RAFFE
The silence is deafening as I wade through the rubble back into the courtyard. There are fallen angels strewn across the land, and I try not to look at their faces, knowing that sooner or later I will come across one that used to be my friend or even my foe. It's eerily quiet, the kind of quiet that makes you wonder whether noise really existed here in the first place, but I keep on walking.
My legs are carrying me to the basement, because I want to get as close to the underworld as I can. I know what I want to do, though I don't particularly know how to do it, so going to the site of... of her... her... death seems like a pretty good place to start. I've heard the stories about people who successfully do what I am trying to, but no one ever tells you how they did it.
I stop when I reach the very spot where she was killed, and my chest aches as the memory replays in my mind. I clear my throat, immediately feeling stupid. "Uh... Underworld demons... are you there?" I ask aloud weakly, my own voice sounding sceptical even to me. The gritty sound of my vocals echo off of what's left of the walls, and I stand there a little longer, tapping my foot. I don't know what I expected to happen when I called on Lucifer, but I honestly thought that there would be... something. A flash of light, a puff of smoke- anything. I wait impatiently for a few more seconds, seriously questioning my sanity now. Maybe, Lucifer can't be summoned- he is the most powerful evil in the universe after all, and a single angel pleading for him would be like a kitten in South Africa purring for its owner who lives in Greece. I purse my lips and turn on my heel, wondering why I ever believed for a second that I could summon the leader of the Underworld. Just as I push the door of the basement open, a low, grizzly-sounding voice cuts through the silence.
"You called on me, Raphael?"
My name rolls off of his tongue delicately, as if he's savouring the way it tastes on his lips. I turn to face Lucifer, my oxygen supply catching in my throat.
"Well, that was easy." I mutter to myself under my breath, forgetting that he also has extended hearing, and nothing I say aloud is a secret.
Lucifer appraises me lazily, reclining against the hard brick wall, his arms crossed over his chest. "My company is not usually quite so easily attainable, little angel boy, so do not take my presence for granted." He shoots me a glance that's so sharp it could cut me like a knife, so I nod once obediently. I open my mouth to start speaking, but he cuts me off.
"You see, Raphael, I do not just attend to the pleas of all humans and angels whenever they seek me- you included. I came to you this evening because I am simply curious of two things." He pauses, eyeing the pitch black bat wings cascading out from my shoulder blades. "The first; I can't help but wonder why you lost your wings, and why you are now the proud owner of demonic wings?"
My mouth pulls into a tight line as Lucifer stares at me with sparkly brown eyes. My stance shifts, but I lift my chin. "I don't find this relevant." I point out, hoping he will drop it. There is a moment of silence, and his face falls, disappointment decorating his features as he realises that I'm not planning to delve into further detail. Lucifer sighs, and when he speaks next his voice drips of boredom.
"I see. Well then, my second question to you is this; why would an angel such as yourself require my aid?" He asks, pushing himself off of the wall to take a step closer to me.
My arms fall to my sides as I contemplate how to say what I want to. I only get one shot at this, one chance to prove worthy of Lucifer's help. "A friend of mine, her soul was taken, and I need your help to locate it so I can return it to her body." I say quietly, and Lucifer's eyes widen to twice their size.
"Raphael," He chokes out in a playful voice, "do you understand the enormity of what you have just asked me to do?" He asks, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. I stare straight into him, hoping I look brave and determined.
"I know that this isn't something you usually do, and trust me, I don't ask lightly-"
"Not something I usually do?" He echoes, laughter and disbelief clear in his grainy voice. "You are asking me to give life back to someone who was killed. This defies all of the laws of nature- it's an abomination of the natural life cycle..." He trails off, shaking his head and turning to face the wall.
I restrain myself from letting my head hang- what was I thinking? That he would just agree and Penryn would be alive again and we could all hold hands and sing happy songs? Life doesn't work like that, I should've known better.
"Give me one good reason why I should help you." Lucifer says, pursing his lips as he faces me again.
I stutter, trying to think of any good reason- nada. "I don't have a good reason that you will want to hear." I say after a while. "But the girl who died, she was killed trying to save my life, and if I don't save hers..." I trail off, and the desperation is plain in my voice. "I owe that to her, at least. I will do anything, Lucifer, I swear- if you take me to find her soul."
The idea of having my services in return seems to tempt Lucifer, and for a moment I allow myself to see a glimpse of hope.
Lucifer beams evilly at me.
"Very well."
PENRYN
I creep down the stairs in my silver stilettos, almost losing my footing on one of the creakier steps, but I steady myself before I can fall. I still find it ridiculous that in the midst of all the debris I can't find a single pair of more reasonable shoes, but I suppose any shoes are better than none when there is glass all over the place. My mood has lifted significantly since Laylah told me where Raffe is, and I have to restrain myself from bounding down, skipping all of the steps.
Suddenly I can hear the soothing murmur of Raffe's voice, and I bite my lip in sheer excitement. My hand reaches out to grab the door handle and fling it open, but another, lower pitched voice makes me stop in my tracks. I creak the door ajar, making the slit just large enough for my eye to peer through.
The sight of Raffe makes my heart jump inside my chest, but there is another man directly opposite him, facing my direction. He is tall and well built, with jet black hair and eyes the colour of chocolate. He is very handsome, but he has an edge to him that makes me want to stay away- something about his smug smile, or his sparkly eyes maybe. Raffe opens his mouth, and when he speaks his voice sounds off key, as if the events of the past couple of days have worn him down so much he can't even speak properly.
"I don't have a good reason that you will want to hear." Raffe's hollow voice rings across the room. "But the girl who died, she was killed trying to save my life, and if I don't save hers..." He stops his plea there, and I resist the urge to run and throw myself around him and tell him everything is okay. "I owe that to her, at least. I will do anything, Lucifer, I swear- if you take me to find her soul."
Lucifer? Who's... Oh. My. Lord. Lucifer? Lucifer, as in, Satan? My jaw drops with a tiny popping sound, and I duck back behind the oak door to hide, just in case they can hear it. For a while I am frozen, trying to rationalize my thoughts. Inside the room Lucifer glances at Raffe, a huge smile wrapped around his cheeks. I want to yell at Raffe that I'm safe, to not do anything stupid with Satan, but my muscles won't move. It feels like I'm paralysed again, my legs heavy and limp with shock.
"Very well." He agrees, surprisingly. "I will help you find her soul and then you shall provide me with something in return."
"Anything." Raffe says fiercely.
Lucifer looks smugly at the ceiling and holds his hand out to Raffe. "I will help you find her soul and in return you will worship and bow to me like the demon you have become."
My face turns from an expression of shock to a look of pure horror. I want to scream and yell, but I just... can't. Without a hint of hesitation Raffe closes the distance between them both and clasps Lucifer's hand firmly in his own.
"If that's what it takes." He says, solemnly, and something in his voice frees me from my trance. The edges of Lucifer and Raffe start to glow and shimmer, and I bolt through the door towards them. Raffe is becoming hazy, almost too dull to see now.
"Wait!" I scream urgently. "Raffe, please! I'm here..."
The last thing I see is Raffe's head turning to stare at me, mouth and eyes wide open.
"Penryn?" He calls softly, almost a whisper.
The word lingers in the air between us, and then he disappears into the blackness, taking my beating heart with him.