The Gates of Gabriel

by Marie-France Leger

  Marina stood up, wrapping a red silk robe over her naked body.

  “Nothing pleases you, Marina.” Siles scoffed, placing the black sheets over his sweaty torso.

  “You don’t please me,” she hissed.

  The granite doors flew open, causing Marina and Siles to jump. When they saw who had entered, they quickly gathered themselves and stood up side by side, regaining composure.

  With the flick of his wrist, the hell fire receded into the cave walls, leaving a trail of crimson mist. “Having fun, are we?” Lucifer joked. He crossed his arms, leaning against the granite door. “Please, don’t stop your salacity on my account.”

  Lucifer had been one of the most beautiful creatures in existence. He had brilliant blonde hair and piercing grey eyes, much like his archangel brothers. But when he fell, the golden aura he possessed turned to black and red. He lived in a world of blood and midnight, with only fire illuminating his paths… and that’s how he liked it. The sound of terrorized, trapped souls was music to his ears. He had complete control over everyone and everything in hell, which is what he had always wanted.

  Power. Control.

  He wanted to rule, but never below his brothers. He wanted to rule the sky, but God stood in his way. Pride overtook his being, until it consumed him.

  Then one day, his crystallized grey eyes turned red with rage while the veins underneath his skin morphed into soot-colored snakes, stamping his body like thorned weeds. Nothing was ever enough for Lucifer, even though he seemed to have it all.

  He dressed in all black with an engraved white pendent hanging from his chain. The ivory hue radiating from his neck seemed to be the only thing that lit up the darkness that followed Lucifer.

  Before he fell from Heaven, God rewarded Lucifer the power of the moon, hoping that Lucifer could prove his potential for containing power. Instead, Lucifer captured the grace filled inside God’s creation and stored the grace-fueled moonlight in an amulet around his neck. When God saw that Lucifer had no desire for purity, he cast him down to hell alongside the band of angels who worshipped sin – the fallen. In a heaping rage, Lucifer scratched God with the archangel’s sword, the sword that since then, has been locked and guarded by the archangel Michael. He combined both graces in his necklace, saving it for the day he would finally take his revenge on Heaven: the war of the fallen.

  “Master,” Siles and Marina bowed simultaneously.

  Lucifer rolled up his sleeves and curled his slender fingers around Marina’s neck, brushing a kiss on her cheek. With one hand, he hoisted her up in the air and pinned her thin frame against the cave wall violently.

  “Pet,” he spat directly in her eyes. With two fingers, he pushed opened her robe and danced around her skin, exploiting her in front of Siles. Then he released her harshly, like a lifeless sheep.

  Siles swallowed hard as Lucifer approached him, watching him with beady red eyes. He stopped in front of Siles and put his knuckles to his chin, analyzing him with purpose.

  “Are you afraid?” Lucifer asked, tracing his pointed nail across Siles’ throat. A patch of flesh parted underneath his jawline, secreting thick blood. Lucifer pulled away and licked the gore from his finger.

  Siles dug his nails into his palm, his teeth chattering incessantly. “N – no,” he blurted out. “Master.” He bowed cowardly.

  Lucifer broke out into a roaring laugh, clapping his hands together giddily. “Ha-ha! What fun.” He signaled for Marina. “Come, come before me my sweet.”

  Tapping both of their faces, he paced around them, circling like a shark. He held up a flaming finger and opened his mouth. “Something… happened,” he emphasized.

  “What –”

  “Ah, ah.” Lucifer interrupted Siles. “I need you two to fix this, how should I say… minor discrepancy.”

  Lucifer pulled out a small black bead from his pocket, an orbionyx, and threw it into the air. A growing orb began to form, blurring into the vast land of Earth and its creatures. He swirled his fingers for a few seconds until a glossy visual of Beau and Maya appeared.

  “My Father is trying to make a fool of me.” Lucifer’s red eyes burned at the sight, watching Maya, the Puritas, in the cemetery the day before her birthday.

  “Who are they, Master?” Marina asked, peering over his shoulder.

  Lucifer rubbed his jaw, eyeing Beau with a twinkling expression. “Hm, what a familiar face.”

