Falling Into Darkness Read online

  “It’s been a long time, lover,” Lucifer said.

  Michael raised his sword again, but he faltered slightly at Lucifer’s words and the soft tone he used.

  “Don’t you have a kiss for me?” Lucifer teased.

  Michael didn’t trust himself to speak. He needed Lucifer to fight him, not talk to him as if they lay tangled beneath the sheets after making love. He circled Lucifer, keeping his sword raised, stopping only when he no longer had his back to the battlefield. He needed to see if someone approached him from behind.

  “My demons won’t attack you unless I tell them to,” Lucifer said, having clearly guessed Michael’s thoughts. “They have their orders.”

  “You think you have control of any of those creatures?” Michael asked. “Look at them. They’re monsters.”

  “They won’t harm you.”

  Michael raised his sword to Lucifer’s throat. He saw the tiny scar from the last time he had stood in this position. He cringed at the memory.

  Lucifer swept Michael’s blade aside with ease. “You can still take your place at my side. It’s not too late to join me.”

  “Never,” Michael snarled as he swung his sword at Lucifer, hoping this would be over quickly, one way or another.

  Lucifer didn’t waste any more time or energy with words. He met Michael’s strike with one of his own, and the clang of their swords echoed across the hillside. Michael’s arm wavered at the force of the blow, but he maintained his grip on the hilt of the sword and swung round to strike again.

  For a demon who had done precious little fighting on the front lines during the recent years of the wars, Lucifer was astonishingly adept with the blade. He met each of Michael’s thrusts with ease and Michael stumbled at the realization this fight wouldn’t be as easy as he had first thought.

  Michael flew above Lucifer, striking down at the fallen angel as he let his wings carry him out of range. Lucifer’s wings, hidden until now, appeared and he left the ground as well. No longer pure white feathers, his wings were dark gray and appeared leathery in texture. Michael could have wept at the visible evidence of what Lucifer had become. Even more than the horns, the wings broke Michael’s heart.

  Caught up in his sorrow, Michael didn’t see Lucifer’s next sweep of the sword. The blade caught his shoulder, drawing blood and sending pain shooting down his arm. Thankfully it wasn’t his sword arm, even if the wound was still agonizing.

  Michael screamed, letting loose one blow after another at Lucifer, his blade moving too fast for a human to see. Lucifer, however, had no such difficulty and now they fought in earnest.

  The sky darkened, day turned to night, and the battlefield became quiet. The two armies retired to their respective tents, ready to rest before returning to the field tomorrow.

  Michael saw Gabriel hovering in the distance for several minutes before he flew back to their camp to tend to his troops. Michael knew Gabriel and the other archangels would see his own angels cared for too.

  Lucifer didn’t seem to have any intention of ending their personal battle and, even though Michael yearned for this to be over, he couldn’t walk away.

  Time meant little as they fought high in the clouds. Their armies were mere specks on the ground and the lights of the torches glowing dots.

  Dawn arrived, and, shortly after, Michael heard the sounds of renewed fighting below. Echoes of swords striking metal and arrows screaming through the air joined the clang of Michael’s and Lucifer’s swords meeting, over and over again.

  Michael drove Lucifer back to the ground, only for Lucifer to turn things about and corner him in the rocky crags of the hills. Michael fought his way out of the dead end and drove Lucifer into retreat.

  They took to the air again, soaring through the clouds each seeking to gain the upper hand, but neither ever quite managing it.

  Another day ended and still they battled. Down below, the two armies once again retired for the night. Michael could see countless dead on the ground, both angels and demons. It was impossible to tell which army had the advantage.

  Tonight, Raphael and several other archangels joined Gabriel and they stayed to watch Michael and Lucifer for nearly an hour. When the archangels seemed to understand that the two of them had no intention of stopping, most of them went back to the camp. Gabriel stayed longer, but eventually he too flew to the ground.

