Page 52 of The Human Element (The Human Element Collection #1)

Daemon

Hours passed and Daemon awoke with the worst headache imaginable.

When he tried to shift to crack his neck, relieve some of this tension, a jingling sound and subsequent instant burn alerted him to a realization: he was chained to the floor of a Roman colosseum by the leader of the ArchAngels and a revolting group of demons.

And Lorelei is probably dead by now.

He knew the odds were likely, as she'd been left in the middle of a field of blood-thirsty demons.

But he couldn't give up hope now, or else all would already be lost. Daemon decided distraction and coming up with a game plan was a better course of action than letting doubt weigh in. He wouldn’t give up hope.

Not until the very last moment. Or until his last breath.

He looked around for Raphael, who had also been taken hostage.

He sat several feet away propped up against one of the large pillars.

He was finally awake, and when they made eye contact, Raph nodded to the left over his shoulder, signaling the two demons who’d taken him down were sitting behind him arguing over some nonsense about the best torturing techniques.

Daemon nodded in return and turned the little bit he was able to with the iron strapped around his neck, being as subtle in his movements as he could so’s not to attract their attention.

Nobody noticed he’d woken yet, this could be used to his advantage.

When he caught sight of Michael, his back was to him and he was whispering in hushed tones to Zanul.

Whatever Michael promised him, he was getting impatient.

This too, could be an advantage. If only he pissed Zanul off enough, or perhaps got him to question Michael’s loyalty—that could be what got him out of here.

But a cruel reminder of the singed metal attached to each of his limbs was making every breath difficult.

Even if he could get out of here, there was no telling if his powers would be restored or if they would be enough against Michael.

Zanul huffed and waved his hands in the air in frustration. Daemon quickly closed his eyes and pretended to still be unconscious as Zanul walked over towards him and cursed.

“What is the point of keeping him alive? He’s right here! I want my revenge, Michael. And I want to move on to phase two of the plan. Now!”

Michael spoke plainly, but irritation also tinged his words.

“It is not time to enact the remainder of the plan, Zanul. Daemon’s presence is vital here. You will see.”

Zanul threw his hands in the air again and stomped off to where the other demons were squabbling. When Zanul was out of earshot, Michael spoke softly.

“It is okay, Daemon, I know you are awake. There is no need for this falsehood.”

Lifting his head, Daemon purposely rolled his eyes at Michael.

“Always the show off, eh Michael?”

Michael walked towards Daemon, stopping a few paces away, one hand placed neatly on the hilt of his sword. Daemon’s skull remembered it well.

“The time has come, Daemon.”

“The time for what? For you to kill me?”

Michael shook his head, “You shall see.”

Daemon roared with anger as he tried to reach out to Michael; a valiant but pointless attempt.

The smug look on his face and the cryptic answers were beyond infuriating.

Michael didn’t even flinch at the attempted assault, only stepped to the side and stood in silence. Like he was waiting for something.

When Michael stepped aside, in a rush of black smoke and wind, Lorelei appeared before him.

Disoriented, he looked around confused, but she was there in the flesh.

Daemon’s heart burst at the sight of her, tears formed in his eyes and the moment they locked eyes, his world felt centered again.

She was alive! If Daemon could jump, or move at all, he would jump for joy.

Every fiber of his very soul burned to be relinquished from these chains and to rush to hold her in his arms, to never let her go again.

The thought she was hurt or even worse, dead , after leaving her in that field was close enough to demolish him altogether.

He didn’t know if he would ever see her again.

But just as so much hope and love filled him, so did fear.

What the fuck is she doing here?? And how did she get here?

The look in her eyes seemed to say it was a long story. One he hoped he had time to hear one day; but for now; they were in serious trouble.

“Daemon! Daemon what have they done to you?” She yelled and ran towards him, but when she was passing Michael, he reached out and held her back with one arm; she struggled against him and tried to fight him off.

Michael’s demanding tone rang through the coliseum.

“ Zna iaial. ”

As he spoke, Lorelei’s body froze. Literally froze in motion, only her eyes were left blinking, muffled screams coming from her sealed mouth. Michael lowered her to the ground on her side and stepped away.

“LET HER GO, MICHAEL! She doesn’t deserve this!! She has no power to do anything to you!”

Michael began to step forward but Zanul and the other demons rushed over in delight at the appearance of the human.

“Oooo yes, look at this delicious thing! Who knew I would get a new command and dessert.” He finished saying this was a wink at Daemon.

“She is not for you, Zanul.”

Zanul groaned. “Awww come on? Does this mean we’re going to get the blasted thing over with?? It's time for my rule, Michael. So we can get on with this war already. Lucifer must pay for his neglect of me. He must. This human girl should have no power, just as he said.”

Michael looked down at Lorelei with an emotionless face.

“Oh, she has more power than you think, my friend. More power indeed.”

Daemon finally spoke up, yelling at the idiocy happening before him.

“Ha! You think you are going to take over Hell from Lucifer? Right, and when that happens I will know the saying about Hell freezing over, Zanul. How did you even know she would come, huh? Is there something else you know?”

Michael shook his head.

“No, but I knew she would do anything to find you. And I needed her here in the end.”

Daemon screamed at him, “But why? If she is here and you already have me, what more could she do to you? What good is she for now? You already got what you wanted; you’ll get your war.”

Michael walked towards Daemon and circled him.

Daemon tried to look behind him but couldn't due to the chains.

Turning his attention back to Lorelei, her eyes called to him and spoke volumes of the fear she was feeling, knowing he was feeling the same.

He failed her. But still, she only looked at him like there nothing in the world she loved more.

It made his heart yearn for her. Tears were slowly rolling down her cheeks, dripping on the colosseum floor in delicate splotches.

Daemon could feel Michael standing behind him when he spoke next.

“We know who she is now. There is no denying the lineage, and it will be dealt with accordingly; this deception will not go unpunished. Sister Ariel will see that she cannot deceive the Almighty.”

For the first time, Raphael spoke, “Ariel? What does Ariel have to do with this??"

Raphael's voice was panicked, he never questioned Ariel being involved or getting hurt.

But Daemon knew the truth, and when Raphael found out more, he would never be the same.

When Daemon thought Michael might reveal more, one of the demons hit Raphael across the face, and he was once again unconscious.

Michael nodded in support and returned his attention to Daemon.

“She serves the best purpose. The most Divine purpose. She is here to witness what happens when you defy God’s will, and what can happen to those you love when you make those choices.

The punishment for a sinner. You, Lorelei Alexander, shall relish in the fact that no human, nor Fallen, shall endeavor to stop what is meant to be.

For as it is said in the Bible, “ …the wicked will be punished with everlasting destruction…And evildoers will be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land .”

Michael pulled his sword from his hilt, and the blade came slashing through the air. Muffled screaming, Lorelei’s eyes met Daemon’s while she watched in horror: as Daemon’s wings fell to the ground.