Fate and the Defiant Angel (COMPLETED)

Chapter 23- Damn, hell sucks

We're getting there boys and girls! Also i think i should maybe give a trigger warning here, there isn't any actually scenes of violence or anything but it is heavily discussed. There is talks of child abuse, domestic abuse and general mention of depression briefly. It is talked about in such a way that it might cause people to feel targeted, or even attacked as if it about them? I think i'm explaining it badly.  I just wanted to give warning that it's there, it really isn't depicting it or anything. I just thought i should mention it because when i wrote it, it was an intense experience but i feel really helps with some character building. 

Other than that, enjoy!

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Mary stood at the doors with staff in hand and contemplating her options.

She had never been called in to meet with the leaders of the underworld before. It was practically unheard of for them to intervene with everyday activities. This was no coincidence.

The message she'd been sent by a low-level demon was brief, only demanding her immediate presence at the council's doors. That was all she'd been told. She didn't dare try to ask others what was happening, they would only see weakness.

Panic began to eat up at her in large bites, but her face remained blank and her spine stiff. She would not be cowered into submission. She would face them with no fear.

She raised a fist to rap on the door, but she blinked in surprise as her hand passed right through the door, as if it were smoke. Mary rolled her eyes at the theatrics and stepped forward.

Inside was not what she was expecting. Mary expected grandeur. There was supposed to be sweeping paintings and furniture. There was supposed to be a large ornate desk in which a dozen or so member sat behind, staring down with contempt and power.

What she got was a small room, a mimicking of a study. A crackling fire sat on the left side of the room, emitting no heat and no light. Candles were set up around the place which gleamed with an intensity that no average candle could achieve. Bookshelves decorated the walls, worn away from years of love. There was a desk pushed to the back of the room, simple but large and covered with dozens of assorted objects. In front of the table was a small straight back chair that was seemingly for Mary.

It looked like a basement office of a janitor stealing books from the library, Mary thought. This person thought themselves well-read and capable but was really not.

Mary's eyes glanced around, searching for the occupant and she found him tucked away in a corner, reading a book in the dark. He glanced up at Mary and she saw his gleaming red eyes.

Perhaps red wasn't the right word. Even from across the room she could see them flicker and fade, eyes made of flame. Long legs were neatly crossed and attired with plain black slacks. Mary stared at him until he slowly pulled himself out of the chair. He was tall, with long thin legs, and a body to match. He wore immaculately tailored clothing, a suit with a matching tie. Inky black hair stretched down past his shoulders, neatly brushed and matched the well kept beard on his face. 

"Hello," he said in a bright voice, something Mary did not expect.

Mary bowed her head, gritting her teeth at having to perform such an act. "I received a summons."

"Oh yes, I am quite aware," he said with a smirk. He slowly began his way to the desk, collapsing in a large desk chair. "Please take a seat, Grim."

Grim. A fake name which she was forced to take, nobody even believed her when she tried to change it. God, she hated the ridiculous name.

Every inch of her body was tense, but she did not show, slowly gliding her feet over to the chair and gently sitting in it.