  The stamina of angels wasn’t endless and even archangels needed to recharge eventually. With the coming of the new dawn, Michael felt the strain of his prolonged fight. His arm ached and his wings were tiring. He decided to rest the latter by returning to the ground once more. Lucifer followed him, and in the light of the rising sun he could see the strain their fight had put on Lucifer. One of his wings bled in several places and a fine layer of sweat covered his body. The fallen angel didn’t seem quite as steady on his feet as he had been either. Michael didn’t know how long they could keep this up, but he knew he wouldn’t last another twenty-four hours. He just had to hope he lasted longer than Lucifer.

  As the day wore on, Michael began to notice changes to Lucifer. His eyes, which had occasionally flashed red, now remained that color rather than blue. Where previously the only signs of his demonic nature had been the gold horns and altered wings, now the rest of his body changed too. His legs, which Michael had once loved to feel wrapped around his body, became furred and his bare feet transformed into cloven hooves. His chest remained the same in form, but his skin darkened to black. When they locked swords at close quarters Michael saw Lucifer’s fingers had become talons with sharp points.

  How did I ever love this creature?

  Michael continued his thrusts with renewed energy, and finally, he won the upper hand, pushing Lucifer back repeatedly, until the fallen angel was the one cornered in the rocks.

  An earthquake shook the ground beneath them and Lucifer’s sword slipped from his fingers.

  Michael raised his blade, knowing this was the moment he had been waiting for. He could end the war right now with one true blow.

  Lucifer grasped blindly for his lost sword and Michael could see the fear in his eyes. He hesitated and Lucifer took advantage of his weakness to retrieve his blade and fend off the delayed blow when Michael finally delivered it.

  He had had his chance and he had failed. Michael berated himself as Lucifer went on the attack. His failure could mean the end of all of them. He couldn’t kill Lucifer, even after being given the opportunity. The only way this battle could end would be with Lucifer’s sword buried in Michael’s chest.

  Night fell once again and still Michael and Lucifer fought. Only now Michael merely defended himself, not seeking to gain the upper hand.

  Gabriel flew to the hillside to check on him again, but this time he didn’t stay long. Michael suspected he might be going to fetch reinforcements. It must have been obvious to anyone who saw them that Michael was losing this fight. But Gabriel didn’t return and Michael continued the fight for his life. He thought he heard the sounds of screams and fighting in the distance, but couldn’t let his concentration lapse to investigate the noise.

  Rain had been pouring for much of the afternoon and the ground had become increasingly slippery. In flight, the bad weather didn’t make much difference, but on the ground the mud made things much more difficult. Michael stumbled repeatedly as he tried to keep his balance, but the wet grass was treacherous. One particularly hard clash of their swords caused Michael to lose his footing completely and he tumbled down the hill, losing his sword in the process and hitting his head on a rock.

  When he had recovered Lucifer stood over him, his sword poised at Michael’s chest. Michael sighed and closed his eyes, knowing his battle had arrived at the inevitable conclusion.

  He waited for the killing blow, but it didn’t come. He dared a glance to see what had happened. Had Gabriel come back after all? No, they were still alone.

  Lucifer had withdrawn his sword and leaned against one of the huge rocks surrounding them. Why hasn’t h
e finished this?

  Michael stared at Lucifer as he changed form, restored once again to the beauty Michael knew so well. His wings remained, as did the horns, but the rest of him converted back to a more human appearance.

  Lucifer stalked over to him and Michael tried to find the strength to move, but now he had stopped he couldn’t seem to summon any energy. Exhaustion had set in and all he could do was wait for the end. Lucifer stood over him for several long minutes before he tossed aside his sword and fell to the ground beside him.

  Michael could hear how short of breath Lucifer was.

  He closed his eyes and wondered what they would do now. Would they rest and start again with their energy renewed? Or would it be more sensible for them to return to their armies and let someone else take on the task of killing each other, since neither appeared capable of ending the other’s life?

