A/N: Well, I hope you guys are still with me! Writer's block has me bad, BUT, I am determined to get through it! Not only that but school has been a pain and sucking up any precious time I have to do the hobby I love which is writing. Seeing the amount of follows and favorites on this story and others keeps me motivated to keep the ball rolling! I'm sorry I've kept you guys waiting, and I cannot promise when the next chapter will be out so just bear with me! I also apologize that this chapter is so short! I needed to get out of the rut, so hopefully I can start picking things back up after this! As always guys, Enjoy and Review!
Story: Pinky Promise
Rated: M
Parings: BellaxEdward, AlicexOCxJasper (Polyamorous), CarlislexEsme, RosaliexEmmett
Summary: Bella should have asked how to pronounce Santa when she was younger, who would've thought she made a pinkie promise with the devil herself?
"Share our Similarities,
Celebrate out Differences."
-M. Scott Peck
Chapter 22: Similarities
Alice found it quite frightening on how similar Jasper and Lilith could be in this moment. The woman of topic stood over a makeshift war table, a simply put together object of strategy created in the living room, where everyone was residing at the moment. The way Lilith commanded the room with a simple look, her voice a bit gruff from speaking so long, and her eyes, pitch black as ever, were intense and filled with swirling emotions that Alice could not comprehend.
It was the way Jasper had looked and radiated his presence when Alice finally met him.
Glancing by her side, she could see the awe in Jasper's face as Lilith discussed plans to retrieve more followers to help them fight off the enemy. Her unbeating heart clenched as her eyes flickered back over to Lilith. This type of talk was familiar to her, from the arms crossed against her chest and dark fingers clenched around her biceps, Lilith was uncomfortable to be in such a position.
"Now wait just a minute." Sam growled as he interrupted Lilith from his own position in the living room, the rest of the wolves were outside, only he and Jacob decided to step foot into the Cullen's abode. "How are we supposed to trust these 'allies'? Aren't all demons the same?"
Alice watched as Lilith responded to Sam with a blank look. "No, all demons are not the same." she huffs and pinches the bridge of her nose. "Yes, a good portion of the demonic population are working with Azza, but that is only because they have to, he is their king. However," She emphasizes the word, seeing Sam about to delve into another rant. "There are also many demons who don't want another war that lasts centuries to begin again. It's troublesome and pointless."
"Then why try and start one?" Sam snapped.
Alice heard Jasper growl in warning at Sam, but Lilith raised a hand, not wanting to start a fight in the middle of the living room, let alone on Esme's nice carpet.
"Because," Lilith continued. "Power is tempting, it always is. Even I have to confess when I held the title of Satan, I reveled in the sheer control I had over others. With a simple flick of my wrist or snap of my fingers I could start World War Three. That is the same power Azza possesses."Alice could feel her eyes widen at that statement and she watched as everyone else shifted nervously at the revelation.
" The reason he chooses not to commit to instant cataclysmic actions is because of two things." Lilith raises her index finger, "The first being, that to him, this is a game. By beating me in traditional combat, the man is on his high horse and has the chess pieces in his hand, this upcoming war is a game to him, really." The second finger comes up with the first. "Secondly, with each and every action there is an opposite and equal one to combat it."
Lilith returns to crossing her arms and nods her head up towards the ceiling. "If Azza wanted to cause a massive outbreak of an incurable virus to the world, God would retaliate by instantly making fifty percent of the world's population immune. If Azza wanted to send multiple demons to reign over the Earth, God would send an equal amount of Angels to combat them." she closes her eyes and Alice can make out the pained expression contorting her features as she continues. "It's why Lucifer, was somewhat successful in the first war, he was aiming to take over Heaven, suppress the Lord's divine sense of being so chaos can run amok on Earth without interference." she rubs her forehead.
"We for sure cannot do a full frontal assault to stop this, it's stupidity and suicide." Once again Lilith gave a pointed look to Sam, who breathed through his nose harshly and snapped a response.
"Like we should listen to you in the fir-." He was cut off by a rather demonic snarl.
Alice almost forgot about the resident imp standing in on this meeting. The irate creature jumped up on the table, to be at least at equal height with some of the others in the room, and to look the alpha of the Quileute pack in the eye.
