Chapter 16

Hope's eyes flickered open as rays of light hit her face.

She groaned in pain and annoyance as she finally regained consciousness. The messenger sat up slowly, her eyes blinking at the unfamiliar surroundings. The black and green décor was very strange, and definitely in poor taste, seeing how Mr. Aziraphale preferred tasteful colors and Mr. Crowley was always a sucker for black. Her eyes went to the skyline that sat just outside the balcony, and she noted the tall structures that reached for the sky in the shimmering heat.

Hope wasn't in London….

The mission came back to her at that moment, and her entire body started to ache horribly.

She remembered how the devil captured her, and let his head torturer on her. Oh, the agony that she felt, but she never gave in. Her heart thundered in her chest as she threw her legs over the side of the couch that she was laying on, the blanket that was draped over her falling away. Hope's eyes were torn away from the skyline and around the room, noting the distinct lack of others. She gently sent out her celestial force, prodding everywhere to see where they were. Hopefully, without detection, Hope discovered that two beings of demonic origin were downstairs. Her eyes went to the elevator before darting in a panic towards the balcony.

Though her body protested, Hope got to her feet and dashed towards the balcony. Her wings manifested, the only thing untouched by the Demoness's touch of pain, ready to take to the sky…. only for her to hit a wall.

She fell to the ground, glancing up curiously. Her hands reached up to where she had fumbled. There was no wall there, well, no visible wall. When her hands touched the barrier, a wall of yellowish-orange energy appeared, crackling with demonic power. It stung her hand, so she yanked it back, even though it didn't particularly hurt. Her heart thundered in her chest as anger bubbled up inside her. Hope felt tears run down her face, tears of frustration at the situation, of anger at those accursed and blasted Archangels for tormenting her and her guardians, of fear that she may never see her friends again…

With no other options, Hope started to yell and pounding at the wall of energy with all she had. All her negative emotions came out in her punches. She fell to her knees, exhausted. Her knuckles ached and smoked slightly, and her throat was sore from the screaming. Hope sobbed silently, gasping when the elevator dinged delicately. She whirled around, wishing that she had her sword with her.

"Well, looks who's finally among the land of the living again." The Devil cooed. Hope swallowed, standing fast and standing firm. "See that you're almost healed. Wonderful."

"Don't take another step!" she declared. Hope prayed that her voice was strong and commanding, but she probably sounded like a kicked puppy.

The Devil looked surprised. "Ah, growing some claws, are we? Well, it's good that you're awake because I have some more questions for you."

"I don't know where they are." Hope immediately blurted out.

"Of course, you do, my dear. You reek of that silly serpent and fat principality!"

"You've already tried to get me to break. But you've seen how that worked out."

The Devil cocked his head. "I don't know. I'm pretty certain that Maz here almost got you to break. That or she was about to destroy you."

"Yeah, that would've a pain to clean up."

Hope drew herself up, ignoring the stiffness in her body. "You can kill me if you want. I don't care about myself. I do care, however, if you go after my friends and guardians."

Both demons turned their head curiously, looking almost like puppies.

"Strange that an angel such as yourself cares so much about humanity." The Devil commented, stalking a bit further. Hope took a step back, almost back up against the barrier that separated her from freedom. In an attempt to make herself feel a little better, and hoping that the rumors that the Devil didn't have his wings were true, Hope spread her wings out before her, pulling them upward in a defensive position in an effort to make himself seem taller.

"I care," she hissed with tears in her eyes, "not because I'm an angel, but because I have spent time with them."

The Devil and his torturer halted in their tracks, the Devil's face turning serious for a moment.

She kept going, "I've…...I've made friends. Maybe even a-"

Hope cut herself off. She didn't want to confront what Marcus meant to her. At least, not without some serious talk with her guardians and most certainly not in front of Lucifer. She shook her head, licking her lips and looking at the King of Hell with imploring eyes.

"The Archangels…...they only see humanity as a plaything. Puppets to be used at their amusement. But, Mr. Aziraphale…. Mr. Crowley…. we've all come to see the beauty of humanity." Dramatically, though not planned, Hope turned. She had a moment of hesitation as she turned towards the skyline, briefly realizing that by turning her back, she was opening herself up to attack. But Hope didn't care. "They're…. chaotic, and orderly. Spontaneous and planned. Fascinated with history and intent on making something new. How can anyone want to see them destroyed?"

She turned back to the group, seeing a plethora of different expressions. Some of the expressions didn't really sit well, especially the sympathy from Detective Decker. Hope sighed.

"We're doing our duty to protect humanity." She said, "and I can't do that with the Archangels looming over the three of us, threatening to kill us with each turn of the corner."

"And they sent you to kill Lucifer."

Hope nodded. "They wanted to be rid of me. And they couldn't do that themselves without finding one angry Principality and one seriously pissed off demon. With this task, it would be easy for the Archangels to wash their hands of me, since they believe me to have no skills in fighting."

"Yes, well Michael's a right prick." Lucifer spat out.

"That he is."

Mazikeen laughed. "Well, since you're buddy-buddy with the Devil now, it seems that you're coming here was a waste of energy."

"I still have to complete my mission." Hope sighed. "Not unless the Devil returns himself to guarding Hell, the Archangels will still come after us. Still come after me."

"We'll have to figure it out later. But maybe while your still here, you could help us out." Chloe Decker stated.

"With the murders?"

The human nodded. "Ella thinks that we've got a cannibal on the loose. And we need to stop him or her or whoever is doing this."

It was strange, going from being a captive to assisting on a case. Hope felt a thrill of excitement run through her.

"Did you collect any…. DNA from the latest scene?"

"It hasn't been analyzed yet, but we're looking for a man, mid-to-late thirties." Chloe sighed. "This has been a very strange day. Let's get this done with so I can get me some alcohol to forget it about it."

Hope nodded in agreement, watching as the woman moved to leave the room. The demon and the Devil followed after her, with the Devil gesturing for Hope to follow. The Messenger stayed rooted where she was for a brief moment, before taking a hesitant step forward. The three of them had all piled into the elevator, leaving some space for her. Hope returned her wings to the ethereal plane that they sat in, and found a spot on the elevator.

Right in front of Lucifer himself.

Lord Almighty, she could smell the fire and brimstone on him. It made her skin bristle with goosebumps.

The door closed, but before it did, Lucifer leaned over and whispered in her ear, "Brave little pigeon."

The door shut and dinged.