The typical earthy, rich smell was gone and it was like being in the eye of a storm. It was silent and everything around him seemed to be waiting for something. Tavin walked down a crooked stone path that wrapped its way through bare trees grouped in thick growths.
“Looking for someone?” The voice came from between the trees, deep within the shadows there. Tavin frowned; he didn’t recognize this voice. He could have sworn he had never heard it before. Which was strange, considering he knew all of his brethren by voice. His memory was long and it was accurate.
“Who are you? Reveal yourself.” Tavin clenched his fists and prepared himself for battle. The feeling of anticipation for the fight overtook him. He knew that whoever hid among the trees was an enemy. Not one of his own and he needed to prepare himself. He never worried about fighting. He was the strongest and the most powerful. There wasn’t much in heaven or hell that frightened him.
A deep laugh answered him and Tavin heard a rustle of branches as they were parted by an advancing figure. Tavin’s body tightened. He recognized a challenge and he knew that this being was there to give him one.
“Relax Masteema. I’m not here to fight you. Consider this more of a…business meeting.” Tavin tensed painfully at the use of his demonic name. Finally, the owner of the voice emerged from the dead trees. Tavin squinted at the brilliant light that accompanied the figure. Tavin shielded his eyes with his hand, finding it hard to look at him directly.
After a few moments, the light dimmed and Tavin lowered his hand. Standing in the grove of trees was a man. Outwardly, he didn’t look much older than Tavin’s human form. He had deep, rich brown hair that fell to his hips. He was thick. A body of tight, taut muscle. A formidable opponent, Tavin observed. He wore all white, a giveaway as to who Tavin was dealing with. An angel.
How the hell did an angel get here? More importantly, why was an angel here? They didn’t make a habit of venturing amongst demons. It wasn’t safe for them to do so. They were taking their existence into their own hands by coming into the Abyss. Whoever this was obviously very powerful and someone Tavin needed to stay on guard around.
“What do you want?” Tavin got right to the point. He was on edge. The presence of this being partnered with the absence of his demonic brothers made it very obvious that something was very, very wrong.
The angel laughed again. “You really need to relax Masteema. I’ve closed off the portals to the, what do you call it? The Abyss? Such a dismal name. Though I suppose I understand its origins.” He looked around, his expression condescending. Tavin frowned. “What do you mean you closed the portals? That's impossible.” He scoffed.
The angel smirked at him. “Believe it or not, that's exactly what I did. I wanted to ensure our...privacy.” Closed off the portals? How could he do that? Tavin didn’t think that was within anyone’s powers to do so, except for Lilith. Tavin paused…who was this angel?
“I’m Sanvi. I’m sure you recognize my name.” Tavin froze. Sanvi. One of Lilith’s torturers. One of the angels ordered by God to destroy his mother all those millennia ago. An angel that had proved himself to be as merciless and brutal as any demon.
Tavin felt his power surge in preparation to attack the being in front of him. Again, the angel laughed. This time it was clear he was laughing at him. “Masteema, calm down. I told you I wasn’t here to fight and I keep my word. You are safe from me.” Tavin cocked his eyebrow…effecting an image of cocky confidence. “You mistake me for someone who is worried. I can assure I am not afraid of you.” Sanvi’s laugh was deep and he seemed to thoroughly enjoy Tavin’s response.
“Your reputation is aptly earned I see. I can’t imagine you being fearful of much Masteema. You’ve won your confidence, I can see that.” Sanvi slowly moved among the trees, grazing his hand over the rough bark. Smoke billowed at his touch as the trees crumpled beneath his fingers. Tavin suppressed his surprised look, and fought to maintain a bored expression.
“Enough with the theatrics. Get to your point. Why have you come here? This can’t be your idea of a vacation destination.” Tavin taunted, sinking to the ground in feigned nonchalance. Sanvi stopped his meandering walk and turned to face Tavin. His eyes were cold, his expression hard.
“I will speak when I’m ready.” The cadence of his voice was beautiful, yet painful for him to hear. Each word felt like an ice pick piercing his ear drums. It was said that the voice of an angel could incur unspeakable pain on a demon. Tavin had thought it a myth, seeing as he had never encountered a demon that had experienced it. Except for Lilith, but she never spoke of the angels. Now he knew it was true. He attempted to hide his grimace.
