Chapter 30

Raphael

The airin the room thickens with tension, each of us poised on the edge of our own private abyss. Lucifer’s command for a ‘little chat’ sounds more like a prelude to a sinister game of chess where lives and souls are the pawns.

Draven shifts uncomfortably, his eyes darting between Lucifer and me. I can sense his unease, the way his body tenses like a coiled spring, ready to snap at the slightest provocation. He’s a demon of formidable strength, but even he seems wary of Lucifer’s unpredictable nature.

Lucifer, meanwhile, lounges back in his chair, the picture of nonchalant malevolence. His eyes, deep pools of maroon, hold a spark of cruel amusement as he observes our reactions. It’s clear he relishes this moment, the power he wields over us, the uncertainty he instills.

I stand my ground, my fists clenching and unclenching at my sides. I’m an archangel, a warrior of light, but here in this den of darkness, I feel the shadows creeping closer, trying to engulf me. The memory of Helena’s pain, her struggle for life, burns in my heart, fueling my resolve.

“I’ll get straight to the point,” Lucifer begins, his voice smooth as silk and just as dangerous. “Kane is a problem. A problem for me, for Helena, and apparently for you as well, Raphael.”

Draven’s brow furrows, his lips pressing into a thin line. “What exactly are you proposing, Lucifer?” he asks, his voice laced with suspicion.

Lucifer leans forward, his elbows resting on his knees, his fingers steepled in front of him. “A temporary alliance,” he says, the words dripping with deceit. “We join forces to deal with Kane, to neutralize the threat he poses. Once that’s done, we go back to our usual... disagreements.”

I snort, unable to contain my disdain. “And we’re just supposed to trust you? After everything you’ve done, everything you represent?”

Lucifer’s smile widens, revealing a row of perfectly white teeth. “Trust is overrated,” he replies. “Let’s call it mutual self-interest. We all have something to gain from Kane’s downfall.”

Draven remains silent, his expression unreadable. It’s clear he’s considering Lucifer’s words, weighing his options. He’s a creature of cunning and strategy, and I have no doubt he’s calculating every possible outcome of this unholy alliance.

I, on the other hand, feel a surge of revulsion at the thought of working with Lucifer, even for a cause as righteous as protecting Helena. But the stark reality is that we might not have a choice. Kane is a force to be reckoned with, and if joining forces with Lucifer is what it takes to keep Helena safe, then so be it.

“I serve at your pleasure,” Draven interjects smoothly. “Rest assured, Kane will be neutralized swiftly.” His words are polite, but there is an edge to them. Draven plays by his own code, demonic allegiance or not.

“Fine,” I say, the word tasting like ash in my mouth. “We’ll work together. But the moment Kane is dealt with, our truce is over.”

Lucifer’s grin is triumphant, a predator baring its fangs. “Excellent. I knew you’d see reason, Raphael.”

The meeting devolves into a discussion of tactics and strategies, of how to best confront and neutralize Kane. Every word, every plan feels like a betrayal of my principles, but I remind myself that this is for Helena, for her safety.

As we talk, my mind can’t help but wander to Helena, lying in that hospital bed, fighting for her life. I feel a pang of guilt for being here, in this opulent hellhole, instead of by her side. But then, I remind myself that this is for her, that every step I take in these shadowy halls is a step towards ensuring her safety.

The meeting drags on, and with each passing minute, I feel a part of my soul wither away. But I endure it, for Helena. For her, I’d walk through hell itself.

Finally, the meeting comes to an end, and I make my way out of the DeLux, the weight of what I’ve agreed to heavy on my shoulders. The night air is cool and crisp, a stark contrast to the stifling atmosphere of the club. I take a deep breath, trying to cleanse myself of the taint of Lucifer’s presence.

As I stride down the street, my mind is a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. I’ve made a deal with the devil, and there’s no telling what the consequences will be. But one thing is clear: I’ll do whatever it takes to protect Helena, to keep her safe. She is my light in the darkness, my reason for fighting against the shadows.

And I’ll be damned if I let anything harm her...

* * *

Snapping out of the daze,the memory of the meeting with Lucifer and Draven lingers like a bitter aftertaste. I find myself standing in the doorway of my bedroom, where Helena lies asleep in my bed. The moonlight filters through the curtains, casting a soft, ethereal glow across her face. She looks so peaceful, yet so fragile, unlike the warrior spirit I know she possesses.

As I watch her, I notice her brow furrowing, her body starting to twitch. Soft whimpers escape her lips, and it’s clear she’s trapped in the throes of a nightmare, reliving the horrors of her attack. My heart clenches at the sight, a painful reminder of the ordeal she’s been through and the long road to recovery that lies ahead.

Quietly, I move closer, sitting on the edge of the bed. Her distress grows, her movements more frantic, her whimpers louder. I reach out, gently laying my hand on her shoulder, trying to anchor her back to the present.

“Helena,” I whisper, my voice a soothing balm. “It’s just a dream. You’re safe here with me.”

She jolts awake, her eyes wide with fear. For a moment, she doesn’t seem to recognize me, her gaze darting around the room in panic. Then, as her eyes focus on mine, I see the recognition dawn, followed swiftly by relief.

“Raphael?” Her voice is hoarse, barely a whisper, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

I wrap my arms around her, pulling her close. “I’m here, Helena. You’re safe. It was just a nightmare.”

She clings to me, her body trembling as she buries her face in my chest. I can feel her heartbeat, rapid and erratic, against my own. Slowly, I run my fingers through her hair, murmuring words of comfort, trying to chase away the shadows of her dream.

“It felt so real,” she whispers, her voice muffled against my shirt. “I thought I was back there, in that dark place, all alone.”

“You’re not alone, Helena. You’ll never be alone again. I swear it,” I say, my voice firm with conviction. I hold her tighter, as if I can shield her from the world with my embrace alone.

We sit like that for what feels like an eternity, the only sound in the room our synchronized breathing. Gradually, her trembling subsides, her breathing evens out. I can feel the tension draining from her body, replaced by a weary exhaustion.

“Thank you,” she murmurs, lifting her head to look at me. Her eyes, usually so bright and fierce, are now soft and vulnerable. “For being here, for... everything.”

I cup her face in my hands, wiping away a stray tear with my thumb. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be, Helena. I’ll always be here for you, no matter what.”

She gives me a small, tired smile, and I lean in to kiss her forehead gently. “Try to get some more sleep,” I suggest. “I’ll be right here, watching over you.”

She nods, settling back down into the pillows. I remain by her side, my hand entwined with hers, a silent vow to protect her from the nightmares, both real and imagined.

As she drifts back to sleep, I watch over her, a guardian angel for the woman who has become my entire world. The darkness of the night feels less oppressive, the weight of my deal with Lucifer a little lighter, knowing that I’m doing this for her, for us.

And in that moment, I make a silent promise to myself and to her. I will stop at nothing to ensure her safety, to give her the peace she deserves. I’ll fight the demons of the night, both literal and metaphorical, to keep her safe in my arms.

With that resolve burning bright in my heart, I settle in beside her, ready to face whatever challenges come our way.