Child of the Morning Star

by Tatiana Carey

  “I’m…I’m just nervous.” Lilith’s smile made a deep warmth bloom in Atropa’s chest.

  “Of course, you’re nervous!” the demon cheered. Lilith calmed down though, “That’s what makes you human.”

  Atropa furrowed her brow, “How do you feel,” the teen quickly added, “about humans?”

  Lilith shrugged. “I don’t know really. All the ones I have met have been awful.” She added, “Except you, Darren, and Erin, of course.”

  Atropa nodded, “They’re not all bad. I don’t think anyway.” She watched Lilith gather her sword. “Do you think I’m evil?”

  The demon stopped and turned to the teen. “Why are you asking that?”

  Atropa shrugged. “I don’t know,” she looked at her feet, “when you hear it all your life, you start to believe it.” The demon’s hand grabbed hers.

  “Do you think I’m evil?” Lilith asked.

  Atropa’s eyes widened, “No, of course not!” She squeezed the demon’s hand, “You’re kind and strong and-”

  “And yet there are millions of documents saying how I’m an awful creature of Hell,” Lilith interrupted. She leaned down and kissed Atropa. “We are not the stories others tell about us.”

  Atropa nodded, “I get it.” She smiled, “Thank you.”

  Lilith pulled back sharply. “Go back to your room,” her eyes narrowed at Atropa’s confused expression, “Go!”

  The teen jumped and left, racing down the hall.

  Lilith clutched her sword and ran in the opposite direction. She found Darren and Erin at the end of the hall struggling with the angel. They had managed to pin his wings to the ground. “What the fuck are you doing here, Semangelof?”

  “I have come to help you, demon knight,” the angel said and shook the two imps off his wings. The two got up and reattached themselves though. “Please, call off your little soldiers,” Semangelof begged. One of them was pulling at his hair and the other was trying to weigh down his arm. He smacked one of the demonic blonds with his wing. “They are very persistent.”

  “Down boys,” Lilith ordered. Erin jumped off the angel’s back and Darren climbed down from the golden bicep. The twins stood behind their master and glared at the bronze being.

  Semangelof sighed. “I know you do not believe me, but I have no intentions of harming the anti-” the angel cut himself off and thought for a moment before finishing, “A…Atropa.”

  Lilith quirked an eyebrow. “Sorry if we’re a little skeptical,” she seethed.

  The male angel stood tall and dropped his pack, pulling out a blanket. “She gave this to me,” he began. Lilith’s face turned confused, so he continued, “She came to me, when I was low and defeated and comforted me. I tried to kill her, but she still showed me kindness.” Semangelof clutched the soft fabric. “I was wounded, and she offered me a bandage.” He looked into the demon’s eyes, “She is not evil.”

  Lilith leaned on her sword, “I could have told you that much.” She looked at the bag, “So, what’s in the pack, jack?”

  The angel stared at her then the bag, then back at her, “My name is Semangelof.”

  Lilith rolled her eyes and the twin snickered behind her. “It’s a saying, dumbass,” she walked up to the angel and stuck out her hand. “I want an agreement. I want your oath, as an angel, that you are here to help,” Lilith waited for the other to respond.

  Semangelof took her hand without hesitation, “I give my oath to protect Lucifer’s child, with my life.”

  “Big words for a guy that was trying to kill her before,” Erin grumbled.

  “I made my point clear, small one,” Semangelof said and moved to tower over the blonde. “You seem determined to fight me.”

  Erin looked the angel up and down, “Totally, especially in a bed.”

  “What?” Semangelof squeaked in confusion.

  “Erin, not now!” Darren screamed and pulled the other imp away from the angel.

  Semangelof watched them leave, he turned back to Lilith. “What did that mean?”

  The female demon rested her sword on her shoulder, “He wants to ride your dick.”

  “What?!”

  * * *

  Atropa closed the door to her room and wondered what could have made Lilith send her away.

  “Are you alright?”

  Atropa whipped around and was delighted to find Sansenoy sitting on her bed. “What are you doing here?” she asked, sweetly.