But Tavin didn’t speak again. Instead he watched the angel as he made his rounds through the grove of trees, seeming to take in his scenery and destroying everything he touched. What was he doing? Making a show of how powerful he was? This was becoming almost comical.
Tavin became antsy and just when he was about to voice his impatience, Sanvi stopped and stood directly in front of him. “Stand up Masteema.” Tavin wanted to refuse, as a show of defiance, but he thought better of it. The last thing he wanted was to pick a fight with an angel in his weakened state.
Tavin stood up and faced the angel. Sanvi regarded him evenly and finally got to his point. “We know what you’re doing. We know you have refused your feeding and are dying.” Tavin’s jaw clenched. He neither confirmed nor denied Sanvi’s statement. Sanvi smiled. “No need to say anything. I can see it’s true. You’re a mess. You couldn’t defend yourself against a spider, let alone me.” The angel laughed, obviously finding all of this entertaining.
Tavin’s pride bristled and he felt his anger spike. He was no weakling. If this Sanvi needed a show of his power, he would give it to him. Sanvi put his hands up in mock surrender. “Peace brother. There will be no fighting here. But we need to talk seriously about what your plans are for yourself and for your human girl. You are marking her for death one way or another you realize.”
Tavin looked away. This was the very conversation he had just had with Emily. Of course she was in danger. His mother was making it her mission to kill her. But he didn’t need the reminder from the likes of this uninvited visitor. He felt like punching the smirk right off that chiseled face.
“I have no plans to feed from her.” Tavin provided this small admission and nothing more. Sanvi nodded and made a wide circle around Tavin. “How strange. A demon that refuses to kill. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen one of your kind willing to do such a thing. Not since Balon.” Tavin stilled at the mention of his brother Balon.
He hadn't thought of his fellow demon in ages. The memory was forbidden. Balon had refused to feed, had denounced his demon brethren and had been smote by Lilith herself as a result. No demon could deny their purpose and live. Lilith had cut off Balon’s head and kept it on the wall of her sanctuary. It had stayed there until it rotted away, a reminder of the punishment for betrayal.
Tavin had always been repulsed by Balon’s decision. The thought of refusing to act on one’s demonic nature had seemed so alien to him. He had rallied behind Lilith when she battled her own son. Tavin had carried the head for his mother and helped her to mount it on the wall; the slick black blood of his brother had coated his hands.
Tavin shook his head at the memory. “Balon was different. He declared war on all of us, including Lilith. He couldn’t live after such a betrayal.” Tavin hadn’t made the connection between Balon’s choices and his own. They had seemed so different that he hadn’t thought of it, until now. Balon had decided to bring Lilith down and all of the incubi with her in quest for reformation. It had been rumored that he had been turned by the angels as a way to destroy Lilith from the inside.
Balon had killed 250 of his brothers before Lilith ripped his head from his body. It had shaken her demonic kingdom and continued to provide an undercurrent of instability within the brotherhood to this day. If one could be turned against their mother, couldn’t they all be i
n danger of the same thing?
“A betrayal is a betrayal Masteema. Do you really think your mother would see your actions any differently? No matter how she favors you?” Tavin whirled on him. “Are you threatening me angel? If you are, you will find yourself a more than able opponent.” Tavin’s voice was low but menacing and he knew that Sanvi saw the rigid strength that he still possessed.
Sanvi broke a branch from a tree and incinerated it in his palm. “No, no Masteema. You misread my words. I’m only pointing out that you are in a very similar situation. It won’t end well for you. You know this. And what will become of your human then? You will leave her vulnerable to attack. Do you honestly think Lilith will allow her to live once you’re gone? We are all aware of Lilith’s obsession, where you are concerned. It's almost...touching.” Sanvi snickered.
Tavin reluctantly agreed with Sanvi’s point. He had blindly thought that once he was gone, Lilith would leave Emily alone. Stupid, stupid! He admonished himself. Why did he ever think Lilith would leave her alone? Of course she would seek retribution against the person who she blamed for everything. The fact that the angel could see the truth of the situation when Tavin had not, infuriated him.