  The orbionyx burst, dropping gloppy grey globs to the stone floor. Lucifer turned on his heel and looked to the two demons, placidly. “Kill them in whichever way you please.” He moved past them, then quickly turned around with wide eyes, holding up a graceful hand. “But have some fun first.”

  Marina and Siles exchanged stares of confusion, frozen in place. “But… why?” Siles questioned.

  Silence.

  A vein in Lucifer’s forehead twitched, darkening with each pulsating beat. His blonde hair fell out of its gelled place, covering his crimson eyes. He halted before the door, turning around slowly to face the demon.

  Siles blanched, paralyzed from his stare. Within seconds, Lucifer had him by his throat, squeezing until Siles’ eyes turned beet red. “Since when do I need a reason?” He hissed.

  Marina shivered, taking slow, tentative steps backwards to the granite door.

  Without turning around, Lucifer snapped his fingers and the door slammed shut. Marina fell to the ground in a thump as burning red chains sprouted from the wall, imprisoning her ankles.

  Lucifer dragged Siles by the neck and pinned him to the cave, igniting scorching blue embers from the wall. The red chains coiled around both Marina and Siles, the scent of burning flesh filled the air as they screamed in pain.

  Lucifer laughed, watching their twitching bodies convulse. “Do we have an understanding?” he snarled, using his spit to gel back his hair.

  They cried agreements in agony, begging to be released. And when he released them, their skin bubbled with grisly, black boils.

  Lucifer stepped over their spazzing bodies, kicking them over with the point of his shoe. With squinted stares, they could see Lucifer’s tall figure standing over them, black wings stretched out with a smile.

  He let out another icy laugh, crouching down close enough that they could smell his spiced breath.

  “Never forget,” he growled, “I own you.”

  Chapter 11

  Kleaton’s Gate, Present Night

  My hands shook violently in my lap but I couldn’t feel them. The entirety of my body went numb, like I was paralyzed from head to toe. Sweat poured down the nape of my neck as I buried my face in my palms. Flashes of anxiety began to skyrocket while a heaving pain formed in my chest, stomping on my heart. Mags is doomed.

  Tears welled in my eyes and before I knew it, a sob escaped my throat. “She’s dead! She… She has to be dead… I let her leave with a serial killer, Beau!” I wailed.

  My brain couldn’t even consider the possibility of her being alive… there was just no way. Siles, whoever he was, kidnapped her. Maybe they went to get some air and he drugged her. What if he stabbed her? Oh my God she is dead. This is my fault. I killed my best friend.

  My legs bobbed frantically, I couldn’t sit still. Pacing around the small maintenance room, I tried to catch a breath; any breath that would ease my mind… but I knew that breath didn’t exist.

  All I could think about was her. Where was she? Where did he take her? Some secret underground holding cell with all of his other victims?

  I remember the feeling I had around him. That intoxicating, off-putting impression he gave. His snake-like stare that fixated on my every move, watching me like a hawk. I played it casual though, because I was stupid and drunk and did I mention, stupid?

  “Sit down.” Beau insisted.

  I darted my eyes towards him, my chest heaving up and down. He patted the seat next to him and extended a hand out to me. “Come on,” he motioned.

  I looked to him with a daggered stare, digging my nails in
to my palm. One breath in, one breath out. I shut my eyes and found solace in the darkness behind my eyelids. Stay here forever. But I couldn’t – not with Mags in danger. I inhaled another long breath and took the seat next to Beau. Relax, Maya.

  “Panicking isn’t going to do much for you or her.” He said.

  But I couldn’t relax. I scowled at him and moved away, unable to control the mixture of fury and solicitude. “Do not tell me what to do right now. Unlike you I actually care if she dies.” I snapped, my seething anger reaching its boiling point.

  I knew he was right, but I couldn’t temper the vexation burning inside of me. Taking it out on Beau definitely wasn’t the right decision, but I’d clearly already made a list of bad ones… what was one more?

  He cupped my knees in his hands and turned the rolling chair to face him, drawing me in between his legs. His face lowered to mine, close enough that I could feel his breath linger against my lips. His grey eyes turned dark like coal, hypnotizing me.

