The Deamon Angel

Chapter 5: Golden Pain

When I woke up, I was in a dark room. My eyes strained to see. Just then a door opened, blinding me with white light. When my eyes refocus, I see that I'm in a cell. It is empty other than myself and the chains that bind me to the wall. There was a man, a jailor it seems, standing at the door. I do not recognize him. I cannot speak or else I would have asked what was going on.

"Stand," the man ordered.

I can do nothing but obey. He crosses the tiny cell to the wall where I am chained and releases the irons. I look at my wrists. I hadn't realized that they were bleeding and blistered.

The jailor leads me down a long corridor lined with cells similar to my own. Taunting laughs were all around me. I dare not look up. I was not bound, yet I could not run.

The jailor lead me down several more corridors; most lined with closed doors. Finally, we reached a large golden door. The jailor opened it, and pushed me through. He did not follow. I was intercepted by two palace guards and lead through the ginormous room. I was stopped right in the middle of a throne. It was empty. It did not take me long to recognize this place. The palace was gold, despite it's name. The Ivory Haven. The Palace of the Lady Daeya. This place makes me sick.

Someone, out of my range of sight, announces that I am about to be in audience with Lady Daeya. I look to my feet, not wanting to see her face. She is very pretty, the Greeks once called her Aphrodite because of her tremendous beauty. I resent her very being. She is said to be the creator of all of angel kind, and that makes me sick.

"Look at me, girl," I am commanded.

My traitor eyes look up. Lady Daeya sits in her golden throne, glaring at me. James is at her side. If I could move I'd have slapped the smirk right off of his smug little face.

"Welcome," Daeya says a little to cheerfully.

I found words," What is going on?"

"Oh, dear, don't bother yourself with those details; they aren't important," Daeya says, smiling.

I regained feeling. I could move- and something else. Something strange, yet very familiar. Wings?, I thought. I looked around at myself and there they were, glossy, white down. They were awful. Alien. I had always wondered what it would be like to have my wings back, and this wasn't what I'd expected. These wings are not mine.

Daeya giggles," Do you like them? I made them just for you."

"Like them?" I start," I DO NOT FUCKING LIKE THEM! THEY ARE AWFUL. WHAT THE HELL HAVE YOU DONE TO ME?"

Seemingly taken aback Daeya says," Excuse me?"

"Did I fucking stutter? What have you done? Where is Austin? Why am I here? What have you done to me?"

I know that saying things like this to the queen will likely get me killed, but I don't care anymore. Daeya looks like she wants to say something, but I do not give her the chance.

"No. Just shut up. What is this? Where is Austin?" I'm starting to panic.

Daeya smirks," You don't need to worry about him; angels that get sent to the Void always come back."

That is when I completely lost my mind. I lunged at the goddess herself. My attacks were blocked by none other than her ugly pet, James. I am within arms reach of Daeya. She doesn't show it on her face, but it is clear from her eyes; she is terrified.

"How could you?" I say, not able to strike her.

"How could I what?" Daeya says, defiantly.

I step back, anger billowing off of me, like a bitter cloud of hatred. I can't think straight. My only actions are on impulse. I take a step forward, this time towards James, and pull his sword from it's scabbard. I spread my wings and held the sword high, ready to strike. Daeya screamed. I brought the sword down in a flourish. Pain exploded in my back as I severed the awful pearly-white wings from my back. Both Daeya and James were stunned. I fought the urge to crumple to the floor in agony. Adrenaline was rushing through my veins. I throw down the sword and look angrily into Daeya's quivering gaze. I say nothing. I spit in her face, and pirouette. I walk out of the wretched throne room, leaving a bloody trail behind me.

The second I am out of Daeya's presence, I feel sick. Not just sick, but like I'm being burned from the inside out. I don't know what's happening. I make a run for it. I am familiar with the halls of the Ivory Haven, so I do not get lost while looking for my way out. I'm barely moving now. The pain is awful. I'm in agony. I build up my willpower, and I run for it; my last turn just ahead. I'm about to collapse just as I make it to the door. I push the door open with what little strength I have left. This should be the door. I can make it. I black out and collapse into a world of blessed darkness.