Lucien's Hell Bound Angel (Hell Bound Series) (19 page)

“Listen to me Dezmon. You’re stronger. Let me out of these and I can help you.” He replied jiggling the shackles.

Looking up, Dezmon sucked in a breath to gather himself. Nodding, Dezmon reached for the chains, but stopped midway.   

Samael just chuckled at Lucien’s
stupidity.

“I really had you didn’t I? You
really believed your brother overpowered me?” he teased as Lucien’s heart sank.

“How can you think a mere demon can overpower
me
? I am
Death
itself. I am older than Earth—than time. There is no beating me.” He said harshly.

Looking at his brother, Lucien knew he was right. There was only one option to choose. His brother meant he world to him and there was no way he was leaving him alone with an ancient being that decided to flip and go evil.

“Fine. I’m in.” Lucien agreed as the words ate through him like acid.

He’d already sacrificed Athena, so going totally dark side was just the last step to put the nail in the coffin.

                                                        Chapter Fifteen

             
                                        
 
The Face of Evil

“So what?”
Chance asked pacing the hotel room. “We just bust into his house guns blazing? I don’t know if you realized this Thea, but I’m more than a little rusty.”

“I’m not saying that.” She sighed.

There was no way she was going to walk into a trap. She wasn’t stupid enough to bombard Dezmon’s house outnumbered the way Lucien had when he’d rescued her. Thinking of that had warmed her heart. He’d risked his very life for her and never asked for anything in return. There was no way he was capable of destroying the world. Why would he? He’d already told her about his dark past and what he was forced into doing, but she knew that wasn’t him. That wasn’t the same guy who kissed her gently.

“Then what are you saying?” Chance inquired staring at her.

“We’re gonna go to your gig tonight and hopefully I’ll get a lead.” She answered.

She was hoping that she’d catch someone
just like before at the club. There was no coincidence she was sure. Either they were after her or something else. Either way she’d dangle herself in plain sight to be sure. She knew Chance thought she was nuts, but none of that mattered. Truth was, she was afraid for Lucien and was willing to do anything to find him.

“
Thea,” Chance said walking over and grabbing her hands.

“They gave you a second chance. Doing this could blow it.” He said very clearly.

She knew he was right, but nothing made sense! Why did things always have to be so cryptic and complicated when it came to her.

“I know. But if
my mission were truly done, why am I still here?” she pondered and he drew a blank for that one.

“
Thea there’s something you need to know.” He said releasing her and pacing the floor.

Staring at him, she felt uneasy about the news he was about to drop.

“You should know what you’re getting yourself into here.” He said rubbing the back of his neck as he still sauntered back and forth.

“Chance, tell me.” She insisted and he stopped as he looked over to her.

“When they sent me here for my mission, I—I screwed up.” He said looking up to her. “And I lost my wings.”

Gasping, she sat on the bed as she took his news in. He had never come back because he had
Fallen. How could she have not known?

“Michael appointed me the most important job
ever
. He had been training me so that I could protect The Portal.” He replied.

“
The
Portal?!” Attie asked shocked.

It was a thing everyone always said never existed. There was no way to weasel your way into Heaven or Hell unless dragged there. But myth had always said there was a portal to both. Death wasn’t the only way in or out of either places. Nodding, Chance paced again. She could tell he was uncomfortable talking about the situation.
 

“I
was sworn to secrecy. No one knew. I couldn’t even tell
you
.” He replied sitting beside her.

And that meant something because he had always told her everything.

“Chance, why did you risk your soul for another?” she asked baffled at his words.

“The same reason you’re trying to risk yours now. I fell in love and it compromised everything.” He said staring her in the eyes.

Sucking in a breath she knew he meant it as a warning.

“You got a second chance Thea. Don’t blow it.” He repeated.

Hazel stared at herself in the bathroom mirror. Staring back at her was a mousy girl that she had to live with day in and day out.
A girl who was too afraid to stand up for herself in any way during her life. In school, even though she was pretty, she was always teased relentlessly. Fitting in wasn’t an option it seemed, so she stayed to herself. A timid recluse who was a ghost when it came to anything. Even in her own home. She was tired of being that person. Just once she wanted to show how domineering she could be.

For a time, she thought Dezmon truly believed there was something special about her. The way he stared at her—kissed her—well those things didn’t matter anymore.
Not since he betrayed her in every way possible. Letting out a breath, she grabbed her clothes and started to get dressed. After pulling her jeans on, she went for her shirt. Slipping it on, she saw the scar on her stomach that was left by the blade that had been plunged into her gut. Tears burned her eyes as she pulled the shirt all the way down. The reminder would forever be there.   

Looking back at her reflection, she grabbed a brush and
groomed her long hair. Pulling it up, she put it in the usual bun. She then grabbed her contact case and slipped them in. Examining herself, she thought she looked ok so she left the bathroom.

“I’m ready.” She assured quietly as she spotted Athena and Chance deep in conversation.

They both glanced over at her and nodded. Athena was still going to go see Chance perform.

Night fell quickly as the day breezed by.
The concert was crowed and the music was booming. Chance had been prepping the rest of the afternoon to perform. Athena couldn’t believe her best friend had turned from angel to a bona fide music star. Of course, it did make sense. He was destined to be great whether it was in this world or the next. His personality surely fit and he had the confidence to match. Not to mention the fact the he used to serenade her all the time back home. To know he was using his angelic voice for something had made her heart swell with admiration.

