Falling Into Darkness

by L. M. Brown

  “Lucifer tries the patience of many of us,” Gabriel said. “Are you any closer to bringing him back to the light?”

  Michael sighed. “Sometimes I wonder if I’m closer to following him into the darkness.”

  Gabriel leaned forward and encouraged Michael to meet his eyes. “I’m glad you’ve told me this.”

  “What am I going to do?” Michael asked. “I don’t want to fall, but I feel as if I’m already slipping. I’m no nearer to saving Lucifer now than I was when I agreed to the mission. I don’t know what to do.”

  “You could end your relationship with Lucifer,” Gabriel suggested. “If you feel the danger in being with him is too great, then step away.”

  Michael shook his head immediately. “I can’t walk away from him. I still love him.”

  “Then perhaps you need to go to the Underworld and make your peace with him,” Gabriel said. “If he’s there, that is.”

  Michael gaped at Gabriel.

  “Lucifer has been leaving the Underworld for some time now. The rest of the archangels are aware of this and have been waiting to see if you would tell us.”

  “I didn’t find out until last night,” Michael said. “I know I should have said something just now, but…”

  “But it wasn’t the most pressing concern,” Gabriel finished. “It’s all right. I trust you would have told us soon.”

  “I’m not so sure,” Michael admitted. “I’ve kept Lucifer’s secrets before. This is just another one, isn’t it? Another lie I’m telling to protect him, and one more step into the darkness.”

  “Lucifer deceived us all,” Gabriel reminded him. “No one ever suspected he could fall so far or take so many with him. You know He still loves him, so why shouldn’t you? Caring for him isn’t the same as worshiping him.”

  Michael nodded. “Why haven’t the archangels raised the matter of Lucifer going to Earth?”

  “Because he hasn’t been doing any recruiting while he’s been there,” Gabriel explained. “It took only a few days to figure out what he was doing.”

  “Which is?”

  “He goes where you’ve been,” Gabriel said. “I think perhaps he does so to try to be closer to you when you’re apart.”

  “And you’ve known this for how long?”

  “Several months. One of Azrael’s charges spotted him on Earth and assumed an angel had fallen. His horns marked him as a demon, but she could sense his angelic powers too.”

  “Does the charge know she saw Lucifer?”

  “No. We let her continue to believe a lesser angel had left us, and since then the archangels have taken on the task of monitoring Lucifer and keeping track of his movements.”

  “Then he is still believed dead?”

  “Yes, and we intend to keep it that way. His reappearance now could be devastating. His followers might even claim it to be resurrection.”

  Michael didn’t think Lucifer wanted it known he still lived, but he had been wrong about so many things, he couldn’t say for sure.

  “Go make your peace,” Gabriel said. “Then perhaps some time apart from Lucifer might help.”

  “I can’t leave him.”

  “I’m not suggesting you do, not permanently anyway. But sometimes stepping back from a situation can give you some perspective.”

  Gabriel was correct, but Michael didn’t know how Lucifer would take the news of any separation, no matter the duration.

  * * * *

  “I’m sorry,” Lucifer said the moment Michael entered his chamber. “I should never have doubted you. I know you’d never take a mortal into your bed.”

  “There’s no one—mortal, angel, or demon—in my bed apart from you.”

  “I know.” Lucifer replied. “Am I forgiven?”

  Michael stepped closer. “Am I?” he asked. “I’m sorry I slapped you. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

  “You had every right to be angry after what I said,” Lucifer assured him. He rubbed his cheek. “Just don’t make a habit of it.”

  “I’ll try not to,” Michael promised.

  He wandered over to one of the chairs, avoiding the bed, because if he ended up there tonight, his resolve would crumble.

  Lucifer went to the bed and stretched out. “What are you doing all the way over there? Take off those robes and come here.”

  Michael remained in his seat. “I don’t think we should have sex tonight.”

  Lucifer laughed momentarily before he realized Michael wasn’t joking. “Don’t be ridiculous. Come to bed.”

