Chapter 33

Helena

An abandoned parkinglot near Kane’s lair was our chosen battleground, a strategic move to draw him out from the safety of his fortress. I pull up alone in my sleek sports car, the engine rumbling powerfully in the still night air. Raphael and the others are hidden nearby, ready to spring forth when the time is right.

A shiver races down my spine as I pop the hood of my car and pretend to be checking the motor, cursing audibly when nothing seems wrong. I can feel Draven’s gaze on me from his concealed position in the ruins of a nearby building. He waves the signal to his demonic tactical team, his undercover minion already sending word of my arrival to Kane.

The charade is necessary—Kane has grown paranoid and arrogant in his lair, he won’t emerge unless bait too tempting to resist presents itself. And I’m apparently exactly that, to my disgust.

My breaths come tight and shallow as I wait, adrenaline singing through my veins. I desperately hope everything goes according to plan.

After agonizing minutes of feigned engine repairs and pacing, I finally hear it—the unmistakable scrape of a heavy door opening. I freeze, every sense hyper-focused. There’s no sound of footsteps, but I can feel the oppressive weight of Kane’s power drifting closer like snakes coiling around my throat.

I force myself to continue the deception, leaning casually into the useless engine bay while every muscle screams to turn and fight. Closer... closer... waiting for the perfect moment to spring our trap...

An icy voice shatters the silence. “Car trouble, Helena dear? What a fortuitous coincidence.”

I whirl to see Kane’s twisted form mere feet away, a grotesque parody of a smile stretched across his face. It takes every ounce of my willpower not to kill him where he stands. But the plan requires restraint, as much as I despise it.

Terror and desperation twist my features as I choke out, “Kane...” A half-truth, for honestly, I am quaking in fear.

He steps nearer, his hands twitching with sick anticipation. One long-fingered claw reaches out for a lock of my midnight hair. “Oh, how I’ve prayed for this moment, pet. I’m finally going to finish what I started.”

His oily words make my skin crawl, but I force myself to stand perfectly still as he reaches for me. Just a moment longer...

Now!I drop all pretense and blast Kane back with a taser. Cries ring out as Raphael and our allies emerge from hiding, weapons glinting in the moonlight. The trap is sprung, and Kane has taken the bait.

There’s hardly a fight as Draven’s forces round up and corner Kane’s minions. The true battle begins. It’s just Kane and me now. But this time, I am not the helpless victim. This time, I will have vengeance.

Still recoiling at the sudden shock of pain, Kane growls. “Wait until I get my claws on you, bitch!”

But I remain unfazed by his threats, and something snaps inside me, my demon half emerging from my core, washing away any fear or hesitation for what I’m about to conjure.

I steady my nerves and take a confident step forward into the open, strength steeling my voice.“No one’s coming to save you... pet,” I utter with a malicious smirk, quoting the words Kane told me the night of my attack. “It’s over, Kane.”

“Let’s wrap this up!” Draven’s shout rings out, almost military, as he packs away the restrained prisoners into an armored SUV.

In response, Kane unleashes an enraged, inhuman howl. The sound chills my blood, but I stand firm, ready for his counterattack. Infernal magic swirls in the air, deadly and uncontrolled. Before my eyes, curved onyx claws burst agonizingly forth from underneath Kane’s fingernails. His teeth lengthen into vicious fangs that drip with sizzling ichor.

Despite the hellish threat arrayed against me, I keep my focus fixed solely on Kane. He’s unleashing the full fury of his blazing power in a desperate bid for survival. Between his clawed hands, a spectral orb of fire manifests and grows, casting his gaunt features in wicked crimson light, his garnet eyes burning with frenzied hatred.

My courage falters as memories of my attack flash through my mind, prompted by seeing Kane’s power turned against me once more.

Sensing my resolve wavering, Kane’s lip curls in a sadistic sneer. He rears back, preparing to hurl the deadly fireball straight at my heart.

But suddenly, a powerful gust of wind blasts through the parking lot, stopping Kane in his tracks. I look up with relief and awe to see Raphael soaring through the open night sky, his massive seraphic wings extended as he descends, wreathed in holy light.

With flawless timing, Raphael lands directly between me and Kane, blocking the demon’s attack. My archangel’s eyes blaze with divine wrath, his luminous wings filling the dingy room with their grace. Raphael seems to grow even taller before my eyes, radiating righteous fury, his blessed sword wreathed in tongues of cleansing fire.

