Page 53 of The Human Element (The Human Element Collection #1)

Lorelei

The scream that echoed the colosseum was tortuous to hear.

It was like everything else on the planet stopped to hear the cry of agony unlike any other.

Her nightmare she had back at the inn days before, was coming true right before her eyes.

It was nearly the same location, the columns she saw Daemon strung up to.

How were there angels and demons conspiring together?

If nothing else, this confirmed Daemon’s suspicions of her intuitive and psychic abilities.

Perhaps all her dreams were prophetic. But this being a horror she could do nothing but watch, was no coincidence.

It couldn’t be. It was too specific, too cruel.

But a dream was just that. You could wake up and leave it behind because it wasn’t real.

This was all too real, and neither of them would ever be the same after.

In history, once something world-shattering occurs, it leaves a mark, an imprint of its story carved in stone for all to see; this was one of those moments —branding itself into a special place in Lorelei’s mind, forever branding her with the truth: She was no savior.

When Daemon’s once glorious wings hit the floor, the scream still ringing in her ears, tears cascaded down her cheeks, mixing with the immense amounts of blood that now coated the ground beneath them.

The blood spread so close to her face, being forced to lay on her side, she wondered if she might be drowning on it before too long.

No matter Lorelei’s relentless screaming, she could make no sound, she could move no part of her body to make her way closer to Daemon. She was frozen. Helpless. Useless.

Daemon was slumped over, his body barely hung by the chains wrapped around him. There was no way to tell if he was even breathing. She willed with all her might for him to look up, to meet his eyes, to see if he was okay.

This can’t be happening…

However much Lorelei fought against the constraints of this immobilization, or how much she begged for Daemon to look up, it was pointless.

And she hated herself for how useless she was.

How could she ever be the ‘savior’ when she can’t even save Daemon?

Or Samuel for that matter? How would she ever go up against beings who were as old as Earth and superior in every way?

She was human. And even with her true parentage known, she had no powers enough to stop this war. Or save her friends.

All she could do was see snippets of complicated moments that didn’t make a lot of sense up until now.

She had no way to know how to enhance those abilities, and even if she accomplished to learn how to cultivate it, or even use more of the Enochian spells and grind to a level of competence, that didn’t do shit for actually protecting anybody right now.

That kind of stuff took time. Time that had long run out.

Right there lied Daemon, wings cut, dying—Samuel lay dying elsewhere and she wouldn’t be sure if Lucifer was telling the truth about saving him or not. She could only hope he would keep his end of the bargain. Lorelei was alone, and incapable of doing a thing for either of them.

How could anybody like that, do anything good?

If she were truly a good person, she would’ve figured out a way to get them out of this mess before it got to this point.

They were all so naive. This plot, this war, these enemies.

. .were far greater than she could have imagined.

As it was clear now, they had enemies on both sides.

Heaven and Hell. It wasn’t just pitch-forked depicted demons out to ruin humanity; it was also the angels who came whispering in the ears of mortals about salvation and ‘Peace on Earth.’ The ones who were supposed to be the good guys. They too, were now an enemy.

I should’ve known I couldn’t do this…I should’ve known I had no business trying..

Lorelei’s tears rampaged her face, making her eyes sting.

She finally took her eyes away from Daemon, who was unmoving.

She avoided looking at the silken black feathers that now lay in a pool of blood, while finding Michael who was carefully wiping the blade he used for his savage action, as if it was such an inconvenience for the blade to be splattered with blood, and not a barbarous, vile act.

The heartbreak at realizing there was truly no mercy shown by God when his soldiers were permitted to do this, if God indeed was unaware.

..what little hope Lorelei had, vanished in a blink of an eye.

Michael met her gaze and leisurely strutted towards her, waving a hand and saying another phrase in Enochian, and she was released from her prison—her head cracked as it fell to the ground; she pushed herself up to a sitting position, rubbing the side of her head.

The dizzying effects of a sure concussion caused a ringing in her ears.

Looking back to Daemon, she called out to him.

“Daemon...Daemon can you hear me?”

Michael stood in front of her, and held a hand out to assist her.

She tucked her arms to her body and held herself in a hug, ignoring him.

Wondering if Michael would let her pass to go to Daemon or not, she forced herself to stand and waited.

Her eyes were filled with hatred at this ‘sacred’ being standing before her.

“Lorelei, I am sorry you had to witness such a thing, but it was the only way. You and Daemon must understand, no action goes unnoticed. Daemon was the reason that propelled you so far forward on your quest. If he had not saved your life all those years ago, we would not be standing here. And if he had not re-involved himself later to assist you, to let you know of the prophecy of the girl who had the power to stop Armageddon, then again…none of this would have transpired. You and he are linked beyond this frivolous infatuation. When Daemon went against orders to end your life, sparing you instead, he enacted another part of the prophecy—one that until now, we did not realize the significance of. His companionship, guidance, support and ability to fight alongside you; that was what would drive you to stop the war. This was not merely a punishment, it was a needed remedy. With him…the way he is now…and with your half-brother also gone…I am afraid there is not much left to be concerned with. You are no longer a threat. None of you are. The Human Element the prophecy speaks of, is folly. A forsaken crutch in the scheme of so much grander to come. You, and your species—are not the element this Universe needs to persevere, Lorelei. Do not be so fooled.”