  Michael shook his head. “I think it would be best if we spent some time apart.”

  “We already spend too much time separated,” Lucifer argued. “Your duties take you away from me all the time.”

  “I’m not going to argue with you about this,” Michael said. “I’m telling you what I’ve decided. I’m going to go back to the realm of angels shortly and I’m not sure when I’m going to be back here.”

  “I’ll expect you here tomorrow evening,” Lucifer stated.

  “Are you listening to what I’m saying?”

  “Yes, but we both know you’ll be here tomorrow, as eager for my cock as ever.”

  “No, I won’t,” Michael insisted. He stood and reopened the tunnel. “I don’t expect to see you again until I return here. And, just so you know, the archangels are aware you’ve been going to Earth.”

  “You betrayed me?”

  “I didn’t have to tell them, because they already knew, apparently long before I did.”

  “Why haven’t they tried to stop me?”

  “You’d have to ask them.”

  “I’m asking you.”

  Michael walked into the tunnel. “Goodnight, Lucifer.”

  * * * *

  Each morning and every night Michael sat on his beach, staring at the cliff. The temptation to open the entrance to the Underworld grew every day. He missed Lucifer constantly.

  Every day his resolve weakened a little more and he didn’t know how much longer he could stay away.

  Two months had passed when Michael felt the presence of a familiar body wrapping around him in the middle of the night.

  “Lucifer?” Michael murmured sleepily.

  “Shush,” Lucifer replied. “Don’t say anything. Just let me hold you.”

  He should send him away. They were in the realm of angels, where Lucifer was strictly forbidden to be. If the archangels discovered him here, he would be killed.

  Michael took Lucifer’s hand and pulled his arm around him. He could feel the hardness of Lucifer’s erection against his arse and he pushed back toward it. He closed his eyes and went back to sleep, secure in Lucifer’s embrace.

  When he next woke, it was to the sensation of a warm mouth wrapped around his cock, sucking him gently.

  “Oh, Lucifer,” Michael moaned. “I’ve missed you. Don’t stop. Oh, that’s it, right there. Suck harder, Lucifer, harder. Yes!”

  Michael came in Lucifer’s mouth with a cry of pleasure after just a few minutes. It had been far too long.

  When Lucifer’s lips met his own Michael could taste himself and he moaned in delight. He spread his legs apart and Lucifer slid into position.

  “Tell me you’ve missed me,” Lucifer said.

  “I have, I have.”

  “Tell me you still want me.”

  “I want you, Lucifer, so badly.”

  “How badly, Michael?”

  Michael took hold of Lucifer’s cock and guided him between his legs. “Fuck me, Lucifer.”

  Lucifer didn’t hesitate. With one swift thrust he claimed Michael’s body for his own once more. Michael gave up any control he had to Lucifer and didn’t regret it in the slightest.

  Michael lay there while Lucifer pounded into him. He cried out encouragement as their bodies moved in a fast and punishing rhythm.

  “Two months,” Lucifer growled. “That’s how long it’s been since I’ve seen you. I never thought you’d stay away so long. If I’d known, I
wouldn’t have agreed to the separation.”

  “You didn’t agree,” Michael reminded him between gasps of breath.

  “You’re quite right,” Lucifer replied, right before he thrust into Michael with enough force to lift him from the bed. “I didn’t agree then and I don’t now.”

  Michael howled with pleasure and his cock rose once more.

  Lucifer slowed his pace to a less punishing rhythm. “That’s it, Michael.”

  Michael moaned and sighed when Lucifer stopped fucking him and began making love to him instead. He grasped for Lucifer, needing to touch him. He knew, even without Lucifer saying the words, he had been forgiven for deserting him these last months.

  Lucifer came first, spilling his seed inside Michael, who, with a few strokes of his hand on his cock, reached his climax for a second time, even though he didn’t have anything left to spill.

  Michael guided Lucifer down to lie across his chest, careful not to let him leave his body. He wanted to feel his lover inside him as long as possible. He didn’t want to let him go.

