“It was Lucifer’s fault. He knew better than to come after you. No one was supposed to touch you, Heavenly or Fallen. Everyone understood the consequences, yet Lucifer was out of his mind when he found you. He was bent on destroying the world. In some ways, I don’t blame him. I understand his burden and know how much he suffers because of the wicked. Yet, after he touched you, he was suddenly bewildered and scared. He looked shaken, but I couldn’t understand why. He had gotten what he wanted. He wanted you to destroy the world, yet when you unleashed your power, he seemed upset by the damage. At the time I didn’t care, I took you and ran. I had to explain to God what had happened. He told me that you weren’t ready yet, that you needed more time and more wisdom that came with experience in the world.
“A few months later Lucifer came to me and offered me a deal. He said that your power wasn’t meant for the Heavens or for the Mortal Realm, that you were too dangerous. He said that if his evil could tear apart your safeguards, then you weren’t ready. Heaven was too peaceful and caused you to react violently to evil. The world had given you mortal experiences, but you needed to understand the true evil contained within Hell, just as the Fallen had done. He believed that the more you were around the souls in Hell, the less harshly you would react to them. It was agreed upon by both of us that once you had gained enough experience in the Mortal Realm you would shed your mortal form and become Anjali again. You would reside in Hell so that you could increase your knowledge of the malevolent side of humanity. Neither of us wanted an enemy of God to take possession of you and cause another Dark Age. Lucifer swore to protect you. Stupidly, I believed him. I was afraid you would react badly to the evil in Hell, but he said that he would help you. You have to know that it wasn’t easy for me to make a deal with Lucifer. I regretted it immediately, which is why I kept the truth from you. I hope you can learn to forgive me someday,” Gabriel hung his head in shame.
Michelle could see that Gabriel hated the thought of sending her to Hell, but he believed it was the right thing to do, not only to protect her, but also to keep the mortals safe from any more accidents.
“You did what you had to do. I don’t want to accidentally end the world,” Michelle was still rattled from finding out that she was supposed to kill everyone. Lucifer’s deal was icing on the cake.
She thought about Lucifer’s reaction to her. She finally understood why he wanted her and why he was purring with delight when she arrived. He was planning to use her to destroy the world. He had won. He had finally gotten his prize. She needed to make sure that Lucifer never used her power to harm anyone.
“You have to understand, I didn’t just hand you over. I made a deal, a contract, which means I was supposed to be granted certain provisions. I tried to provide as much protection for you as I could. The deal was he had to wait until you were ready to transition from the Mortal Realm to Hell and take on your duties. I was responsible for setting the date, but only when I thought you were ready. I kept pushing it off by reminding him of the Dark Age, so he gave me a lot of leeway. He was not to come near you or have any correspondence with you, nor was he to send any minions or emissaries to contact you. Apparently, I failed to mention mental communications, which is how he finally got to you. He was to protect you at all times, which means that you were never meant to be tortured, nor used for his own evil purposes. When I see him again, I’m going to bury him for hurting you. He wasn’t allowed to kill you in mortal form and snatch your soul, so he made you take your own life. He guaranteed me that you would be royalty. Instead, the miserable low life-backstabbing piece of shit turned you into his personal servant and slave, only to torture you. I vow to you, I will kill him for his betrayal!” Gabriel roared as he clenched his fists.
“Don’t worry, Father; I plan on confronting Lucifer now that I know the truth,” Michelle squared her shoulders and imagined tossing Lucifer into the Realm of Teeth for a while. If her birthright was to be the Bringer of the Apocalypse, then she was going to remind Lucifer of that fact. She didn’t want to kill him, but she wanted vengeance.
