Chapter 27

The new breath to live

It was about three a.m., when Marinette entered Malletty's tent. The leader of the Holy Order was working at a plan of future siege of Lucifer's fortress, drawing something on a map, writing small notes for himself, then throwing away his papers to start again. Paper rustled under demoness' feet, while she was walking to him. Malletty raised his dagger quickly, his eyes sparkled with lightnings.

"I've told you not to come without warning!" he said angrily, his muscles tensed, she could see it as he was in pants only.

"Relax, I came to speak about some details of our pact. Maybe you'll offer me to seat?"

"If you find the place …" he hurried to put on his red cardinal's vestment. Ah, no more than circumstances made him to speak with this whore of Satan. 'Forgive me, dear God,' he always prayed after meeting with Marinette.

The woman settled on his narrow bed, her hands took off the hood of red cloak. As beautiful as dangerous … Her lips were made to kiss them, skin – to caress and eyes – to drove men mad.

Emilio pressed his cross to the heart to get rid of bad minds.

"I help you to defeat Lucifer and you should help me to get the throne of Hell. Good agreement …" Marinette spoke in Italian.

"What else you want to discuss?"

"Diana, the Ancient power …"

"The stronghold of Sin!"

"Don't be so stupid! She's the one, who can not just capture Lucifer, but kill him!"

"That's impossible." Malletty started walking around the room, rubbing his hands.

"Possible, my friend. Who Lucifer is? Fallen archangel. He breathes, walks, thinks … And Diana. Her sole existed before the day was divided on night and morning. Still Lucifer's death would break the balance between light and darkness. I'll take his place then."

"You want me to find the girl?" he frowned, staring at the demoness.

"No. The left hand of God and the dark prince are working on it together."

"Van Helsing and …"

"The son of the devil, as you call him."

"Are you mad! They hate each other!"

"Not more. They'll do all the dirty work."

"After she'll slay the devil, I …"

"Yes, you'll destroy her or she'll destroy the whole world to give the way out for her negative. So simple."

"What do you need then?"

"Count Dracula. Kill his girlfriend and I'll get him."

Malletty looked at the woman again. Marinette really gone mad on this vampire. It always so, when you want something that belongs to other person.

"What's the advantage for me here?"

"Well, the name Seline Cale is familiar to you, ah?" she smiled wickedly, playing with her red curls. Of course the red general reacted on her words.

"That bitch killed my brother!"

"Hey, what words for a priest!" the demoness laughed, rising from the bed. "It would be your own revenge," she whispered into his ear. "What would be your answer?"

"Yes …"

'Mira! I'm so afraid!' Diana cried, watching the light around turns into darkness. The angel pressed the girl's head to her shoulder and whispered, 'Lucifer can't touch you, why I'm here … Be strong, child. Your mother had died and your magic protection was broken.'

'No!' Diana screamed, tears were streaming down her eyes.

'Calm down, dear, your mother had been forgiven and her sole is in Heaven. You should concentrate on returning back.'

'I don't want to! I'm deathly tired! I … I'm alone with my enemies and… I give up.'

'Poor scared child. Let me show you something …'

Mira flew up and made a small window in the darkness. 'Look here …'

Diana did so …

A man in white, with such a grotesque face and awful empty eyes was standing at the bed, where her body in long black dress was lying.

'The devil!' she asked, her eyes filled with fear. Mira nodded sadly.

Lucifer caressed herface with an evil smirk, lust was in his eyes. And she lied there so weak and helpless.

"You'll be mine soon, Diana, my queen. Just wait …' he kissed her lips hungrily, then stepped back, watching her peaceful sleep. Two tears escaped her eyes.

"What!" Satan touched her cheek. "Oh, my dear, something scared you?" he laughed, then licked tears off her face.

Diana flinched, feeling his rude touches so real.

'Disgusting!' the girl covered her face with hands not to see him, caressing and kissing her. Mira closed the 'window' and flew higher.

'Now look here …'

Van Helsing and Dracula were speaking in the sitting room.

'They look like friends!'

'Indeed. They are … Listen.'

"Are you sure that want to go with me?" Gabriel asked, staring at his friend's wounds.

"Hey, don't be afraid of these little scratches! Besides, Seline always appear in the center of troubles, I'm planning to find her there. And you?"

"Well, I think I'm lost … More and more I see Diana in my dreams, but it's so unnatural! I'm older than she, I hold her on my hands, when she was a baby! Maybe I'm cursed? Cursed to suffer because of my mistake… The murder …" he looked at his hands, waiting to see blood on them.

"Forget. I became vampire because of my own foolishness, but I'm glad or I could never meet Seline."

"She caught you!"

"Yes. Funny, isn't it?"

"How do you think if I may invite Di on a date?"

"Date? Aren't you too old for a date?"

Van Helsing got red like a boy, hurried to cover his face with a hat.

Diana stopped crying, a smile appear on her face.

'See? While someone cares about you, you shouldn't give up, my girl,' sounded mother's voice. The Ancient power looked at Mira. There was a figure behind her. Her mother with a sad smile on her face.

'Mom!' the girl embraced Angelica, so happy to feel mother's hands in her hair.

'Di, my treasure, don't cry. I'm always with you. Promise me not to give up.'

'Mom, I want to become a child again! I want everything to return back into my childhood, when I quoted Bible and Gospel to you … Remember?'

'Of course, my dear. My sweetheart …If the way woman becomes pregnant the church calls a sin, you're my best sin and I'm proud of you, Diana. You know, you got the name of your great-great-grandmother. Diana Lawrence was a hot thing.'

Diana laughed; mother always knew how to distract her.

'Angelica, the time!' reminded Mira.

'Oh, yes, time … Listen, Di,' the witch took daughter's face in her hands. 'I love you and I'll do everything I can to release you out of here, but, please, never give up!'

'Mom, don't leave me! I'm so afraid!' the girl grabbed her mother tightly.

'Di, stop living in dreams. The reality is as beautiful, believe me … I love you and your father does. Take care about him and Gabriel. This hunter feels for you … Good bye …'

The ghost disappeared …But Diana didn't cry, she kept all might in her fists and said. "O.K., Lucifer, time to pay!"