  From the way he snuggled closer, Michael suspected Lucifer felt the same way. “Two months,” Lucifer whispered. “I never thought you would stay away from me so long.”

  “We’ve been apart for longer than that,” Michael reminded him. “During the war, remember?”

  “That was when I thought I’d never have you in my life again,” Lucifer said. “There are few angels who would willingly take one such as I into their bed.”

  “They don’t know you as I do,” Michael replied. “They see only what you’ve become.”

  “And what do you see?”

  Michael smiled. “I see the angel I fell in love with and what he might be again, if he could only find his way back to the light.”

  “You still think you can save me?”

  “Yes, but you shouldn’t have broken the rules by coming here.”

  Lucifer smirked. “Rules are made to be broken. You should try it more often.”

  “I don’t think the archangels would agree with you.”

  Lucifer sighed sadly. “I knew the consequences of coming to you, but I couldn’t stay away another day. I will accept my punishment.”

  “You’ll only be punished if you get caught,” Michael whispered, barely able to believe he spoke the words, even as they left his lips.

  “You’re one of the archangels,” Lucifer pointed out. “It’s your duty to turn me in for punishment.”

  “You know I won’t.”

  Lucifer’s smile widened. “I know. Just as you know you should.”

  Michael accepted the truth in Lucifer’s words and took another step toward the darkness. He knew there would be no going back. Lucifer had come here to test him and Michael had failed again.

  The knock on the door wasn’t entirely unexpected, though it came sooner than Michael would have hoped.

  “Come in,” he called and a moment later Gabriel entered the room.

  “You could at least have made me wait until you’d got out of bed and dressed,” Gabriel complained. “Your presence is required in our chamber. Both of you.”

  Gabriel left the room, though Michael could see him outside through the window, waiting to escort them. Was this it? Had he finally crossed the line that would lose him his wings? Michael wouldn’t blame the archangels if they decided to cast him out of the realm. Lucifer would be delighted, but Michael’s stomach churned at the thought.

  Once they were decently robed, and Lucifer had made sure his demonic features were suitably hidden, Michael and Lucifer followed Gabriel to the archangels’ chamber. No one gave them a second glance. They were simply three angels going about their business.

  Inside the chamber the rest of the archangels waited.

  “Had a pleasant night, did we?” Raguel asked.

  “Why yes,” Lucifer replied easily. “You might like to try it sometime.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Sex,” Lucifer said. “You might find you enjoy it.”

  “Take a seat, Lucifer,” Gabriel interrupted, pointing to the center of the room. “You too, Michael.”

  Lucifer sat, winked at Michael, and patted his lap.

  Michael stifled a smile and took his usual place in the circle of archangels.

  Gabriel called the room to attention. “Lucifer, you are here in this realm in direct contravention of the agreement between yourself and the archangels.”

  Lucifer didn’t say anything.

  “Well?” Gabriel asked.

  “What do you want me to say?” Lucifer replied. “I know I’m here. I was horny.”

  Michael nearly choked on his tongue.

  “Lucifer,” Gabriel said, “Michael asked for time away from you. You had no right to deny him this.”

  “He didn’t seem upset to see me last night,” Lucifer said. “I believe his exact words were ‘suck harder’ and ‘fuck me’. Hardly the words of someone who didn’t want me here.”

  Michael’s face burned as the rest of the archangels focused their attention on him. Lucifer’s tongue would be the death of him, one way or another.

  “We’ll come to Michael’s part in this shortly,” Gabriel said. “We are aware he is not entirely without blame in this matter.”

  Lucifer rose and moved to stand between Michael and the other archangels. “Michael didn’t ask me to join him last night. I came to him uninvited.”

  “That’s not the point.” Gabriel gestured to Lucifer to retake his seat. “Michael should have brought you to us immediately after he became aware of your presence. He didn’t, and we don’t believe he had any intention of doing so.”

  Michael ducked his head, knowing the accusation had hit the mark.

  “I believe he was a little distracted by my cock up his arse,” Lucifer said.

