Ch. 1-Angel

I gazed up at the stars, wondering how many there truly are, but never counting; wondering how far away they can really be. Hundreds of thousands of diamonds trapped in the sky. Soon to fall to the ground creating the morning dew on the grass, just as the sun begins to peek over the mountains. Whenever a star dies, another is born to replace it. Whenever a star falls, a soul has too, soon to be replaced by a newborn. Feeling the night air is the only thing jolting me out of my trance. I cannot gaze forever; I have a life to live. Yet I can’t help but feel so alive afterwards. All of my senses are allowed to open up, allowed to breathe; I can become one with the world.

I finally made it into the city, the large black stallion beneath me snorting in relief to be home. Yes home, home in Lethe; the center city of Hell. Not such a bad place if you can ignore the rich snobs and the low life’s in the alleys. I moved over onto the sidewalk as a driver shouted at me to get out of his way. The horses charged by me as the driver shot a nasty glare my way, cracking his long whip at the many horses. Yeah, it’s home alright. I looked around at the traders, beggars, and everybody else outside. Everyone was just living the lives they had always lived. Taking the same road, the same path; I however know I am different. I choose my own road, it is not chosen for me. I pulled Midnight to a sudden halt as small children scurried pass me chasing one another. I shook my head in annoyance and continued on my way. I had nowhere specific to be, so I just rode along the dirt road, on my way home.

                Once I made it out of the main cross way, I turned in an alley. I watched as the homeless stared at me, standing around their fire barrels. I kept my eyes forward until I noticed Midnight acting strange. He stopped and shook his large head, throwing it in the air. I began scanning around trying to sense what the animal was sensing. He then began to trot in a near by corner. He reared suddenly almost throwing me off, and pawed the ground in fear. I leaped off and looked ahead, inside the back of the alley. That’s when I saw, a long white robe, with a golden tie, and a pale young woman inside it. Her hair was so blonde it was almost white. She was absolutely gorgeous. I ran over to her and knelt down. Her face was scuffed with dirt, her hair was slightly agitated, her wings were slightly dusty, but she was breathtaking. Unconscious, but breathtaking. I turned to be sure I had no others to worry about, but there was no one. So I scooped her up in my arms, and gazed at her closed eyes. I knew they would be a beautiful shade, whether blue, green, or who knows what. I just had to take her home. I wasn’t going to pass up this opportunity. She had to become mine, we would be together forever. I finally stood up, and pulled her close to me. Bending down a little, I kissed her lips. They tasted wonderful. A few minor adjustments and she would be perfect. I walked over to the horse and slid her on, climbing up behind her. I gave a light kick, urging the stallion forward, and cantered home.

                      “Yes this will do nicely,” I stated offering the sleek white dress and black mini jacket to the cashier. “You know it’s nice to find a man who isn’t embarrassed to go shopping for his girlfriend. I know I’d be all over a man if they did that for me,” she chattered as she fiddled with the tags. I gave a polite nod her way and watched anxiously as she rang up the price babbling on about her dream guy. “Alright sweet-cakes, fifty,” she finally said.  I offered her the coins and collected the clothes gently placing them in my saddlebag. “Have a good one!” she called. I placed my hand in the air for a short goodbye and walked outside the shop. I looked over towards Midnight and placed the bags behind the saddle tying them down tightly. Climbing up I noticed an argument going on between a fire demon and a chain devil. Several times I have come across the two different species conflicting with one another. Myself, I have no problems with either race. I listened in keeping my head low; and I was finally able to pick out the last bit of the debate of who were apparently the traders of the lands. “I tire of receiving such little food while all you receive is money!” the demon yelled out. “Listen demon, I have had it with your attitudes towards us devils! You are beneath us; I suggest you act like it!” the devil responded throwing his fists into the demons face. I knew a fight would break out; calling someone a demon is in fact the worst insult you can think of. After all, no one wants to be known as a mindless bloodsucker. Sure enough, the two beings began dueling with their blades. As the sparks flew from the blades, I pulled Midnight away as people began to panic trying to avoid the cross fires. All I could think of was to just get out of their before the guards came to break them up.

          Once I entered the door, I scanned the angel’s naked body one last time after removing the tattered robe. My knees nearly buckled. I had never felt this way about anyone or anything. Why now? I knew it was love. After regaining my self composure I began to dress her in the white dress. It wasn’t very difficult considering how lightweight she was. Once the dress was on, I reached in the bag and pulled out the jacket. Slipping it on, I scanned her over one last time. She was perfect, completely flawless. I couldn’t wait to see what she what she acted like. It was overwhelming. I laid the white rose I had picked from a garden by her side. It was complete. Nothing could ruin this moment. I walked over to the closet and dug through a box until I found an old camera. I took a few shots of her from different angels to be able to saver this moment, for it couldn’t last forever. Finally, I laid some food and water on the nightstand for her when she woke up, which I hoped wasn’t too much farther away.

With gentle flying grace, lightning fast motions, and deadly accuracy, I danced across the wooden floor, twin blades flashing in my hands. I held a difficult pose, going lower, and lower. I jumped up again and spun around, lashing out against an invisible foe. Not a care in the world, dancing tirelessly till the moon was high, but I swirled with the blades, dancing with them, like they were a partner, a lover so close and dear. I continued to dance until I sensed a fragile soul approaching the room. I stopped my idiotic behavior in front of the window and peered outside into the night. I looked at the reflection of her body moving in the living room where I was. I turned to her. To my surprise she looked neither frightened nor angry; she looked almost curious. She opened her mouth to speak but I quickly jumped in.
“Shh, not a word,” I said putting a finger to my lips. She looked at me with puzzlement in her bright blue eyes.
“Come here,” I commanded as I motioned her towards me. She stood for a moment to ponder whether to come or not.
“Don’t be afraid, I won’t hurt you. Come on now.”
She began to slowly step towards me as she held out her hand to mine. I gently gripped her and pulled her to me. I wrapped my arms around her frail body and hugged her into mine.
“What do you remember?”
“N-nothing, I can’t,” she stammered. This was my moment of glory, I could easily gain control over this. The moment of truth was at hand. I had to act quickly; comfort was all she truly needed at the moment. Her body shivered and her breath quickened.
“Raven, you mean you don’t remember?”
She half gasped as she looked up into my dark royal blue eyes. I felt the power of control sweeping over me like a wave of fire.
“Raven? Is that my name?”
I paused for a moment and looked her in the eyes to reassure her I wasn’t exactly lying. Then again, it wasn’t the full truth either.  
“Yes.”
“Are we together?”
“Yes, we are.”
My hands began to sweat, I knew I was inexperienced with keeping something this big from somebody, but the worse income would be for her to remember and realize that I was in fact a lying bastard.
“How long?”
“Not very, but long enough.”
Again, not an exact lye. Just a hint of deception. Nothing major right?
“Oh,” she said looking at me with a hint of excitement.
“Come,” I said pulling her upstairs towards my bedroom.
Once we made it up into the room I placed her on the bed.
“This is our room,” I announced to her.
She gazed around for a bit before holding my hand tightly in hers. It felt so strange, it didn’t hurt; it was just strange. Perhaps because I’ve never been very affectionate to anyone? I smiled, mostly to myself, and led her to the bed. I pulled back the blankets and motioned for her to lay down. She did so and waited for me to join her. I kicked off my shoes, threw my shirt off, and crawled in bed with her. I kissed her forehead for a final goodnight; she squirmed a little with a smile before I pulled her onto my chest and closed my eyes to allow the darkness to consume me.