to, we cannot release her, your grace. She has already cut through our ranks. She slaughtered Galatael, Tramiel, and many others. If you let her go, she will continue to murder our brethren.”

The Creator’s like slashes the air, making my eyes burn further. “Enough! I know what she has done, my son. No one knows this better than I.”

I chuckle with derision as I slump to my knees on the ground and crawl toward The Creator. “You made me this!” my lip curls as I gaze up into The Creator’s lights and let it burn through my retinas. “You are the reason for my madness!” I gasp as the pain burning through my eyes becomes unbearable. It feels like glass is tearing through the thin membrane of my eyes. I can feel blood pouring from the sockets as they continue to burn.

The Creator doesn’t argue further. “I know, my child. If it’s any consolation, I did not expect that Lucifer’s fall would do this to you. But I have a way for your soul to be free of his and his sins to no longer plague you.”

I blink helplessly, but my sight is gone. “But I am tied to Lucifer. I have to do penance for his sin. A balance has to be reached.”

“You are correct; a balance does need to be reached. I know that your road has not been easy and that it has not been by your choice... but there is a possibility. If the Eru’s prophecy comes to fruition and the sacrifice is made, an order can be restored, and you may be free of your cursed ties.”

The angel retorts. “But that’s not possible, your grace. We have tried and failed before. Destiny has spoken. Lucifer forfeited his happiness when he fell. You tied her destiny to his without consequence. Lucifer’s sins are her sins, and her madness cannot be remedied.”

The Creator’s form leans close to my broken one. “But there is a way for her to be unbound. She can become human.”

The angel flinches back with shock, his steps faltering. “But how? It’s not possible. Angels cannot become humans.”

I flinch at every word as my anger, and jumbled thoughts threaten to choke me. I look at the angel as he continues to argue with The Creator, but I can no longer hear a word. All I can hear is a loud ringing in my ears, followed by thunderous waves. Seething with rage, I spring on the angel and claw at him. However, I am no match for the angel in my damaged state as he lifts me by the neck. His eyes gleam with guilt and sadness as he aims his flaming sword at my chest.

As the thunderous sound in my ears overwhelms me, I close my eyes and let the angel give reprieve to all of my anguish.

Lana:

(Present)

I snap up from my pillow and gaze around my tiny cabin with a frown. Sweat gathers around my brow, and my heart is pounding wildly inside my chest. Rising from the twin bed, I walk over to the little mirror that I hung above my camping stove. Closing my eyes, I take a couple of deep breaths and rub my palms across my eyes.

I try to recall what I just dreamt about, but the memory fades into the back of my mind, leaving only fragmented images.

I’ve been at the Grand Canyon researching environmental pollutant issues of water, plants, and animals for a month. Even though I’m here with some of my classmates, I’m sure my isolation is getting to me. If waking up this way from a dream is anything to go by, I definitely need to start interacting more with my group.

It also doesn’t help that I’ve personally been to hell and have met angels, demons and the freaking devil. That’s another reason why I came on this trip. Knowing what I know about the supernatural world became too much for me, and I needed to get away from all of the weirdness.

I try not to think too much about the clarity of the dream or the weird visions I keep having, which has been somewhat a failure. Seeing that I’m not going to get any more sleep, I rise from my bed and turn on my portable coffee maker. The scent of fresh coffee instantly permeates the tiny cabin. Other than dealing with weird dreams, the experience has been really great. It’s nice to breathe fresh air and experience the beauty of nature. As soon as we arrived here, we were all assigned an environmentally sound tiny house. The little log house is about one hundred square feet with a twin bed, single dresser and kitchenette that contains a propane stove range, a small bucket to put dishes in and a battery-operated coffee maker. Unfortunately, there are no private bathrooms or electric lights. We have to shower in a makeshift stall outside of the cabin and use the port-o-potty on the edge of the property. There’s a single picture window above the kitchenette with a frilly curtain that provides little cover from the outside. Strolling forward, I push back the curtain and look out into the starry night. Seeing that there’s still time before everyone awakens, I slip back into the bed and look at my cell phone. My mind instantly rewound to my sister’s surprise visit last week.

I had just come back from a long tour down the Colorado river when my sister and Fallon appeared before me.

Needless to say, when she told me all that she had been through over the past month, I was blown away. But she and Fallon seemed happy with the outcome, so I couldn’t complain.

I still can’t believe that Lillith kidnapped her and subsequently activated the Eru’s prophecy.

Confused? I’m sure you are.

Nearly a year ago, my sister, our bestie, Zoe, and I, were kidnapped by two crazy witches. Zoe met the love of her life, found out she was a Siren and discovered that my sister was part of a world-ending prophecy. Long story short, Bree met this hot guy named Fallon, who also happens to be Lucifer’s son. That’s right, he’s the son of the king of hell. Anywho, the prophecy stated that my sister would give birth to a child who would end hell, and in the process, destroy the world. Once the witches were defeated, we needed to get out of hell, but I could only do it if I gave Lucifer a part of my soul. Oh, and let’s not forget that Lucifer is scorchingly hot, and I had to kiss him to seal the deal. To add insult to injury, he was my first kiss, and I haven’t been able to forget it because it was freaking amazing. Of course, it didn’t mean much to him since he has probably kissed millions of women. I might have omitted a few important things in my retelling, but I’m sure you get the gist of it.

Once Bree and Fallon left, I pretty much spent the rest of my night in a state of shock.

Though she’s fine now, I have made every effort to text or call her every day.

Pushing thoughts of my sister’s previous drama to the back of my mind, I look up at my bedroom ceiling and smile. It’s nice to know that my sister is happily in love after everything she has been through. Before I came on my trip, I tried to get Bree to talk about Fallon, but she was pretty closed-lipped about it. However, based on how they had looked at each other, I knew something was bound to explode between them, and it looks like it did. My sister deserves to be happy, even if it is with Lucifer’s son.

Oddly enough, I had an odd conversation with Lucifer before I left. Even after so many weeks, I’m still reeling from our conversation. The ass actually tried to forbid me from taking my trip like he had any say in my life. Anyway, I pretty much told him where he could stick his orders. The look on his gorgeous face when I told him to fuck off was more than worth its weight in gold. I mean, I know he’s the devil, but can he be any more full of himself? Seriously, who died and made him the boss of me?

Lying back on my bed, I close my eyes and try to fall back asleep. Unfortunately, as soon as I do, I see is a pair of onyx eyes, high cheekbones, plump lips and dark, ebony hair. Lucifer might be thousands of years old, but you would confuse him for a young man if you saw him. In fact, he and Fallon look the same age. If anyone would see them together, they’d confuse them as brothers.

I exhale deeply as I berate myself for such useless thoughts. I don’t know why I keep thinking about him.

Slumping back, I turn my thoughts to finding a boyfriend of my own now that my sister is happily settled. Some of my team members have invited me to a bar they visit in a nearby town, but I’ve always found an excuse not to go. Perhaps it’s time I stop isolating myself and focus on getting my own life. Once I make my resolution, sleep arrives swiftly.