Gabriel immediately calmed. He was concerned about the intense look in her eyes. He knew that look and it frightened him. “Yes, I believe that you can handle Lucifer, but please contain your rage. Allow me to be angry on your behalf. I have enough reason to lash out at my brother. Please, understand that making the deal was unbearable. It took me forever to finally set the date for you to enter into Hell. I was supposed to hand you over during the autumn after your 18th birthday, or rather Michelle’s birthday. She was to be your last life in the Mortal Realm. That’s why I was going to travel with you during the summer, so that I could explain everything and finally be able to spend time with you. He not only broke our contract, but he cheated me out of spending time with you for the first time since you left Heaven,” Gabriel regretted not being able to show her the world.
Michelle finally understood Gabriel’s rage. He had been deprived of spending time with her. He loved her and cared for her enough to want to be close to her for the first time in centuries and Lucifer had crushed his dreams.
“I was looking forward to traveling with you and CJ. You don’t know how much I wanted to spend time with you,” she sniffled and hugged him.
“I too was looking forward to it. I’m sorry that I had to tell you the truth like this, in this dreadful place. As much as I hate the idea of you residing in Hell, it wasn’t meant to be like this, I swear it. You were meant to be bowed to, not to bow to Lucifer as his servant,” Gabriel grumbled as he pulled at his hair. “Once the appointed date came, a ceremony was supposed to take place and your immortal form would be restored. Your memories would be unbound and your full power would be at your disposal. You would take your place at Lucifer’s left side, while Hades resided at his right. You would be third in the line of succession of power in Hell and occupy your own tower, and hold court there. You would oversee your own realm so that you could learn what it meant to punish the wicked during an Apocalypse; of course, you found a way to do that through your visions. I believe that is why you accepted death and joined Lucifer. Deep down, you knew you were ready. You knew it was time to accept your destiny,” Gabriel smiled at her.
“I don’t know if ready I am, but I believe you. You know me better than I do,” Michelle wiped away her tears and stood up straight. She needed to grow up and be strong. If Gabriel thought she could do this, then she had to find a way to accept her destiny.
“I do know you very well, my child. You and I have always had a special bond. In this life, as Michelle, I allowed your real personality and thoughts to shine through. I thought it might help you to adjust more easily to what awaited you. Unfortunately, you have always felt as if you were different from everyone else, because you are. You always had a hard time connecting to those around you in Heaven, just as Michelle did in the Mortal Realm. The guilt of one day destroying the mortals has made it difficult for you to befriend anyone, even angels. There were many who saw you as a weapon, instead of a gift. They saw you as the Destroyer of the mortals,” Gabriel was sad that his daughter was considered an outcast in his world.
“That’s why Hades looked so scared the first time he saw me. He almost bowed to me. I think I’ll visit him first. You have no idea how many lies he’s told me,” Michelle smirked at the thought of making Hades bow to her.
“Do not believe anything Hades says. He is a skilled liar,” Gabriel replied. He was no less of a liar than his brother was. He’d lied to everyone, including his daughter to protect her. “Can you ever forgive me for lying to you?” Gabriel fell to his knees sobbing.
“For what? You didn’t do anything wrong. I’m the one who couldn’t keep it together and ended up killing a lot of people. I’m the one who almost destroyed a few civilizations. I’ve caused nothing but trouble for you ever since I was created. You’ve had the burden of keeping the mortals safe from me, while keeping me safe from evil. What else were you supposed to do? I don’t blame you for anything. I blame
myself for falling apart and losing control time and again. I blame Lucifer for lying to me and causing my death, but I’m not angry with you. You did everything you could to protect me. I love you, the same as I always have,” she grabbed Gabriel and hugged him the way she used to.
“You are the most understanding and loving girl. I am honored to be your father. I am honored to have been chosen to protect you. You are not my burden to bear. You are my heart. I love God and serve Him with everything that I am. He gave you to me to guide and cherish. I would do nothing less than love you,” Gabriel smiled at his daughter and was overwhelmed with adoration for her. As much as he hated knowing the truth about what had happened to her, at least he was armed with the facts. He had many injustices to right, but now he had the information he needed.
