Fallen (Chronicles Of The Fallen) (12 page)

Looking down on the dark, dead land of Hell, and while his body is completely healing itself from Lilith’s attack, Samuel takes in his surroundings. Heading towards the edge of the Pit, the souls inside move, kick, and climb over one another in an attempt to escape. Moans and screams for help, for saving, for final death billow out.

His gaze turns up to the chains and leather straps that hang from an unseen source. Bodies that are mangled beyond recognition rapidly heal themselves, then the process of torture begins anew. Hellhounds lash out and bite into the bodies; Demons run towards the blood and drink it off the ground, then latch onto the wounded.

Grinning, he squats down and runs his hand along the ground. A long, thin shaft appears underneath his fingers. Standing, he runs his hands over the length of it…one side blunt with tribal markings around the base, the other sharp like a spear. Keeping his gaze on the shaft, he makes his way towards a cliff. Lowering the shaft to his waist, he looks out towards the caverns in the landscape. Caves, cliffs, and peaks continue out as far as he can see. Occasionally, a blast of fire erupts from a cave. The screeching of the serpents hidden in the water that leads towards the gates of Hell fills the air.

Turning his gaze back to the ground, he notices it begin to shake. The cliff he’s standing on begins to break apart, forcing Samuel to step back. Suddenly, a large, black head, the size of a football stadium, pushes out of the ground. The neck, shoulders, and massive chest follow, then thick, massive arms reach towards Samuel.

Fear rushes through him and he starts to back pedal. Tripping, he falls on his ass. The eyes, as red as blood, peer down at him; its muscles ripple; the nails on his fingers have residue of human flesh embedded underneath them. Scooting backwards across the ground, fear pulses through Samuel as Lucifer peers down at him. Samuel's lips part in an effort to speak, but only a squeak is heard. He can feel Lucifer looking directly inside him, violating him where he sits.

When Lucifer begins to speak, everything in Hell stops. There’s no sounds, no screams, and no movement. Everything freezes in this moment. “What seems to be the problem in gaining her soul, Samuel?” His voice echoes throughout Hell as if he were speaking in a canyon. “You are a fucking incubus! FUCK HER AND TAKE HER SOUL!” The booming sound from Lucifer forces Samuel back a few more feet. Dropping the shaft, it breaks and shatters into dirt, absorbing back into the ground. Samuel’s palms press into the earth and small sharp claws begin pulling and stabbing at his hands.

Closing his eyes he shakes his head. “Soon, Master. Soon, she will be yours. Soon, I will have her.” He lifts his hands and brushes the small dirt demons away.

“Soon?" Lucifer's body lunges towards Samuel. "SOON?” His voice booms again, and a wave of fire pushes out across the land. Souls begin to scream and demons erupt in a euphoric rage. Lucifer bends over Samuel’s small frame and glares down at him. “You have always been my first in line, my first in charge to run things while I'm busy raising Hell, and you tell me you will get her soon?” Lucifer lets out a laugh, righting himself. “Well, I’ll take over the world and dominate every soul on earth soon. You know, in my own damn time.”

Samuel lifts his head up enough to look up at Lucifer. The red eyes glare down at him with such rage, a scream is forced from his throat. “You will take her now, Samuel. You have no idea what will happen, what events will unfold, if she fucks Selaphiel!” The last of his words force Samuel to spasm on the ground and black blood erupts from his lips. Chocking on his own blood, Lucifer forces Samuel’s hands to move upward towards his neck. His own fingers begin wrapping around his throat and they squeeze. Chocking between the blood in his throat and his fingers tightening around his neck, Samuel's eyes begin to cloud over. Something dark appears next to his head. Slowly, Samuel's eyes make their way over and find Death next to his body.

The long black cloak hides his face, except for the red eyes that stare down at Samuel’s body. Death lost his wings centuries ago when it was stripped from Samuel, leaving only the skeletal remains on his back. A pale hand is wrapped around a long scythe made of steal. Sharp rivets rise up towards the top, and the extension has fire burning inside of it. Flickers of memories of when he was named the Angel of Death rush through his mind. Now, looking up at Death himself, fear pulsates through Samuel, fear of what will become of him.

Turning his head back and looking upwards, he sees Lucifer coming at his face and Samuel screams. Suddenly, everything stops. He stops choking, his hands relax around his neck, the blood around his body vanishes, and Death’s image vanishes. Samuel looks around, hearing a snicker. He knows it’s Lilith, but he’ll deal with her in his own time.

