Fallen (Undergoing editing)

Chapter forty-one

Out back at the mansion, Alice, and Raven waited. It was night so the stars and the wide mood hung pungently in the sky, but it wouldn't be long before dawn approached and war would begin.

"Lilith, good you're here—oh your wings are back!" Raven said joyously, fixing her hair that was half in a ponytail and half flowing gallantly over her shoulders.

"We should probably go soon or it'll be too late," Alice said warningly.

I stretched my wings, preparing my shoulders for flight. "When do the demons come?"

"At dawn," Alice eyes flashed.

I nodded, "Alright." I looked around. "Where's—"

"Did I hear a shred of worry in that pretty voice of yours snowflake?" said a voice from behind us.

I turned to gaze at Demetrius who strutted up to us, stretching his wings—almost flaunting them, something metal flashing at the tips.

I frowned.

"What's that on your wings?" I said pointing.

He looked down and smirked as he came over to me. "Your little boyfriend made me and everyone else metal tips on our wings." He winked. I felt that icy coldness against my cheek and I gazed at Demetrius's dark playful eyes that seemed slightly clouded over. The demon was out to play. "It adds to the deadliness."

I looked back to the others who flashed me their wings that had metal framing on the tips and top of their wings.

"Nice, the angels have no idea what's in store for them," I said grinning.

"Demetrius, why don't you take off with Raven? I want to speak with Lilith for a second," Alice said moving over to me.

The cockiness fled from Demetrius's face as he turned to me, casting a cautious look between the two of us. Raven ran for the edge of the cliff without a word and soared into the air. Demetrius watched for a second before mumbling "I'll see you in the air." And jumping into the air with a strong wave of his wings.

I looked to Alice who beamed at me, taking no care or interest into both Demetrius and Raven who began to grow farther and farther from the mansion.

"You look just like your mother."

I blinked with surprise, "W—what?"

Alice's smile widened. "That was your mother's gear from a long time ago. I'm surprised it's stayed so nice locked up."

I looked down at my gear that I wore and patted myself down, feeling the rough but smooth fabric. I shoved my nose against my arm, wondering if I could smell her scent, but it was probably long gone from all these years.

"Falcon and I worked with your parents." He sighed running his fingers through his hair that framed his strong face. "It's been such a long time Lilith; I would've loved for you to meet them. They were great people."

I gasped, remembering my dream from last night, standing in the burning house with Falcon. "I—I remember Falcon—from my dream. He said he was a part of the Fallen—"

Alice nodded solemnly. "He was Fallen."

I blinked, my jaw falling open. "What?"

"Falcon was undercover. Nobody knew except three people. You're mother, your father and myself." Alice said, eyes looking tired again. "When you're parents died, they made him promise to save you at any cost, so that's how you lived your life among angels. For years he did as he promised what he could do for you, keeping you alive and loved, while doing secret Fallen missions on the side." Alice's face darkened. "But, he cut it very close one time. He almost got caught during a Fallen mission, so close, it looked as though his double agent days were over, so instead of the Capital getting a hold of him, we agreed on an easier out."

I felt as though I knew where this was going.

"I helped stage a bunch of 'demonic activity' and told Demetrius to join them, so he could get close to Falcon." Alice sighed looking away into the dark star-lit sky. "So he could kill him."

My chest tightened and the lump formed again in my throat.

"It was the only way the Capital wouldn't know what Falcon was or who he was working for—or what he was protecting."

I felt my hands ball into fists at my side. Again, I was lied to. Things weren't as they seemed. They never were.

"It was all staged?" I said through chattering teeth. "Demetrius didn't kill Falcon because he lost control, he killed him because..."

"I asked him to," Alice said.

I closed my eyes breathing heavy. I couldn't believe this. Not again. The wounds I'd thought for sure had closed over, broke open again, letting the ugly truth rub all in the open area.

"He didn't tell me—"

"He probably didn't tell you because Falcon made him swear not to. He'd made Demetrius promise this be kept from you—until the time was right."

I bit my lip, feeling those little prickles of tears well up in my eyes. I was angry that they were coming again. I've heard so any lies by now, I was disappointed that I wasn't used to it yet.

"So, is there—uh anything else I should know about before I go die?"

Alice looked to me. "Lilith, I won't say all things that you've heard and been through weren't to make things better or less painful for you to endure. I've said it once and I'll say it again. You've been through a lot—maybe more than others—"

"But its how I'll fit in right?" I said stiffly.

Alice sighed. "If you want to be mad or regretful towards anybody, let it be towards me. I killed Falcon, I made Demetrius tell you what you were and give you the tablet, I made all these mistakes, Lilith. You should be mad at me, it's my fault, I'll willingly take the blame."

I stared at him for a moment before I sighed and pushed all the anger and tears away. I couldn't let this get in the way of tonight, I couldn't. There was too much at stake.

"No one is to blame," I said. "Things happen, people make mistakes." I sighed twiddling with my wings. "Falcon probably would've said something like that."

Something lit up in Alice's eyes and he smiled. "He was a great man, right next to your father, those two were the best, but of course you have your mother's ambition."

I couldn't help but fight a grin as I moved over to Alice, wrapping my arms around his shoulders. "We're Fallen, we're the race who has the birthright of choice and to choose what destinies we fall on." I pulled away and looked up to Alice's face, placing my hand on his cheek. "And I choose family."

Alice beamed and closed his eyes against my hand.

"Go," he whispered, nudging me off. "Change the world and your destinies."

I frowned. "Aren't you coming?"

Alice shook his head. "I'll hold off the demons for as long as I can to let you get out safely."

I nodded. "Okay." I turned to the cliff and opened my wings, feeling the night air caress me. I looked back to Alice who stood there with that lopsided grin. My heart sank as I wondered if I'd ever see him again or this beautiful mountain top. "I'll see you in the sky, then."

Alice nodded. "You fight, Lilith. Fight to survive—never surrender. You either die fighting or die trying."

I smiled as I turned back to the cliff. I will.

I closed my eyes and leapt.