“Lucifer will hunt me down if I don’t get back. I don’t want him to find you. Mark said you weren’t allowed here. Please, I don’t want you to get into trouble. I’ve seen Lucifer’s anger; you don’t want any part of that,” Michelle desperately wanted her father to stay with her, but she needed to be a big girl and handle her own problems. Gabriel had already done so much for her. She didn’t want Gabriel to kill Lucifer in anger and have to walk into the Hall of Shadows every day to visit him in chains. She loved him too much to endure that.
“I’m not leaving without you. We can sort this entire mess out from Heaven. It will be easier and safer. I’m not worried about him. He should worry about me. We must hurry; the journey will not be easy. We must go before we are found,” Gabriel’s eyes narrowed and he suddenly looked like a warrior ready for battle.
“No father,” she put her hand up to stop Gabriel from pulling her along with him. “I understand why you sent me here and I know that it wasn’t meant to be like this. If you believe that I will learn from the evil here, then I will stay, but I’m going to do things my way. Lucifer be damned, I’m not going back into the realms,” Michelle felt sure of her decision and it made her feel stronger. She wanted to stay in Hell to accomplish the things Gabriel had originally intended. She needed to learn from the wicked, so that she wouldn’t start an Apocalypse without just cause.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to set Lucifer straight?” Gabriel stood tall and proud, leaving no doubt who would win in a fight between him and Lucifer.
“No. I think I’m going to enjoy doing that myself. Please, you need to go. I can’t bear the thought of seeing you harmed. I love you father,” she committed his face and white suit to memory for fear she wouldn’t see him again.
Gabriel saw the resignation in her eyes and knew he wouldn’t win this argument. He knew his daughter was headstrong and determined once she made up her mind about something. He needed to accept that she could fight her own battles, finally. He prayed that there would be a Hell left once she was finished with Lucifer.
“I will see you again, I swear it. I love you. Remember that always,” he kissed her forehead and walked to the edge of the cave wall near an archway that had a small opening the size of an ottoman.
“Gabriel, tell CJ…,” she paused. What did she want him to know? That her dreams were real. That she was Lucifer’s whore. She couldn’t very well tell him that she was all right. She sighed and frowned. “Is he okay?”
Gabriel tried to hide his expression, but she could see that he was searching for the right thing to say. “He is as well as can be. That’s all I can say,” Gabriel didn’t dare reveal any more.
“Take care of him, please. I will do what it takes to see you again,” she smiled and halfheartedly waved.
Gabriel smiled and disappeared into the dark tunnel.
The world fell in on itself as the full weight of her reality crash down on her. She’d been trying to keep it together for Gabriel’s sake, but she was far from okay. She put her arms around her waist and rocked back and forth, trying to sort everything out. Life as she knew it was gone and forever changed. She had accepted that there were angels and creatures that most never knew about, but nothing could have prepared her for the truth about herself.
She looked around the barren cave and felt cold, despite the heat. She was left with few options. Even if she broke out of Hell, she had no idea where to go. Heaven was unattainable. They didn’t want her because she was dangerous. She could storm Heaven and convince them that she would be well-behaved, but that seemed like a bad idea.
Going back to the Mortal Realm was a scary thought. She didn’t want to lose control again. There was a slim chance that she could run away to Purgatory, but she didn’t know anything about it. She pondered all of her options, but none of them felt right. She was left with the obvious answer. Hell was a miserable place, but it was now her home, for better or worse. She was going to stay in Hell and fight for what was hers. She was Anjali, the Bringer of the Apocalypse, and nothing was going to change that. It was time that she started acting like it.
Shuffling sounds around her drew Anjali from her thoughts. Now that Gabriel and his glowing presence was gone, the Shades were gathering in numbers, watching her. A few brave Shades dared to step forward and gnashed their sharp teeth at her. They were hungry, but they didn’t rush her like last time.
This time a new creature joined them. There were less of them, but they were scarier than the Shades. They were tall, lanky creatures with long claw-like fingers. They had to be the Bhakşaka that Hades had mentioned. Their yellow eyes regarded her with apprehension, but they didn’t approach her. They had sharp, jagged teeth, which were easily seen through the remnants of their lips that had been chewed off. Their black tattered robes were covered in blood and they smelled like death.
