Different Yet The Same

Chapter Twenty-Six

-Spark-

I'm propelled out of the portal at unimaginable speeds and land face first on a...bed?

I toss my hair out of my face, looking probably completely unattractive.

Suddenly I hear a chuckle from behind me. I whip around and come face to face with...a person.

His black hair matching his dark eyes, he looks at me with love and compassion, filled with such emotion it tugs at my heart.

"You're back." He says, in a deep velvety voice.

"Um...ya, I'm back." I say, captivated by his alluring features.

"I missed you." He continues, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me close.

I'm about to pull away...I don't know this person. Then I take a quick look out of the window. The sky is a pulsating red, the city broken and damaged. All shades of red and a midnight black.

What happened? Then it suddenly clicks...the portals! We went through the wrong portals!

What do I do!? Umm let me think...oh ya...get out of here!

"Ya...um speaking of being back...I have to leave again." I say sheepishly.

"What?" He asks alarmed. "Why?"

"I-um-I need to check out my house for clues of where my mom is." I finish.

"Oh okay well-" he starts but is cut off.

"EMBER! COAL! GET TO THE BOARDROOM. NOW!" I hear a menacing voice bellow.

"Who is that?" I ask shocked.

"Lucifer." He says anger portrayed in his voice.

"The...devil?!" I screech.

"Ya...your dad..." He says sceptically.

Right! He thinks I'm Ember.

"Oh ya...of course...let's uh go see what he needs..." I trail off, slowly walking out of the room.

The man-who I now realize must be Coal-follows after me and links his hand with mine.

"We, will talk more later." He whispers with a wink.

Who is this man?! He seems rather close to Ember...oh my goodness! This is Embers boyfriend!

I offer a shy smile back at him, and focus my attention on the boardroom and...Lucifer.

I shudder at the thought. I can't believe I'm going to meet the devil.

I follow Coal down a series of hallways, clinging to his side whenever a...demon, walks by us.

As I cower I also notice that they cower from me. This gives me some reassurance and I slowly rise and my confidence is restored...somewhat.

After many twists and turns we arrive at a large set of doors. All of a sudden, I can hear my heart beat in my ears, and a quiet ringing. Behind this door is Lucifer.

Suddenly I hear a roar rip out the door and through the hallway. I jump a mile in the air and cling to Coal for dear life.

"Hey wow...it's ok." He says, clearly shocked at my reaction.

Darn it! I'm supposed to be Ember. Ok think like Ember. Act like Ember. Be Ember.

I chuckle. "I'm not scared, just don't want to have to see him."

He laughs at me, but there is no meaning behind it. Clearly he is nervous too.

He opens the door and I'm swept inside. I take a minute to admire the beautiful yet threatening decor before my eyes come to rest on Lucifer himself.

He is wearing a purple suit, with a gold tie and gold trim. His black hair gelled back. There is another man here, younger looking. He has black hair, is about 6'2 and is wearing an emerald green dress shirt with black khakis. He looks up at me and I stop dead in my tracks. His eyes are a shimmering gold, that catch the light and sparkle whenever he moves.

I'm suddenly pulled back to this unbelievable reality when Lucifer speaks up.

"Ah yes finally." He mumbles. "Pyro this is Ember and her guardian Coal." He then gestures to Pyro. "Ember, this is Pyro..." He pauses for effect. I can dread something bad coming. "Your fiancé."

I can't speak. I can't even move. I'm numb and motionless. The room has gone silent, until Coal speaks up.

"I'm so happy for you." He says through clenched teeth. Pyro walks over to me and puts an arm around my shoulders. I flinch at his touch.

"Thank you Coal." He replies with a I-stole-your-girl-and-you-can't-do-anything-about-it smile. "We will be very happy together."

Then he spins me around and kisses my full on the lips. Aggressively, like I am under his command. I rip myself away from him and can taste blood on my lips.

I run out of the room, Coal right on my heels. I don't know where I'm going but I'm going and fast.

Very quickly I find myself trapped in a corner, and then the tears come.

I cry, I let every tear drop spill from my eyes and create salty rivers down my cheeks. I'm so caught up in my crying that I am only faintly aware of the sensation of being picked up as if I weighed nothing and carried off, before being set down on a bed.

I feel a body lay down beside me and I curl into them letting my tear flow slowly fade away. Suddenly my face is pulled up and I'm staring into the deepest coal coloured eyes, like black holes pulling me in.

"Ember..." Coal whispers. "I've never know you to cry. So this must have really upset you." He kisses my forehead. "I'm so sorry." Then he pulls my chin up and kisses me. Not aggressive or demanding, but sweet and honest, a kiss filled with love and admiration.

I kiss him back, fully aware that he thinks I'm Ember and how messed up this situation is going to be but I have to act the part...right?

He breaks the kiss and pulls me into a tight hug so I can burry my face in the crook of his neck, inhaling his scent.

This moment feels so perfect, so mine...no not mine, Embers. Oh my gosh what am I doing? I have successfully ruined Embers life in a matter of hours! I have stolen her boyfriend, and acted like a total emotional wreck while pretending to be her.

Even though that is all true, I hug Coal back completely forgetting about the very high chance that this could all go very, very wrong.