“If by ‘support’ you mean reminding me about how the plan is falling apart, then you and I clearly have different definitions for ‘support’!” Kazuk said rudely.
But Lithilia remained calm, which angered him even more.
“I agree with you, my love,” Lithilia replied with deliberate calm. “To me, ‘support’ includes, among other things, letting you transfer your aggression on me in hopes that you will feel a little better.”
Lithilia paused to let him absorb the full force of her statement. It seemed to work. She could see how his expression changed from frustration to feeling very foolish. He sighed and looked up at her, with eyes that looked like the closest thing to an apology. Lithilia decided to cut him some slack on that account but thought he still needed to be punished for his childishness.
“Are we really arguing because of Akasha?” Lithilia asked.
“No,” Kazuk replied. “We’re arguing because I let my emotions get the better of me.”
“But you do this every time something doesn’t go your way, my love,” she remarked and averted her gaze. “Every single time! Is that all I am to you; a punching bag for your emotions?”
“You know that’s not true, my love,” Kazuk replied and shook his head. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything I said. I’m sorry….”
What a sissy! Lithilia thought. He will certainly not last half a moment when all Hell breaks loose, literally.
“I say we ditch Akasha altogether and work on a plan of our own,” Lithilia proposed. “There must be some way to deal with The Scribe that does not involve her.”
“The Scribe is too powerful!” Kazuk yelled in frustration.
“Yes, he is too powerful,” Lithilia agreed. “But not unstoppable! There has to be a way.”
“Finding a way to deal with The Scribe would be adding more to our already full plate,” Kazuk replied, trying to let her know her reasoning was valid, but it may not be feasible.
“Too much on our plate?” Lithilia asked, trying to understand what Kazuk meant by that statement.
“Right now, we want to obtain the Zarark, capture Michael, take out The One, and we still have not yet even thought about what happens when she returns,” Kazuk explained.
“Obtaining the Zarark sounds like the easiest item on our agenda so far,” Lithilia remarked.
“True, and that would help us capture Michael,” Kazuk affirmed.
Lithilia could sense his passion for the mission had returned.
“Metatron is now under control, and he will oblige,” he added
“Wait!” Lithilia’s head snapped towards Kazuk.
Suddenly she was more interested in the conversation.
“What do you mean by Metatron is ‘now under control’?” she asked.
“Let’s just say I had a small conversation with him earlier,” a mischievous grin crept across his face as he spoke and Lithilia could not help but smile.
“I’ll be damned, honey!” Lithilia sounded like a school girl as she walked towards Kazuk and summoned a chair from the floor.
She made herself comfortable and waited for Kazuk to continue. He just stared at her with a blank expression.
“Well, don’t leave me hanging now!” Lithilia almost begged, and they both burst into laughter.
“Alright,” Kazuk grinned. “We had a small conversation and let’s just say he now knows who the boss is in this realm. We have his unwavering loyalty!”
“Ooohhhh honey! You’re making me all warm and fuzzy!” Lithilia said, feeling genuinely turned on by her husband’s show of strength and dominion.
She reached over and kissed him on the lips.
“Only because I have a strong woman by my side,” Kazuk complimented his wife, and she greatly appreciated it.
“So, let’s say we obtain the Zarark and then capture Michael,” Lithilia said, returning to business. “What about The One?”
“I still think we should just send a bunch of demons down there-” Kazuk started saying.
“And hand over victory to Celestia on golden wings?” Lithilia interrupted. “You know damn well that is not an option, Kazuk!”
“I don’t care what The Book for the Fallen says,” Kazuk retorted.
“Oh, I’d strongly recommend you care!” Lithilia rebutted. “Those words were written for a reason, you know!”
“I know, I know,” Kazuk conceded and heaved his shoulders. “I just don’t know how to get around that right now. The One could ruin everything else for us if he returns to Celestia.”
“And this is where I come in,” Lithilia interjected.
She adjusted herself in her chair before continuing.
“Remember how you have been accusing me of being ‘busy’-”
“And keeping me in the dark? Yes, I do,” Kazuk replied.
