Chapter 5 The Warrior Truth
Lilith ran until her lungs burned and her legs were weak.
She dashed through hallways which looked like a maze. She was lost, but she knew she had to get away from the dining hall.
She tripped through some glass doors and fell flat on her face in a garden, gasping.
She paused, catching her breath, and felt a little peace for the first time since coming to Hell.
The garden felt almost unreal. Flowers bloomed in colours you didn’t think existed. Silver roses, deep black lilies, and blossoms that seemed to glow on their own. Dark trees with leaves that swayed gently in a breeze that smelled of jasmine and rain. In the centre, a fountain
bubbled in the middle, water flowing upward.
It was pretty. Weird. Quiet.
Lilith stumbled to a stone bench under a tree and collapsed. Her hands still shook, faintly glowing with a gold light she didn't get and couldn't control.
I could have killed them, she thought, staring at her hands.
The power felt like it was burning, as if her skin was too tight.
She covered her face with her glowing hands and cried.
She cried for her parents, real and adopted, everyone she'd lost or left. She cried for Sera, alone in this messed-up place. She cried for her old life, her dreams, her old self.
She cried until she was empty.
Wow, a voice said behind her. For someone who just scared two demons, you're pretty dramatic.
Lilith jumped, wiping her face.
Cain stood nearby, arms crossed. She'd cleaned up, but her lip was still split, and her jaw was bruised. She looked beat.
I'm not… I wasn't… Lilith tried to get it together. How did you find me?
Followed your glow, Cain said, coming closer and sitting on the bench. You glow when you're upset like an emotional spotlight.
Lilith laughed, still sobbing.
They sat quietly as the fountain water dripped.
I could have killed you, Lilith said, her voice quiet. I could have killed him.
Yeah, you could have. Cain didn't hesitate. But you didn't. You stopped us. That's something.
I'm out of control. I don't know what I am. Lilith looked at her hands, still glowing a little. I'm not a fighter. I'm not like this usually. I'm just…
Just what? Human? Cain leaned back. You're not human, Lilith. You're Seraph. Angel. Powerful enough for the Devil to notice. She paused. But you're still just a girl who's freaked out, mad, and lost.
Lilith looked at her, surprised to see understanding in her eyes.
How do you do it? Lilith asked softly. How do you live with this? The violence. The power. The constant fighting.
Cain was quiet for a moment. Her voice softened when she spoke.
You want the truth? I hate it sometimes. She stared at the sky. Being the only girl with six brothers and having to fight to be taken seriously. Constantly having to prove I’m strong enough to lead, deadly enough to be feared. Her jaw tightened. They see a woman first. A fighter second. I had to win many battles before they respected me.
But you're fantastic, Lilith said. The way you fought…
Fighting is the only reason they respect me. Cain's smile was cold. My dad doesn’t care about gender. Strength is strength to him. But everyone else? They thought I'd be all beautiful, seductive, and sneaky. She laughed, sounding rough. I'm none of those things. “I'm a fighter, a warrior, a demon prince, I’m not a princess. She said.
Something clicked in Lilith. She felt it.
I grew up hearing what a princess should be, she said softly. Sweet. Quiet. Pretty. Good at sewing and smiling while men decided things. She looked at her hands again. That was never me. I wanted to learn to fight. I wanted to be involved. I wanted to be more than just good-looking.
You are more, Cain said firmly. You’re a Seraph. The last one. Strong enough to stop two demons without trying. She faced Lilith. Don’t let that feel wrong just because it’s not what people expect a princess to be.
They looked at each other, and something clicked. More than attraction. They both got it; they were people who never fit in.
Can I tell you something? Cain asked, sounding unusually open. Something I’ve never told anyone?
Lilith nodded.
A part of me is glad I’m not the one you’re supposed to pick, Cain said roughly. The prophecy says Pride, which is Azrael. And I’m grateful. I don’t want to rule. I don’t want a throne or power. She smiled, sad but real. I want to fight. Be a warrior. Not a queen.
Lilith understood. The relief of not having to be someone you’re not.
You're the first person here who hasn’t tried to hit on me or scare me, Lilith said quietly. The first person who’s treated me like a person, not a prize.
Because that's what you are. Cain's voice was firm. Not a weapon. Not something to be bartered. A person. A woman. Someone who gets to decide things.
It hit Lilith hard. She started crying again, but this time because she felt seen.
I don't know if I can do this, she whispered.
You can. Cain moved closer and took her hands in her own before Lilith could say anything. Feel this. Your power. Don’t be scared of it. Her grip was solid. It's part of you. Like my anger is part of me, we can control it.
Lilith stared at their hands, her glowing hand and Cain's scarred hands. It should have hurt Cain to touch that power. But she didn’t even flinch.
How? Lilith asked, her voice breaking.
Breathe with me. Cain's voice went soft. Inhale slowly through your nose. Out slow through your mouth. Focus on the air, not the power.
They breathed together. In. Out. In. Out.
Slowly, the gold faded. Lilith’s hands stopped shaking. The weight lifted.
There, Cain said softly, still holding her hands. See? You're stronger than you think.
Lilith looked up at her, at Cain, a tough warrior woman with her fierce eyes, who turns out to be surprisingly kind, and something shifted in Lilith's heart. She felt seen. Knowing someone gets her.
Thank you, Lilith whispered.
Don't thank me yet. Cain smiled, teasing. Real training starts tomorrow. If you’re going to survive my family, you need to learn how to fight.
But you said I already had power.
You do. But power you can't control is going to make things worse. Cain squeezed Lilith's hands before letting them go. I'll teach you control. And maybe some self-defence. And how to throw a proper punch.
Lilith laughed, even though things were still bad.
Is that your way of saying you want to hang out?
Cain's face changed, something flashed in her eyes. Maybe. Is that a problem?
No, Lilith said, not lying. I'd like that.
They sat for another second, closer than before, the air between them buzzing. Cain smelled like smoke and fragrance. She was pretty when she really smiled.
“You should get back,” Cain said, not moving. “Before Azrael sends out a search party.”
What if I don't want to go back?
“Then you’re smart.” Cain’s smile turned wry. “But also screwed. My brother doesn’t take ‘no’ well.”
I noticed.
He wants you, you know. Really wants you. Cain’s eyes met hers not just because of the prophecy. I’ve never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you.
Lilith’s chest twisted.
And how do you look at me? It just came out.
Cain froze. She stared for a second, her eyes burning. When she spoke, her voice was rough.
Like you’re the first person who’s ever seen me. And that’s scarier than any attraction I’ve felt.
The air was electric. Cain was close enough that Lilith could see her eyelashes and see her eyes drop to Lilith’s mouth.
“Cain…”
“I should go.” Cain stood, ending the moment. “Before I do something dumb.”
“Like what?”
Cain glanced back, and the heat in her eyes made Lilith's breath catch.
“Like me kissing you when we both know you’re meant to be with my brother.”
She turned and left the garden before Lilith could say anything, leaving her alone in the garden with her pulse racing where Cain had held her hands.
Lilith sat there for a long time, touching her lips, wondering what it would have felt like if Cain had stayed.
Wondering if she wanted her to.