My arm hurt like hell but I was proud of myself I refused to scream out in pain.
I smiled the look on his face when he realised my plan was priceless.
Only a few minutes past when my door opened both Lucifer and Soneillon entering. I started to say something when Lucifer grabbed my arms our wrists touching.
"I release Reece Valour from her vow."
I ripped my arm away But it was too late
"No!"
Soneillon grinned widely.
without another word lucifer left me alone with him.
Soneillon slowly moved towards me. Finally feeling fear for the first time since this all happened I back into the wall my wings flat against my back.
He stared down at me his hand touched my thigh then slowly travelled up I tried to push him away quickly he grabbed both my hands raising them above my head, pain racing down my broken arm. With his other hand he returned to my thigh.
I tried to use my angelfire but the trinium bracelet wouldn't allow it, I was trapped and weak. A single tear escaped my eye his hand froze as he watched it make its way down my cheek.
He gritted his teeth seeming to be fighting inside himself. He released me stepping back, that's when I realised what was happening, Dantalis was fighting him.
Quickly I reached up cupping his face as I stared into his eyes.
"Fight Dantalis."
Soneillon growled
"No he can not beat me!"
"You can Dantalis I know you can."
Soneillon pushed me back furiously. Determined I reached for him again. Soneillon bared his fangs sidestepping he put one hand on my shoulder then reached for my wing I tried to spin away but he was too fast grabbing hold he pulled down hard.
I screamed in pain as the tendon snapped. I sank to the ground as the pain reached monumental levels.
"You can not stop me Dantalis she will be mine."
With that he left the room.
The pain in my wing made it hard to move. in my weakened state I couldn't handle it as I passed out still on the floor.
————
Everything was dark til a spec of light appeared growing brighter with each passing second. I covered my eyes til the light began to take form. Looking back an angel with short black hair and tattoos across his shirtless chest and down one muscled arm. His brown eyes seemed to have the effect that they were looking into your soul. He stood before me his wings seemed to be made of an azure blue coloured smoke as if they were there but at the same time weren't, the only thing outlining his feathers were silver flecks that dotted the edges.
He didn't have to say his name for I already knew
"Raziel?"
He stepped closer placing his hands on my shoulders.
"Yes,"
"Is this real."
"As real as can be."
I had no idea if this was my imagination or if Raziel really had found his way into my mind.
"How is this possible?"
"That is not important just know that Im here to help."
"Why would you help me?"
He smiled
"Do not fear i have been sent to guide you. I am the angel of knowledge and mysteries I know there is more to you than destruction, as does the one who sent me."
His words brought a smile to my lips til I remembered what I had done to his brother.
"I'm sorry."
"For Azrael?"
I nodded, waving my apologies off he laughed.
"I assume he provoked you?"
Again I nodded
"Then it's his own fault."
I stared at him in stunned surprise
"Your not mad?"
He chuckled
"I have no illusions that my brother can be a dick sometimes."
His words made me laugh with him.
"Now Reece I know what has happened to you and Dantalis I've come to you in a dream because It is the only way I could reach you. You can save Dantalis."
My heart leapt at those words
"How?"
"You must take this dagger with it you must stab him in the heart."
I stepped back shaking my head
"No! It will kill him."
Raziel forced the dagger into my hands
"You must believe. have faith and you will have Dantalis back."
I looked down at the dagger in my hands it was a simple dagger seeming to be no different to any other. Could this dagger really free Dantalis without killing him? He said I must believe but how can I pierce his heart without killing him? Could I trust Raziel what if this was a trick?
"Who sent you?"
"I can not say just know that all will be revealed in due time."
Could I trust him if I didn't know who was behind this encounter? He took orders from Michael what if Michael was behind this? All these questions ran through my head and Raziel started to turn away.
"Wait!"
Raziel turned his head back if this was not a trick I had to thank him but I couldn't find the words.
"Thank me later little Phoenix fire."
I smiled at the nick name he had given me.
I awoke no longer in pain, I was still on the floor but somehow Raziel had healed my broken wing and my broken arm. In my hand I clutched the dagger that he had given me.
Just believe I told myself.
if I was going to do this I needed a way to get Soneillon alone and vulnerable for he had assured that I would forever be powerless against him. There was only one way and it repulsed me just thinking about it but I had to. to save Dantalis I had to give into him. I mean I didn't have to go all the way just long enough.
