Falling Into Darkness

by L. M. Brown

  “I think you’re the one who has a memory problem. If you want to know how many fallen angels are here, take a look, they’re right here in this room, you can count them yourself. They don’t have a problem joining me here, unlike you.”

  “Lucifer, I’m not here to fight with you.”

  “Who’s fighting?” Lucifer filled his tankard with a wave of his hand and took a long swallow. “Just because I’m not running to do your bidding as I have before. I’d forgotten what it’s like to have followers with angelic powers.”

  Michael cringed at having his suspicions confirmed. “This isn’t you talking.”

  Lucifer roared with laughter. “Of course it’s me. I haven’t felt this good in a millennium. I can’t wait for the day you finally join me. The power boost I’ll enjoy from the fall of an archangel will be unparalleled.”

  Michael could see he wouldn’t get anywhere until Lucifer had sobered up, which could take months, since his intoxication came from power, rather than good old-fashioned alcohol. He surveyed the room. He soon caught sight of one of the angels who had recently fallen from grace. Unlike many of the demons, she had maintained most of her human appearance, though with her horns, claws, and pointed teeth she would stand out in the crowd in the realm of angels. Michael could feel her lure and felt certain that she had become a sexual predator. How had this happened?

  He saw Ardat laughing and joking, and was astonished when she gave him a small wave from across the room. She was more powerful than he had realized, if she could see him despite his shield.

  “Go home, Michael,” Lucifer said. “Or, better yet, go wait in my bed until I’m ready to come fuck you. That’s all you’ve ever been good for.”

  “Lucifer, listen to yourself.” Michael couldn’t give up so quickly.

  “No,” Lucifer roared. “You listen. I am not some lesser angel to take orders from you. I’m the great Lucifer, ruler of the Underworld, the most powerful demon to ever walk the earth.”

  “I know who you are.”

  “You know, but you don’t understand. You have no place here unless you wish to join me.”

  “I won’t do that.”

  Lucifer sneered. “No, of course you won’t. Well, things are going to change from now on.”

  “What do you mean?” Michael asked.

  Lucifer pulled open his robes and exposed his erection. “Suck me.”

  A hush fell over the room and Michael realized that the rest of the demons could see him. Lucifer had revealed Michael’s presence to the room, just as he had once threatened to. Michael tried to put up his shields again, but Lucifer’s power prevented him.

  “Well?” Lucifer said. “What are you waiting for? You either take your place beside me, or you get on your knees and suck my cock.”

  “No.”

  “Why not?” Lucifer asked with a smirk at the crowd. “It’s not like you don’t enjoy it. Oh yes, my demons, listen up. I think it’s about time you all knew the truth about the archangel Michael. He refuses to become one of us, but he’s been spreading his legs for me for centuries. In private he has no such hesitation about kneeling at my feet and taking my cock between those pouting lips.”

  Lucifer pointed to the space between his legs and a cushion appeared between his feet. “There, I’ve made it more comfortable for you. Now kneel.”

  Michael drew his sword and pointed it at Lucifer’s chest. “Cover your body and sober up.”

  “Isn’t false modesty a sin?” Lucifer replied with a smirk. “I have no problem with every demon in this room seeing me this way.”

  “You might not care, but I do.”

  “Ah, is that jealousy I hear?” Lucifer cupped a hand round his ear and the demons behind Michael howled with laughter. “If you don’t suck me, right now, I’ll give you something to be jealous about.”

  Michael stepped forward without lowering his sword. The moment the tip of the blade touched Lucifer’s skin the weapon vanished from Michael’s hand. For the first time Michael sensed he might be in real danger.

  “My powers in the Underworld are without equal,” Lucifer said. He pointed to the cushion once more. “You know what you have to do. Or do I summon another to take your place?”

  “You wouldn’t dare.”

  Lucifer snapped his fingers and Gregor, the demon he had threatened to take into his bed so many years ago, appeared beside the throne. “You remember Gregor, don’t you, Michael?”