“Yes, I’ve been busy,” Lithilia continued. “With good reason. I was waiting for the right moment to bring you in.”
“Like now?” he asked rhetorically.
Lithilia glared at him before replying.
“The prophecy says creatures from dimensions outside of that into which The One falls should not influence The One in any way while in amnesia and all that gibberish, right?” she said. “So, no influences from archangels, angels, cherubim, seraphim, demons and all that, are welcome. The One, Eliel, fell to Earth Realm and the timing could not be more perfect. The Logos probably did not think the creatures from Earth Realm could have any influence over an angel? Anyway, guess who’s from Earth Realm.”
“You,” Kazuk said, smiling as understanding dawned on him.
“Indeed!” Lithilia winked. “Though I can live in different dimensions, I am still of the Dimension of Solara. And so are my Sinisters…”
“Woman!” Kazuk exclaimed. “The things I want to do you to right now!”
“Shortly, honey,” Lithilia flirted “So, I’ve been working with Maduk, and sometimes on my own, to get the Sinisters to eliminate The One. But that damn organization has found a way to detect my babies!”
Lithilia cursed out loud and clenched her fists. Kazuk reached out and touched her hand.
“See!” Lithilia snapped. “This is what happens when creatures do not follow my orders! I specifically told Maduk not to enter Earth Realm just yet, but he would not listen! Now I have to shield him from the O. R. until the perfect moment! Ahhhhh!”
Lithilia screamed, pulled her hair in frustration and bared her teeth.
Kazuk watched with satisfaction as she seemed to be losing control and enjoyed every moment of it. Let her feel what he feels when a perfect plan is no longer perfect. The creature thought she was the queen of serenity or something. For Hell’s sake, she lived in Hell and was married to the King of Hell. There‘s absolutely nothing serene about that! Kazuk thought to himself.
“Would you prefer to talk about it later?” Kazuk offered, knowing that she would want to finish it right now.
“No, my love,” Lithilia sighed. “I’m fine now. Sorry for the outburst.”
“It’s okay, honey,” Kazuk assured her. “Sure you want to continue?”
“Yes, I am,” she replied more firmly.
Kazuk decided not to press his luck.
“Okay then, let’s hear it!” he said.
“Where was I again?” she asked.
“Something about kids not listening to their mothers?” Kazuk smiled, and she smiled back.
“Try harder! Not working on me,” Lithilia said and stuck out her tongue.
“Can’t blame a demon for trying, can you?” he replied. “It’s amazing how much of your human tendencies you still retain.”
“I am human essentially, am I not?” Lithilia said.
“For the most part, I think you are,” Kazuk spoke honestly. “Or maybe I should say, you’re a very special kind of human.”
“I still have a soul, at least,” Lithilia agreed, and there was sadness in her eyes.
“To them, you having a soul is only in the metaphorical sen
se,” Kazuk said. “You’re not exactly held in high esteem among your kind!”
“They don’t understand me,” Lithilia spoke softly.
“They don’t know you well enough,” Kazuk offered.
“They think I’m some demon!” she spat and immediately regretted her words. “I’m very, very sorry. I didn’t mean it like that at all!”
“I’m neither angry nor offended,” Kazuk spoke in earnest. “I’ve accepted my fall from Celestia as an archangel and my new identity. Perhaps someone could use a little self-acceptance as well,” he winked playfully at her.
Lithilia smiled weakly back at him.
“Perhaps someone needs to finish her story,” Lithilia countered.
“Indeed,” Kazuk agreed.
“Kids! No, they never listen,” she said. “So, I had to revise the plan. But that’s okay. Anyway, Sinisters have been trying to pay The One a visit, but they’ve always encountered stiff opposition. Those agents are quite good, I must admit.”
“They can’t be that good, can they?” Kazuk asked.
“They are, and the best of them is that one called Patrick!” Lithilia sneered at the name. “In due time, I’ll deal with him personally.”
“So, does the O.R. have a way to detect Sinisters?” Kazuk asked.
This moron never pays any attention! Lithilia exclaimed in her mind.