"Respect, boy." Icarus stated as he pointed a clawed finger in his direction. "It is within your best intentions to earn it. You are speaking to a woman who has lived a thousand lifetimes and knows war like the back of her hand."
Sam actually paled at the snarl he was receiving. He shifted in his seat uncomfortably, and had the right mind to look away from the intense stare Icarus was giving him. It was quite hilarious for Alice to see the big bad wolf be silenced by a creature that was only three feet tall.
"Calm, Icarus. Please do not start a fight in Carlisle and Esme's home. It's unbecoming." Lilith stated.
That was another thing Alice took note of. Lilith's speech and mannerisms were different when addressing Icarus. She was poised and she spoke like royalty, it was a bit jarring.
"So here's the plan." Lilith clapped her hands and continued. "Icarus here is our anchor, and this house and the land surrounding it will be our base of operations. What I mean by that is, Icarus will go out and search for more allies, first on the list being my guards who guarded the circles of hell." Lilith used her hands to express herself, waving them around and counting off her fingers. "Once we gain enough allies we can begin to formulate a more solid plan, time is on our side, no doubt Victoria is building her own army as we speak. In the meantime, within the next couple days you all are going to take lessons from me or Icarus here."
At this, the majority of the room looked at Lilith in confusion, Carlisle was the one to speak what was on everyone's mind. "Lessons on what exactly. Lilith?"
Icarus took over this time, huffing softly as he crossed his arms and looked over the room with black, beady eyes.
"Demons, runes, glyphs, how to not insult a fallen angel and cause combatives to the death because you accidentally called for a challenge." The imp gave a pointed look at the two shifters in the room, who shifted in their seat uncomfortably.
Lilith hummed and nodded with Icarus in agreement. "He's correct. Customs and courtesies is going to be what's most important. As Icarus said, one wrong word and it's off with your head."
The way Lilith said that so nonchalant like had Alice a tad bit worried. Regardless, that seemed to wrap the meeting right up and Sam and Jacob took their leave, agreeing to have the pack meet twice a week for updates and lessons. As the rest of the family dispersed, only Alice, Jasper, Lilith, and Icarus remained. Now, it was Alice's and Jasper's turn to shift under the imp's gaze. The stare was calculating and sharp.
Lilith, who was too busy looking at some type of report that looked to be written in Latin, took no attention to the tense silence in the air, nor the fact that one of her former subjects was burrowing holes into Alice and Jasper.
Icarus grunted, and jumped down from the table, walking up to the couple, he frowned as he looked up at them, lone tusk protruding more prominently from the action. "So you're the two mortal beings that have captured my Queen's heart."
Hearing the familiar gruff voice of Icarus speak, snapped Lilith out of her musings, and seeing Icarus scrutinize her two loving vampires made her sigh. "Icarus…" she started.
The imp merely raised his hand behind him, signifying Lilith to silence herself. Alice was shocked to find some amusement in Lilith's eyes, and when black caught the gaze of gold, her mate mouthed 'Sorry' to the both of them.
Jasper decided to speak on behalf of the two of them. Clearing his throat, he bowed his head slightly and responded. "Ah, yes sir, but I must correct you, it was Lilith who captured our hearts."
The small demon scoffed. "Bah! Cut the bullshit with trying to impress me. I will let you two know this once, and one time only. You do harm towards Lilith and I will feed your eyes and entrails to Cerberus, do I make myself clear?"
Alice felt Jasper stiffen behind her, now it was if he was a soldier at attention a brusque and curt, "Yes, sir." was uttered from his lips and behind Icarus, Alice could see Lilith, clutching her sides, attempting to contain her laughter.
Icarus looked between them once more and grunted once, before turning on his heel and walking back over to Lilith. They exchanged a few words Alice could not make out, and with a respectful bow from the demon, Icarus disappeared in a flash of flame. Now it was down to three, Lilith finally released her laughter at the incredulous looks on her mates' faces.
"I apologize for the shovel talk you received my loves. Icarus means well, truly, the old man will warm up to you eventually."
