Page 41 of Falling for the Devil

The wings began to loosen around her, almost with reluctance. The sudden onslaught of light blinded her. Shielding her eyes, Diana squinted, trying to make out her surroundings.

A frigid breeze washed over her skin. Once her vision cleared, she pushed off the moist grass to get a better view.

It was beyond breathtaking!

Green for as far as the eye could see. Lush dark-green grass swayed in the wind, carrying with it a pleasant, sweet fragrance. Hills rose in the distance, unblemished by any other hue. The cloudless sky was the perfect shade of cerulean.

Lucifer was speaking, but the trilling of some sort of birds circling overhead muffled his words.

What could he have been protecting her from in this paradise?

A large, warm hand grasped her shoulder, turning her around to face a stern archangel. “Have you not been listening to me?”

“Um, actually, no.” Diana pivoted back to the scene of natural beauty that put the manicured garden hedges of Olympus to shame. “Look at this! It’s... it’s beyond wonderful!” She tilted her head toward the sky, closing her eyes to soak in the warmth of the sun cresting over the nearest hill. “Where are we? I may never leave this place.”

“Yes, you won’t, if we can’t find a way back. The portal vanished. We might be stuck here.” He stepped in front of her, blocking the light. “And no, I do not know where we are.”

A slight flutter began in her stomach. Whether it was from the news that they were indeed lost or Lucifer’s proximity, she didn’t know nor care. She shoved him aside. “Well, I guess we’d better start exploring. Standing around here, doing nothing, never helped anyone.”

“Diana, wait up!”

ANGER ROILED IN LUCIFER’S gut. Anger at himself for ever agreeing to allow Diana to join this expedition. She’d been nearly killed a few times already. Now, they were stranded on another world, far from home, far from Olympus, and far from where they should be hunting the monster responsible for killing his brethren. How would he get her home, safe and in one piece?

How will I be able to resist pulling her into my arms and never letting her go?

He slammed a giant iron door on that thought... fast. He couldn’t think of her in those terms. Wasn’t fair to her or himself. And it would never happen!

Diana traipsed ahead, her hands reaching out to caress the tall blades of grass. A lilting humming tune trailed behind her. Even with her face turned away, Lucifer sensed her beaming smile. Something about this unknown place touched her soul, made her happy.

All was green—green grass, green hills, green mountains in the distance covered with evergreen trees as tall as the coliseum itself. What did she find so fascinating? The scenery was one giant smear of green!

Aside from the covey of birds—all a lighter green than the surrounding grasses—that seemed to be following their every step, a gentle breeze accompanied them. He’d sent out energetic flares as soon as his butt had landed on the hard ground, hoping to discover some form of civilization. The signals had returned empty. They were truly alone, the same as when they had been trapped in the black hole with no hope of being found. He prayed another portal could be located. Whether or not it led back to Methuselah was a remote possibility, but it’d be a starting point.

“Diana, do you have any idea where you’re going? Wouldn’t it be best to find higher ground so we can get a better view of the area?” She was a hunter. He’d assumed she’d use her skills, but instead they’d been walking aimlessly downhill.

Without stopping, she craned her neck around to peer at him with annoyance. “Considering our situation, and lack of knowledge about this place, it’s best we find nourishment first.” She jerked her chin toward the circling birds. “They are leading us to water.”

Lucifer clamped his hand over his mouth to cover the laugh threatening to burst forth. Diana, the great huntress, was following birds!

Once he was able to stifle his laugh, he stepped up to take her hands. “So, you are conversing with the winged creatures now? They are showing you the way?”

Her luminous golden eyes rolled up, nearly disappearing under her lush eyelashes. “Of course not! Birds, like all other animals—including ourselves—need sustenance, do they not? They require hydration.”

Not letting go of his hand, she stretched her arm out with one finger pointing to something shining in the distance that he had not noticed before. What he had thought was more green trees and grass was actually a reflection. Water! A large pool beyond the smaller hills and dales that was nestled at the base of the nearest mountain.

He stepped closer behind Diana. Warmth radiated from her into his chest. Leaning down, his lips grazed her earlobe. “You, my dear, are brilliant!”

She tilted her head toward him in response. “Yes, I know.”

SEVERAL HOURS LATER, her feet swollen from their long hike, they reached the giant lake. Diana’s throat, mouth, and lips were parched. She’d been so exhausted at the end that she’d stumbled over a rock hidden beneath a clump of grass, stubbing her toe. What she wouldn’t do to have her hunting boots with her, but they’d been lost in space along with all her other belongings.

The water was ice-cold and refreshing. They’d both guzzled several handfuls of it then slumped onto the grassy shore. Breathing heavily, Diana propped herself up on her elbows, gazing across the water’s crystal clear surface. This place was indeed divine! She’d been so distracted by the beauty around her she’d almost forgotten they were lost... on another world... with little hope of finding a way back home. Even now, it rose as a blurry concern that could wait. She was far too content to care about leaving.

Of course, she could die from boredom without any company other than the sulking angel next to her. His eyes darted around, and his jaw was clenched so tight she’d wondered if angels could crack a tooth with all that tension. He’d hardly spoken a word, not for several hours. His usual golden aura had dimmed to a burnt orange. Seriously, Lucifer needed to loosen up. At least Olivier was chatty.

“We should get going. We need to find a good place to camp. It’ll be nightfall soon.” Lucifer pointed at the sun just starting to set over the tallest mountain—a good three-day hike from their current location. “We don’t know what nocturnal creatures might wander this land that may come out from underground...”

“None,” Diana interjected. “Aside from the birds in the sky and the fish swimming in the deepest recesses of this lake, I have sensed no life here.” Her arms waved out to showcase the vast nothingness. “This place is untouched. Pristine. There is nothing to fear here.”

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