  The angel beamed, the child was so full of trust and life. “I seem to be your guardian angel,” she teased and stood to embrace the teen. “I’m glad you are safe,” she stroked the fiery waves on Atropa’s head, “there are powerful forces after you.”

  The antichrist chuckled, “I think I can handle them, and if not me, then definitely Lilith.”

  Sansenoy giggled, “I have full faith in you two, but I still worry.”

  “You’re really motherly,” Atropa said with a smile. She laid her head on the angel’s chest. She could hear a faint, slow heartbeat.

  “A curse of my creation,” Sansenoy replied and kissed the little halfling’s head. “Did my gift help you?”

  Atropa quirked an eyebrow before understanding, “Oh, the book? Yes, it helped a little. I had to leave it behind when the horns started.” She stepped back from the hug, “Are you okay? You haven’t been hurt, have you?”

  Sansenoy beamed, “Oh sweet, child. How can anyone hate you?”

  Atropa shrugged, “Easily?”

  The angel laughed, the girl joining her. She pulled the teen back as the door swung open. “Hello, Lilith,” Sansenoy greeted. The demon merely stalked toward them and pulled Atropa from her arms.

  “No touching,” Lilith growled and buried her nose in the red hair.

  “Just like a demon to be so... possessive,” Sansenoy teased.

  “For the sake of our alliance, I’m going to ignore that pun,” Lilith spat through grit teeth.

  Atropa furrowed her brow, “Would you stop being so mean?” She turned to the demon, “You know she saved my life right? She also retrieved the book for me. You could be a bit nicer.”

  Lilith pointed at the angel, “But-”

  “No buts!”

  Sansenoy snorted and watched Lilith square her jaw, trying to quell her rebellious nature. “It’s alright, little one,” she calmly explained, “Lilith and I have never seen eye to eye.”

  “Still, a strong alliance is built on respect,” Atropa crosses her arms and glared at Lilith, “from all parties involved.”

  The demon sighed, “Fine.”

  Sansenoy was shocked by how easily she had caved. Lilith was the definition of stubbornness and pride, to see her bend so willfully was quite a sight. Atropa was a marvel to behold. The girl would make a fine queen.

  * * *

  Eae assembled the other angels. Kiraman was at his side, sullen, but still beside him. Eae handed each of them a dagger. There was one left. He pushed past Senoy and found the cherub resting on the couch. “Get up, child,” he commanded.

  “Why?” Castella whined. She was tired, the others had kept her up all night with their planning.

  “You are coming with us,” Eae grabbed her upper arm and pulled her to her feet. “You began this mess, you will help clean it up.” He forced the dagger into her hand.

  Castella whimpered and turned to her mother for help. Senoy’s eyes narrowed. Castella sighed, she wasn’t going to get any help. She nodded and was let go. Barrattiel placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. She smiled and leaned into the touch.

  The group made their way out of the manor and took to the skies. They had a long journey ahead of them.

  * * *

  Atropa descended the steps and saw the others waiting for her at the bottom. The double doors closed and locked behind her. She stepped into the circle. It was huge, nearly the circumference of the room. She saw the intricate markings and looked back at the group who were all standing in attention. “Okay, explain this to me one more time.”


  Lilith sighed, “This is the gate to Hell. You need to open it.”

  Atropa growled, “I get that I need to open it, but how? I didn’t get to read that part, remember?”

  The others looked between themselves. Sansenoy frowned. She glared at Lilith, whose head was hung in shame. The angel knew the demon did not have the strength to tell the girl, “A willing sacrifice must be made, one were the being offers up their life for another.”

  Atropa grit her teeth, “There’s no alternative, like a spell or something?”

  Semangelof shook his head. “This is the only way, princess.” He saw the pain swirling in the violet eyes.

  Atropa looked at them all. Her friends, her family. “Who the hell do they think I’m going to sacrifice?!”

  Lilith frowned and stepped into the circle. She drew her blade and handed it to the stunned girl.

  Atropa stared at it in horror. “No, no way,” she threw the sword, “NO FUCKING WAY!”

  Lilith flinched at the outburst. “Buttercup-”

  “Don’t you ‘buttercup’ me, I’m not going to kill you!” Atropa looked to Sansenoy. “There has to be another way. There’s got to be.”

