Fallen Demon

Chapter 10: Diana

            I couldn't breathe. Everything was going too slow. The fire, the loathing that consumed her eyes, the clear determination, the promise of death, everything was numb and yet it was all on fire. I was safe but it was all momentary. She was going to come for me. My heart knew her words rung true. She would follow me no matter where I went. I could feel my teeth grind down on each other.

I didn't know what to do. I couldn't let her find me. I couldn't let her touch me. I was the victim. She attacked me. Everyone saw. No one would believe her even if she went to cry to them. I had to use this. They would keep me safe if this is what they thought. No angel would willingly believe a demon after all... Would they? Darren certainly wouldn't believe a word out of their mouths. I had to use him. I looked see Darren's face. His mouth was moving but I couldn't seem to register any of it.

Everything just hurt too much but my head was spiraling. I had to fix this. I had to protect myself. No matter the cost. Lavana was not allowed to take away the fate I decided on. No one would.

"Diana!" Darren's voice panicked as it finally pierced my thoughts, "Diana talk to me!"

I let tears start falling down my eyes as he flew us through the hallways with urgency. Angels moved out of the way for us as he sped us through the hall. I could hear their gasps and whispers at the damaged sight of me.

How much blood had I been lost from Lavana throwing me around like that? The burn wasn't bleeding simply because I seared my skin right off.

"Darren," I cried out. My words were pitiful and breathless, "It hurts... It hurts so much..."

"Hold on Diana," his words sharp and cold as disgust and anger covered his face, "We're almost there. Aria will help you."

"I'm scared," I gripped onto his shirt and began to bury my head in his chest. I had to play the part which wasn't too hard considering the pain was overwhelming me into a pained numbness, "It hurts so much Darren."

His wings began to beat faster as my tears began to soak into his shirt. It wasn't long before he kicked the door open causing someone to yelp in surprise. I heard something shatter on the ground before an order was sent our way. Darren didn't take long to follow his directions as he laid me down flat on my back. My wings spread did their best to not be trapped under me.

"Aria, how bad is it?" I stared at the ceiling as tears slipped off my face.

Warm hands were touching me but I didn't look as I tried to bite down my pain.

"I'm so sorry. I know this must hurt. Darren what happened?" the beautifully sweet voice must have belonged to Aria.

"S-she," I could hear the horror that shook us both to the core, "I've never seen so much power. The demon she tried to kill Diana."

"Darren," My head pounded as I closed my hands not wanting to see Aria work on me, "Why... She tried to-to kill me. Why?"

I felt his hand reach out to hold onto mine.

"I think it was rather clear Diana," His voice was colder and crueler than I had ever heard it before. "She's a demon. She must have been envious of you. She wanted what you were blessed with. Especially after she turned into that monster, I can't believe I thought of her as a friend."

What a two-face bast-

"I just never thought..." my words but a sob as I tried to cover my anger yet delight as Darren's behavior towards the incident, "How could she hurt me like that..."

"You shouldn't be surprised Diana," his words sent sharp shivers down my spine, "Demons are nothing but creatures of sin and deception. She must have always been like that to turn into something so, so, horrendous. Forget about her. She can't hurt you anymore. We'll make sure your safe."

I opened my eyes as something cool was spread across my burns and wounds. I was met by beautiful evergreen eyes that glowed lightly under the light. She brushed back a loose piece of her black hair as she pinched her eyebrows in concentration. Her round face beautiful as her hair curled around her face. She gave me a small smile when she noticed me staring. My tears were subsiding along with my pain, and I did my best to return her smile.

"Aria is one of the best there is when it comes to this," Darren explained as he squeezed my hand, "You're in good hands, Diana."

I tilted my head to look at Darren. His eyes were all over Aria. Disgust filled my eyes but I kept my face neutral. Aria was visibly ignoring Darren's lust filled eyes. I didn't know angels were even allowed to have lust, much less feel it. He disgusted me. He called demons sinful but he couldn't even keep his own sinful desires to himself.

"I numbed your nerves and stopped any bleeding but we need to clean the blood off so nothing becomes infected when I stitch you up," Her voice was so calming as despite the strained smile she gave Darren. She must have known of his feelings. There's no doubt he must have tried to act on them considering her hesitant behavior towards him. Did she not like men? I hoped she didn't, "Darren could you leave for now? I need to get Diana out of her clothes and you should get some rest as well. You've both must have had a long day."

"Of course Aria," he nodded gently but I knew we could both see the lust continue to fog his eyes.

Aria waited for him to leave the room before she closed the curtain to keep the world from viewing me. She picked up scissors before coming over to me.

"I'm afraid I'll have to cut off your clothes. I don't think you're in the state to move and even if you were, I don't think you're in the state to try and take off your clothes when you've just got your wings."

Aria was careful when she pulled off the ripped fabrics off of me. She didn't hesitate much less flinch when she started to clean off the damage Lavana had done to me.

"You don't have to worry, we have clothes for you. They'll be easier to wear until you get used to your wings. With time, you'll be able to hide your wings inside you and have them appear when you need them. If could take a few weeks before you can fly properly though. Even our strongest struggle with doing such a task effortlessly, many angels can take up to a year or two so don't fret if you're having struggles."

I nodded silently as I took in everything she told me.

"I think you'll end up staying here until you get fully healed," her smile was gentle as she began to gently move my body in order to bandage me, "Don't worry though! You shouldn't get any scars from this. Though you should know that that scars..." She looked sadly at my body, "The scars you already have are from when you were alive. I think... these larger ones were the reason you died."

I didn't say anything as I closed my eyes. How did I die? How many scars did Aria see one me? Why did the Angel find Lavana and me in the same area? Did we die together? Do other angels have scars? What about demons? Questions began to pop into my head but not a single one was going to be answered...

"I'm all done," Aria covered me with a blanket, "You should get some rest. You have at least a week before I let you move about after all."

I heard her stand and my eyes blinked open as my hand reached out to grab the fabric of her dress.

"I-I um," I could feel my face become covered with embarrassment, "Would it be too much to ask... if-if umm... you'd stay with me until I fell asleep?"

I kept my gaze on the ground as I waited for her answer.

"Of course," Her voice was filled with kindness as she sat back down and held my hand until I drifted into a much-needed slumber.