Lucifer’s hand reaches down and picks him up, lifting him to his face. He screams out in pain, as Lucifer squeezes his body. Lucifer squeezes harder and Samuel screams louder. Bringing him closer to his face, he snarls, “You fail me again, you WILL die.” Lucifer squeezes harder. Just as Samuel is about to scream out again, he can feel cool air touching his skin. The pain immediately ends and he opens his eyes, looking around.

Finding himself inside his home, Samuel exhales a sigh of relief and allows his head to relax on the floor. Sprawling his arms out to his sides, he takes a few deep breaths. Sitting up, he rests his elbows on his knees and looks towards his recliner, the leather reflecting the track lighting above it. Shaking his head, he rolls to his knees and stands, walking to the bar across the room. Pulling off a stopper, he picks up the glass brandy decanter and pours himself a glass. He picks it up and drinks it in one gulp. He looks into a mirror on the wall. His eyes glow red and a snarl escapes his lips. Throwing
the glass towards the mirror, both shatter onto the floor. Samuel’s distorted view is reflected back at him as he turns and walks out of the room.

He holds her close. They kiss and their tongues fight for dominance. Alex lays Lisa down on her bed and presses his body against hers. His hands move over her, kneading her breasts as she gasps against his lips. He looks down at her and removes his shirt. Her fingers move up his chiseled chest, his muscles ripple underneath her touch. With a sudden movement, his wings expand outward. She gasps as his lips crush against hers.

Lisa moans and wraps her legs around his waist. He mumbles against her lips, “I want to be inside of you. I want to feel you around me.” He grinds his hardened length against her.

Her back arches, and she bites his lip. “I want you, please. I need you!” Lisa begs him. Her hands move down to his ass, pulling him closer.

Lisa’s alarm goes off, waking her up and pulling her from her dream. Groaning, she turns over and slaps the “off” button, willing herself back to her dream. She reaches out, trying to hold onto Alex, but the dream continues to fade into her subconscious.

Sighing, Lisa sits up and stretches. Feeling grateful for finally having a good dream, and not remembering any of her dreams from the previous nights, she gets out of bed. Looking around her room, she doesn’t remember actually going to bed. A smile forms on her lips when she remembers that Alex carried her to bed last night. Looking down, she sees that she still has on her t-shirt and shorts. “Well, at least he was a gentleman,” she says and starts getting ready for work.

Pulling into the parking garage at work, she notices that Samuel’s car isn’t in his parking spot. She’s curious as to where he may be, but also relieved that she won’t have to see him. She's made out with her boss so she’s not sure she could actually look him in the eyes without blushing. Her mind wanders to Alex for a moment and she smiles. Her head tilts back, wondering how she got into this predicament. “Neither of them is my boyfriend so why am I worried?” She sighs as she pulls down her vanity mirror, checking her make-up. “Because I’m crazy for Alex,” she answers herself. Closing her vanity, she grabs her purse and briefcase, then steps out of her car and makes her way towards the elevator.

Waiting for the elevator, she pulls out her phone and sends a text to Alex.
Meet me for lunch today? Around noon? My treat, this time
. She presses SEND and drops her phone back into her purse as the doors to the elevator open.

She’s smiling as she walks into her office, feeling relaxed without Samuel around. She receives a few “way to go” and “well done” from people about her red carpet event. She wonders if anyone here actually saw her making out with Samuel. Keeping the smile on her lips, she holds her head high and hopes for the best.

Mariah approaches with a few notes in her hand. Handing them over, she begins filling Lisa in on today’s events. “Your first client is here and waiting in your office. Also, Steven asked if he could take you to lunch today. You have a free spot from 11 until 2 so I let him know you’ll get back to him. Also…”

Lisa begins to tune Mariah out as they walk together towards her office. Looking through her glass door, she sees an aging man with gray hair and a bald spot sitting in her office. He’s looking at a few of the pictures she has hanging on her wall. She recognizes him as one of the R&B and Rap artists’ agents.

Lisa turns to Mariah. “Wait. I have lunch plans today. Please let Steven know I can’t.” Mariah nods and Lisa turns to look into her office again. “Please bring in a pot of coffee. I’m afraid he’ll be taking up most of my morning. He’s the agent for rap artist Massacre.” Mariah’s brows lifted at the name. Lisa nods and sighs, “I know.” She shakes her head and opens the door. Mariah turns to go get the coffee.

