The Damned and The Pure Series: Books 1-4 (The Damned and The Pure Series Box Set)

by J. D. Stonebridge

  “My Lord, something is happening in the world below,” he reported. “Azrael claims that something is disrupting the flow of souls between the worlds.”

  “I am aware,” Raphael admitted, catching the other angel off guard.

  “You are aware of this?” Daniel asked him.

  “Yes,” Raphael said calmly. “A time of change is upon us, Daniel. A small error in the system for a short while is a fair sacrifice to make.”

  Daniel stared at his superior in confusion. Somewhere in the depths of his mind, a possibility tugged at his subconscious. But he shoved it away. It cannot be. “My apologies, my Lord, but I am confused about the situation.”

  “Do not fret, young one,” Raphael told him. “Everything will come to light very soon.”

  Fire continued to fill the space above them. The entire cave beneath them began to shake with the tortured voices, a horrific melody that echoed all around. Ariel felt the surge of energy spinning in all corners, stinging her skin like a cold wind. She held Caelum’s body in her arms, her dark hair protecting him from the bright blue flames overhead. Something inside her was beginning to burn, and she thought of the time the seal in her memory broke. She breathed in deeply, trying to calm herself. But the power that surrounded them now, the power that was being summoned to create the bridge between Heaven and Hell, was calling to hers. She felt her own power seeping out of her body, forcibly draining from her. But the angel held on, remembering how she had kept her own soul from imploding during her captivity in the church.

  I need to do something, Ariel told herself, focusing on keeping her energy inside. Despite the chaos, she gingerly lifted herself from Caelum. Her eyes stung as she looked at his unmoving body. With her hands pressed to his torso, Ariel conjured up all the power she had left inside her to heal him. Please. Her palm glowed, mending the tissues of the demon’s body. She watched as his skin slowly wove itself back together, the warmth from her palms healing the gaping wound that was stealing his life. But after the skin sealed again, Ariel knew it wasn’t quite enough. The holy blade that Lucifer had used against him created a wound that was greater than any she could easily heal.

  “Oh, no…” Ariel whispered, tears still streaming down her cheeks. She looked up. Lucifer stood at the center of the cave, basking in the power that circulated the cage. He had his arms opened wide, a smile on his face, welcoming the bridge being formed by Caelum’s blood. Guilt caught in Ariel’s chest. She was the bait they’d used to capture Caelum. Because of her, Lucifer had been able to compete the evil spell now becoming a bridge.

  She looked back to the demon in her arms. “Please open your eyes.” She leaned over to kiss Caelum’s forehead. But the demon’s head lay limp, bobbing as she moved her arms around him. “Please, Caelum…”

  “Oh, don’t be such a baby!” Lilith’s voice mocked her. “Your precious toy is dead, my dear!”

  “He has done us a great service, Ariel,” Lucifer spoke, looking at her gently. “The new world we will create will be forged with his blood. He has given us the stepping stone in creating a better world than what our God has given us.”

  “Damn you…” Ariel gritted her teeth. “I will not let you be freed!” She placed Caelum’s body gently on the ground and pivoted to attack Lucifer. Lilith knocked her away with her shadow tentacles before she could fly. Ariel spread her wings before she crashed against the wall. She flew up, dodging Lilith’s shadows as she headed for Lucifer.

  Ariel screamed a battle cry, her fists ready to strike. She swung her fist at Lucifer, but her punch met nothing but air. Lucifer had disappeared, and before she could turn, a force hit her hard on the back. Ariel collapsed, skidding against the ground and rolled back up to find Lucifer looking down on her.

  “I would rather not harm you any further, my dear sister,” Lucifer told her.

  “You should have thought of that before you betrayed your home!” Ariel replied, rushing forward to meet him again. But the sudden, violent shaking of the cave stopped her. Ariel had to spread her feet apart to keep her balance as the rumbling grew stronger. She watched as the sigil beneath them completely lost its light and large cracks began to form, breaking the seal. A loud noise from above forced her to look up, and she jumped out of the way as a large piece of rock fell where she stood.

