As above, so Below

XVIII. Blinding Light

I took his hand in mine as we marched back to the dance floor. I wasn't ready to let them ruin my evening, draping my arms over his shoulders once again, his forehead against mine; my heart was beating fast but I was in the arms of someone I was starting to love.

Old man dust and his protégé had ruined the party, I could expect a letter from Sister Imperator soon but I'll deal with that then.
Once we got back inside his room, I poured us two stiff drinks as Papa got changed into comfier clothes - I had no shame in watching him do so.
He was everything I had imagined.
My pyjamas were already on the dresser and I looked over at them, I fought with myself internally...this is it.
Could I let him see me in such a vulnerable state?
I shot my drink and cringed at the burn before glancing over at him. He didn't look like my shy and timid Copia but Papa...a man of power and taste; he knew what he wanted and I was prepared to give it to him. Prepared to give him anything.

"I'm just going to get a shower and freshen up..."
I draped the back of my dress down over my elbows as I looked back at him.
Papa audibly gasped as he looked me up and down.
"And I'll be waiting..."
Papa sat with a dark look in his eyes as he bit his lip and swirled the drink in his glass.
I entered the bathroom and turned the shower on, the steam filling the room.
As I began to get undressed the room began to feel cold and crisp despite the warm steam.
My heart began to race and the panic began to set in.
They're coming.
Hastily, I pulled up the straps of my dress; terrified and panicked I grasped the door handle and opened the door.
As the door swung open Aggressively, steam spilling out into the room I was swiftly yanked from this plane; screaming for Copia as I left.
Not Papa but my little boy.
"Copia!!"

Pulled into the ether through a tunnel of light.
I don't want to leave.
Through the hellscape, earth's horrible plane and into the heavens. They dropped me back into the chair on which they had originally demonised me. Sentenced me to be damned but they've suddenly decided to withdraw me.

"Welcome back..."
Gabriel spoke in his commanding voice. Welcoming me back in a tone that wasn't hospitable but rather condescending.
"What? Why am I here?"
I grasped the arms of the chair to pull myself out of it when my wrists were clasped to the chair.
"Let me go!"
Struggling in the chair I was promptly shut up.
"You were sent down there to learn. To repent. To be saved!"
Their voice boomed throughout the ether as my heart sank, my wings deflating.
My lip quivered, I was tearing up and I just wanted my own comforts.
"I...I was saved...."
Breaking off I looked up at the panel and furrowed my brows.
"I was saved and I was loved! Correction. I am loved and I was taught how to love! Something that I had never experienced here!"

With a wave of their hand, a view into my life below appeared before me.
The second the bathroom door swung open, the steam flooded out accompanied by a blinding light. Immediately and within a split second, Copia bounced off the sofa and threw himself to the bathroom.
"Amore mio!!...wh...where are you?!"
Standing in the doorway of the bathroom he looked around frantically as he swiped the steam away.
Copia's face fell, anger filled his face as he balled his fists; slamming the door shut and almost tearing the bedroom door off its hinges as he stormed out into the hallway, black smoke billowing behind him.
Copia stormed his way to Sister Imperator and swung the door open irrespective of anything that was going on at the other side of it.
Nihil stood in his robe and trouserless as Sister Imperator turned to see the shilouette of Copia in the door way, a blood red aura surrounding him.
"They took her. They fucking took her!!"

On any other occasion, Copia would have apologised and walked out or apologised and tried to hide his face.
Instead, his face warped to fit the embodiment of wrath.
"Not the boy..."
Nihil rolled his eyes and feebly pulled on his trousers. Sister Imperator's brows rose and knitted in the middle as she cautiously approached Copia.
Concern etched on her face.
"Oh my boy. What happened?"
He didn't stir, he had a steely look on his face, it was clear that there was nothing else on his mind.
"They took her back. They just snatched her!"
Sister Imperator gently placed a hand on his cheek as a tear trickled slowly down before evaporating to steam on his cheek.
Copia's expression remained furious.
"We'll get her back...we should get your brothers..."
He shook his head and exhaled.
"Im going alone."
Sister Imperator was left standing in the doorway as Copia knew exactly who he had to contact.
If it was a war they wanted, it was a war they would get.

I looked up at the angels before me, all sitting with folded arms and proud, sanctimonious looks on their faces.
Copia was preparing to rain down hellfire to get me home.
"Then we fight on neutral ground..."

It looked like Copia flew...it was as though he had a demon form with bat-like wings.
I recognised that place...it was too plush to be anywhere else.
Practically kicking the door in, Copia appeared to Lucifer the same way he did to Sister Imperator.
"Sir...I need to have a word with you...."