Alice was positive she and Jasper were pouting at that fact, Lilith simply rolled her eyes and walked up to the two, silencing any protest that was to come with a kiss. As warm lips met Alice's own, she thought being scolded by an cranky old demon had its perks.
The first appearance of one of Lilith's allies was a surprise to everyone. It during a sparring session with the wolves. Jasper was going over the basics of how to handle newborns and their strength, and by going with the increasing frustrating look on his face, it wasn't going well. Lilith was on the sidelines, crouching on the balls of her feet, watching Jasper in appreciation of his teachings and laughing once in a while when he would pummel one of the wolves to the ground.
There was a sudden shift in the air and Lilith sensed someone was coming, she just didn't know who. However, when Icarus soon appeared and barked 'Prepare yourself!' to Lilith, the fallen angel quickly jumped to her feet and crossed her arms in a block. She noted how everyone paused their previous actions and yelled in surprise when a much larger flash of flame appeared, and a body slammed into her own. Lilith grunted and stumbled at the impact, but she quickly gathered her bearings and fell into a rhythm, the spontaneous fight she just entered became a dance. As Lilith focused on her opponent, black eyes met gray and Lilith chuckled.
"Mastema."
The two broke apart from their blows and blocks, Lilith now highly aware of the intense atmosphere surrounding them. She would have to commend Icarus for holding both the vampires and wolves back, who knows what kind of chaos would've have happened if they had jumped in. Lilith scrutinized one of her former guards with a calculating eye. The man was poised, skin as dark as her own, the only sign of hair on his head being a shorn down black mohawk. He was also dressed as if he was ready to go into battle in a moment's notice, his traditional armor, a golden chestplate and pauldron secured by leather straps adorned his form. Lilith had to hold back a smirk seeing her old handywork. Up upon Mastema's back were the classic pair of withered black wings every fallen angel adorned, and resting upon his hips were two sheathed khopesh, traditional egyptian swords.
Mastema bowed at the waist, smiling softly. "My Queen."
Lilith laughed and shook her head, laying a calloused hand on gleaming armor. "Up with you, I am no queen here, nor at this present moment in time. I take it Icarus has ran you up to speed?"
Mastema rose and nodded in the direction of the imp. "Hm, something about taking back your throne, correct?"
Lilith felt herself roll her eyes and snorted. "Blunt as ever Mast, now come on, introduce yourself and do it fast, I do believe if you don't do it soon, that short little vampire you see behind me, and the one in cowboy boots are going to give you a piece of their mind if you don't explain yourself quickly." she watched as Mastema's eyes stare at the two in question, it was calculating and mischievous.
"Ah, you've bonded again I see? Good!" Mastema claps Lilith's shoulder and shakes her firmly as he nods, "Now you can produce an heir so this uprising with Azza won't happen again."
Lilith sputtered, eyes wide as she attempted to steer this conversation into another topic. "Mast, no, we haven't even-!"
"Tell me, will it be you or the small one to carry the offspring? If I recall our time in the heavenly plane, Tonie cursed you a thousand smites if she had to carry another child of yours and Daniel's, it is technically your turn."
"Mastema!"
The man laughs as Lilith shoves him full force causing him to stumble a bit. Lilith is covering her face, of all the times to bring that up? Now she can't even look at Jasper or Alice at the moment. Beside her, Lilith can feel the emotion of amusement roll of Mastema, luckily enough, the man took her earlier advice and introduced himself to the waiting group.
Lilith looked up from her hands, avoiding making eye contact with any of the Cullens and decided to play it safe to stare at Bella as Mastema spoke.
"So this is the army you've formed, hm?" the fallen angel murmured as he rubbed his chin, before nodding to each individual. "Well met, all of you. I am Mastema, one who persecutes evil and former guard of the Fifth Circle."
Lilith smiles as Mastema speaks, his presence here brought her some hope. If one of her guards did not fall into the clutches of Azza maybe there were more. She thought of Tamiel and Onoskelis, they helped her escape, if those two were caught the least she can do is help them out as well. Regardless, Icarus would give her updates on the matter. Idly, Lilith noted how Mastema made himself comfortable in the physical world, in fact, it seemed some of the wolves seemed enthralled by the man, a few of them even walking up and gushing about his wings and armor.