  Michael still had his eyes shut when he felt the heaviness of a body climbing on top of him. His eyes flew open and he saw that Lucifer had straddled him. His hands were over Michael’s throat and for a brief, terrifying moment Michael wondered if Lucifer intended to strangle him with his bare hands.

  But Lucifer didn’t squeeze the life from him. Instead he took Michael’s face between his hands and leaned down, pressing their lips together in a kiss that was both strange and familiar.

  Michael took a moment to wonder what could possibly be going through Lucifer’s mind. Why would he choose to kiss him at such a time? Then he realized Lucifer was kissing him and it had been so long since they had last done this. It had been too long, too many lonely centuries where he’d gone home each night to an empty bed.

  After a few seconds of hesitation Michael sighed into the kiss and opened his mouth to let Lucifer in.

  Michael had missed this so much. He hadn’t wanted to admit it, but with Lucifer’s lips on his own he couldn’t deny the truth. Even now, after all these years, he still wanted Lucifer as badly as he ever had.

  Lucifer pulled back a little and gazed into Michael’s eyes. Michael nodded in reply to the unspoken question and unclasped his armor. Lucifer sat back to give him room to undress and to remove his own battered robe.

  “Come here,” Michael said once they were both naked, with nothing between them except Lucifer’s gift, the key Michael had never used.

  Lucifer pushed Michael’s legs apart and kneeled between them. “I can’t go slowly,” he warned. “It’s been too long.”

  “I know,” Michael replied. “Just take me however you want to.”

  Lucifer nodded and encouraged Michael onto his hands and knees. It wasn’t Michael’s favorite position, but right now he wanted Lucifer any way he could have him. Lucifer didn’t waste time with preparation. He speared Michael with one swift thrust and Michael bit back his scream, desperate to keep quiet in case someone heard them. He knew if his fellow archangels saw him right now they would destroy them both.

  “You’re tight,” Lucifer said. “Has there been anyone else since me?”

  Michael shook his head. “No one. Only you, Lucifer.”

  “Good.” Lucifer pulled out nearly all the way before driving in again. Michael pushed back to meet his thrusts relishing the long-forgotten feeling of being so completely filled by his lover.

  Michael keened quietly as Lucifer thrust into him again and again. He needed Lucifer so badly. He always had and he suspected he always would.

  Lucifer continued to pound into him until Michael’s arse burned. He eased his legs apart a little more, spreading himself as wide as he could for Lucifer’s pleasure. His cock hung between his thighs, thick and heavy with need.

  It had been too many years and they were both so desperate for this, it didn’t take long before Lucifer whispered a warning he was close.

  Michael felt the heat of Lucifer’s release filling his arse and his own balls drew up as he neared his own climax. Lucifer continued to thrust, spilling his seed deep inside him, and Michael couldn’t stop his loud scream of pleasure when he too came, his semen spurting onto the ground beneath him.

  Lucifer pulled Michael back onto his knees and took hold of Michael’s sensitive cock, pumping him repeatedly while Michael cried out in ecstasy.

  “That’s it, Michael, scream for me,” Lucifer whispered in his ear. “Call my name.”

  “Lucifer,” Michael breathed, no more able to disobey the quiet command than he could have stopped the sun from rising.

  “Louder,” Lucifer demanded. “Scream my name to the heavens.”

  Michael sobbed and shook his head. If anyone heard him they would come here and see what he had done. If such a thing should happen it would be the end of both of them, and more than anything Michael didn’t want this to end. There had to be a way for him to be with Lucifer without losing himself in the process.

  “Join me,” Lucifer said. “Take your rightful place at my side.”

  “No.”

  “It’s where you belong.”

  “No.”

  “How can you doubt it?” Lucifer asked. “You’re naked in my arms, with my cock and my seed filling your arse.”

  “I can’t be what you want me to be.” Michael ducked his head, but he made no effort to pull himself away from Lucifer.

  “You are everything I want,” Lucifer said. “Fiery, passionate, and loyal. I won’t give you up.”