Kane stumbles back several steps, all his bravado evaporating. Shock and primal fear flash across his corpse-pale features. For the first time tonight, the cunning predator realizes he has irrevocably become the prey.

“No escape this time, vilest one,” Raphael thunders, his maroon gaze pinning the cowering demon in place. “You craved power? Here’s a taste of mine!”

Intense, scouring light erupts from Raphael’s outstretched palm, bathing Kane in its searing radiance. The demon collapses to his knees, howling and clawing uselessly at his disintegrating flesh. But Raphael shows no mercy, advancing relentlessly as Kane scrambles for any chance to flee the angel’s holy fire. But for him, it is far too late for redemption.

Noticing Kane’s weakness, I stride forth, the ancient words of Enochian banishment heavy on my tongue. As I chant, a power long dormant ignites within my core, ancient sigils blazing along my skin. I unleash my full strength, indomitable magic surging through every fiber of my being.

I stretch out my hand, envisioning the blade I need, one carved of pure light that can slay creatures of darkness like Kane. I pour my magic into forming it, focusing on every shining detail. With a flash, the sword coalesces in my grasp, real and deadly.

With one swift stroke, I plunge the gleaming celestial blade into Kanes charred heart, unleashing his body and corrupted essence to scatter as ashes on the wind.

Once the weapon forged of my power fulfills its purpose, it vanishes into the ether, leaving deafening silence in its wake.

The battle is won. I stand amidst the gore and ruin, weary but exhilarated by victory, the vilest demon I’ve ever known reduced to dust by my own hand. Raphael rushes over, pride and adoration blazing in his eyes.

“Helena, you did good,” he says, pulling me into a fierce embrace. I bury my face against his chest, letting the adrenaline fully fade, breathing in his comforting scent. “I’m so proud of you, my love.”

Whatever comes next in this strange, terrifying world, we will face it together. Side by side, hand in hand, our shared strength knows no bounds. The shadows of my past can’t hurt me anymore—I am in control of my future now. And with my archangel by my side, our light will never again yield to darkness.

The growl of engines interrupts my thoughts as Draven’s team loads the last of the subdued prisoners into the armored van. Dust swirls in the headlights as the vehicles prepare to depart.

Draven approaches, his expression unreadable as always. We regard each other warily across the short distance, this being the first time we’ve met since our engagement was dissolved. He speaks first, voice gravelly but not unkind.

“You fought well, Helena,” he says. An awkward pause follows. “I believe after tonight, our slate is clear.”

I nod slowly. “It is. Thank you for upholding your end of the deal.” I offer my hand, which he grasps in a brief, firm shake. His fingers stiffen as they graze away from mine.

“I thought Kane was Lucifer’s head of security,” he murmurs sternly, throwing a smug look at the charred pavement.

“He was...” I reply.

“Lucky for Lucifer he’s now hired true professionals.” A proud half-smirk spreads across his face, giving away the deal that he and my uncle brokered.

“Draven, I...” I falter, unsure what to say. Do I apologize? Thank him? Neither feels right.

But he spares me the struggle. “You owe me no explanations, Helena,” he says, his husky voice lacking any trace of bitterness. “Ours was a mutually beneficial arrangement, not a romance.”

“Still...” I manage. The words catch in my throat as I try to apologize for any hurt I may have caused. But before I can finish, he clears his throat and speaks.

“Try to keep in touch,” he says, feline gaze flicking towards Raphael behind me, “if your new boyfriend allows it. I could use someone of your talents in my team.” The barest hint of a smile touches his eyes before he turns away.

The offer is a kind farewell, a generous gesture, considering Draven is notoriously elusive and hard to reach.

I watch him slip into his spotless black Porsche, the engine whispering to life as he turns the key. The van pulls away, disappearing into the dark night, taking with it Kane’s treacherous minions. Lucifer will have his reckoning with them.

“Let’s go home,” I whisper, exhaustion catching up with me quick.

Raphael presses a kiss to my hair and wrapping an arm around my waist, he leads me away from this place of pain and ruin. Ahead lies a new dawn, bright and clear, full of possibility. And I stride forth to meet it with my head held high, hope and light reignited within my soul.