Chapter 10~~~ The Cave
Razakiel POV
The darkness enshrouds us as we blindly follow Carli through the dank, musty tunnel. The crumbling dirt walls leave a slick muddy residue on my fingers, as I trail them along the wall to maintain some semblance of sight. The tunnel ceiling is low enough that I have to hunch over slightly in order to avoid scrapping the roof with my head as I walk. It feels like an age has passed since Carli felt the demons at the edge of her shield trying to break through. In reality no time at all may have passed, but in the dark silence within this endless tunnel time hasn't much meaning at all.
How the demons managed to find us, and so quickly, I have no idea. But it doesn't bode well for the future; if we really are going to get back into heaven it's going to have to be sooner rather than later or they'll be back and next time we might not be so lucky. And if Luc is captured, or… I stop the thought in its track, not entirely sure why the idea sends a jolt of fear running through me. The realization that I would rather never set foot in heaven again then let Luc come to harm has me halting in my tracks for a moment, my eyes coming to rest on her figure before me. Her silhouette just visible in the darkness with my eyes adjusted to the lack of light.
As I start moving forward again, eyes still focused on her slight frame, I see her wings flickering behind her, as if she's afraid of something. Without further warning fractured images of another dark space fill my mind, something akin to blind terror accompanying them. It doesn't take long to realize I'm not just seeing anyone's memories; these flashes of terror are hers. Her battered and bleeding body curled up in the dark. Lucifer looming over her. A dark smile. The steady trickle of blood as it pools across the rough ground. His voice almost indecipherable and sickeningly joyful permeates the air around her.
The shivers that wrack her broken frame inside her long-suppressed memories are mirrored in the present where she walks just ahead of me in the darkness of the tunnel. Without giving her any more time to succumb to the darkness in her mind, I gently take her hand in mine. She turns quickly to glance at me and I tighten my grip slightly in reassurance. Her flickering wings disappear after a minute, though every now and then another shudder passes through her.
Eventually realization strikes her and she slams her shield back into place in an attempt to keep me from seeing anymore of her thoughts and memories. Her hand does not however, release its suffocating grip on my own and she even slows her pace's until she's walking right by my side. I can't help the slight tilt to my lips as I realize she feels more safer with me by her side; that she might even trust me. The thought is barely formed before I feel the odd flutter in my chest and start to question the risk of handing her over to Mikheal and the others.
I feel the last of the tension slowly ease out of Luc's body as we climb up a rocky incline and the first rays of light appears ahead, dancing in the distance. Finally, we step out into an open, light filled cavern, exchanging looks of relief as we do, I almost ready to thank God for the fresh air after so long with the stagnant air in the tunnel.
"Well, here we are." Carli's voice resounds clearly through the open space, almost too loud after the eerie silence of the tunnel. "Welcome to The Cave." As she speaks, she moves further into the cavern leading the rest of us with her and, all too soon, Luc releases the grip on my hand to follow Carli in and discover the wonders of our new temporary place of residence.
My feet carry me after her, almost on their own volition. And then all five of us are standing in the center of Carli's cave. And the awe-inspiring beauty of it ensnares us in a shroud of silence.
"Wow." Luc's awe filled voice shatters the silence, drawing my attention back from the crystalline water, "How did you even find this place? It's incredible." She murmurs quietly, almost to herself, as her eyes continues pawing at every detail, flitting from place to place as she attempts to take it all in.
Before Carli can respond to the half-mumbled words, Nicholas drags us all back to the reality of our situation.
"It is amazing, but can I point out there were demons back there. Once again on their way to kill us. Isn't everyone wondering how they managed to find us again? And so quickly." His words erase the light happiness the cave bestowed on us, leaving behind only the heavy weight of the situation; that someone, most likely one of the people in this room told Lucifer and his demons where we were.
The silence looming over us after the realization holds a tense sort of foreboding, all eyes flitting from one person to another, pausing for a moment on one or another before continuing on then doubling back. Within moments, it's as if lines have been drawn in the dirt. On one side there's Nich and Luc, on the other hand there's Carli and John, both sides certain they aren't responsible. And then I realize, I'm in the middle, while no one is actually pointing a finger at me, no one's proclaiming my innocence either. Then once again Nich brings the mood down to a whole new low.
"Well, it was obviously one of them." He says, words directed to Luc, though loudly enough for all of us to hear, especially as they echo overhead. "My bet is Razakiel; he is Lucifer's right-hand man. Why would he help you? Lucifer probably told him to offer to help you escape just so he could test whether your truly loyal or just faking to stay alive." As he speaks, I can't help but notice how quick he is to point the blame, if I wasn't certain he would never hurt Luc I'd almost think he was trying to escape suspicion. "We have to get away from him, Luc. From all of them. Before they call more demons down on us."
"I didn't do it." A silver of real fear settles in my chest at the thought of Luc leaving, of not being able to protect her next time dangers find her. I glance at her and her steely blue eyes are already on me, determination clears in her features. The look makes me think she believes him, that she might even walk over and take me out herself for betraying them. My heart sinks.
