The Devil's Love

||. Chapter 31: A Glimpse of the Past .||

12th June 1999

Angelo signed the letter with his dark magic with a heavy heart. His dark eyes glanced around the comfort of his cave as if to remember every crook of the uneven architecture. Biting onto his lips, he drew out the long sword from the corner of his shelter. He never asked for this, yet the endless plea from the guardians and angels melted his cold heart. The matters of the golden halls were no longer his concern, but the idea of his brother causing the chaos angered him. With a tight grip on his sword, Angelo spread his jet black wings freely and flew up into the red-painted skies.

An ugly sight greeted him the second he set foot on the golden tiles. Blood splattered across them, both old and new. Some were almost days old. He gagged at the sight, covering his mouth from the heavy stench. Angelo might be the angel of the Dead, but his duty does not involve blood. They had been mostly souls. Harmless and odourless to him. The very core of his spine shivered when he caught sight of a child lying without her head. Two pair of daggers in her tight grip. Angelo wrapped his palms tightly onto the sheath of his sword with anger and remorse cascading down his veins.

Unlike the hideous sight on the outside of the large golden doors, Angelo heard laughter and music, joining by the sound of stifled cries with cracking whips echoed from within.

How can one hold a feast when hundreds were massacred within their feet?

"Brother," the door cracked open, acknowledging his unannounced presence. Carson swooped down gracefully from the Throne, his golden wings bathed against the glorious light from within. "I was getting bored without you. I assume you are here to join me, and please, I insist. The party has just started. Luther managed to get hold of the eldest guardian of the Lands. I needed some answers, but the whips didn't seem to be working on her hardened soul. Come, take a seat next to me. I have the wine of your preference, that is if your taste is still similar as before."

Unlike the glory Carson instilled in within the halls, Angelo sensed fear circulating through the walls. Straightening his back, Angelo's wings fluttered slightly before disappearing from everyone's sight at his command. Though the guardians and angels were smiling, Angelo saw pain and anger shinning within their eyes. Thick chains were binding over the body of the guardian of the Lands. They rattled furiously when she lifted her head to meet Angelo's gaze. Her brown eyes were clouded with hatred.

"Abigail," he whispered, earning a sharp glare from the guardian who hissed at him.

Lowering his head, Angelo looked away, arranging his steps carefully on the corpse carpeted ground. Despite the luxurious clothing, food and drinks Carson had granted them, their souls were begging for help.

"I did not come here to join you, Carson," announced Angelo calmly, stopping his tracks a few steps ahead of hanging Abigail. He could hear her shallow breathing and the sound of her blood clinking against the floor. Steadying himself, Angelo continued.

"I come here to ask you to stop. You are mutilating our kind. This is not the right way to rule. The fear you earned from them does not stop anything," said Angelo firmly, his fingers kneed in between the hem of his clothing. "Isn't it enough that you took the Throne without everyone's agreement? They give it to you willingly and now, you are killing them. Is this the right way to repay their hospitality?"

Carson snorted. He chuckled softly, patting the arm of the throne and proceeded to continue his laugh hysterically. Brushing the bridge of his nose, he stared into Angelo's serious eyes.

"You don't have act innocent in front of me, Angelo. We both know you and I are siblings and no matter how good you are, we share the same blood. Soon, you will submit to my ruling too," Carson snickered. "Besides, this is not a way to speak to your older brother. This place in Heaven is no longer your concern. You are an angel in Hell now, so none of this is your concern. I am suggesting you turn away before I kill you too like the rest of the guardians on the list. Take a look at Abigail."