  Erin and Darren stepped into the circle. “It has to be a willing sacrifice. One based on love,” Erin picked up the sword. “We’re willing to die for you, Atropa,” Darren assured.

  Violet eyes filled with tears. “No,” she growled, “I won’t do it. I’m not doing it. God can fuck off!”

  A crashing noise made them all start. The doors to the chamber burst open, splintering and shattering. Destroyed wood shot out and dust temporarily blinded the group.

  Eae emerged from the wreckage. “Thou shall not take the Lord’s name in vain.” Each one of his siblings held a dagger tightly in their grasp. “Kill her!” he commanded.

  Sansenoy and Semangelof drew their weapons. They easily took out Arariel and Barachiel. Tennin however was lightening fast and breezed by them.

  Lilith willed her sword to her and blocked the angel’s attack. Atropa used her power to pushed the winged being into a wall.

  Erin punched Castella to the ground, “I’ve been waiting to kick the shit out of you!” He grabbed the dagger from her hand, throwing it across the room. It was almost too easy. Erin knocked her out and went to help his twin.

  Darren grabbed Barrattiel by the hair and slammed her into the ground then against a wall. She shot up. The angel slashed her nails across his face, leaving four deep lines. He hissed in pain but still managed to kick her to the ground. With inhuman strength, he snapped a joint in one of her wings. The angel’s screams joined the fighting cacophony. His brother came to his aid and got the dagger from the Barrattiel’s clutches. They were about to finish her off when a roar made them freeze. The two screamed as a tanned angel barreled toward them, weapon drawn. Semangelof was there in a flash, blocking the blade. He knocked Eae away, but the other angel came back with a vengeance.

  Eae crashed into Semangelof. Their swords clashing loudly. “Out of my way, brother. I’ve cherished my time with you, don’t make me end it!” The blond angel grit his teeth, “You hate the mortals for their greed, and yet here you are, only fighting for your own.” Eae cursed and kicked the other to the ground.

  Atropa watched as Lilith slashed at the Asian angel. Another one, tan and fierce came down and tried to strike her. Atropa grabbed the being mid air and tossed her into the ceiling. She fell to the ground with a sickening ‘thud’. Her golden eyes flickered, working through the pain, they then locked on the teen’s. Atropa turned away from her and saw Semangelof was down. The angel stalking toward him with his sword at the ready. She grabbed the being.

  Eae gasped as a wave of power hit him, slamming him into the nearby wall. He coughed, blood shooting from his mouth before trying to find the source. His eyes locked on the girl’s. They were purple and bright, a mixture of races. “You,” he planted his feet on the ground and launched himself at her.

  Lilith stepped in, blocking the dagger from getting to Atropa. With all her might, she pushed the angel away. “You’ll have to do better than that, asshole.”

  Sansenoy grabbed Tennin by the hair and hastily broke her neck. It wouldn’t kill the angel, but it would hopefully keep her down for a while. She saw Eae going for Lilith again, the pair snarling at each other. Both ready to shed blood. The twins and Semangelof were fighting Kiraman, trying to hold her back. Both imps had her by the wings, while her brother was trying to wrestle the dagger away. Kiraman was able to fight out of their hold however. The urge to help nearly propelled Sansenoy into action. She made to race for them.

  A blade in her side stopped her in her tracks. She gasped, seeing Tennin at the end of the dagger. “Not...precise…enough,” the other wheezed out, neck still twisted in an unnatural fashion.

  Atropa saw Sansenoy fall to the ground. Horrifically still. Blood began to pool under the angel. Atropa saw the knife buried deep between Sansenoy’s ribs. She screamed.

  The sound rattled the chamber and split the air. Everyone dropped, clutching their ears. The girl felt an unholy surge of rage go through her. She lifted the offending angel before tearing her apart. Rupturing her form, blood and flesh raining down from the once whole being. She was torn to shreds by the force of Atropa’s power.

  Barrattiel cried out in agony as she was covered in her sister’s blood. The imps has broken one of her wings, keeping her from flying to her sibling’s aid. “You… you monster!”