"He didn't do it." The words don't quite make sense as I attempt to figure out exactly what I can say to convince her that I wouldn't betray her to Lucifer.
"What? of course he did! Who else would tell the demons how to find you?" As Nich speaks, I realize what she said and the relief is quickly followed by shock. She already knows I wouldn't betray her.
"Nich, he didn't do it. He wouldn't. he wanted to get out of there as much as I did. Yes, maybe someone in here called them, but it wasn't Zak. I know it wasn't Zak." The unwavering determination in her eyes leaves no room for argument. Though Nich looks ready to try until she silences him with a deadly glare, I'm all to glad she never sent my way. "He was telling the truth when he said he didn't do it." And with those words it all makes sense. She knows when people are lying. She knew for a fact I didn't call the demons on us.
I drag my hand through my wild black hair. Overwhelming relief replacing the confusion of moments before. Though the tinge of disappointment trickles through with the knowledge she needed to prove in order to believe me.
As the realization dawns on me and Nicholas glares daggers at my head, Carli and John stand slightly apart from the rest of us, looks of perplexity plastered on their faces. Luc seems to notice this at the same time I do and with a quick, sharp jab in Nicholas's side with her elbow, she strides over to them.
"I can tell when people are lying." The words are almost smug and almost a vindictive smile tugs at her lips. "So, tell me which of you told them where we were?" Pure shock radiates off Carli in waves, while the doctor leans forward slightly, intrigue written across his features, as if he wants to take a closer look at the anomaly standing before him. Neither are what I would call the reaction of a guilty party, and I'm disinclined to believe either of them would betray me like this., but Luc's talent would reveal the truth of the matter, no matter what I want to believe.
"So, how does it work? This ability of yours." John's voice holds nothing but pure interest, his head tilted to the side as he attempts to find out more, like the science minded doctor he is. Luc looks almost shock for a moment, moving slightly back in his unexpected reaction, and a slight smile slips across my face.
"You just tell me whether it was you or not, and if your lying I'll know." Her words only seem to increase his interest, but before he can question her further, she cuts him off, "So tell me was it you?"
"What? oh no, of course not. I didn't call the demons down on us. Why would I?" She barely even pauses before dismissing him as a suspect and turning to Carli, hands clenched slightly by her sides, like she's already sure that Carli is responsible.
"it wasn't me either." She says clearly in her words. Luc stares at her for a moment a frown marring her features.
"Say it word by word; say you didn't call the demons down on us."
"I didn't call the demons down on us." Carli replies with a sigh, glancing down at her hands, like she's over this conversation already. And again, Luc's eyebrows scrunch together as is she's concentrating everything, she has to prove Carli betrayed us. Then, finally her voice barely above a whimper.
"If it wasn't you. Who was it?" Nich immediately on everyone's radar, the cocky confidence smirk in his face less believable now that his the only one left to be tested. He straightens his body, standing taller and glances at Luc a calm certainty surrounding him, as if he is sure she would never expect him to be tested like the rest of us. Slowly, she turns to faced him as well. A hesitant fear shadowing her eyes.
"I don't… I mean… you wouldn't…of course not… would you?"
"Luc you know I would never do anything to hurt you. You're my best friend. I just want to keep you safe." She breathes a sigh of relief, and runs to him, throwing her arms around his neck and pulling him into a hug.
"I'm sorry. I know you wouldn't betray me. I just… I'm sorry."
"I know Luc. I know. It's okay. I understand." He soothes her frantic apologies as he wraps his arms around her waist and holds her slight frame to him. The urge to separate them and get his hands off her almost unbearable.
"This still begs the question. How did the demons find out?" I say, and force back the smug smile tugging at my lips as she lets go of him and moves slightly closer to me.
"Well, maybe she called them herself. It's not like we can check if she is lying, is it?"
"Why would she call the demons on herself? Carli, are you crazy?"
"Maybe she wants to get rid of the rest of us? Maybe she's working for Lucifer and was trying to prove you aren't loyal?" I can't tell whether she's serious or not as the words flow unrestrained.
"Trust me. She would never willingly go back to Lucifer." The flickering images from her mind, images of horrific torture, come back to me. There's no way she's loyal to Lucifer, that I am hundred percent sure of. Luc seems relieved at my words, though that haunting fear is back in her eyes. Probably fear that Lucifer has the ability to find her, which greatly increases the possibility of him dragging her back to hell. Not that I will ever let that happen.
"Luc. We'll figure it out. I promise. I won't let him have you. I won't let him take you back there. Not ever again." The slight easing of the tension in her body means I'm right in guessing her thoughts and the half smile she sends my way has an answering smile on my face before I can even blink. With the smile comes the realization that I will do anything and everything it takes to keep her safe.
So, where does that leave my plans of getting back to heaven?"