“So, you are seeing it clearly now. You know what I say is truth.” “Do you have a point to this rhetoric? Because I’m not. It’s a lot of waffling around about things you shouldn’t be involved in.” Tavin was angry and he was forgetting that he needed to watch himself around this very powerful angel.
Sanvi broke several more branches and watched Tavin closely. “I’m very much involved in all of this Masteema. I have been since before your creation. I was tasked with bringing Lilith back to God. I failed and now I have been given the eternal task of finding a way to end her.” Tavin was startled by his honesty. He didn’t know that the three angels were given a new task when their last one failed. Did Lilith know this? If she did, it had never been relayed to him.
Sanvi’s eyes burned with a mad fanaticism. An obsession to bring Lilith down. And finally it all clicked into place. This was the reason for Sanvi’s visit. He wanted to use Tavin to destroy his mother. To use him, just as Balon had been used.
Tavin turned his back on the angel. “I know what you’re suggesting and I can tell you now that you’re wasting your time.” Tavin wouldn’t be used as a pawn in their game. He would be used by no one, particularly an angel.
“I think you are missing a perfect opportunity here. Have you ever heard of The Redeeming Masteema?” Sanvi asked in a hushed tone. The Redeeming? The words caused a shiver of premonition. Tavin shook his head and turned back to face his angelic foe. “No? Well I really didn’t think you would have. It’s not exactly something that makes the round in daily conversation down here.” Sanvi joked.
Tavin bit off his sarcastic retort. He wasn’t in the mood for a verbal joust, so he swallowed his words and waited for Sanvi to continue. The angel seemed disappointed when Tavin didn't rise to the bait. He shrugged and began his explanation. “Well, The Redeeming is an archaic piece of knowledge. A cosmic loophole, if you will. Not something that is well known, even among my kind. In the entire life span of heaven and hell, I can’t recall it ever having occurred. It is truly a miraculous event, but one I feel you are a prime candidate for, given your new found ‘passion.’”
Tavin wanted to strangle the cocky angel. He was being deliberately evasive in order to entice Tavin’s interest. And as much as he hated to admit, it was working. “When the demons were created by Lilith, God ensured that there was a ‘stipulation.’ Demons are our natural balance, of course. The evil to our good, the yin to our yang.” Sanvi chuckled at what he felt was a very witty joke. Tavin rolled his eyes and cleared his throat, indicating that he was anything but amused.
Sanvi didn’t appear concerned that Tavin’s lost patience. The angel was reveling in his control of the situation. “Please, get to your point.” Tavin’s voice was strained. Sanvi’s eyes took on a menacing light. “And miss the opportunity for a good story? I think not.”
Sanvi situated himself on the ground, spreading his white over coat underneath him. He patted the ground beside him. “Please brother, have a seat.” Tavin sat down unceremoniously, anything to get the angel talking. This was taking too long already and he needed to be devoting his time to developing a plan to save Emily.
“So the stipulation…” Sanvi began. “God had an idea that every demon could possess the ability to turn aside their nature. It pained God to think of the possibility of complete evil. Everything should have the option for goodness. So The Redeeming was born. The Redeeming occurs when a demon, like you, puts aside their very nature and sacrifices themselves for the greater good. This show of complete unselfishness demonstrates the primal deviation from the evil that occurs within a being such as you. I mean, demons aren't exactly known for their warm fuzzies.” Sanvi grinned. Tavin ground his teeth. Sanvi cocked an eyebrow and continued. “When this happens, a being of the dark can ascend from hell to become…’Redeemed.’” Sanvi unfurled his arms in a dramatic flourish. He obviously enjoyed being the center of attention. Angels were so egocentric. The whole 'created by god for the good of all' thing clearly went to their heads.
Tavin simply stared at the angel. “Are you serious? This is what you came down here to tell me? About some silly legend that you feel somehow applies to me? Do you even understand who you are dealing with? I’m not some naïve novice who will jump through hoops to help you because of some illogical story. I’ve been around since the beginning of my kind! I’m as likely to be 'Redeemed' as you are to fall…brother.” Tavin’s voice dripped with derision.