  Atropa turned to her. She smashed her into the wall repeatedly. Not stopping until the angel went limp and blood coated the rocky surface. Her attention then turned the to stunned angel before Lilith. “Leave,” she ordered, “Leave before I break you.” The girl was bluffing, all her strength had left her. The adrenaline was subsiding. She hoped that her words would be enough to deter them.

  It wasn’t.

  Kiraman came down from the ceiling and took aim at the girl. She now realized her mistake. The guilt of her sins weighed heavily upon her. If she had insisted they leave. If she had defied Eae the right to bloodshed. If she had Tennin...Tennin wouldn’t be. Tears filled her eyes as she ripped through the air.

  Her attack was thwarted by Lilith, whose blade nearly cut off her hand. Kiraman dropped the dagger in fright. It’s not like the blade was worth a damn. Eae moved, weapon drawn to stab the demon knight while her back was turned.

  Atropa didn’t have anymore power. She didn’t have anymore strength. All she had was herself. She jumped between the pair.

  The world stopped.

  The air went still.

  Atropa looked down to see the dagger buried in her chest. The tanned angel gave it a twist for good measure. She coughed, blood covering the man’s face. Her knees went weak as she fell on the floor. The pain hit her at once. Tears streamed down her face. Her mouth opened in a silent scream. Her hand encircled the handle of the blade, trying to pull it out. It burned. It hurt. She could hear Lilith screaming. She could hear the sounds of flesh being torn apart. Her breath became slow, merely a wheeze. Vision became cloudy as hands grabbed at her.

  “Atropa, Atropa stay with me!” Lilith cried.

  Said girl smiled. Lilith’s true form was so beautiful. It was like the night sky. Atropa felt herself being cradled in the demon’s arms. “Love...you,” she gurgled out. She closed her eyes and her heart stopped beating. Her blood hit the floor and began to move through the carved groves.

  The sixth horn sounded, and all Hell broke loose.

  Chapter XXVII: The Seventh Horn

  Amethyst eyes fluttered open. She groaned, a deep ache in her chest. Soft weeping made her pause. Atropa looked to her side and saw Lilith. The demon was clutching her hand, covering it in tears. Atropa smiled and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Rudy eyes locked with hers. “What’s up, buttercup?” She choked out and beamed at the joy on the demon’s face.

  Lilith nearly launched herself onto the bed. She pulled the girl into a tight embrace. “You’re awake, you
’re awake!” she sobbed and cradled the girl in her arms. She placed kiss after kiss on the tanned face. She couldn’t contain her joy.

  Atropa hugged her back. “What happened?” she asked, voice hoarse, “Are you okay? Is Sansenoy okay?!”

  Lilith nodded, “She’s fine, still healing, but fine.” She sat on the bed and pulled the girl into her lap. “Your heart stopped beating. I felt you die in my arms. You’re lucky those daggers weren’t real! You’re lucky we could bring you back. If they had been real we wouldn’t have been able to...” Lilith choked up thinking about the possibility, “You would’ve…”

  Atropa frowned and laid a string of kisses on the demon’s forehead. “I know,” she whispered, “I’m sorry, Lilith.” The teen held onto her demon. “I’m sorry I made you worry.”

  Lilith wiped at her tears as she ordered, “Never do that again.”

  Atropa frowned, “You know I can’t promise that.”

  Lilith laughed, “I know you can’t.” She tangled herself with Atropa. The paired locked together like ivy vines on an abandoned building. They shared gentle caresses and chaste kisses. Simply basking in the glory of the other.

  * * *

  Semangelof sat with his sister. He hadn’t left her side. It had only been a day, but it felt like an eternity. They had been lucky. Tennin’s strike was not fatal and the daggers were not meant to kill higher beings.

  For the first time in centuries, the pair talked. Without the oppressing expectations forced on them, there were no need for barriers. Conversations were lively and fluid. Semangelof could remember a time when they had been so close. He wondered if his other sister would be just as wonderful to converse with. He doubted it. Senoy was business, always had been and always would be.

  Their blissful time was interrupted by a pleasant surprised.

  Sansenoy beamed when the little demon burst into her room. “You’re awake!” She cheered. “And you’re alive!” Atropa replied and nuzzled into the woman’s shoulder.