20. Lucifer

I knew this would happen. I knew! The moment I told Jophiel about Brianna, I knew it was a mistake.

When Asmodeus met me in the Sins' joint office space asking if I was with her, I was livid! And defeated. Jophiel isn"t like the other archangels. She isn"t condescending or judgmental. Angels are meant to be all loving. They"re not. They haven"t adapted to the times.

Teleporting myself to the gates of Heaven, I make eye contact with the lowly angel manning the security booth, like this is a rich neighborhood and not the gate to the ultimate afterlife.

I guess it could be considered a rich neighborhood or community with a castle in the middle for the archangels to reign. They may not call it reigning as "God reigns", but that"s because they refuse to admit that God has left Earth to its own devices.

And I'm an angel, too! Fallen or not, Adon created me with his bare hands! I should not have to wait at the gate like a peasant.

"Samael?" I spin, coming face to face with Gabriel. "Why are you in Heaven?"

"I think the better question is why I've been relegated to the gate of Heaven?! I understand I"ve fallen, but does that mean I can never see my created siblings in my original home?"

The ‘Messenger of God' rolls his eyes. He's really just an angel that thrives on gossip. Great at manipulating words out of context, too. "You're being punished. Your new home is Hell. Of course, you won't be let into Heaven." Placing his hand on my shoulder, Gabriel's eyes fill with faux concern. "You chose this, Samael. Your pride became a crutch. Show some humility and maybe the Father will let you come back home."

Keeping my face blank is futile as I can feel my eye twitch. I can also see my stupid brother fighting the same when his lips purse. "You're mocking me, and I don't appreciate it."

"Well." He fixes the sleeves of his white suit with gray accents. "You make it too easy."

My hands ball into a fist, ready to cock back and knock him the fuck out. Even in Heaven, I had a short fuse that the others would antagonize.

It's been a while… Gabriel's about to remember the consequences.

I brace myself, ready to fuck up his angelic face, only to be stopped by my name spoken in a deep voice.

"Samael." Michael stands on the other side of the gate, smirking from his stance in front of Angel Castle. "Hello, Twin."

I scoff. The only thing that makes us twins is the fact that we were two sides of the same coin. He is the protector of the living, the darkest spot in the light, guiding evil away. I was the protector of the dead. The light in the dark, guiding souls to peace. He is my opposite in every way when it comes to duty. Everything else? We are the same… yet I was the only one punished for being proud. I am an example. And I can guarantee that my ‘twin' is the reason I was punished.

"You're attempting to enter Heaven. Why?" All work and no play make Michael a very dull boy. Everything about him is serious. There's not a crease in his white suit. His blue tinged wings are in perfect condition. His dreads are pushed back into a low bun. All business.

I've gotten good at misdirection. Angels can't lie. But we can answer questions with questions. "Can't I be here to see my siblings?"

"Is that the reason you're here?" I honestly forgot Gabriel was behind me. Nosy little shit.

"Yes. Well, I'm here to see Jophiel."

At my sister"s name, a small smile graces Michael's lips. "What has she done?" I don't answer. I don't want to bring any more attention to Brianna if these aren't the angels saving her from the Pit. "She must have done something significant if you're coming to Heaven to speak to her."

Still, I didn't answer. Maybe it's because I don't want him to know anything. Maybe it's because I'm petty and he's a fucking ass. Who knows?

Michael sighs and pushes open the gate. "Very well." Pressing two fingers to my forehead, he speaks. "You're allowed in court and nowhere else." In the blink of an eye, we're in the castle.

‘Court' is exactly what it sounds like. A judgment room. The bench is large and takes up one wall with seven seats behind it. There used to be twelve but that was before the war.

Two of my brothers sit in their seats; Raphael, Angel of Healing and Chamuel, Angel of Justice. They're also known as the Fixer and the Tattletale.

It takes them only a second to notice me. "Hello, Luc!" Raph flies above the bench to stand before me, tugging me into a tight hug. "How are you? Are you finally back? Is your punishment over?" He pulls away, light blonde hair slicked back making his golden skin appear darker than it is. "We've missed you terribly! So glad to have you back brother!" He pulls me into another hug, and I return it.

Raph is the people-pleaser of my siblings. He wants to fix everyone's problems and as the Angel of Healing; both physical and mental ailments, he does a very good job. Perfect health is his ultimate goal.

When souls die and are sent to heaven, they are put into castes. Most are guardians watching over their loved ones, but there are some, completely pure of heart, that have the ability to move up. Raph is general of the healers. During the war, he healed both sides, angels and demons. Michael told him to go home since his healing would be pointless until the end.

He would do whatever Michael commanded. He probably still does whatever Michael tells him to. If anyone would disregard their asexual nature as an angel, it would be Michael or Jophiel. However, Jophiel is a female and Michael would never commit a sin of desire. He'd have to be passionate about something for that to happen.

Raphael would but only if his big brother commanded it. Doubtful that would ever happen. Chamuel is too focused on making sure his angels get justice for their wrong doings.

Many think that poltergeists are Hell related. Nope. Ghosts that turn to poltergeists are pure souls that were granted the rank of Angels of Justice. If someone or something is being haunted, it's warranted. Chamuel's choir is very revenge oriented, but they don't care for that word.

Uriel, Angel of Truth and Wisdom, is an obvious ‘no.' There's no way he would fuck anyone and if he did, his red hair is so overpowering, Rellick would have it.

The last archangel is Zadkiel. Angel of Guidance. If any of my created siblings would commit a sin, I think it could be Zad. If he believed that Brianna needed some responsibility, I could see him knocking her up. However, I know that's not the case as Rellick looks nothing like him. Zadkiel has darker skin and stronger features.

A regular angel couldn't have done it. They cannot make themselves visible to humans.

Maybe Rellick isn"t an angel… Maybe he just has an eye defect.

"Are you well, Luc?" Raphael"s voice is filled with concern, returning my attention to him.

"I could be better." My response is sarcastic, yet Raph still laughs. My poor puppy-like sibling. Never upset or disappointed, and always wanting those surrounding him to be the same. "I came to speak with Jophiel." His bright smile dims causing me to continue. "But it is nice to see you after so long, Raph."

Michael's voice is an instant mood killer. "What did you need to speak to Jophiel about? Why only her?" He's my twin and I should love him. He makes it hard.

Before I can even give an answer, Gabriel gives one of his own. "Is it about that woman you and the demons have been following around?"

I should have punched him when I had the chance! Never too late, actually. I turn to make towards him, but Raphael pulls me back. "You found a woman?" Does he sound… excited? "What's it like? Who is she? I bet she's beautiful! Does she know you follow her? Does she know demons follow her? Is she okay?" The more questions he asks, the smaller his smile gets. Raph has now convinced himself that she may need help. Just great. Exactly what I needed.

Based on Michael's eye twitch, I can assume that I'm now going to be lectured. Rather than deal with this, and also have my sister yelled at as well, I speak in a roundabout way. "Yes, I have been following a woman. She is beautiful. Gorgeous, actually. And Jophiel is a woman herself. I wanted to speak with Jofie regarding her." I continue on before I can be interrupted. "But as she is not here, I will just call for her later." I give my full attention to Raph. "It was so nice to see you again!" Giving a genuine smile to my brother, I portal back to my room in Hell, closing it before any of them can reply.

I'm positive I just made things harder on myself.