Remembering what Gabriel had said about the raw power locked inside of her, she didn’t fear the Shades or the Bhakşaka. She didn’t exactly know how to use her power, but she figured that being bitten by either of the monsters would make her angry enough to unleash something useful.
“You want to take on the Bringer of the Apocalypse?” she turned and glared at the mass of pitted flesh and twisted bone that was snarling around her. She hoped she didn’t have to fight them. Standing up straight, she let the confidence build inside of her.
The Shades stilled and tilted their heads as if they were seeing her for the first time. She glared at each of them, making sure they understood that a brawl was imminent.
The Shades looked to the Bhakşaka, who hissed at them and made them back away into the Caves. The Bhakşaka looked like they might approach her, but turned their heads as if they’d heard something in the distance. They sniffed the air and took off after whatever they smelled.
“Creepy,” she murmured.
Anjali quickly left of the caves and crossed through the realms. She ignored the Fallen who were surprised to see her. As she entered the castle, she contemplated the best way to deal with Hades and Lucifer. She needed to figure out who was behind her torture, so that she could ram her fist down their throat. It didn’t really matter to her if Lucifer was behind her torture, he had broken the rules, and he needed to deal with the consequences. She was done taking everyone’s crap.
She made her way to the Throne Room and found Hades sitting in his own throne. She knew Lucifer must be close by or on his way, if Hades was acting dutiful. He was screaming at Caleb and throwing small balls of fire at the servant, who was hopping around trying to avoid them.
“Where have you been?” Hades was snide as always, yet he looked almost relieved to see her. She wondered why Hades was punishing Caleb, though she had a pretty good idea.
“Good to see that you are out of the Hall of Torment and that you still have the use of your limbs. Where is Lucifer?” she decided to ignore his question. She wanted Lucifer present before she divulged where she had been.
“Yes, regrettably my vacation is over. He’s not available, as usual, and I asked you a question, servant,” Hades rolled his eyes and huffed out a breath. He stopped playing with Caleb and focused on her.
“I need to speak to him, now. Where…is…he?”
she asked slowly.
“I see that you have yet to learn your place, Mistress,” he drew out her moniker, hissing the s. He crossed his arms over his chest and smirked at her. “I'm still willing to help you. My offer is still on the table,” Hades’ eyes slid down the front of her dress.
“Oh, I have learned my place. I'm ready to negotiate, but not with you,” Anjali battered her eyelashes at Hades and headed off toward Lucifer’s door.
“I wouldn't do that if I were you. You've already done enough damage,” Hades was off the throne and sprinting after her, but she stopped short, turned on her heel, and faced Hades.
Hades tried to stop, but barreled right into her. He quickly stepped back and straightened himself.
“Breaking your tower was just the beginning. I plan on doing a lot more damage before I’m done,” she gave him her best evil glare and kicked him in the groin. She stepped away from him and proceeded to Lucifer’s door.
Hades landed on the floor in pain, sputtering at her boldness. She had seen the look of bewilderment on his face a second before the pain had swept it away.
She descended the stairs and pushed open Lucifer’s door, but he wasn’t there. She was a little disappointed since she was looking forward to yelling at him. Instead, she went back to the Throne Room. She watched Hades try to collect himself from the floor as Caleb looked on with glee in his eyes.
She glanced up at the three vacant thrones and made her move. She ascended the dais and sat down in the black marble throne, knowing it was supposed to be hers. She tried to get cozy, but it was the most uncomfortable thing ever. Deciding to make a good show of it, she crossed her legs and leaned back into the chair.
Hades nearly had a heart attack on the spot. He was blinking and sputtering, trying to comprehend her actions.
Caleb’s reaction was priceless. He looked like he was about to kneel, but looked to Hades for direction. She could practically feel the fear pouring off the servant.
The Third Throne: Angel of Darkness Page 25
