The Rising

by L F Seitz

  “So the meeting was a success.” Mammon retorted cautiously before he peered at the King, who was staring down at the foam on his cappuccino. The sharp angles of his face caught the pale light of the day setting his porcelain skin aglow. His icy blue eyes were crystalline as he finally met Mammon’s gaze, Lucifer said nothing as they beheld one another, the Prince of Greed’s breath stilled.

  It was as if he were pinning him to the wall, like an insect, Lucy pierced him with a pin that was his gaze and was watching him squirm. “To an extent.” Lucifer returned to his coffee once more, taking a sip while he turned his sights toward Lake Michigan. “I made a mistake in thinking she wasn’t as reckless as the average human, unfortunately, she retains that annoying aspect of their species.” The undertone of his voice mimicked that of a serpent. Mammon remained rigid as he let the waters settle between them, his mouth dry as cotton with the fluctuation in tension. He couldn’t pinpoint which way this meeting was to go, which wasn’t unusual, but still made Mammon unnerved. The Prince surveyed the lake to his right, the snowflakes were larger than before, and fell at a faster rate before they disappeared into the waves. “Was it after you spoke with her or before?”

  Lucifer sighed before leaning forward off the back of his chair and began to divulge the events of yesterday evening, starting with the meeting with his daughter. He disclosed how he vaguely explained to Lamia how her powers work, information new to him, which Mammon noted and locked away for a later time. He was surprised the King would tell the girl such information, given it might only help her in fighting against him. Lucifer continued further; the use of her demonic or angelic abilities on their own do nothing but enhance her abilities by essentially unlocking specific supernatural DNA in her blood and letting it rise to the surface of her consciousness. Using the power of both binds them together to create another level of being, it is not just a subpart of DNA. It is the two creating a whole other being inside of her, overriding the consciousness of her human form, thus suspending her soul in a state of vulnerability, which is then used to power her actions.

  “Or so her mother says but, I never truly know if she’s telling the truth,” Lucifer said, pushing his hand through his hair. “She’s so doped up I don’t even think she can dream walk anymore, I’ll have to find a way to get inside Lamia’s head myself.”

  “So she knows of your plan to get into heaven?” Mammon asked plainly, unabashed by the barista eavesdropping behind the wall. Lucifer had only given small bits of information as to what plans he had for Lamia, but even he knew it was to get him into Heaven again; he’d been trying for a thousand years.

  Lucifer tilted his head slightly before wrinkling his nose. “I gave some vague inclinations of what was to come, that I needed her to come willingly, and that she’d only find her true self without her soul. Like every mortal she still holds to her existential human morals and refused me, so I made sure to explain that I would ... be helping her along,” he chuckled as he pressed the rim of the ceramic cup to his lips. Mammon watched his movements, his words finally giving Mammon an inkling as to why this meeting was called today. Regardless of the new information he only nodded, watching his Lord as he took in his cappuccino and tried not to get too full of himself.

  Lucifer, King of Darkness, Satan, our glorious Morning Star, possibly asking Mammon for assistance with his world breaking plan to take down Heaven. Possibly being a part of the greatest war in universal history. Though Lucifer has not clarified any details of this plan to anyone over the last 300 years as far as Mammon’s spies have reported, it is beyond a mere privilege to be asked- an honor to be chosen.

  Mammon exhaled slowly before hiding his grin with his Latte.

  “You want to help her along.” Mammon retorted, emphasis on the last three words.

  Lucifer’s gaze turned to slits as he watched Mammon suddenly, leaning back in his chair and rested his hand limply over his thigh. The Prince stilled, like prey held in the sights of a beast, an ancient beast who has been killing well before Mammon was created. Lucy glanced about his figure, taking in the details of Greed’s suit, the crisp lines of the linen, and the subtle jewels placed in the rings on either hand. Mammon was a worm, Lucifer thought. He’d always been a loyal servant to him, tried to win favor with material garbage, and always agreed with what he said. The Prince had no real spine when it came to doing the hard work, like killing and torturing. He was made for simple tasks, like burying his toys.

  Lucifer clicked his nails against the ceramic handle. “You’re Hell Hounds will be of use to me in the future,” he remarked softly in thought. Sure, Lucifer had his Hounds, purebred and of his own making, not bred but made. Such creatures are not meant for meager tasks.

  The corner of Mammon’s lip quirked up into a smile before bowing slightly. “Whatever you need my Lord.” he replied, his voice low and heavy, like artificial syrup; a sound so thick with groveling it made Lucifer want to gauge. It was quiet between them as Lucifer found himself observing the waves again, stepping deep into his thoughts. Something Mammon dreaded- Lucifer wasn't one to share, especially information. Mammon found it hard not to grind his teeth whenever he waited for Lucifer to finally explain what he might be thinking, and when he didn’t, he usually took it out on his Hounds. Betting on fights between them, spending money on useless things before destroying them.

  “I need to break her in a way she feels she can’t come back from, sever her from human emotion, it seems she does not care for much but her friends,” Lucifer drawled as he began to bite his bottom lip, a moment later his brows raise as an idea comes to him. “Do you still have that facility in South Dakota with the Leviathans?”