“Welcome to Elite PR & Marketing.” Lisa extends her hand. “I’m Lisa Adams and it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Shaking her hand, he smiles warmly. “Good morning, Ms. Adams. I’m Michael DuBois. I represent Mr. Shane Finnley, also known as Massacre.” Lisa nods and walks behind her desk, taking a seat and turning on her computer. Scooting her chair closer, she keys in a few letters and her computer screen comes to life.

She looks at him. “Mr. DuBois, let me know what we can do for Massacre.”

He begins his speech on why Massacre has selected Elite PR, where he wants to be in five years, and who he wants to record for. She listens to him as he speaks, but her mind shifts over to Alex, curious as to what he’s doing right now. She thinks of their first kiss on Ellis Island, the pillow fight in her den, and him carrying her to bed.

“Ms. Adams?” Looking up, she realizes that Michael has asked her a question. She heard him say “contract” and “negotiation”. Punching in a few keystrokes, her printer light flashes and a contract is printed out.

She slides it over to him. “Please look this over. As the firm to represent Mr. Shane Finnley, also known as Massacre, here are our conditions, as well as percentages we’ll take from his earnings.” She watches as Michael reviews the contract information.

Standing from his chair, he pulls out his phone, presses a button, then brings the phone to his ear. “I’ll
be just a moment. I need to touch base with my client.” He makes his way towards Lisa’s door.

“Not a problem. Take your time.” He nods and begins speaking into the phone. Watching his body language, she can see that Massacre is happy with the proposal. Michael nods a few times and chuckles into the phone.

Lisa reaches down into her purse and pulls out her own phone. She smiles when she sees a text from Alex.
See you at noon. I look forward to it
.

Lisa grins as her fingers swipe across the screen, returning his message.
Meet me at the Italian restaurant down on Fifth. I’ll see you around 11:30.
She presses SEND and slips her phone into her purse.

Michael walks back in the door. “Massacre accepts your offer.” He signs the contract.

“That’s great news, Mr. DuBois.” Lisa stands and smiles.

“It’s a pleasure doing business with you, Ms. Adams.” Michael extends his hand and they shake.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Pulling up to the restaurant, Lisa’s takes her compact out of her purse and touches up her face, then applies a layer of light pink gloss to her lips. Placing it back in her purse, she steps out of the cab and pays the driver. Making her way towards the entrance, the host opens the door for her. “How many?”

“I see whom I’m meeting.” She smiles at the host.

Alex looks up as she approaches the table. He’s wearing a hunter green polo with denim jeans. Silver shines from his square belt buckle as he stands up. “You look beautiful.” He kisses Lisa on her cheek as his right arm wraps around her waist, laying his hand on the small of her back.

Closing her eyes, she kisses his cheek and then smiles. “Thank-you.” She breathes him in, allowing his scent to fill her senses. “You look handsome.”

She takes a seat and a waitress, who seems taken aback by Alex’s looks, approaches. She’s a short, slender young girl with bright red hair pulled up into a messy bun, a pencil shoved through it; her eye makeup is too thick, giving her the appearance of raccoon eyes; her lipstick is bright pink, which contrasts painfully with her bright red hair; her eyes are dark brown, but look darker because of the raccoon eyes; her white V-neck t-shirt, a size too small, wraps around her thin frame in an attempt to over-emphasize her breasts; her black skinny jeans make her appear shorter than she actually is.

Lisa purses her lips in an effort not to laugh as she notices Alex is oblivious to the waitress’ staring. “I’ll just have some water with lemon, please.” She continues to stare at him.

“I’ll have hot tea.” Looking up at the waitress, it’s as if she’s jolted out of her trance. She scribbles on her pad and glances at Lisa. Her brows rise as if asking what she wants.

“Water? Lemon?” The waitress nods and turns to leave. She turns back to look at Alex again, then walks into the kitchen. Lisa turns to face him and laughs softly.

Alex tilts his head, the expression on his face looks as if he missed the punch line. “What’s funny?”

Lisa grins. “Oh, nothing outside of you having an admirer.”

Alex furrows his brows. “Who?” He looks around, oblivious.

Lisa is humbled by his innocence. “Our waitress. She was gawking at you. It was funny.”

Alex eyes Lisa for a moment, then raises his brow. “Are you jealous?” he asks, teasing.

“Absolutely not, but I can pretend to be if you want a good laugh.”

