Page 53 of Raphael
“Raphael, she’s right,” Draven interjects, tone cool and pragmatic. “I can provide enough support to even the odds—weapons, soldiers, intel. With the right planning, Helena can get close enough to take Kane down.”
I clench my jaw so hard it aches, hating that I’m outnumbered. And the fact that we need help from this black-hearted fiend. But Draven has resources we lack, and beggars can’t be choosers right now.
After a strained beat, Helena meets my eyes, her determination unwavering as she replies, “We appreciate any help you can provide, Draven.”
He lets out a raspy chuckle. “Oh, I won’t be doing this out of the goodness of my heart, dearest. My assistance comes at a price.”
And there it is. Faustian bargains with the devil always come due, eventually. I brace myself for his demand.
“What do you want, Draven?” Helena asks bluntly, too familiar with his ilk’s fondness for shady transactions.
“I want assurances from Lucifer that our arrangement stays intact once Kane is out of the picture.” Draven’s gravelly voice leaves no room for negotiation. “I help you end this demon, you get winged boy over there to convince his uncle-in-law the deal still stands. Quid pro quo.”
I dig my fingers into my palms, biting back sharp words. As much as it disgusts me, Draven has us over a barrel. We need what he’s offering.
Helena’s eyes flash, but her voice stays steady. “You’ve got a deal.”
She then outlines the bones of the plan—herself as bait to lure Kane out of his lair. I balk initially at the thought of her in such peril, every protective instinct flaring in protest. But her strategy is cunning, playing directly into the demon’s warped obsession with her. As much as I hate it, I know this is our best chance to confront Kane on favorable terms.
After finalizing the plan’s logistics, we end the call. I resist the urge to hurl my phone against the wall, to expunge the oily feel of making deals with devils. Instead, I take a deep breath and meet Helena’s eyes. We share a silent look of understanding. Distasteful as it may be, this is our best chance of ending Kane’s twisted games once and for all.
I turn my focus back to Helena. “Are you sure about this, love? It’s not too late to find another way.” I know her warrior spirit too well to think she’ll back down, but I have to try one last time.
Her eyes flash like twin flames. “I’m sure, Raphael. This ends now.”
We spend the next hours fine-tuning the details, contingency plans, additional support from our allies. Anticipation hangs heavy in the room, the coming showdown looming over us. But when I look at Helena, her shoulders set with resolve, I feel a swell of pride in my chest. My formidable angelic powers may be the ones to end the demon physically, but it will be her strength, her sheer will, that delivers the finishing blow to Kane’s twisted reign.
Come tomorrow, her long nightmare will be over. We will step into a brilliant new dawn together, the light of hope banishing even the deepest shadows.
CHAPTER33
Helena
An abandoned parkinglot near Kane’s lair was our chosen battleground, a strategic move to draw him out from the safety of his fortress. I pull up alone in my sleek sports car, the engine rumbling powerfully in the still night air. Raphael and the others are hidden nearby, ready to spring forth when the time is right.
A shiver races down my spine as I pop the hood of my car and pretend to be checking the motor, cursing audibly when nothing seems wrong. I can feel Draven’s gaze on me from his concealed position in the ruins of a nearby building. He waves the signal to his demonic tactical team, his undercover minion already sending word of my arrival to Kane.
The charade is necessary—Kane has grown paranoid and arrogant in his lair, he won’t emerge unless bait too tempting to resist presents itself. And I’m apparently exactly that, to my disgust.
My breaths come tight and shallow as I wait, adrenaline singing through my veins. I desperately hope everything goes according to plan.
After agonizing minutes of feigned engine repairs and pacing, I finally hear it—the unmistakable scrape of a heavy door opening. I freeze, every sense hyper-focused. There’s no sound of footsteps, but I can feel the oppressive weight of Kane’s power drifting closer like snakes coiling around my throat.
I force myself to continue the deception, leaning casually into the useless engine bay while every muscle screams to turn and fight. Closer... closer... waiting for the perfect moment to spring our trap...
An icy voice shatters the silence. “Car trouble, Helena dear? What a fortuitous coincidence.”
I whirl to see Kane’s twisted form mere feet away, a grotesque parody of a smile stretched across his face. It takes every ounce of my willpower not to kill him where he stands. But the plan requires restraint, as much as I despise it.
Terror and desperation twist my features as I choke out, “Kane...” A half-truth, for honestly, Iamquaking in fear.
He steps nearer, his hands twitching with sick anticipation. One long-fingered claw reaches out for a lock of my midnight hair. “Oh, how I’ve prayed for this moment, pet. I’m finally going to finish what I started.”
His oily words make my skin crawl, but I force myself to stand perfectly still as he reaches for me. Just a moment longer...
Now!I drop all pretense and blast Kane back with a taser. Cries ring out as Raphael and our allies emerge from hiding, weapons glinting in the moonlight. The trap is sprung, and Kane has taken the bait.
There’s hardly a fight as Draven’s forces round up and corner Kane’s minions. The true battle begins. It’s just Kane and me now. But this time, I am not the helpless victim. This time, I will have vengeance.