“They do,” Lithilia replied. “And they’re becoming more adept with their systems. The odds were not looking in our favor, and so I had to adapt. I did not even bother to let Maduk know.”
“And this is why you have been so busy lately,” Kazuk said.
Yep! Super, inattentive moron! How did he even manage to be king of Hell Realm again? Lithilia managed a weak, sympathetic smile.
“Yes,” Lithilia replied, patiently. “Had to create a Sinister hybrid; one who was more human than he was Sinister. It was a random selection process, but I picked one human. His name is Walter Peabody.”
“Had a feeling you would pick a man,” Kazuk joked.
“Sniff, sniff, do I smell jealousy in the air?” Lithilia joked along.
“Only if he’s bigger than me!” Kazuk replied and Lithilia play-punched him in the arm as they both burst into fits of laughter.
“No, he’s not!” Lithilia said. “Feel better now?”
“Yes, love,” Kazuk replied with exaggerated relief. “I do feel a lot better, thank you!”
“They don’t call me succubus for nothing, do they?” she asked rhetorically.
“They should call you by your real name,” Kazuk replied. “‘Lilith’ irks me!”
“If you feel like that, then imagine how I feel…” Lithilia smiled.
“We just can’t help but digress, can we?” Kazuk said.
“Nope,” she agreed. “But back to Walter Peabody. So, I turned him into this hybrid a few moments prior to The One falling. In earth terms, that would be about three years before the fall. My thinking was that, if the Sinisters fail to get to him, and knowing that Michael and Uriel would not allow any angel or archangel near him, and also that Hell’s citizens would be foolish to interfere, I had to come up with a backup plan.”
“And this Walter P. was your backup plan,” Kazuk interjected.
“Indeed,” Lithilia replied.
“And where is he this moment?” Kazuk asked.
“He just arrived in the town where the angel fell,” Lithilia replied.
“Expecting any trouble?” Kazuk probed.
“Not from the agents,” Lithilia replied as a look of worry strolled across her face. “I’m positive that with all the training Walter has received so far, those agents must be easy for him to eliminate.”
“So, what is the possible problem then?” Kazuk asked.
“Patrick,” Lithilia replied with a sneer. “He’s really that good. They say he was specially trained by Shi’mon himself. Like some protégé.”
“I’m not versed in the affairs of the humans of Earth Realm,” Kazuk said. “But if what you say is true, then I’m also confident that this Walter will prevail. I assume you trained him yourself, right?”
“Yes,” Lithilia agreed.
“Then there’s nothing to worry about,” Kazuk assured her. “I’ve seen you in action and woman; you’re phenomenal. Walter has been in good hands. Literally!” and the couple erupted in laughter.
“You’re right,” Lithilia smiled. “I think I’m just overreacting.”
“You are overreacting for nothing,” he affirmed. “And I’m curious, why don’t you… distract… this Patrick yourself?”
Lithilia understood what he meant.
“Because he would detect that I am not ‘normal’,” Lithilia replied.
“So?” Kazuk prompted.
“My cover could be blown,” she replied. “The last thing I want is to have any of the apprentices showing up. Especially Miryam!”
“What’s so special about this Miryam?” Kazuk asked.
“Oh, honey,” Lithilia said, shaking her head. “Miryam and I go a long way back! But that’s a story for another day.”
“I’m really curious why this Miryam scares you so much; but you’re not the least afraid of Luciel,” Kazuk tried to probe some more.
“And I promise you, I’ll tell you eventually,” Lithilia said, trying to mask her discomfort at the subject with a little firmness in her tone of voice.
“You’ve been saying that for a very long moment now,” Kazuk retorted.
“I know, and I’m sorry,” Lithilia replied. “I’ll fill you in later, please. Okay?”
“Okay,” Kazuk said. “But I still think you should give it a try.”
“Give what a try?” Lithilia asked.
“Distract Patrick, if not eliminate him yourself,” Kazuk replied.
Lithilia bit her lower lip as she chewed on what her husband just proposed to her. The more she ruminated over the thought, the more she agreed that it was a risk worth taking.