  Pieces of the ceiling fell from the fire above them. The cave was crumbling all around, fiery, spiked rocks raining down on them. Ariel moved quickly to protect Caelum’s body from the falling debris, shielding them both with her wings. The angel had her eyes tightly shut as multiple rocks fell on and around her. Her wings held the weight slamming on them, but the icy fire they bore spread on her wings. Ariel gritted her teeth, willing herself to make it through the pain of her wings burning.

  Suddenly, light flashed from above. Ariel slowly pulled her wings away, relieved to shake off the cold fire. They were not holy flames, she determined, relieved. Her eyes narrowed in the bright light shooting down from above. The souls dissolved in the growing light, their moans fading away like an eerie echo. The light covered the center of the cage, filling the cave in a white glow while the icy flames spread on the ground. The wind changed direction, spiraling upward into the gaping hole the light had created. Ariel watched as souls were pulled into the light, vanishing as they came into contact with it. She could almost imagine the light reaching the land of mortals and even her home, connecting the three worlds together.

  “The bridge…” Ariel confirmed it. She hugged Caelum’s body tighter, appalled by her own defeat. It was over. Lucifer had won, and the lone angel couldn’t do anything to stop him. She was far too weak to handle the archangel alone.

  “Do you see this, Father? I have broken your cage. I have created the bridge that connects the worlds you ripped apart!” Lucifer announced, embracing the light. “And soon, I will surpass you!”

  Ariel watched him in fury as he spread his wings. Lucifer had four wings that were larger than any other angels, symbolizing that he was the one true angel. Yet, he was the one who betrayed their Father’s trust. He was the one who had defiled the humans and was cast out by God Himself. Lucifer may have loved the mortals, but to love something was different from protecting it, from caring for and nurturing it. He had abused his powers over them, and he had paid the price. She remembered when God left. Ariel thought before that it was Lucifer’s wrong-doings to the mortals that made Him leave them. Heaven had been in disarray for so long without their Father. The mortals were in chaos and Hell was created to purify their sins. Until the archangels elected Michael to lead the angels, and he had welcomed the responsibility and authority over them.

  Everything, everything has been to prepare you for this! The demon Lilith had told Caelum. Ariel thought back to when she’d been captured by Gabriel for falling in love with the human she’d been meant to protect only. She had always wondered why Michael had spared her life that day, and it had been the reason for her loyalty to the archangel. Ariel had been blinded by the gesture, not realizing that his mercy was for a different purpose.

  The Michael who cast out his own beloved brother into Hell? Showing mercy to some random angel who committed a sin? What made you so special? Ramiel, her fallen brother, had been right to question the archangels.

  They had all been preparing for this moment. Heaven and Hell had sided with each other to free Lucifer. All was clear to Ariel now: Michael protecting her and Caelum turning into a demon. It was all part of the plan to lead Caelum into dying for her, to spill his blood for her sake and forge the bridge between the worlds, so Lucifer could be freed.

  She watched as the main event unfolded. Lifting his pure white weapon, Lucifer’s face was of pure delight, reveling in his newfound freedom. With his wings spread wide, the archangel who had been banished from Heaven and caged in Hell stepped into the light and took flight.

  I will not let you, Ariel thought. She lowered Caelum again and ran after Lucifer. She jumped high and spread her wings, flying to stop him. When
she neared, Lucifer’s golden eyes turned to her; he held a palm out to her. Ariel’s muscles stopped working, her wings froze, and she plummeted back down to the ground.

  When she hit the ground, Ariel was able to move again. She stood up, but Lucifer was already disappearing into the light. “Wait!” Ariel reached up to him, flying to chase after him. Something wrapped around her waist and diverted the direction of her flight. Ariel was thrown back, hitting the ground hard again.

  “Can you stop trying to ruin the moment?” Lilith appeared, walking towards her. The demon had a wide grin on her face, victory in her eyes. “It’s done, cupcake. Party’s over. We win.”

  Ariel looked to the light and saw the shadow of Lucifer disappearing. She knew she would not be able to chase after the archangel with his loyal demon keeping watch over her. Her eyes fell on Lilith, who smiled at her, innocently mocking her. The smug smile on her face infuriated the angel. All the anger bubbled up inside her, and Ariel balled her fists tight.

  “Look at you, so cute when you’re angry,” Lilith teased. “Let’s see what you got, honey.”