“Now that we know the secret of how you were kept from us, we will proceed with the correct measures for ensuring that something like this never happens again. ArchAngel Ariel will be dealt with, and the rest of the angels who share a similar sentiment. We will proceed with the war as planned. And you can go back to your life. You are free. I have been informed your death is no longer necessary.”

Lorelei narrowed her brows and stared him down. Now he was threatening her mother. Even not knowing her, she couldn’t help feeling a pang in her chest at the thought. Michael would stop at nothing to end whoever stood in his way. Nobody was safe. And definitely nobody was free.

“What about Daemon? And how do you know about my brother?? Never mind, that part isn’t important…”

Lorelei paused and looked to where Raphael was, who was also unconscious.

“And what about Raphael? What are you planning to do with him?”

Michael looked back at the other ArchAngel and shrugged.

“We have no use for him. The majority of his powers have been stripped, save the basics. He will continue to have his healing abilities, so you may heal Daemon if you so desire. I have no care what happens to him. Let’s call it…

a gift to you. A condolence. You have suffered much already, there is no need to suffer further.

You and Daemon may live out the remainder of your lives together in whatever way you wish, however long you have left.

Raphael is hereby a Fallen from this day henceforth, we are being merciful by allowing him to maintain his abilities, and since we are on a deadline, the ceremony we usually perform for Fallen will be.

..waived. For now. He is no longer permitted to return to Heaven. ”

The callousness dripping from Michael’s tone set Lorelei’s teeth on edge. How could someone who you served alongside for centuries, be cast aside so easily?

“Fine, he stays with me and Daemon. Now what?”

Lorelei watched and flinched as Michael came closer to her, looking her up and down in a patronizing manner, until he laid a hand on her shoulder, patting it.

“Now, you heal. And move on. This is your second chance, Lorelei. I would suggest you take it.”

Lorelei nearly forgot the demons pacing impatiently behind them, huffing and groaning, rolling their eyes when Zanul—who she didn’t see before—winked at her and waved playfully.

The memory of his burning lasso made her instinctively grab her previously injured arm, which only seemed to please him.

But his enjoyment only lasted a moment. The shock of seeing him after what Daemon said of using the Finishing Spell was making her more and more confused.

He should be dead. Instead, he was walking up to Michael and shouting.

“ALRIGHT! We get it now, let's move on already, Michael! We have business to attend to. Although I very much enjoy seeing so much pain and suffering of an enemy…this is not the only part I signed up for. Now you’ve made us wait here long enough. When will a group of your soldiers be ready to invade Hell?”

Turning towards Zanul, Michael towered over the demon and a look of annoyance flared in his eyes.

“You….demon….have proven enough use. But unfortunately, there will be no angels aiding you on this fruitless endeavor of taking over command from Lucifer. You are no match for him, and there will not be a need for Hell much longer. I appreciate the information you relayed concerning Lorelei and Daemon, how to find them and all…but our alliance goes no further.”

Zanul was fuming, jumping around, cursing, telling Michael to go places she wasn’t even surewhat they were. The other demons joined in, and soon they were circling Michael like a pack of hyenas, yipping and yowling, some even began pulling out weapons.

“I see…your grievances are noted, Zanul. Yet I suggest, if you wish to continue to live a prosperous existence, you and your friends leave without further agitation. Seeing as my angel healers brought you back from death, I believe we are equal.”

With that, Michael snapped a finger, and the demons vanished. The stillness and silence of the arena now in full, foreboding effect. Lorelei stood stunned, waiting for what to do next when Michael didn’t bother to face her again, and spoke over his shoulder.

“Take care, Lorelei Alexander. Try to make the most of these last days, savor your blessing, that you may experience them.”

Before Lorelei could retort, Michael spread his wings and lifted into the air, leaving her standing in a river of blood.

She waited until the last flap of a wing she could see, and ran as fast as she could to Daemon, who still hung slumped over.

Her boots were covered with his blood, she had to wade through like water.

She fell to her knees, stepping precariously over a wing, another tear falling as she reached a hand to caress it one last time; it shimmered that beautiful matching emerald color under her touch, the same of his captivating eyes.

Her heart broke to see the beauty and majesty of them, stained and soaking, never to beat again.

Kneeling in front of Daemon, she lifted his head up to look at his face, moving gently his silver bangs out of his face.

“Daemon, please…I’m here, wake up. I’m here…I love you…we’re going to be okay…I promise…I love you…I love you….”

She just kept repeating that over and over, like a broken clock that kept chiming long after the time passed.

It was impossible to do anything less. She hugged his neck, kissed the top of his head, and positioned herself to sit, nuzzling her face against his own while she looked around her.

Raphael was still limp on the ground, Samuel was stuck in Hell with her ruthless father, Daemon was permanently maimed, the angels were behind this insanity, and the world would still end soon with no way to stop it.

All because she was the Chosen One. The Human Element .

But in the end, none of those titles mattered.

She was a failure. A nobody. Just a human .

Hugging Daemon closer, she buried her face in his neck and wept.

The world may be ending, but Lorelei’s world was already shattered.

To be continued…