Chapter 23 - Now What?

Valentina:

The look of betrayal on Michael’s face will forever be ingrained in my memory. When his expression became cold and detached, I felt something break inside of me. I know that he’s too angry to listen to what I have to say, but a part of me is fuming that he won’t allow me to explain. It’s not like I’ve been keeping the secret from him the whole time we’ve known each other. I barely learned about what I am myself.

Ugh, it’s just so frustrating. I stamp my foot as I approach the sounds of outraged female screams and crashing glass.

“Who the hell are you? And where am I?” Sami screams as she tosses a nearby vase toward Gabriel’s golden head.

Gabriel ducks out of the way with a curse and snarls, “I’m not here to hurt you! I’m helping you!”

Samira’s eyes widen at his tone as she reaches for something else to throw. However, before she can, I jump in front of her, “Sami, it’s okay. It’s me,” I cradle her close, a feeling of relief coursing through me when I see that she’s alive and well.

Sami hugs me back and mutters, “What’s going on, Val? The last time we spoke, I was dying because some freaky monster bit me.”

I tighten my hold, unwilling to release her yet, “It’s okay, Sami. You’re okay now. You’re healed.”

She sniffles as she clings to me. After a moment, we pull back and give each other teary smiles, “I’m alive,” she mutters huskily.

I nod and wipe a stray fear from my face, “Yeah, you’re alive.”

A snort nearby tears our attention from each other as we gaze toward the fuming male. Gabriel rolls his eyes, crosses his arms in front of his chest and sneers, “Well, it seems that you were able to defeat the queen─Congratulations…” he sneers sarcastically, “…It’s good that you’re here to take her because I was considering eliminating her before she turned into one of those creatures.”

Sami places her hands on her hips at glares at him, “And just who the fuck are you?”

Gabriel arches a brow and scowls, “I’m the one who had to babysit your ass, you ungrateful shrew. Now, if we’re done with this tasteless conversation, I’d like to get back to my life.”

He turns as if to leave but then turns back and points to the broken vase, “Oh, and by the way, my brother Lucifer won’t appreciate that you tried to destroy his property. Especially since he was gracious enough to let you stay here.”

Before I can reply, Lucifer flashes into the room. Sami gasps with shock, finally noticing that something is off here.

Lucifer’s dark eyes take in the scene before he faces me, “Seeing that you’re here, you must have slain the Naga queen. However, you did not have to destroy my home to do it.”

I release an exasperated sigh, “Sorry, Sami woke up and freaked out when she saw Gabriel hovering over her like a freak.”

Gabriel scoff with disdain, “I was not hovering over the chit. She saw me, and she broke into hysterics.

No longer speechless, Sami points an accusing finger at Gabriel and growls, “You were holding a fucking sword, you weirdo.”

Lucifer throws his head back and barks with laughter before he faces his brother and says, “It seems you have some kind of adverse effect towards females, little brother. Perhaps you need a makeover?”

Gabriel narrows his eyes and gives Lucifer the finger, “Screw you, Lucifer. I’m not the one that has horns and hooves when I turn into my true self.”

Sami’s eyes grow wider as their conversation continues, “What? You have hooves?” she asks, stupefied.

Lucifer sputters with exasperation and retorts defensively, “Well, I am the bloody king of hell. All of you humans are so judgemental.”

Sami’s mouth gapes open as she finally connects the final piece of the puzzle, “Wait, are you…are you the…devil?” she whispers the final word as if she says it out loud; something bad might happen.

Lucifer snickers, “I’d rather be called the king of hell. Being called the devil makes me sound like of those hideous human cartoons,” he gestures to his masculine frame, “Do I look like a caricature? No, I’m a man, and a gorgeous one at that.”

Gabriel snickers, “Yeah, well, only when you’re not in your hellish form, at least.”

Lucifer arches a warning brow, “What the bloody hell are you still doing here, and where is Michael?”

“Don’t worry. I’m leaving, and I have no clue where Michael is,” he waves a hand toward me, “Perhaps Michael’s companion can tell you where he is. Good day!” he salutes crisply before he flashes out of the room. However, before he leaves, he gives Samira one long last look. If I hadn’t been observing him, I would have missed it.

“Holy shit, wait until Ever finds out about this. She’s going to shit bricks!” Sami mumbles excitedly.

Lucifer gives her a wry grin before he turns to me and asks, “Where is Michael?”

I take Sami’s hand and walk toward him, “He flashed me here and stayed behind.”

His brow furrows with questions, “It’s not like Michael to leave a female in such a manner. Especially one that he knows…intimately,” he runs his gaze across my body and narrows his eyes. It’s not sexual. It’s more like a predator gauging its prey’s weakness, which puts me on edge.

Sami gives me a curious look but doesn’t say a word as she waits for something to happen.

I sigh and answer his question as honestly as I can. “Fine, he stayed behind because he’s pissed off at me.”

“Why is he angry at you?” he asks.

I shrug, “That’s between Michael and me.”

There’s no way that I’m going to reveal what happened between Michael and me to his brother. If Michael wants to know the truth, he will have to hear it from me.

Seeing that I’m not going to budge, Lucifer waves his hand at us and flashes us back to our apartment.

“Hey, how were you able to do that without touching us? Michael has to touch me to flash me places.” I ask when she flashes in front of me.

Lucifer smirks arrogantly, “I’m the king of hell. Though Michael is powerful, my power is far more superior.”

I have to resist rolling my eyes at his arrogant tone, but somehow I manage. Rather than argue, I shrug, “Well, thanks for everything, Lucifer. If you see Michael, tell him to find me when he’s ready to talk.”

Lucifer bows his head and waves before he flashes out of the room.

“What the fuck, Val?” Samira sputters out. “What did I miss?”

Sighing with exhaustion, I sit on the couch and tell her everything that has occurred since she was put in stasis. Of course, I omit a few things, like the fact that I’m an angel. I’m not ready to reveal any of that yet. Not when I’m still coming to terms with it and when I still haven’t spoken to Michael. Needless to say, Samira is shocked and saddened by what she discovers. We cry for several minutes and discuss our fears from that night at the burlesque show until we’re both wrung out.

While we sit there, the trip organizer contacts me and updates me on what happened to Kimber. To my relief, we learn that after Kimber abandoned Sami, she ran to her boyfriend's place and has been holing up there since, so we do not have to worry about the police coming to question me again.

That night we both call a relieved Everly and decide to cut our trip short by moving up our flight to Israel for the next evening. Though we didn’t see much of the city, Sami and I are desperate to reunite with Everly. We also don’t tell Everly about the angels or the Naga. We figure it's something that we need to say in person.

After we retire to our rooms, I try not to think about Michael’s hurtful words. He told me he never wanted to see me again, and I will admit that those words sting like acid in my belly. If only he had given me the chance to explain. If only I had gotten the chance to tell him that I had irrevocably fallen in love with him.