  Lilith’s shadow whip flew towards Ariel. The angel leapt up as the shadow crashed to the ground. Ariel flew straight at Lilith, turning her body and slamming her foot against the demon’s chest. Lilith skidded on her back on the ground. She swung her arm around. Another shadow threw Ariel away from her. The angel rolled on the ground until she hit the wall with a thud. When she opened her eyes another shadow was coming straight towards her, a pointed tip aimed at her torso. She jumped out of the way and climbed back to her feet.

  “You know, we don’t really have much use for you now,” Lilith told her. “So this time, I’m allowed to actually get rid of you for good.”

  The angel felt the adrenaline rushing back to her. She smiled at the demon. “You call that trying?” Ariel taunted her. Lilith glared at her and threw her shadow to the side. Ariel jumped over it and flew in the air.

  “Have you no honor?” Ariel asked her. “Fighting an unarmed angel with all those shadows you can conjure.”

  “Oh, so you want a cat fight, huh?” Lilith challenged her. She retracted all the shadows back to her as her eyes watched the angel land gently on the ground. “This will be so interesting.”

  Lilith was the first to attack. She rushed at Ariel, fists up. She threw a punch at the angel, but Ariel dodged the attack. Lilith reeled back her arm, hitting Ariel’s head with her elbow. Ariel crouched down, then held Lilith’s waist. The smaller female was lifted by the angel, throwing her aside.

  Lilith landed on her back with a gasp. She rolled away just as Ariel sent her heel for her. Lilith swiveled around and slid her leg against the back of Ariel’s knee. Ariel bent her knees but steadied herself by landing her palm on the ground behind her. She spun her waist around, hitting Lilith’s jaw with a kick.

  “You bitch,” Lilith muttered, gripping the wound on her cheek caused by Ariel’s boot. She turned to run away from Ariel.

  “Coward!” Ariel called after her, chasing the demon. Lilith ran fast, then suddenly halted. Before Ariel could slow her speed, Lilith wheeled around and kicked her on the side. The angel staggered back and landed on the ground. She kicked her feet up and rose. Quickly, she crouched down to avoid Lilith’s punch. Ariel reached for her extended arm with one hand on the wrist and the other on her forearm. The angel drove her shoulder up against Lilith’s elbow as she pulled down on the wrist, earning her a satisfying crack on the bone.

  Lilith groaned in the pain. She stomped her foot against Ariel’s toe and slammed her forehead against the angel’s skull. Ariel moved away from the demon, gritting her teeth.

  “Ooh, you’re so feisty,” Lilith teased again, gritting her teeth. “I just hope your boyfriend could have seen you all pumped up. Oh, no. He can’t. He’s dead!” The demon laughed as she clutched her broken arm.

  The fire in Ariel’s chest burned furiously again at the comment. She thought of Caelum and how this demon had befriended him to gain his trust. Lilith, the first to disobey God and the one who lured Caelum into the trap that took his life. With those thoughts engraved in her mind, Ariel wanted nothing but revenge in that moment.

  "Aww...have I upset you?" Lilith mocked. She laughed at Ariel again, but her moment of joy was the distraction the angel had hoped for.

  Ariel was suddenly in front of Lilith; she grabbed her broken arm as she went around the demon. Lilith yelled out in pain as her arm was stretched behind her. She threw her head back to smash against Ariel, but the angel slid down under her with her knee pressed against her back. With a kick of her leg, Ariel threw Lilith over her; the demon landed on her head.

  Pain grinded against Lilith's bones, but she still struggled to stand up. Ariel was already back on her feet and running at Lilith. She landed a kick in the demon's stomach, sending her flying across the cave.

  Lilith gasped as she hit the wall. Ariel’s knee drove against her ribs. Lilith doubled over and Ariel pulled her down back to the ground. Lilith crashed on the ground face first.

  "This is for lying to us!" Ariel said, kicking her in the stomach. Each accusation she accentuated with a kick. "For threatening my home! And for freeing Lucifer! For Caelum!"

  Lilith turned around and sent a shadow at the angel. Ariel flew back to dodge it. She spun in the air and went to grab Lilith's leg. She lifted the demon up in the air and spun her around. When Ariel released her, Lilith smashed hard against the wall, rocks exploding.