  Gregor, whose memory had been wiped, seemed a little confused.

  “I remember him,” Michael confirmed.

  “Good.” Lucifer smiled at the demon and gestured to the cushion. “Gregor, would you like the honor of sucking my cock?”

  Gregor licked his lips as he hurried to kneel between Lucifer’s legs.

  “No!” Michael shouted, and he pulled the demon back before he took the hard rod into his mouth.

  Lucifer smiled. “One of you is going to suck me, Michael. It’s him or you, so make your choice.”

  “This creature will never touch you again,” Michael said. He used his powers to send the demon flying across the room, uncaring as to where he landed.

  “Kneel,” Lucifer demanded.

  Michael closed his eyes and with shaking limbs he sank onto the cushion.

  “That’s right,” Lucifer said.

  Michael’s heart pounded. He could feel the eyes of every demon in the room boring into his back.

  “Now suck me,” Lucifer ordered.

  Michael gazed up at Lucifer, searching his eyes for the love he thought the fallen angel felt for him.

  “What are you waiting for?” one of the demons in the crowd called. “If you don’t want to taste him, I’ll be happy to take your place.”

  “You heard him,” Lucifer said.

  Michael nodded and, with a heavy heart, he sucked the tip of Lucifer’s cock between his lips. The crowd behind him cheered and laughed.

  Lucifer tugged hard on Michael’s hair, holding his head in place as he began to fuck his mouth.

  Michael closed his watery eyes as humiliation swept through him. What was he doing? How could he let Lucifer use him this way?

  Lucifer screamed in pleasure as he filled Michael’s mouth with his seed, and Michael drank it down, for the first time in his life finding no pleasure in the act.

  Finally, Lucifer was spent and Michael pulled away.

  “Stay there,” Lucifer said. “I like seeing you kneel at my feet.”

  Michael couldn’t have stood, even if he’d tried. He hung his head, unwilling to meet his lover’s eyes.

  “Undress,” Lucifer ordered. “I want to see you.”

  Michael didn’t move.

  “You aren’t shy, are you?” Lucifer asked. “You’ve just sucked my cock for the entertainment of several hundred demons. This is hardly the time for modesty. Now, undress.”

  Behind him, Michael could hear the demons growing restless again. He untied his robes, keeping his back to the room.

  “Stand up and face my people,” Lucifer said.

  “Lucifer, please.”

  Lucifer grabbed Michael’s arm and pulled him to his feet. He yanked the robe from his body and turned him to face the room. Michael closed his eyes rather than see the demons.

  “Look at them,” Lucifer whispered into his ear.

  Even though he didn’t want to, Michael felt a compulsion to open his eyes. He could tell Lucifer was using his powers on him, but was helpless to resist.

  “See, my demons,” Lucifer called to the room. “Here stands before you the legendary archangel Michael, who laid claim to my defeat in the great war. Look upon him and see him for what he truly is.”

  “He’s a liar!” a female demon shouted, to the cheers of the rest.

  “Lucifer’s whore,” a second creature yelled.

  Michael couldn’t take any more and he tried to use his powers to leave, but Lucifer blocked him, trapping him in the Underworld.

  “You leave when I say,” Lucife
r whispered in his ear.

  Lucifer let the demons heckle Michael for a while longer, before he raised his hand for quiet.

  “My loyal demons, that’s enough. What you say of the archangel is true, but there is one more thing he is, and that’s mine. One day the archangel Michael will rule the Underworld at my side.”

  “I will never rule beside you,” Michael said.

  “You will rule with me or kneel before me. I don’t care which.”

  “Never.”

  Lucifer smirked at him. “But Michael, you already have.”

  “I won’t worship you.”

  Lucifer laughed. “You will do anything I tell you to, and we both know it. What other angel would do what you have done tonight? Would Gabriel stand here naked before my demons? Would Raphael suck my cock for such an audience? Oh no, Michael. Only you would enjoy doing such things.”