He chuckles and shakes his head. “No, please don’t. Besides, I wasn’t paying attention anyway. I’m here with you, no one else.”

She smiles and blushes slightly. As she looks down at her menu, Alex reaches over and begins to play with her fingers. His fingers brush lightly against hers, rubs across her palm a few times, then he runs the back of his fingers across hers. Lisa looks down and watches his fingers, then raises her gaze to him. “Thank-you for last night, for carrying me to bed.” She smiles. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep on you.”

Alex nods and squeezes her hand. “You’re welcome. You’re quite beautiful when you sleep. Well, except when you drool.” He purses his lips to keep from laughing.

“What? Oh, my god, no I didn’t!” Feeling mortified, the blood suddenly rushes to her face and she covers it with her hands.

Alex laughs and shakes his head. “Lisa…” Leaning forward, he pulls her hands from her face. “I’m teasing. You weren’t drooling.” He chuckles again and she glares at him playfully.

“Very funny. I’ll get you for that.” Lisa glances towards their waitress, who was returning. She balances Lisa’s water and Alex’s hot tea on a tray. Lisa notices that she has managed to pull her V-neck down to expose what little cleavage she has available. The overwhelming smell of vanilla fills the air around their table. Lisa brings her fingers to her nose to block the smell, while raising her brows at Alex. He looks over at Lisa, holding in a chuckle.

“I’ll have the eggplant parmesan,” Alex tells her.

“Make that two, please.” Lisa hands her menu back to the waitress. She thanks her, then bends over the table in an attempt to let Alex look at her cleavage as she takes the menu. Standing back up, she tries to give him a seductive look, causing Lisa to snort. The vanilla infused waitress tries to give Alex the best view of her ass as she walks away.

“Well, that was…interesting.” Alex shakes his head, fanning the air in front of him.

“Hang on! I might have some perfume I can spray!” Lisa retorts, then rolls her eyes.

“Oh no, please don’t.”

“I was teasing. It’ll pass soon.”

Their conversation carried on through their lunch. The waitress brought out their food and laid the plates down in front of them. The smell of vanilla lingered in the air a bit as they allowed their food to cool. During the course of the meal, Lisa’s phone rang. Pulling it out, she looked to Alex. “I’m sorry. It’s work. I’ll be just a moment.”

“Take your time. It’s okay. If the vanilla makes a comeback, though, I’ll send a search party for you.” Alex smiles at her, playfully.

Lisa grins. “Hopefully, we won’t resort to that.” She stands up and walks outside. As the outdoor breeze blows gently against her and seeing the name on the screen, she swipes her finger to answer her call. “Hi, Samuel.”

“Lisa, I have some great news! When you get back from lunch, we have some celebrating to do! Hell, where are you? I can come get you and we can get started early!” Lisa can hear the excitement in his voice. She recalls when they were kissing the other night. The excitement that comes from kissing Samuel was just that…exciting. However, she doesn’t want to be put into that situation again. He’s her boss. She doesn’t want to go down that route with him or her career.

“I’m not in a position that I can meet with you right now, Samuel, but as soon as I’m back at the office,
we can discuss your news. Will that work?” She bites her lip, turning to look into the restaurant. The waitress is back at the table and the look on Alex’s face just makes her want to giggle.

“Umm, yeah, that’ll be fine.” Lisa turns away and she can hear the disappointment in Samuel’s voice. “I’ll see you then.” He hangs up.

Lisa furrows her brows. “Whatever,” she mumbles to herself. She turns to walk back into the restaurant and puts her phone away. Seeing her approach, the waitress turns to leave the table, leaving a cloud of vanilla in her wake.

“Everything good?” Alex questions. Lisa can see the relief on his face now that she has returned.

She nods. “Yeah, everything’s fine. That was my boss. Apparently, we have something to celebrate when I return.” She raises a brow to Alex with a mischievous grin. “So, do you have a hot date planned later with your vanilla girl?”

Alex shakes his head, grinning. “Hardly but, if you play jealous, we can… no never mind.” He shakes off the thought, then raises his brow. “So, what does he want to celebrate with you?” Lisa picks up on something in Alex’s voice. Looking to him, she’s curious what it is. Worry, maybe?

“He didn’t go into detail on it. I’ll be meeting with him when I get back to the office.” He nods and they continue their meal.

When they’re done, Lisa waves down the waitress, and hands over her MasterCard. “You didn’t have to buy my lunch.”