Chapter 32

Raphael

Before the sun rises,a tranquil stillness envelops the earth. But inside me, a tempest brews, fierce and unrelenting. As I lay next to Helena, watching her slumber, her gentle inhalations stand a serene counterpoint to the tumultuous battles raging in my mind. My heart swells with an all-consuming emotion, almost agonizing in its intensity—a possessive, unwavering devotion unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before.

As the first faint glow of dawn begins to seep through the curtains, my phone vibrates softly on the nightstand. A sense of foreboding grips me as I read the cryptic message flashing across the screen, its contents casting a dark shadow over the fragile peace we’ve carved out for ourselves amidst the chaos.

It’s from Draven, Helena’s former fiancé, and an unlikely ally in our fight against the demon Kane. “Found him. Must move fast.”

The words coil in my stomach like a viper ready to strike. Kane––the hidden puppet master behind Helena’s suffering, the very architect of the darkness that haunts her still... in our hands at last.

I can’t stop the smug smirk that curls my lips. Only devils seek vengeance, but what I desire goes beyond such a petty feeling. What I yearn for is righteous retribution, and I will exact it with every ounce of my heavenly fury.

Draven is up to something sinister, and the weight of this revelation crushes my soul. It’s a burden I hesitate to share with Helena, knowing it could destroy the hard-earned peace she has found in my arms.

But secrets have no place between us. Not anymore.

Beside me, Helena stirs from her slumber, drawn out by my tense energy. Her maroon eyes flutter open, still hazy with sleep, but quickly sharpening with concern. “Raphael, what’s wrong?” Her voice is husky with drowsiness, yet edged with alarm.

I hesitate, conflicted. The protector in me wants to shield her from anything that might hurt or upset her, especially after all she’s endured. But the lover in me knows she deserves candor, always.

I take a deep, steadying breath before deciding on total honesty. Reluctantly, I show Helena the ominous message that just flashed across my phone’s screen.

Her reaction is immediate, all traces of sleep vanishing from her piercing maroon eyes. “Draven?” she stammers, panic creeping into her voice. In a fit of anxiety, she flails in the silken sheets and tumbles gracelessly off the bed.

“Shit!” she cries out as she hits the floor.

I lean over the edge of the mattress, concern creasing my brow. “Sweetheart, are you okay?”

She gathers herself up with as much dignity as she can muster, combing back her tousled mane of raven hair. Without a word, she dashes to the door on unsteady legs and throws the lock, her breath coming in panicked gasps.

“Fuck!” she exclaims. “How the hell did Draven get your number?” I can see the scenarios racing through her mind, each more terrifying than the last. “Of course. It’s Draven. It’s what he does.”

“Baby...” I call gently, trying to pierce through the worries consuming her. But it’s no use yet.

“He must be furious,” Helena says, voice tense. “He’s hunting us down!”

Finally, I rise and meet her by the window as she frantically shuts the blackout curtains. I lay my hands on her shoulders, radiating as much reassurance as I can.

“Helena, it’s okay,” I soothe. “Draven and I have been working together, trying to track down the one who hurt you.”

My words only seem to ratchet up her confusion and fear. “What? You’ve met with Draven and he didn’t kill you?”

I give her a small, teasing smile, hoping to ease her panic. “First of all, I don’t appreciate your lack of confidence in my fighting skills.”

She doesn’t smile back, still caught in the trap of her own mind. I gently cup her face in my hands. “And second, Lucifer arranged the meeting while you were in the hospital. Everything’s out in the open now.”

I see the pieces starting to come together behind her intelligent gaze. “So... so Draven knows about us?”

My thumbs trace delicate circles on her ivory skin. “He knows the engagement is off, Helena.”

Her shoulders slump with relief, but suspicion still lingers in her eyes. “Why would he take that news so calmly?” she wonders aloud. “He’s not known for understanding or mercy.”

“Well,” I reply slowly, “your uncle made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. One that made dissolving the engagement... mutually beneficial.”

At last, I feel the tension start to drain from her body. She turns those gorgeous eyes up to me. “That makes sense. A strategic arrangement.” Her tone shifts, determination coloring her words. “So, what’s the plan?”

I blink, momentarily taken aback by her quick pivoting to tactical planning. “What plan?”

“How we trap Kane, make him suffer,” she clarifies, fiery resolve burning away the last of her sleep-fogged state. “How do we stop him for good?”

Though her ferocity doesn’t surprise me, it still ignites my protective instincts. The thought of her intentionally putting herself in harm’s way again sparks an almost panicked refusal inside me.

“No,” I blurt out reflexively. “You’re staying here, where I can keep you safe.”

Fear makes my tone harsher than intended. The painful memories rise unbidden—watching them wheel Helena into the ER, hovering between life and death. I can’t go through that again.

“Raphael, I need to do this,” she says, her voice wavering just slightly.

My throat tightens, raw emotion constricting my words. “Baby...” I whisper hoarsely, cupping her cheek, imploring her to reconsider. “I don’t want to lose you.”

Helena covers my hand with hers, compassion mingling with resolve in her emerald eyes. “You won’t lose me,” she vows. “I’ve got a great guardian archangel watching my back.”

Despite the gravity of the situation, her words make the corner of my mouth quirk up. Even now, she can make me smile.