“The main goal is to eliminate The One, right?” Kazuk asked.
“Yes,” Lithilia agreed.
“So, what if you just caused a distraction, even if it’s just enough to allow Walter to see the mission to completion? Would you not consider it a success in the end?”
“I would,” she agreed again.
“And wouldn’t you say it’s worth the risk?”
“It is,” Lithilia concurred. “But Patrick would detect me though-”
“Let him detect you!” Kazuk interjected. “The goal is to cause enough distraction for Walter to take care of The One. Think about it!”
“Yes, you are correct,” Lithilia agreed. “It is certainly worth the risk, and I will do it. I think I may already have a plan in mind.”
“And why am I not surprised?” Kazuk said smiling broadly.
“Because you know me too well, my love,” she replied.
Lithilia stood up from the chair and walked towards the bed. As the chair dematerialized into the floor, her clothes also dematerialized from her body with each step she took. Her naked form slid onto the bed like a serpent, and she turned and looked at her husband. Kazuk also stood up from his chair, which dematerialized into the floor. Kazuk summoned his wings as his garments also disappeared. He rose upwards in the air. His naked form stayed in the air for a moment as he gazed down at Lithilia’s naked form on the bed with ravenous eyes. Then he glided towards her. She parted her legs to welcome him as his wings wrapped around their bodies.
As Kazuk filled her, Lithilia remembered the first day she and her first love had been introduced to the garden for the first time. She remembered how they played in the stream. She remembered how they bonded that day and how it was the most beautiful day in her life. With these thoughts, she could survive the utterly disgusting ordeal of faking love and pleasure to someone she considered a mere pawn in her grand plan. It still truly amazed her how Kazuk, after all this time, could not tell she was so not into him at all. But then again, Lithilia had concluded many mi
llennia ago that, no matter the realm or dimension, men were all the same; they were only as smart as their genitals would allow them to be.
***
The Scribe was not going to stick around for this. He teleported to another realm to take care of business. There were many more catalysts to prepare for his grand plan. He had posed as Akasha and planted the thought of a meeting with Kazuk in Kazuk’s mind. Meeting agenda: Ending The Scribe! It was meant to be a sick joke. Despite his extensive sense of humor, The Scribe hardly awarded himself any luxury of laughter. But when Kazuk had actually fallen for it and shown up at the agreed-upon location, The Scribe had erupted in the most derisive laughter he could summon.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
BASIC INTRODUCTIONS
THE SUBCONSCIOUS REALIZATION that it was way past noon yanked Patrick from deep sleep to sudden alertness. The motel room was hot and humid and gave a new definition to the stale smell of sweat and sex. His body was laced with a sheen of sweat, and so was Sara’s. He could have sworn he had just blinked and taken a nap, but it was a blink that had lasted more than six hours. Sara was still curled up against his arm. She seemed to be sound asleep. He reached for his phone on the nightstand; no missed calls, no messages. All good in the hood, he said to himself. As he reached out to return the phone, Sara held onto his free hand even tighter, in her sleep.
Patrick froze in mid-reach, not wanting to wake her up. But why would he not want to wake her up? She looked so peaceful, snuggled against his form. He set his phone on the night stand slowly and turned back to hold her in his arms. He could not believe he was really trying to let this total violet, bright-eyed, otherworldly stranger get some rest. She still was a mystery, but he sensed no threat. Last night, he sensed and experienced pent-up passion like he had never sensed or experienced from anyone else before. And it had nothing to do with the violet electric sparks that danced between their bodies. Patrick badly wanted to share this phenomenal experience with someone. But it would not be such a good idea.
And now, he sensed… happiness? Relief? Calm? Peace? Patrick was unsure. Regardless, it was nothing akin to danger. But Patrick knew what he felt for this beautiful, extradimensional being lying peacefully asleep in his arms: pity. Maybe that was why his instinct dictated that he let her enjoy her rest. Her body language indicated that she really could use the rest. She seemed unnaturally exhausted and burdened, and Patrick could have sworn it was not related to her business as a bartender.
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