Taking the dagger I hid it under my pillow for now I had to wait I need to bide my time. It had to be when he least expected it he wouldn't believe me if I said I just had a change of heart.
Someone knocked on the door and opened it just as I covered the dagger with my pillow.
"Reece! What did he do to you?"
I stared at Kail confused. He pointed to my arm I started to say I was fine then realised it would be suspicious if I healed too quickly so decided to keep pretending. Better Soneillon thought I was still hurt when I used the dagger.
"Let's just say Soneillon was less than happy."
He surprised me by wrapping his arms around me
"I'm shouldn't have left but I knew I had to keep the map safe."
Such a pointless thing now. I thought about telling Kail about my dream but knew it was better to keep it too myself.
"Thank you Kail for everything."
He pulled away smiling at me. Looking into his face I realised just how much I had come to rely on him lately.
"I feel like I need to apologise to you."
Taken back he shook his head.
"What for?"
"I was wrong about you there is good in you and I'm glad I can call you a friend."
He laughed
"Keep in mind I still want you for myself however I I want you to want me back without that what's the point. If I have to settle for being your friend then that's what I'll do."
I hugged him
"Thank you for being there for me."
He squeezed me tight. Pulling away his face darkened.
"What's wrong?"
"My father has summoned the seven he wants you there."
"Why?"
"He wouldn't say."
I scowled looking to the bracelet that held back my angelfire. Meeting the seven lords of the underworld was scary enough in itself let alone with no power and my strength deminished.
I sighed I guess I have no choice. I started to follow Kail out when I decided to take the dagger with me who knew maybe an opportunity would present itself. Not to mention what better place to hide it then in plain sight.
Kail watched in silence as I removed the dagger from under my pillow turning back to him I said offhandedly.
"Just in case."
His eyes reached mine not being able hold his gaze I looked away.
"What did he do?"
I shrugged
"Nothing I can't handle. Now come on Lucifer awaits."
I tried taking his arm but he pulled away
"Reece-"
I sighed
"Honestly Kail I'm fine like I said I can handle him stop worrying about me."
I pushed past him
"Now, are you coming?"
He groaned
"Fine, lets go."
I followed him attaching the dagger to my belt as I walked.
"So what are the seven like? I mean I know what their sins are and all but..."
I let my voice trail off I was curious about the seven fallen angels that were cast out of heaven for their misdeeds. All seven now resided in the underworld forced to live here in this dank place.
Looking around I realised why they spent most of their time on earth, who wouldn't. However their stays on earth were always short lived since as soon as their presence was known someone from the city of angels would always banish them back to the underworld. No wonder they wanted revenge I couldn't blame them. Personally if I had a choice after everything both sides can rot for all I care.
All I wanted was Dantalis what would I do once I'd freed him from Soneillon? Maybe we could leave and just live on earth. I frowned I knew neither side would leave me alone, eventually I would have to pick a side. How could anyone choose how could I join Michael after what he's done to me and my family, yet how how could I stay here after what Lucifer has down to His own son? It all came down to me and my power.
I looked at my hands my skin now devoid of angelfire. Maybe Michael was right maybe it would be better for both sides if I was not alive. Then my power would not be used for the wrong reasons. I shook my head no. How would my death change anything there would still be fighting each side would still be at war.
Clenching my fists I decided then and there I would pick neither side. Neither of them will use my power to destroy the other I will use my own power to finally put an end to the fighting. I didn't know how but I would find a way to stop both sides from destroying each other. I will create a peace between both sides to last an eternity. That is what my power will be used for and that is what I fight for.
First things first bide my time til I free Dantalis once he is free of Soneillon so will I be free from the underworld.
Kail and I entered a room with a table seated with all seven of the angels that had been cast out of heaven.
All eyes turned to us as I entered, breaking the silence leviathan looked down his nose at me.
"This is the fledgling with all the power? Doesn't look like much to me."
Asmodeus however smiled wolfishly like he was looking at his next meal.
"Come now leviathan I thinks she looks quite.....mouthwatering."
"Keep it in your pants Asmodeus we want her for her power not her body."
Satan piped in.
"Why can't we have both."
Laughed Beelzebub.
"Because she is mine."
Soneillon slammed the door as he entered.
"Soneillon! We heard you were back took you long enough to tame that boy in there."
Soneillon scowled.
"Suck me mammon."
"ENOUGH!! Your all acting like children can we not get on with the matter at hand?"
