Page 50 of Rise from the Flames

My boots hit the ground, and I unveil my heavenly sword, setting it ablaze with my hellfire. The dark alley smells of sulfur and something wilder, but I can’t put my finger on it.

“I knew you’d return, fallen angel.” I stand in shock, staring at the being who was my trusted ally and my superior. But I know it’s not Adriel. This is Lucifer. He is not where he’s supposed to be.

“You don’t belong here, Satan. You need to return to Hell.” Flapping my black wings, I fly forward, wielding my sword. I don’t give Lucifer a chance to prepare himself before I swing my blade and manage to cut it a crossed his muscular chest, his human form handsome and identical to Adriel’s.

Swinging his arm out, Lucifer blocks me with a blade of his own, sending me stumbling back. “Hell is no place for angels. You should know that. The path I was sent on was never supposed to happen. And now, my brother is trying once again to condemn me for my existence. How would you like to make a deal with the devil, Riella? Do this, and your precious hunters and demons will be freed.”

A deal with Lucifer himself? Just the thought makes my insides twist and scream.

Grinding my teeth, I swing my fist and punch Lucifer in the jaw hard enough to send him into the wall of the building. I reposition my blade and jab it with force, stabbing Lucifer through his chest, penetrating his heart.

His eyes widen for a split second, but he doesn’t retaliate. He vanishes in a wave of fire, disappearing from in front of me.

He wasn’t really here. He was trying to trick me. He knows that I’m after him, and now I must fight harder than ever. I don’t think I’ll be able to surprise him or overpower him. There has to be another way. I have to get him back to Hell.

“Riella, you’re right. There is another way to get my brother back to Hell.” A familiar voice steals my attention from the empty spot in front of me where Lucifer had just been. I spin around and catch sight of Adriel, his brilliant white wings glowing with angelic light.

I shield my eyes and take an automatic step closer, my heart pounding in overdrive. “This must be in my mind. You abandoned me. You’re not really here.”

My voice shakes, my hands trembling. Adriel doesn’t disappear, straightening his back in front of me. His eyes draw from my face and down the front of me to my feet before darting up to stare at the black wings glittering on my back.

“Of course, I’m here, Riella. I promised you I would meet you on Earth. We have a battle to fight. Let me get a better look at you, my fierce angel.” Adriel holds his hand out to me, his palm shining with his heavenly light.

I’ve never been so confused since the moment he pushed me. It’s hard for me to believe that my mind doesn’t play tricks on me, especially after seeing Lucifer. Where did he go? There’s only one way I can be certain that Adriel is really here.

Extending my hand, I place my palm to his, feeling the weight of his being against mine. It isn’t in my mind. This is the moment I have thought about since losing my grace. Fury explodes through me, my relief turning into shocking anger as I face Adriel.

“How could you?” I ask, my voice deepening with my rage. “How could you have bartered with my very being and sent me to Earth, knowing that I would end up in Hell? You traded me to a demon! A demon!”

Adriel’s eyes flicker with a strange fire, but I realize the glossiness of his gaze reflects my own. “I’m so sorry, Riella. I should’ve prepared you better, but it was important that you didn’t know. It was important that you still had some fight left in you. Because you serve a greater purpose. It is up to you to help me claim Hell and remove Lucifer from the throne. He is only out to devour everything pure and good. He has ruined humanity. He’s ruined Hell. And now, he comes for Heaven. You’ve seen it. I’ve shown you.”

I blink a few times, my mind whirling with his words. I’ve seen his visions, but I have also seen Storm’s. I have grown to know Dagan, and I know that he was fooled by Adriel as well. I will not be fooled again. Adriel stole my free will by pushing me from Heaven. He stole my grace. He will not steal my fight and use it to his benefit. The only things jeopardizing the mortal realm are him and his brother. The two of them should not be here.

I yank my hand away from him and aim my blade. “You’re lying. I know the truth. You’ll not use me like this. I serve humanity. You aren’t supposed to be here.”

Adriel glowers at me. “Do not undermine my authority, Riella. You were created for one purpose, and one purpose only. Now bow to me and stand by my side as a warrior of Heaven. If you do not, you will fall to Hell forever.”

I shake my head and gather hellfire in my palm. “Never. You don’t belong here. You shouldn’t be anywhere near mortals or their souls. You’ve lost sight of our purpose. You crave power and nothing else. You’re no better than Lucifer.”

Adriel growls, baring his teeth while he opens his brilliant wings. Flapping them, he flies toward me, grabs a hold of the front of my shirt, and shoves me back. I scream as the world blurs around me and he pushes me toward the portal.

This is it. This will be my undoing.

This is also the moment I’ve been preparing for. If only it didn’t come with such a great sacrifice.

Because I know what I have to do.

The war must end before it can ever begin.

I must do this for my guys. For the human world.

Adriel was right about me. This is my purpose. I have to fall but not just to the mortal realm.

I have to fall to Hell.

38

Apocalypse

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