  Mammon mimicked his excitement. “Of course, how many would you like?” Lucifer shrugged, turning his body back towards the table. “I will let you know when I need them, we must be patient.” Though Lucifer knew he wasn’t only saying that to Mammon- after Lamia almost died last night things looked a bit more fragile. If she were to die, what would happen? Twenty years is a blink in the life of an immortal, but after a thousand years under his father’s foot, could Lucy wait much longer? It has all happened so quickly now, it’s difficult not to snatch her up and force Lamia into submission, but all dark creatures knew that would do more harm than good. Nephilim blood is lethal if not granted to its user and Lucifer knew he needed her to come willingly. Above all else, he needed her permission if he was to use her, if they were to work together to destroy the world as it’s known. Lamia was raised as a human, and with that comes folly and the inability to see things bigger than the earth, bigger than a single lifetime. She has to be rebuilt- reborn. He knew the only way to do that is to strip her of everything she loves, make her break and she will come to him.

  “Once her soul is no longer present what is the next step?” Mammon asked the question, riding on the momentum of Lucy’s good mood before realizing what he was actually asking. Instantly the Prince recalled the last time someone asked the King about his plan, and how he bashed their skull into a table and let his demon dogs drink the scattered matter. Lucifer stopped smiling as he eyed Greed, his blue orbs growing dark despite the light of day, Mammon’s muscles tightened as he refused to draw breath. A mistake.

  “All will know when the time is right,” the Lord of night’s voice dropped an octave as he regarded him like an insect once more. Mammon could feel the sweat begin to accumulate on his neck. “I- My apologies Lucifer, I didn’t mean-“

  Lucy shooed him off with his hand, disregarding whatever half-assed apology he was attempting to make. “You forget yourself, that much is certain, but you are useful so I shall take this as a simple lapse of judgement.” he retorted, flexing his fists as he turned his sights to the water once more. The snowfall and wind had grown more intense- a storm was coming. Mammon tried not to visibly slump when his Lord released him from his tense gaze. He chastised himself for the idiocy. Just because he was here with him alone does not mean he was in his confidence. He noted how he must
do whatever was asked of him in the next coming months to the best of his ability so that maybe Lucifer would reign him into his plan.

  “All I will say is that destroying that which has oppressed us for a millennium is completely dependent on her.” Lucifer balled his hand, feeling the skin tighten across his knuckles as he thought of his spawn. She looked so much like her mother, the roundness of her face, mysterious eyes, and the thick curve of her hips. Her power is all Lucifer though, he could feel it humming within her bones, calling to him. A perfect fit for him. “She’s the only way for me to see my father and brother again, so I can peel the skin from their bodies.”

  Translations

  Demon I now send you back to the dark city of your father. Show me your face, there is no mercy, as I cut your demonic flesh from this body, let you forever be lost in the pity of fire. By the power of the angel, show me your tainted soul.

  All who stray from him are damned. An inevitable force that will conquer all worlds and leave only destruction. Survive is to surrender. Be against him and you will not live to see the end.

  What is your name

  I will always be your friend.

  Cambions, my father created you, abominations, but it is I who now controls your souls, I now send you to your creator, I cast you into darkness, now – Return

  Acknowledgements

  WRITING THIS BOOK WENT from a hobby, to a dream, then a possibility, and now reality. I never thought I would publish my work, that it would be worth reading, but because of these people it was possible. Spencer, my husband, was the first to hear my book aloud, to listen to me read and edit while he would paint Warhammer models in our little apartment years ago. He was the one that told me to never give up on what makes me happy, who always supports my wild endeavors.

  Ashlynn Metcalf, my dearest friend, was the first person to read my book in full, to beta read it again, and convince me to self-publish. Since we were teens, she has had my back when it came to creative dreams, we've always supported one another and been each other's creative outlet. If she wouldn't have messaged me that day saying that she loved my book and wanted to know what happens in the next, I wouldn't be here today.

  Katie Lewis, the best editor I could have asked for. I was put off by my first editor, felt hopeless and insecure, but Katie took my hand and lead me to greener pasters. She showed me that editing and changing things didn't have to hurt, that advice didn't have to be back handed. She had so much good information, and advice that I still use in my writing today. To this day I hold her words close to my heart, because she showed me just how kind people can be in the writing community.

  My family, I wouldn't have found the ability to create such wonderful stories if it weren't for them. My mother encouraged us to play outside, to use our minds and make games of our own. My brother, sister, and I created worlds and adventures and because of those long summer days playing army, or mermaids my imagination is forever overflowing.

  Thank you most to those who didn't believe me. Thank you to those who thought I wasn't good enough, that gave me first-hand experience with many of the emotions in this book. Thank you to those who made it easy to write such vivid pain, sadness, and anger; because of you I am a better writer. Because of my bullies I know what true strength is, and how arrogant self-righteous people crumble in the face of a strong, savage, plus size woman who don't play games. Thank you for fueling my driving fire.

  About the Author

  Leonora Seitz

  LEONORA SEITZ IS A Midwestern Indie Author who lives as a firefighter, EMT, and ER technician by day, and transforms into a crazed writer by night. Author of Bones in Bloom, Confessions of a Demon, and November Shadows, she is currently working on publishing the two other books of this series, as well as two other novels that are left slumbering and untouched in her arsenal of stories. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband, Spencer, and there two furry demons; their cat, Calcifer, and dog, Bailey. Find more information on her writings at LeonoraSeitz.com.