Everyone in the room went silent chastised by Lucifers outburst.
"Now Reece I've called you here for two reasons firstly we would like to witness first hand the extent of your angelfire. We need to assess what it can do so that we can determine how best to use it in this war."
Showing nothing I asked
"The second reason?"
"We want to test your loyalty."
My loyalty that could be bad especially after what I had just decided to do walking over here.
"What do you mean test my loyalty?"
"It is simple we have come across something quite by chance and we would like you to dispose of it."
"What is it?"
I knew what he was going to say but nothing could have prepared me for what he said next.
"Arch angel Gabriel of course."
I remained stoic forcing myself to remain neutral I could not let them see the fear in my eyes that they had captured my father.
"Tomorrow you will go with Soneillon to the lower levels I will remove your bracelet and you will kill your father. We will be watching from here,"
"Why the lower levels?"
Lucifer laughed
"I saw what you did to the cell we held Azrael I won't have you destroy the entire underworld retched place that it is."
I shrugged like it was nothing
"Fine,"
I turned to leave roughly Pushing past Soneillon as I reached the door.
"Come get me when you want me to do your little test."
I closed the door behind me.
It wasn't til i was in my room that I allowed my true feelings to show. What the hell was I going to do? I can't kill my father how did they even capture him?
I had to save him how could I not? But if I did it would mean I could not come back, it would mean I would have to leave Dantalis behind. All this time all I wanted was Dantalis, now I had to choose between him and Gabriel. That wasn't even the only problem how was I even to free Gabriel?
I started pacing the room my wings flexing in and out. The bottom line was I could not kill him not after reading the letter he wrote.
The more I paced the more I grew frustrated with my situation, til eventually I slammed my fist into the wall. In my frustration I didn't even feel the pain as I punched it again.
"Geez sweat heart what did the wall ever do to you?"
I spun around still angry as I clenched my fist without thinking I lept forward. Soneillon spun to the side I tried to take his feet out with my wings. He back flipped I kicked aiming for his stomach but he dodged it.
I stood panting, it was no use this stupid place sapped my strength too fast.
"Get the fuck out of my room!"
He stepped closer I weakly tried to punch him again. He grabbed my hand and held it
"I see your arm has healed."
Shit I had forgot about that oh well let him think I just heal that fast naturally.
"Let me go!"
"No."
I tried to swing with my other hand he slapped it away.
"Haven't you got it yet your stuck with me and tomorrow you will kill Gabriel."
I stared at him defiant in every way
"And if I don't?"
He twisted my arm til he held it behind my back stepping closer he was flat against me my wings held between us. He lifted a hand to stroke my wing, I tried to get free but he twisted my arm more making me stop.
"So beautiful."
The feel off his hand on my wing made me so angry on instinct I grabbed the dagger at my belt with the last of my strength I pushed out with my wings spun around and aimed for his heart.
In seconds his sword was in his hand deflecting the blow so it missed his heart piercing his shoulder instead.
"No!!"
He fell back hand to his shoulder where the dagger still protruded from.
"You bitch!"
He reached out grabbing my hair as he roughly threw me to the floor.
Slowly he pulled the dagger out, staring at it with wide eyes.
Dagger in hand he approached me pressing the blade to my throat.
"Where did you get this?"
I remained silent
"Answear me!"
He pressed the knife further drawing blood. Gritting his teeth he stood staring down at me furious.
"I'm posting guards at your door round the clock you will not leave this room unless I tell you too and tomorrow you will kill Gabriel or I will kill your beloved Dantalis."
"You can't!"
He bent down lifting my chin to met his eyes
"Oh but I can I can exist in any body I can just find a new one."
Baring my fangs I tried to reach for the dagger but he pulled away.
"And as for this don't worry you won't be needing it any more."
I watched in horror as he held the dagger flat in his hand using his demon power he disintegrated it into dust.
Turning back to me he smiled with pure evil in his eyes.
"There is no hope left Reece just face it Dantalis is gone and for that I will never let him out again."
He left me alone despair deep in my soul. The dagger was gone which meant Dantalis was too. guards were at my door, my father was captive to the underworld and my mother was captive to heaven. Peter had been murdered and everyone wanted my power for their own purposes.
When would it end? Why does everything close to me disappear? I couldn't save The man who raised me. I can't save Dantalis and now I can't even save my real father. All the fighting all the pain they had broken me. I had nothing left in losing the dagger I had lost all hope.