From Despair Comes Hope (The Strange Case of Devin Sola Book 1)

The Devil Inside

My sister just had to say that. Why did she have to say that? Why can't this be a simple case of an escaped soul? Why does it have to be complicated like this? I can't do this. I literally can't. I am the Angel of Hope that much is true. But... I can't do this. I have very few of my Angelic powers. At least not until I fulfill some stupid prophecy regarding my mate. I was left with my telepathy only because I need it to function. The rest are bound. Well, except my immortality. For some reason, I keep dying, but I always come back to life, so I'm guessing my either my immortality can't be bound, or I'm just that clumsy that Ares figured it was best to leave it with me.

"Then I guess Devin will have to fade into oblivion, trapped in the Styx forever." I finally say.

"Why?" Tia looks at me.

"Because my angelic powers have been bound." I whisper.

My sister bristles, her ebony feathered wings bursting from her back as they always do when she is upset or frightened. Our wings tend to do that when we're upset. I guess it's to prepare us for quick flight if necessary. I haven't seen my beautiful gold-tipped white wings since my Angelic powers were bound. Angels with bound powers do not have their wings.

"What do you mean your Angelic powers have been bound? By who?" The anger in her eyes was evident. Living angels are rare, so binding an angel's power is only done by those who mean angels harm.

"Our father." I stare at the floor. We are the twin daughters of Ares, Greek God of War. Tia was taken and raised by Hades, because it was obvious that she was Death from the moment she was born. But I was a different story. I was raised by Ares – and Ares is a cruel bastard more than anything else.

"For fuck sake, not that fucking mate prophecy again?" Tia asks. Hope had to find its mate, Despair. But the Angel of Despair had yet to be found and frankly, I was beginning to think he never would be. "Why would he think binding your powers would help this time? It sure as fuck didn't last time!"

"Because the bastard thinks I've found him!" I said. "He thinks I'm just being a stubborn little bitch. So he bound my powers until I admit to him that I found Despair. But I haven't found him! Besides, even if I did find him, I can't do that to anyone. I can't subject anyone to eternity with me. Not with all the issues that come with me."

"What Ares did to you was inexcusable. I still don't understand how Zeus and the rest just stood back and allowed it – especially Hera!" Tia grumbles.

"Well, when you're made out to be the one who could cause the utter and complete destruction of the world, Hera doesn't really care what your parents do to you." I spit the words bitterly.

"Still!" Tia hisses. "They could have done something!" Tia cocks her head to the side. "Someone's coming. Gotta go! No one gets to see Death before his or her time! It's the rules!" Tia disappears without a trace, not even an indentation in the thick carpet to show there'd been another person here. I "listen" - basically searching for the nearest mind and "borrowing" their sense of hearing. She was right – there are footsteps headed my way. Then again, I'm most likely borrowing the hearing of the person who was heading to my room.

The door opens to reveal Chris standing there. "I'd appreciate it if you'd relinquish my mind." He says.

I quickly back out of his mind, leaving only what I need to hear him speak. "I apologize. I hear things like noises, music, etc., by borrowing the hearing of those around me. Most people are unable to tell."

"I'm a telepath Miss Cage. I am always able to tell." He glances at me for a moment, then continues speaking. "I came to see if you were all right. You paled quite a bit when Devin mentioned his feelings. It was almost as if you'd seen a ghost, pardon the pun."

"Yes, I'm fine. I had to do some thinking." I answer with a small smile. "I believe I know the problem, but not the solution. If you could give me a bit more time, I believe I can help you."

"FineMiss Cage. I'll see to it that you lack for nothing while you are working.Devin tends to roam the halls – call out for him if you need anything." Chrisnods and leaves. I'll have to work all night to think of a way to put this soit doesn't seem like I was saying I won't help. Because if I would if I could.I just can't.