  “I won’t turn demon for you.”

  Lucifer kissed Michael’s neck, hard enough that Michael knew it would leave a mark. “Then where do we go from here?” he asked. “I can’t lose you again.”

  “You never did,” Michael replied. “I’ve always been yours and we both know it.”

  “Yet you won’t join me.”

  “I can’t.”

  Lucifer reached to stroke Michael’s cock once again. Michael whimpered and shook in Lucifer’s arms.

  “Let’s sleep and we’ll talk again in the morning,” Lucifer suggested.

  Michael cringed as Lucifer withdrew from him. The pain lasted only as long as it took Lucifer to take it away with the touch of his finger.

  “You can still do that?” Michael asked.

  “I still have all my angel powers. I should have eased my way when I took you, but I confess I wanted to cause you some pain, for leaving me alone all these centuries.”

  Michael stroked Lucifer’s cheek and gave him a tender kiss on the lips. “I understand. If I had been in your position, I would probably have done the same thing.”

  Lucifer appeared to doubt his words, and Michael didn’t press it. It made no difference since Lucifer had never let Michael take him when they had been together in the realm of angels. He had no idea what sort of lover Michael would be if he were the one on top. Maybe one day they would both find out.

  But first they needed to find a way to make this work. Lucifer had no intention of returning to the light and Michael wasn’t prepared to become one of his lover’s demons. If anyone, angel or demon, should discover what they had done it would be the end of everything.

  Lucifer picked up his short robe and placed it on the ground, the fabric extending and spreading to cover a much larger area than it should have. It seemed Lucifer had learned some new tricks as well. Lucifer sat on the robe and held out his hand to Michael, who took it without hesitation.

  Michael sank down beside Lucifer and let the fallen angel take him into his arms again. He curled into Lucifer’s side, and when he closed his eyes he fell asleep almost immediately, something he hadn’t achieved since the last time he had slept with Lucifer.

  Chapter Five

  Michael woke the next morning to the feel of lips pressing against his chest. When he opened his eyes he saw Lucifer paying homage to his nipples, kissing them and sucking the nubs into his mouth.

  “Has the battle started again?” Michael managed to ask.

  “The trumpets haven’t sounded yet,” Lucifer replied. “Now, what should we do today?”

  “I need to go back to the army,” Michael said, even though he was
reluctant to leave their sheltered cocoon in the rocks.

  “You’ve not changed your mind about coming with me?”

  “You know I can’t.”

  For a moment Michael thought about leading Lucifer to the cells, deep in the mountains, in the realm of angels.

  “The cells won’t hold me,” Lucifer whispered.

  Michael couldn’t tell if he had read his mind or merely guessed the direction of his thoughts.

  “They might contain lesser angels, but not one as powerful as me.”

  Michael believed him without question.

  “The archangels will kill me when they find out you’ve failed,” Lucifer said. “Can you at least stay with me until they come?”

  Michael drew Lucifer closer for a kiss. He could do that. He could be with Lucifer when the end came, even if he could not destroy him personally.

  Or maybe there was another way.

  The idea formed in Michael’s mind even as he savored Lucifer’s kiss.

  “There may be another option,” he whispered after they parted.

  “Hmm?” Lucifer kissed his neck, clearly not listening too closely.

  “Who would believe the leader of an army of demons would let an archangel walk away unscathed?”

  “Anyone who ever saw us together?” Lucifer suggested.

  “But who has?” Michael countered. “You never were particularly sociable. We’ve been fighting for days now, and no one except us saw how the battle ended. If I go back to the camp they will assume I’ve defeated you.”

  “What exactly are you saying?” Lucifer asked. “Even if you did lie to the other archangels—and I can’t believe I’m hearing you suggest such a thing—they would soon discover the deception.”

  “Not if you went into hiding,” Michael said as the idea took shape. “You have the power to become invisible. You could use it to stay out of sight. Let everyone believe you’ve been killed, and no one will be searching for you.”