The interruptions in lessons by the new coming obviously indicated the day was over. Lilith was knocked out of her musings when Bella decided to poke her cheek. Blinking, Lilith stared at her human friend and raised a brow at her amused grin.
"What?" Lilith asked.
Bella snickered and wiggled her own eyebrows. "So, am I going to be an aunt to the antichrist in the near future?"
Lilith seemed to choke on her own spit at the question and glared at the brunette as she composed herself. "Do you ever think before you speak!?" she hissed embarrassingly, as Bella leaned on her, laughing hysterically.
"Oh, lighten up Lilith, it's funny!"
"No, it's highly embarrassing, not to mention mortifying to some parties when one does not know how triad's pregnancy works, especially with how that ass worded it." Lilith's thumb points at Mastema, who now by the looks of it, is about to give one of the wolves, Seth, a test flight on his back.
Bella nudges Lilith's side with her elbow, and grabs her wrist, dragging her back over to the family of vampires. "You worry to much, Lil." The two of them now stand in front of their respective lovers and Bella grins cheekily.
At the look Bella is giving her, Lilith sighs and finally looks at Alice and Jasper. "Please forgive Mastema and his tendency to speak whatever is on his mind. He can't control it."
Alice simply giggled, and cupped Lilith's face to place a chaste kiss on her nose. Lilith blinked rapidly at this action and furrowed her brow in question.
"We don't mind sweetheart, he is rather forward isn't he?" Alice replied. Next to her, Jasper hummed in agreement, stepping closer to Lilith to wrap and arm around her waist.
"I think he'll be a great asset, I'm surprised the wolves took to him so quickly." Jasper stated.
Lilith leaned into Jasper's touch, molding herself to his side. Looking over to the pack she found herself snorting and agreeing with her mate. Now it seemed that Mastema was their own personal thrill ride, picking up different members and flying them around the field in top speed. Lilith filed it to the back of her mind, that could be a good battle strategy for later.
"So Lilith! When are you going to make Carlisle and Esme grandparents?!"
"Emmett!"
Jasper thought sparring for the day might have been over, but it didn't hurt to get a few extra minutes in, as Lilith held Emmett in a chokehold, he had to admit his mate had excellent form.
It was the next spontaneous announcement of one of Lilith's allies that had Bella rolling on her bedroom floor in laughter while Lilith glared at her. The human was wheezing, tears streaming down her face as amusement was evident and prominent in the topic she and Lilith were speaking of.
"Oh for the love of-Bella! It honestly isn't that funny!" Lilith threw her hands up with a huff, her pursed lips and uncomfortable shifting in her posture letting Bella know that she was still embarrassed on what transpired.
"Of course it's not funny, it's downright hilarious!" Bella wiped the tears from her eyes as she recapped the events Lilith told her on her fingers. "Judging by what you told me, you and Jasper were having, escapades," Bella quoted the word with her fingers, snickering, "And right in the middle of it, Icarus appears before you, one of your loyal succubi in tow, and said succubi decides to make herself comfortable right at the very moment Alice walks in?"
It takes all of Lilith's will power, not to just disappear out of thin air, maybe she was better off in a cell at the bowels of hell after all. "Thank you, for that lovely play by play Bella. Remind me, to tell Icarus to inform me that he found allies before he summons them." An ebony hand rubs her forehead. "Also remind me to never get on Alice's bad side. That woman is terrifying when she's pissed." Lilith's black eyes then give a pointed look to her best friend. "And we never speak of this again."
Bella snickers once more. "I can't believe she made you and Jasper sleep on the couch."
"Never. Speak. Of. It."
As Bella's laughter started up again, Lilith sighed. These next few weeks were going to be terribly long.
Codex Entry: Mastema
An angel who persecutes evil in Jewish mythology. He carried out punishments for God, as well as tempting humans and testing their faith. In the Zadokite Fragments and the Dead Sea Scrolls, he is the angel of disaster, the father of all evil, and a flatterer of God. He first appears in the literature of the Second Temple Period as a personification of the Hebrew word mastemah (משטמה), meaning "hatred", "hostility", "enmity", or "persecution".