  “Lucifer!” Michael hissed. “You’re not helping.”

  Lucifer ignored him, although he did walk back to his seat.

  “Returning to your presence here,” Gabriel said, “you are aware of the punishment, Lucifer?”

  “I am.”

  “We swore if you entered this realm without permission we would have no alternative other than to destroy you.”

  “Please feel free to try,” Lucifer replied.

  “Did you imagine it to be an idle threat?” Gabriel asked.

  Lucifer shrugged. “If you’re going to kill me, do get on with it.”

  Raguel rose from his seat, drawing his sword and pointing it at Lucifer. “Gabriel, may I have the honor?”

  Gabriel raised his hand and Raguel sat back down, though he kept his sword in his hand. Then he turned to Lucifer again. “Lucifer, can you give me one good reason why I shouldn’t let Raguel use his sword to exact justice?”

  Lucifer smirked at Raguel. “Because he doesn’t know one end of a sword from the other?”

  Raguel charged across the room, his sword raised.

  Michael didn’t hesitate. He leaped from his seat and dove between Raguel and Lucifer. “No!”

  Raguel barely stopped in time. “You would give your life for this monster?”

  “He’s not a monster,” Michael said. “And yes, I would.”

  “Why?”

  Michael reached out blindly behind him and when Lucifer held his hand he took strength from him. “Because I love him.”

  Raguel raised his sword again, this time pointing it at Michael. “He doesn’t deserve your love. He doesn’t understand such emotions and he never will.”

  “This isn’t about what Lucifer feels for me,” Michael said. “It’s about what I feel for him. I love him and I would sacrifice myself to protect him. I won’t let you kill him, not like this.”

  “Sit down, Raguel,” Gabriel ordered. “You too, Michael.”

  Raguel reluctantly walked back to his seat, but when Michael tried to do likewise Lucifer kept hold of his hand and tugged him onto his lap. Michael sighed and shifted so he was more comfortable. He should take his proper place, but with Raguel
still brandishing his sword, perhaps it might be better to stay close to Lucifer. He told himself that was the only reason, though when he felt the swelling of Lucifer’s cock beneath his arse he certainly wasn’t complaining.

  “Michael?” Gabriel asked.

  Lucifer wrapped his arms round Michael’s waist. “He’s fine right here.”

  Michael nodded. “Let’s just get on with the meeting.”

  Gabriel didn’t seem impressed with the new seating arrangements but clearly wanted to get on with the proceedings. “Lucifer, I’ll ask you again, why should we not exact justice on you?”

  Michael didn’t give Lucifer a chance to reply this time. “This isn’t justice, Gabriel, and you know it.”

  “He’s broken the rules.”

  “I know he has, but he doesn’t deserve to die for visiting me.”

  Gabriel tapped his fingers on the arm of his chair. “What punishment would you decree is deserved?”

  “What?”

  “You say he doesn’t deserve to die,” Gabriel said. “So, what would be your punishment?”

  Michael shrugged. “Confining him to the Underworld?”

  “That’s where he was supposed to be in the first place.”

  Lucifer cleared his throat. “I would relinquish some of my powers.”

  Gabriel leaned forward. “Continue.”

  “I have many powers. If you are truly willing to spare my life, I would give some of them up, permanently.”

  “Which powers?” Gabriel asked.

  “His invisibility power?” Raguel suggested. “To stop him wandering through realms undetected.”

  “No,” Michael argued. “Without that power he would also be seen in the Underworld, and the demons would know he lives.”

  “Michael’s correct,” Raphael agreed. “Lucifer must retain that power. I would suggest his power to convert humans to demons is the one to be relinquished.”

  Lucifer gasped and Michael squeezed his hands before he said something foolish.

  Raphael rose to continue. “We already know Lucifer hasn’t just broken the rule about entering this realm. He has been on Earth as well. I would recommend the relaxation of the rule about going to Earth, if Lucifer agrees to give up his power of conversion, and if he agrees only to go to Earth when accompanied by an archangel.”