But there was
only one thing she wondered. Where was the girl that he’d proclaimed to love enough to Fall for? Literally and figuratively in their case. He hadn’t got to finish the story because they’d been interrupted.

Had she crushed his heart and shattered his dreams? Had he sacrificed his purity for her only for her to turn around and not love him back? Was that his warning?! Had Lucien made her out to be a fool? Shaking her head, she pushed those doubts back in the edge of her mind.
She wasn’t going to give up on him. Not in the slightest. He had obviously been in trouble despite what everyone else thought. She just knew it in her heart and soul.

Chance flicked a smile at her as he brushed past her in a hurry. He was followed by a string of people. One
was applying make-up to his face, another was yammering about the time, and another had been handing him finger food. How he could stand it all was baffling to her, but then again Chance had always been a show off. Not in a bad way though. It was a thing she’d long admired. He was like a chameleon, able to adapt to whatever situation thrown his way. She was just happy to see that her very best friend had adjusted to the circumstances. She didn’t know if she’d be strong enough to know that she’d been banned from Heaven.

Standing backstage, she heard the crowd of people screaming for him. It must’ve been a heady feeling to know so many admired you.

“Wish me luck.” Chance said walking up to her and stopping.

“Chance, we got to get you out there now!” His manager shouted frustrated.

Chance waved a hand at him as if it didn’t matter.

“Let’s go!
You’re already late.” the guy in dark shades barked. Athena couldn’t get why he was in shades when it was already dark out.

Chance spun to face the guy and
shot him a menacing glare.

“I could care less! Now let me talk to my best friend before I
suddenly get a case of the chills.” He threatened.

Swallowing hard, the guy blew out a breath before speaking again. This time his tone was calmer and apologetic.

“Sorry. Take your time. Your fans are just waiting.” he said placing the phone back to his ear.

Turning back to Athena, Chance smiled.

“Gotta show them they work for me and not the other way around you know?” he replied.

“Well, good luck.” She said kissing him on the cheek.

“Thanks Thea.” Chance replied taking a breath before walking away.

“Are you sure you two were
just
best friends back home?” Hazel asked walking up beside Athena.

“Yup.
Angels don’t have those types of emotions in Heaven.” Athena replied as they watched Chance disappear onto the stage.

The crowd roared louder and Hazel sighed.

“It must be nice to live like this.” Hazel replied shaking her head.

“I assume for a human this is nice.” Athena
responded.

“You’d assume right.” Hazel giggled.

Athena suddenly felt a twinge in her heart and it knocked the wind out of her. It was the first overwhelming thing she’s felt in hours, and that only meant one thing.

“Lucien.” She muttered.

“What?” Hazel asked staring at her concerned.

“
I can feel him.” She replied hopeful.

It meant that he was alive and close by, maybe searching for her.

“Stay here.” She ordered and Hazel nodded.

Hazel stood alone backstage
as she watched Athena run off. Standing awkwardly, she let Chance’s song seep in. Listening to the lyrics Chance was performing, she realized something. The words had definitely come from him.

 
Athena scanned the scattered crowd mercilessly in hope of finding Lucien. Thankfully the rest of the hoard had been occupied with the concert. Her heart pounded against her chest as she stopped.

Calm down
. She scolded herself. If she was going to find Lucien, she was going to have to trust the feeling that was yanking her around. Blowing out a much needed breath, she centered herself as she closed her eyes. Drowning out the faint booming of the music and screaming crowd, she tuned in to the things around her. Suddenly there was a female shriek that caught her attention. Cursing under her breath she knew she couldn’t ignore it. Even though it was going to cost her valuable searching time, she couldn’t just let the noise go unnoticed.

Headed towards the parking lot, she saw a hooded male holding a girl up against the wall as she moaned. Since her time on Earth, she’d come across the scene all too often. Hoping that it was just a female and her lover, she called to them.

“Hey!” she shouted and the male turned to her.

His face was still shadowed, but one thing was apparent. He had been feeding on her.  Blood
was coated all over his mouth. Stepping forward slowly, Athena tried to get a glimpse of the girl, but the male overshadowed her. Growling at her, she was sure the male meant it as a warning to stay away, but there was no way she was leaving.

“Let her go.” She demanded and she heard a chuckle.

The bastard was smug, that was for sure. Stepping closer, Athena’s heart stopped as she recognized the guy. Lucien’s eyes flickered red as he tossed the girl he’d been draining to the ground. Shaking her head in disbelief, Athena let out a breath of confusion. Before she could think, he had charged for her, knocking her to the ground. Groaning in pain as her back hit the pavement, she looked up to the monster pinning her to the ground. Lucien had a crazed smile on his face as he pulled out a blade from his waist. Throwing both arms up, she blocked his blow as he swiped down at her.

He was strong
and over powering her. The bloodlust in his eyes had shaken her to her very core. Even when he had fed on her, he hadn’t looked at her that way. Drawing from her combat training, she pushed him up and threw a punch. It landed where it was supposed to and knocked him back. Snarling angrily, he grabbed one of her wrists and pinned it down as he swiped the sharp blade at her. Grabbing his wrist, she stopped the blade just before it got to her face. Panting, she stared up at Lucien, searching his face for recognition.

“
Lucien it’s me! Athena!” she replied trying to get him to recognize her.