I pull her into a fierce embrace, memorizing her warmth, her scent. Still reluctant, but knowing further argument is pointless. She’s made up her mind.

“I’ll be with you every step,” I murmur against her hair. “But if things go sideways, promise me you’ll pull back. We’ll find another way.”

She nods against my chest. “I promise. But it won’t come to that. Have a little faith.”

I huff out a shaky laugh at the irony. Faith should be my domain, not hers.

I pull Helena into my embrace, equal parts comfort and protectiveness welling up inside me. Her slender frame trembles against my chest, the panic over Draven’s message still not fully abated.

“Alright, sweetheart. We’ll figure this out together,” I vow, my voice low but fervent. “I promise you, Helena, we’ll make Kane pay for everything he’s done.”

I pour every ounce of conviction into the words, my thumbs gently caressing her ivory skin. It’s a silent promise, both to her and myself, that we’ll face this threat side by side, come what may.

After a few moments, I feel some of the tension begin to drain from Helena’s body. She lifts her head, gazing up at me with those piercing maroon eyes, now sharp with purpose. It’s time to start planning our counterattack.

I grab my phone and tap Draven’s number, putting it on speakerphone. He answers after two rings, his gravelly voice sounding even more ominous disembodied.

“Raphael,” he greets simply.

An awkward beat of silence follows before Helena chimes in. “Hello, Draven.” Her tone is cool, guarded.

I can practically hear the gears turning in Draven’s mind as he forces himself into a more congenial demeanor. “Helena... a pleasure, as always.”

We exchange the bare minimum of strained pleasantries. I know Draven is on his best behavior because of the deal Lucifer has dangling over his head. One wrong move, and my formidable uncle-in-law will crush the demon without a second thought. A useful bit of leverage for now.

After the stilted formalities, we get down to business. Draven’s gruff voice takes on a clinical tone as he outlines what he’s uncovered about Kane’s current location and defenses.

“My sources tracked him to an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city. He’s set up layers of protections—unholy sigils, demonic wards, the usual.”

I feel Helena’s slender frame tense against me as Draven clinically mentions finding evidence of Kane’s disturbing, lurid obsession with her. My jaw clenches involuntarily, muscles twitching with barely contained fury. The primal urge to protect my mate floods my senses, eclipsing all rational thought.

In my mind’s eye, I conjure every gruesome torture I will visit upon Kane, every bit of agony an immortal body can experience before final annihilation. He will regret ever setting his depraved sights on her. I will make sure of it, even if it means my dissolution.

Sensing the rage rolling off me in scorching waves, Helena places a gentle, steadying hand on my chest. Her siren’s eyes meet mine, understanding and shared anger simmering in their depths.

“We’ll make him pay, my love,” she vows, her voice soft yet steely. “But I need you with me, not lost in vengeance.”

Her words help tether me, keeping my rage from spiraling out of control. I draw a slow breath and nod, never breaking eye contact. In her gaze, I find my strength, my purpose beyond destruction.

Oblivious to our silent exchange, Draven drones on, laying out more of the disturbing insights he’s gathered into our target’s madness. With Helena’s touch still anchoring me, I tune back in.

“...based on what my sources uncovered, the sick bastard has an entire occult shrine dedicated to Ms. Morningstar here. Creepy mystical objects, grimoires with disturbing poetry, locks of hair—bad business all around.”

Though his words are clinical, I can hear the unspoken revulsion even Draven feels towards one of his own kind. It mirrors my disgust, amplified tenfold.

Helena squares her shoulders, resolve glinting in her eyes like steel. “Then we end him, Draven. Here and now.”

Silence crackles on the other end of the line.

“You heard her,” I add, breaking the stillness. “Let’s finish this.”

Draven takes a deep breath, then continues laying out the information he’s gathered. “He rarely leaves the warehouse, just sends minions out for supplies. But I think if we play this right, we can lure him out into the open.”

I arch an eyebrow. “Just the three of us against a horde of demons? Should be fun.” Despite my light tone, we both know this will be anything but easy.

“Wait. Did I hear you say, three?” Draven asks in a cautious tone.

“Yes, I’m coming with you,” Helena declares, her voice filled with determination.

Draven clears his throat, his restlessness clear even through the speaker. “I’m not sure Lucifer would approve of this change—”

Helena cuts him off with, “Draven, it’s my call.” She stiffens. “I have a score to settle with that devil for what he did to me and my family. And trust me, I have a plan.” She leans closer, lowering her voice. “Just promise me you’ll clear the way.”

“Well, far be it from me to come empty-handed...” Draven trails off, and I can imagine the cruel smile twisting his lips.

“Hold on one second,” I blurt out, too startled to tap the phone’s mute button. “What exactly is this plan of yours?”

I don’t like where this is headed one bit. My protective instincts are flaring, sensing Helena is about to suggest something reckless.

She blushes, a rare glimpse of uncertainty crossing her face as she prepares to explain. “You heard Draven—Kane is obsessed with me. There’s only one way to lure him out of hiding...”

I feel my stomach drop even before she voices the risky strategy. “No!” I interrupt, unable to restrain my objection. “Absolutely not. I won’t allow you to put yourself in such danger as bait!”

“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.