Aethling

~The most noble creature I have ever seen is an Angel. Their bright silver eyes are enchanting, and to hear one speak is enrapturing. My life has been miserable since that meeting, because when I was in the Angel's presence I knew joy like no other.~ The suicide note of Lord Brenon

-Maria-

It felt like fire was ripping through my body.

The pain was so intense that my mind couldn't process it. It felt like invisible flames were in my blood, in my very soul. It was all coming from HIS hand.

The demon's hand. The aristocrat with the bright red eyes and the face of an angel. All I could see was red. I could feel my consciousness ebbing. The black was beginning to close in on the crimson. My last thought was to start screaming, but I never managed to.

I could hear the sound of water dripping.

Drip Drip Drip ... it was so cold...

I tried to open my eyes. They were crusted shut with dry tears ... funny, I don't remember crying. I tried to open them again. This time I met with more success. Yet I might as well have kept them closed.

It was dark and cold. And damp. Very damp. This place felt earthy and I didn't like it. It made me feel ... cramped.

"I see you're awake my dear," said a voice from the darkness.

A candle suddenly burst into life, all on it's own.

The face of the demon was suddenly visible. Candlelight flickered over his face ... his perfect face.

Perfect except for his eyes.

Hunger and evil stared out from those twin crimson orbs. They still burned with a bright red light ... and they looked ... hungry.

I quickly scooted back until I hit a rock wall; in the back of my mind I realized this must be a cave.

He gave a little smile, as if amused.

"My dear, you have nothing to fear from me," he said, his voice comforting, like a priest giving a confession. He sounded understanding, and calm ... he sounded like ... safety.

I shook my head vigorously.

I racked my mind for something to aid me.

I remembered a line from the Bible.

"Get behind thee Satan!" I screamed. He chuckled.

"My dear, you're lucky it's just me, for I am certainly not Lucifer ... your situation would be most dire if he sat before you.

"I know you're not ... THE Satan..." I mumbled, "but I thought, I thought I could..."

"Drive me away with archaic words?" He supplied.

I nodded lamely.

He chuckled again. "Well, my dear. Three things that prevent that little plan." He began.

"One, you're on unholy ground.

Two, that doesn't really work unless you're holding a cross.

And three, since I am neither in your dwelling nor a church, a demon of my caliber is not put off by holy muttering and groveling."

I hardly heard him. I was too busy looking at his eyes. I gave myself a little shake. I got some blond hair in my mouth as a reward.

"Where are we?" I asked.

"Why, this is one of my homes," he answered. "This cave is on the de-consecrated ground of an old Christianity sect from two hundred years ago.

I nodded as if I understood. He looked at me carefully.

"By the way ... how are you feeling?" he asked.