Heart Of Stone

Chapter Fifteen

LUTE'S POV
I ran up to him with tears in my eyes. No... no, this can't happen. Not here. Not now.
"Sir! Stay with me Sir!"
"Lute..."
I bend down beside him trying desperately to stop the tears.
"You were always a failure, you know that? You couldn't save me. Now look where we are Babe."
"Adam... please..."
"I thought I could trust you. I guess I thought wrong. You were nothing but weak. It's your fault that I'm dying. It's your fault our mission can't be completed. Now, all of these sinful bitches will live. And it's all because of you."
I fall to my knees and fight back a sob as he takes his final breath. That's when I woke up.
I bolt upright in my bed breathing hard. What the fuck was that all about? I've been free from the nightmares for weeks. I debate texting Emily to come to my room. And then the sinking realization hits me... she's not here anymore either. And it's all because of me...
Why do I just fuck everything up? Why can't I just let a good thing be? It's always my fucking fault. All I am is a failure.
I begin crying, again. God Lute, get your shit together. I need to clear my head.
Shakily, I get out of bed and change into more presentable clothing. I glance in the mirror to make sure no one can tell that I have been crying. With a heavy sigh, I open the door to my  bedroom and exit.
I wander around  aimlessly letting my thoughts drift. I hate my emotions. I hate feeling so vulnerable. I shouldn't care about any of this. Especially not Emily. But thinking about trying to leave her hurts me so much more than I wish it did. It's a fact I cannot avoid anymore... Emily is the only thing that remotely keeps me sane anymore.
I guess I must have truly been in my head because the next thing I know, I'm almost running straight into the High Seraphim.
"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry Your Highness." I mutter, quickly stepping back from her.
"It's quite alright, Lieutenant."
"I should have been more attentive..."
"It is alright. Is something troubling you?"
"Yes." I blurt before I can stop myself. Fucking Heavens, now I've really fucked myself over.
"What is it?" She looks at me with genuine concern, but I can tell there is much more that she's not letting on. She takes my arm and guides me to a set of armchairs and we sit down.
"I'm sorry, I don't know what has gotten into me lately, Your Highness."
"Something is clearly on your mind, and I'm afraid that you won't be able to perform your duties correctly if you are distracted."
I nod knowing she has a point. But a part of me doesn't want to open up to her quite yet.
"I've just been thinking about Emily."
"You two were quite close, were you not?"
"We were..." I wanted to add that we still are but I know I would be practically shunned for saying such blasphemous things.
"She earned her spot down there, you realize this, correct?"
"Yes Ma'am." I nod while  trying to repress my anger. I hate the Hellspawn as much as the next Exorcist does, but Emily is NOT a Hellspawn. She's just a Seraphim who cares too much for those of whom who aren't our type.
"Are you possitive you understand, Lieutenant?"
"Yes, I am quite sure I do." I try to mask the annoyance in my voice. It's almost like she's asking for me to snap at her.
"Then answer me this. Why are you so attached? It's clear you still think about her often."
"Because I LOVE her." I put a hand to my mouth quickly after the statement leaves my lips. What have I done?
"Pardon?"
"Nothing, never mind... It's nothing."
"Oh no, repeat yourself."
"I-I love her." I whisper.
"What do you mean?" Her voice has a dangerous tone to it. I flinch while trying to select my next words carefully.
"Well, she's not up here anymore so I guess it does not matter... I also cannot lie to you."
"That is right, you cannot and must not lie to me."
"We were a couple, Your Highness." I can't meet her gaze.
"A couple. As in you, the female Lieutenant of the Exorcist army and Emily, the female Seraphim and Bringer of Joy were in a romantic relationship whilst being in Heaven?" Between the outraged look on her face and the emphasis on our genders, I knew she was pissed.
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Do you know how many Heavenly rules you have broken?"
"Yes Ma'am... I-"
"No. This is unbelievable. I could slightly understand Emily breaking the rules.  But you out of all people on the other hand, I'm disappointed in you. You knew better and yet you still went against me."
"Your Highness... please... I-"
She shakes her head and I see pure anger in her eyes. I lower my gaze knowing exactly where this is headed.
"You have left me no choice. I have to revoke your position as Leader of the Exterminators, and I  hereby sentence you to an eternity in the flaming pits of Hell. You have embarrassed me and Heaven as a whole due to your careless actions."
She draws a blade that I hadn't noticed was in her posession and moves it behind my back. I brace myself against the agony that is from my wings being torn from my body. The only thing I'm aware of is my descent to Hell.

