Nephilum

Chapter 32

The next days after what happened with James I stayed in my room. I didn't talk to anyone, not even Michael when he came to bring me food. I sat in my bed and stared longingly out the window. I could feel myself sinking further and further into a depressed abyss, but no matter how hard I tried to resurface, I found that I couldn't.

I replayed James' and my conversation over and over, only to change the outcome in my head. There were times where he would look at me with love in his eyes and let me explain. In others he wouldn't even have to let me explain-he already knew.

For the most part Michael and Derek left me alone, but that didn't mean my father did. He slithered into my mind when I least expected it.

"If you helped the demons, we could find James and force him to face you." he would say. "No one would dare leave you before you had the chance to explain. You could lead a normal life-Sam, Ethan, Alex,-you can spend time with them as if none of this had ever happened."

As much as I was ashamed to admit it, I had started to believe him. All I wanted was for all this to be over-to go back to school, reunite with my friends and family, get my job back at the bookstore with Sam.

"Lizzie..." The all familiar voice cooed as I sat in my ever familiar bed staring out the window to hopefully find James coming back to me.

"I have some good news." His voice was gruff, but somehow beautiful at the same time, as per usual, but something in his tone was different. He seemed almost cheerful.

"What?" I asked aloud in a monotonous voice. My eyes never left the landscape outside as he spoke.

"Look outside."

I nearly snorted at the request. I had done nothing for the last week, but look outside.

"I already am." I replied in a slightly less bored tone.

"Look closer."

I narrowed my eyes and despite feeling as though I would never be whole without James, I searched the land. At first I saw nothing. It looked the same as always: green grass swaying gently in the wind, scorching hot sun casting a golden light on everything. But then I saw something-a flicker of movement about ten yards away from my window-shimmering brighter the longer I stared at it.

It seemed to unravel, revealing someone I had never met before, but somehow seemed to be familiar. It was my father.

I froze; partly in fear and partly in awe. He stood tall, enormous wings spread out behind him. He seemed the epitome of power. His wings were blood red with black feathers lining the edges of his wings. They were identical to mine except for the fact that his had no flecks of gold in them. His hard brown eyes reminded me of my own, only there was no emotion in them.

"Come."

He beckoned me with a wave of his wings as he spoke. I swallowed hard. Should I go? Then I realized that James already thought I would. I remembered how he'd left me in the yard screaming and sobbing his name until Michael came and got me. He wouldn't have cared if I went or not.

I knew I shouldn't come with him, but suddenly all the sadness and heartbreak I felt in the last week turned into boiling hot rage. I noticed with surprise that I resented James. I felt as if someone had injected me white hot wrath. I steeled my gaze.

I opened the window to my room and climbed out gracefully. It was a wonder I didn't fall on my face. I kept my chin up and my face level with the man in front of me as I walked closer to him. I let my wings slowly unfurl until I was standing no more than a foot away from my father.

"Hello. It's nice to finally meet you." He said. The way in which he spoke made chills roll down my spine. Despite the sweet voice of his, this man was dangerous.

I said nothing as I glared up into the mans eyes. It was like looking into a mirror. I saw parts of myself in him. His strong jawline almost identical to mine, the way he held himself as if nothing could tear him down; it reminded me of myself.

I felt powerful. With my wings spread as wide as they would go, my back straight, shoulders square. I could feel the all familiar fire writhing through my veins, but I could also feel his.

"What? No questions for dear old dad?" He asked in an overly cheerful tone. His eyes stayed dead.

"Why are you here?" I asked in a level voice.

"To collect you, of course."

"To collect me?" I asked incredulously, finally letting some of the anger I felt slip into my voice. "What am I, an object?"

"Of course not." He said. His brown eyes were harder than ever and a harsh wind blew past us, whipping my dark brown hair into the air. "You are my daughter and I love you. I only wish to help you learn to control your power and get to know you."

I laughed humorlessly. There was something bitter in my voice that had never been there before. "I am not you daughter. Besides, if you love me so much then why did you leave me when I was born?" I spit.

His jaw clenched, but he replied calmly. "I am very regretful that I didn't get you sooner, but I thought under the circumstances, you would be safer with those humans." He said the last word with disgust. Like humans were no more than vermin.

My eyes hardened and my hands curled into fists at my sides. He cocked his head to the side, slightly, in amusement at my actions, no doubt. The fire inside me pulsed harder against me, fighting to break free.

"Oh, don't tell me you've grown close to them." The way he said it implied he knew already that I had befriended many humans. "They will do nothing, but bring you down."

"You're an idiot." I barked at him. His eyes lightened with fury. "If it weren't for my human friends and family I wouldn't be standing here. I would probably be dead."

I only realized my mistake after my outburst. I should not have called him an idiot because his wings spread wider and his glare on me deepened. He looked murderous. Gone was the carefree father act; he looked like an archangel ready to strike me down.

His wings towered over mine, but I couldn't bring myself to regret the snide comment I'd made. Instead of cowering like I wanted to, I let a self satisfied smirk adorn my face.

"You think you scare me?" I said with a laugh. "Think again. You're no scarier than those cheesy horror movies my friends used to make me watch."

Faster than I could blink, I was on the ground and writhing in pain. I realized with a jolt that I was on fire, but that wasn't where the pain was coming from. I didn't even feel the flames licking across my body. What hurt was my legs. They were screaming in pain. I looked down to see that they were covered in blood.

Severe cuts were spread centimeters apart on each leg. Each cut was a about a foot long. I screamed in agony as my wings curved around me protectively. Just as the scream left my mouth, Lucifer snapped his fingers and I was suddenly standing up, my legs healed. The blood was still there, though I barely felt it.

"Don't ever compare me to a horror film again. That was only a fraction of what I have in store for you if you don't join me." His voice was malicious. It sent another shiver down my spine.

I swallowed hard, but didn't say anything.

"Oh look. You're scream alerted your friends. This is starting to get interesting."

I had barely turned around when suddenly Michael and Derek were in front of me, the same type of blades in their hands that had James had been stabbed with.