  “Don’t make an enemy of me, Maya.” His voice was low and demanding.

  I swallowed hard, eyeing his lips. He was so close to me, too close… and I wanted him to be. I held his gaze for a moment until he let go of my legs and leaned back.

  “Look, let’s start off by going to her house. Maybe she took him home? And if she’s home, you can get your beauty rest.” He snorted and made his way to the door, holding it open for me.

  And the moment’s over. I rolled my eyes and walked through, glancing one last time at the empty room before Beau shut off the lights. I hope he’s right.

  ◆◆◆

  “That’s hers, right there.” I pointed as we pulled into Mags’ neighbourhood. The porch lights were completely shut off, leaving only the solar motion beams in the garden providing illumination.

  “I don’t think she’s here, Beau.” I shook my head, unbuckling my seatbelt.

  He turned off the engine and stepped out of the car. I made my way around and matched his pace.

  “Only worry when you have a reason to worry.” He said sternly.

  I was never really good at controlling my temper, and I’m sure Beau had figured that out by now. I didn’t know what he got out of irritating me, but he did a great job of it. “Oh? And my best friend being abducted isn’t –”

  “Hey,” he put his finger over his lips. “Keep your voice down. Neighbours.” He pointed around the area, furrowing his brows.

  I could feel him smiling which pissed me off even more. When I looked over at him, I was right. The nerve.

  We made our way up the walkway to her house. I knew Mags’ parents were sleeping, and both her brothers were off to college. I checked the time: 4:47am.

  Beau had already rang the doorbell three times before I could process my thoughts. I shot him a look and he shrugged his shoulders.

  “No time to waste,” he whispered.

  No response, nothing.

  “I hate this.” I bit my fingernail anxiously, waiting for an answer that could possibly make my night, or break it into a million pieces.

  Beau banged the door a few more times with his fist, then rang the doorbell once more.

  “Beau!” I snapped, agitated.

  Just then, a faint light in the corridor came closer to us. The door slowly unlocked to Mags’ mom dressed in a blue pyjama set with her blonde hair in a bun.

  “Maya? What on earth –”

  “Grace, is um, Mags home?” I asked eagerly. Every knot in my stomach tied and constricted, hoping the answer would be a yes.

  She rubbed her eyes and turned off her phone flashlight. “Maya, it’s almost five in the morning.”

  I felt bad knowing she had to get up in two hours for her job, but I felt worse knowing I lost her daughter. “I know, but we went to the casino for my birthday and she left. I don’t –” Guilt. “I don’t know where she went. She left with someone and I can’t get a hold of her.”

  Grace was like a second mom to me. When Mags and I first met, we became inseparable. I practically lived at her house, spending countless nights in a row there when my dad was working late. Grace knew about my mother’s passing, and offered her home as a safe haven if I ever needed an escape… I always needed an escape.

  I knew I could tell her anything, and in this case, I had to. I didn’t care if Mags would get mad at me the next day, or not talk to me for a year. As long as she was safe.

  Grace’s mouth dropped. “What? You can’t get a hold of her?”

  I shook my head. “No. My phone died at the casino and I’ve been calling ever since it’s been charging.”

  She frantically turned on her cell and put in the passcode, dialling Mags’ number.

  After a few rings, a familiar voice sounded through the phone… Mags. Wait… what the hell? I looked at Beau who remained unfazed.

  “Mags, hun, where are you?” Grace asked.

  I could hear quiet mumbles on the other line but couldn’t make out what was being said.

  “Okay, okay. Maya’s here with a uh –” she stopped and eyed Beau up and down. “A man.” She cleared her throat. “Glad you’re safe. See you tomorrow. Love you.”

  She hung up the phone and turned to me with a smile. “She’s fine, sweetheart. She’s staying at Liza’s right now and she said she’d text you tomorrow.”

  I opened my mouth to speak, searching for the right words to say. I knew in my gut she wasn’t at Liza’s… she couldn’t be. But Grace wouldn’t believe me, why would she? She’d just talked to Mags who told her everything was fine.