VAGGIE'S POV
"Hey, did you see that?" I feel Charlie's hand on my arm and stop walking. I had seen it. A portal had just closed a few streets away.
"Yeah, I'm gonna go check it out, alright? Stay right here." I kiss her on the cheek.

"Okay, my love... be careful."
"I will."
I walk to where we had seen the portal and look around cautiously. My gaze lands on someone who has their back to me. I don't need to see their face to know who it is. Nothing can erase her from my memories.
"Well, look who it is." I couldn't help the icy edge to my voice.
She turns to me, glaring. That's when I notice the lack of wings. A twisted sense of amusement makes its way through my body.
"Well if it isn't the traitor."
"You're one to be talking. Where's your wings, Lieutenant? Are you even considered that now?"
"That is none of your fucking concern!"
"Is it not? I mean, last time I checked, you are now in my fiancé's teritory. I think on the behalf of the Princess, it is my concern."
"I'm quite sure that is not how that works. God, being down here has really dumbed you down."
"Let's see what it does to you," I shake my head trying to regain a more professional mindset, "I think we have gotten off track. Why the hell are you here?"
"I was cast out, whatever. I'm sure it will all be sorted out soon enough."
The hostility and arrogance in her voice infuriated me. Why was she here? Why the fuck was she acting like she was still above me?
"I see someone still has a short temper."
"And I see someone still has a problem with being egotistical. Don't forget, you're alive because I let you go. Starting to regret that now, but the look on your face was worth it."
"I could have easily gotten myself out of that without YOUR interference."
"Yeah, I highly doubt that."
"Are you still pissy that I dumped your sorry ass?"
"No, why would I be?" I scoff and tighten my grip around the handle of my spear. She was really getting under my skin.
"Because you know we would have been such a great team. We were a good team."
"You were too afraid to break the rules so you broke up with me to cover your ass."
"Or maybe I thought I deserved better, did you ever consider that?"
"I did. But you know what I realized Lute? I realized that you wanted to join the long list of Adam's wives."
"That's fucking bullshit."
"Wait, you two used to date?"
I whirl around to face my fiancé who's standing behind me, instantly feeling my stomach drop. How long had she been there? 
"I told you to stay put!"
"Oh, I see you're still keeping secrets from your little princess. How did that go for you last time exactly?" Lute taunts.
"Would you just shut the fuck up already? Charlie, we can talk later. As for right now, we have to figure out what to do with... her."
"She'll have to stay at the hotel. There's no other truly safe place down here."
"Does she really have to be safe?" I couldn't control it anymore. The years of hatred for my ex lieutenant and ex girlfriend were starting to boil over.
"Yes, Vaggie. It's my job as the Princess of Hell to protect my people. And she is clearly now one of them... no offense." She says the last part while looking at Lute. Her tone was snappy. I know I deserve it.
"It's not like I have much of a choice I guess." She mutters.
"Fine, whatever." I sigh heavily in defeat.
Charlie gives a dismissive nod and takes Lute's arm and starts walking her in the direction of the Hotel. How the hell will I deal with living with the same person who treated me like shit for years? On top of that, I have to explain something to my fiancé that I never wanted to uncover again. I just want my past to disappear forever. Reluctantly, I begin to walk in the direction the other two are headed. I try to mentally prepare for the shit show that awaits me.