Devils in the Details

Chapter 5

*Authors note.*

Religion is specific to individuals and it is not the intention of this author to get into a discussion on the validity of it in this story. This is purely a work of fiction emanating from the imagination of the author and is not in any way intended to offend any religion.

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So here is the FINAL chapter on this short story. I hope you enjoyed it and comment and vote for it if you did.

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CHAPTER 5

I felt the roar of pain and disbelief for more moments that I should have once I was back in limbo, knees pulled up so my chin had a place to rest my chin on, a fresh steaming latte sitting on a side table. Michael sat in the other chair saying so much and yet not uttering a word, he seemed to know I needed time to digest what had happened.

"Is he angry?" I whispered.

"Hum, well let me say he is not happy he was thwarted but he is more frustrated than angry. Lucifer is used to getting his way in his realm. You stopped that with your return here." Michael was as calm and unflappable as ever, while I was almost a gibbering wreck. "He has waited a long time for a bride so you leaving when you did was what's the word I am looking for... unsettling?"

I couldn't quite get over the look of pain I had glimpsed on Lucifer's face in the split second it had taken for me to call Michael's name and to finding myself back on the armchair I had sat in before visiting hell. I was also fascinated by that look; did I in fact have the power to hurt the Devil?

Michael hummed his delight as he sipped his drink and slanted me a look, "do you really want an answer to that question?"

Nodding my head I looked at the Archangel, a frown furrowed my brow as I waited to see what he would or more importantly not reveal to me with his reply.

"We all remember Lucifer before his fall, he was most beloved of the heavenly host and when he fell, he took many broken hearts with him. The decision to place him in charge of the damned was not taken lightly but it was felt that was the best place for his, what shall I call it, his talents?" Michael looked thoughtful as he spoke. "His lack of a conscience is his main failing; he genuinely has no concept of right or wrong so just does what he wants for his own pleasure. You my dear would become that voice for him. You would more importantly be HIS and his alone, the one thing indisputably his own and THAT loss has the power to hurt him."

Looking away I once again contemplated the white room, so I had the power to hurt Lucifer by not becoming his wife. But surely they would choose another woman if I declined, wouldn't they?

"Do you want to know how long it has taken us before you were chosen Scarlett?" Michael asked. At my nod he continued. "We have examined every woman born in the last millennia before you were unanimously decided on. As I said before we had a strict criteria but no one came close until you were born."

My mouth gaped open, I hadn't realised how involved it might be to choose, surely with their knowledge and power they could create the perfect woman for the job.

"No Scarlett it doesn't work that way. We cannot create people for a purpose. You are born and through your lives you develop into who you are through your upbringing, beliefs and your personalities are as individual as your looks. That's why we speak of free will, what you become is your choice." Michael was more serious than I had perceived him to be up to now.

"But what about the all-powerful omnipotent being, can't he change that?" I had to ask... Like I said before my mouth will often engage before my brain kicks in.