  I looked at Beau once again and bit the inside of my cheeks. “Thanks Grace, sorry to disturb you at such a late hour. I was just worried.” I responded, forcing a smile.

  She isn’t at Liza’s, she’s lying to you! Demand where she is, pick her up, your daughter’s in danger! Was what I wanted to say. But the fact that she answered the phone meant that she was fine… at least I hoped. Stop this Maya, she answered the phone. She’s okay. Maybe it was just a misunderstanding since we were drunk and we thought he worked there. But he went into a staff room? He wore the same uniform as Beau? Something isn’t right.

  “Go home, get some rest. You’re a good friend, Maya.” Grace yawned, closing the door. “Goodnight, both of you.”

  Beau wiggled his fingers into a witty wave as we turned away. “Told you not to worry.” He bragged, opening the car door for me.

  I shut it and buckled in, trying to kill the uneasiness that infiltrated my thoughts, but it wouldn’t die.

  “I know we heard her, but I don’t know. Something still seems off.” I stressed, shaking my head.

  I rubbed my fingers together, mindlessly tracing over the ring my dad gave me as Beau drove to the direction of my house.

  The ring.

  The ring that glowed red when Siles was around. Did it really work? Was it trying to tell me something but I ignored the signs?

  I plucked it off my finger and stared at the ruby, shaking it to see if it would shine. Were there batteries somewhere? Nothing. The ruby was beautiful, but it was just a stone.

  “Beau, this ring…”

  He glanced at it quickly then returned his eyes to the road. “Very pretty.”

  I leaned forward from my seat, shaking my head. “No, listen. My dad gave me this protection ring for my birthday.” I held it up. “He said if the ruby glowed red around someone, that meant they were dangerous.”

  He shot me a look of confusion but let me talk.

  “I know, I sound insane. But I remember the ring glowing around Siles. Is that crazy?”

  He cleared his throat and tightened his grip around the wheel. “I think you’re just sleep deprived.”

  I leaned back into my seat, sluggishly. Ugh, maybe he’s right. Maybe I was sleep deprived. Maybe it was all in my head and I conjured up this weird hallucination while the tequila controlled my rationality… Or maybe I didn’t. You need sleep, Maya.

  I squeezed the ring in my palm once before sliding it back onto my fin
ger. Mags is fine…

  Beau pulled into my driveway and unplugged the charging cord of my phone. His fingers tapped the screen until he found my contacts list, adding his number in.

  “Just in case you need me again, I’m not leaving it up to fate,” he released, handing it back to me.

  Butterflies filled my stomach, fluttering around in a medley of contentment. I blushed and turned away, concealing a smile. The thought of having Beau’s number in my phone put my mind at ease. I wouldn’t have to rely on sheer coincidence if I wanted to talk to him anymore… and I wanted to talk to him.

  On the horizon, I watched the clouds turn to a faint pink. “Sun’s coming up.” I mumbled, avoiding eye contact.

  I always hated this part. Leaving. I didn’t know why I felt such a pull towards Beau, or why he left pleasant knots in my stomach. Leaving his side, as much as I hated to admit it, pained me.

  “That it is.” He smiled.

  I turned to him, twiddling my thumbs. There were so many things I wanted to ask Beau, so many coincidences I needed answers to, but did he even have them? How could he? So I thought to ask the one thing I knew he had control over. “How did you know I was at the cemetery that day?”

  “I didn’t.”

  I narrowed my eyes playfully. “If I remember correctly, you were so confident that you’d see me again.”

  He took a pause, then met my gaze. “I guess I was just lucky.”

  A warm heat rose to my face, one that I couldn’t hide. I sat in the seat a little longer, taking in the faint aroma of his cologne. My eyes searched his car innocently, hoping to find something else to spark up a conversation. I really don’t want to go.

  My gaze landed on the silver ring in his cupholder. I picked it up and analyzed its simplicity. There were no scratches, no tarnishes; it looked untouched. Only the inside was engraved with the letter R. R? For what? Why does he never wear it?

  “It’s a nice ring.” I remarked. Get out of the car, you look desperate.