Sanvi’s eyes flashed an unsettling red. How funny, Tavin thought. It was a common misconception that a demon’s eyes glowed scarlet as the fires of hell. Sanvi could easily be misconstrued as a demon given the uncanny redness of his eyes. Tavin’s incredulous response angered the angel. The air around them shimmered with his rage and Tavin became aware of how precarious his position was.
Tavin felt the weakness in his body, a reminder of how close he was to fading into the oblivion. Sanvi’s eyes seemed to penetrate his every defense and he knew that the angel could see how weak he was. “Hmm. How quickly you disregard what I’m telling you, given how close you are to losing everything. Desperate times require desperate measures don’t you think? We are very aware of your situation…what is it she calls you…Tavin?”
Tavin’s anger rose to meet Sanvi’s. “I believe you’ve said what you’ve come here to say. It’s time for you to leave.” Tavin got to his feet, prepared to send Sanvi out of the Abyss, physically if necessary.
Sanvi laughed a loud, deep laugh. Tavin felt as if he were being indulged by a kindly uncle. “Oh Masteema. You are so defensive. I have come here to help you. Truly. You haven’t even allowed me to get to my point. Demons really have no manners.” Sanvi deftly got to his feet, a graceful series of movements. “I know you love her, you reek of it. It’s quite beautiful really. A demon that has learned to love. Who would have thought it possible?” Sanvi chuckled again.
“The reality is you will disappear, be lost to her forever. You will leave her open to Lilith’s inevitable attack. You are essentially writing her death warrant. Do you want that to happen?” Sanvi looked at him. Tavin refused to answer, didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of seeing how much that distressed him, how that very thought drove him to an overwhelming panic.
“Of course you don’t Masteema. That’s why I’ve come to you. You have an opportunity here. You have the chance to be with her. Forever! Though forever is a lot more concrete to mortals. You see, we angels have a lot more accessibility to the human race. We aren’t as tied to inter dimensional boundaries. You could see her, be with her, and even touch her. Think about it. You could have everything you’ve ever dreamt of. All you have to do is sacrifice yourself; be a hero. Ride to the rescue on your gallant steed. A knight errant to save his lady.” Sanvi galloped around him, laughing loudly.
Tavin couldn’t help but imagine the possibility. Having the chance to be with Emily. To not have to say goodbye. To know what it was like to truly hold her, kiss her, to be with her. It was too much to even imagine. Something he had never allowed himself to think of because it was completely outside the realm of possibility. But here Sanvi was, telling him it was possible. He only had to find a way to sacrifice himself, so he could become one of them.
Tavin shook his head. What a crazy thought! Tavin felt the small prickle of hope. Could it happen? He knew he was willing to sacrifice anything for Emily. If there was any way he could stay with her, he would give up everything. But…what was the catch? There was more to this and he wanted to know what it was. There was no way an angel would traipse through the planes to simply give him this bit of information without wanting something in return.
Angels didn’t work that way. They were a long way from being the beatific creatures of human folk lore, providing support and guidance to the down trodden and needy. Angels were ruthless, merciless in their own advancement and procurement of what they considered to be, the greater good. This particular angel who stood in front of him was one of the most brutal. The laundry list of his vicious actions was enough to make a demon take notice. He had tortured and raped Tavin’s mother for days in an attempt to secure her cooperation.
Many angels used whatever means necessary to meet their ends. This angel was no different. He wouldn’t give something without expecting something in return. Sanvi’s eyes gleamed. “Of course, this information comes at a price, brother.” Tavin clenched his fists, resisting the urge to punch his face.
“Isn’t there always a price…brother?” Tavin spit at the angel’s feet, showing his disgust. Sanvi slowly wiped his shoe and laughed. “You are right Masteema. Your reputation is legendary. You are Lilith’s first born, her favorite, and thus our best chance at exposing her vulnerability. Honestly, we never thought we would get an opportunity like this. We're practically bubbling over with excitement.” Sanvi wiggled his fingers in sarcastic enjoyment.
Irresistible Fear Page 23