  The demon dropped to the ground; pain shot through her body. Her bones felt crushed and her muscles bruised. Lilith forced herself to stand, staggering as she did. The demon focused her energy on healing, but the angel was still standing, ready for another attack.

  "Aren't you so pumped up when you're angry?" Lilith said, cringing in pain. She heaved a breath and glared at the angel. "Finally, some fire in you. But you're not taking me down that easily!"

  "Let's see about that," Ariel said. The angel backed away and leapt up. She flew up high while Lilith sent the shadows to grab her, but Ariel dodged and spun around them. Like a torpedo heading straight for the demon, Ariel sped towards Lilith. The demon sent more of her shadows to stop the angel.

  Ariel reached her and swung her arm against the demon. Lilith tumbled to the side and reached for the angel’s arm. She pulled Ariel to land on the ground, driving a foot against her neck to pin her down.

  “You’re not taking me down, honey,” Lilith told her. A blade of her shadow hovered behind Lilith as she stared down on Ariel. “You can’t kill me, my dear. Haven’t I told you that before?”

  “Yes,” Ariel answered. “But I can still disable you.” Ariel curled her hand around Lilith’s leg. The demon drove the shadow down just as Ariel lifted her foot and slid herself out of the way. The shadow stabbed the ground, and Ariel climbed back up, moving away from the demon.

  Lilith pulled her dark blade from the ground and sent it flying to Ariel again. The angel dodged the shadow.

  “Getting tired of this cat and mouse chase,” Lilith told her. She threw more and more of the shadows towards the angel; Ariel evaded them all. Ariel pressed her attack on the demon who threw more shadows to keep her away. When she got close, Ariel wheeled around, revealing one of Lilith’s shadows speeding from behind. Before the demon could stop it, the black whip buried itself inside Lilith’s stomach.

  Lilith’s face showed shock as the shadow faded away slowly, the rest following suit. Ariel watched the demon collapse to the ground, silent and still.

  Ariel heaved a breath, staring at the demon. The light was slowly fading above them. The angel turned around, searching for Caelum. She rushed to his body and cradled him in her arms.

  His face was blank and pale; tears pooled in her eyes again. She looked up to the light reaching the world above and then to the broken seal beneath them.

  Escape, Caelum’s voice came to her. He’d sacrificed his life to free her, and she would not let his death be in vain. Nor will I leave you, Ariel th
ought, caressing his face. Carrying Caelum’s body in her arms, she flew.

  Chapter Twenty: Rebirth

  The bridge ate away the souls of Hell to retain its power. With only a few souls of Hell remaining, the connection between the three worlds was losing energy and slowly fading. Above the land, in the mortal world, humans had caught sight of the phenomena that was the bridge; a few recorded evidence of Lucifer's rise. A number of formless demons escaped with him and ran amok amongst the humans. Chaos spread like wildfire, and all knew that the apocalyptic prophecy of weeks ago was beginning to unfold.

  The angel, Ariel, held onto the lifeless body of the one she held dear. She took in all the destruction her battle to be freed had caused. For several days, she’d lived with the legendary rebel, the archangel Lucifer. Ariel had tried to pry his plans out of him, her progress zilch. Until now that she had been defeated.

  With one last look at Caelum's face, Ariel held onto him tightly and kicked her feet off the ground. She flapped her wings to move forward, reaching up into the gaping hole created by the light.

  The brightness of the light stung the angel's eyes, and Ariel had to shut them as she flew up. Blinded by the holy light, Ariel was thankful she couldn’t see what she could hear. Tortured cries called out to her, begging the angel to rescue them from their misery. She felt the cold and hot energies surrounding her, some weakly pulling at her arms in their desire to be taken from the light. She bit her lip, shutting out all the pleas around her.

  Forgive me...Ariel begged them in her thoughts. Forgive me.

  Like rising from an icy ocean and surfacing into a fiery desert, an immense wave of heat embraced Ariel. The voices of the souls had been replaced with the ghoulish moans of souls that had crawled out of the pit, resisting purification. Ariel dared to open her eyes and found herself inside the flames of Hell. A surge of panic threatened to cause her to lose her focus, but Ariel swallowed her fear and trudged on. She felt a burning pain on her back, but she forced herself to ignore the pain.