  “’Enjoy’?” Michael nearly choked on the word.

  Lucifer stroked Michael’s cock, showing the whole room his arousal. “Oh yes, I think you enjoyed it immensely.”

  Michael’s body betrayed him with every touch of Lucifer’s hand. He moaned softly as Lucifer pleasured him.

  “Come for me and I’ll let you leave,” Lucifer said. “I’m sure the rest of the archangels are wondering where you are.”

  Finally seeing an end to his torment, Michael closed his eyes and let Lucifer stroke him to completion. He would have fallen to the ground, but Lucifer held him upright.

  “You said I could go now,” Michael reminded him.

  “You may,” Lucifer agreed. He picked up Michael’s robe and wrapped it round his shoulders. “I’ll expect you back here tomorrow, at the same time. I do believe my demons would like to see you ride my cock while I’m on my throne. I think you’ll enjoy that just as much as they will.”

  “It won’t happen,” Michael said as he covered himself up.

  “So you say now, but come tomorrow, when the choice is that or watching another take your place, I know you’ll change your mind.”

  Michael didn’t even bother to reply. No longer trapped in the Underworld, he returned to the realm of angels, desperately trying to hold things together before he faced the rest of the archangels.

  * * * *

  Back in the archangels’ chamber, Michael took his seat and called the meeting to order. “Lucifer won’t be joining us.”

  Gabriel stared at him questioningly, but Michael avoided his gaze.

  “What a surprise,” Raguel muttered.

  Michael glared at the angel briefly before returning to the matter at hand. “Our estimation of the number of fallen angels would appear to be accurate. If they were all in the main throne room, there are twenty-nine, all lesser angels, who are now a variety of demons.”

  “They need to be killed,” Raguel said. “And don’t even dare to suggest they can be brought back to the light. You’ve had how many centuries to bring Lucifer back?”

  “Lucifer has no intention of returning to the light,” Michael stated bleakly. He hated to admit it out loud, but he could deny the truth no longer.

  “I think we should vote, again, to ban relationships between angels and demons,” Raguel declared.

  “Tomorrow,” Gabriel said.

  “No, now!” Raguel insisted. “Before more angels are lost to us.”

  Michael nodded. “I would request permission to summon those we are aware are in such relationships, so they may see the outcome of the vote.”

  “That’s highly unorthodox.”

  “But not unprecedented,” Michael reminded them. “They can watch from the gallery without participating. If necessary, we can remove their memories of anything they don’t need to know.”

  Raguel snorted. “You mean we’ll wipe the memories of your relationship with Lucifer?”

  “If necessary.”

  “I don’t believe wiping anyone’s memories of your tawdry relationship is required,” Raguel argued. “Everyone in this room knows you’ve been fucking Lucifer for centuries. I think it’s about time the general angel population knows too.”

  “I see no reason why they should,” Gabriel interrupted.

  “The reason they didn’t know before was because Lucifer was believed to be dead,” Raguel pointed out. “His survival is now common knowledge amongst demons and I’m quite sure most of the angels are equally aware. Some of them have probably figured it out for themselves by now anyway, at least those who have bothered to put a little thought into the matter.”

  “If the general population becomes aware of Michael’s relationship with Lucifer, it could damage his reputation among those who share your opinion that angels should not engage in relationships with demons.”

  “Michael’s reputation is undeserved.”

  “It also isn’t the important issue here,” Metatron said. “Let’s vote and get this over with, so we can concentrate on how to deal with the newest fallen angels.”

  Michael couldn’t help silently agreeing with Raguel. His reputation wasn’t deserved, and, after his behavior tonight, tawdry was a perfectly accurate word to describe his relationship with Lucifer. He debated whether he should say anything about what had happened, but he could not bring himself to relive the humiliation so soon. He wondered how long it would be before word of his actions reached the ears of the angels. He didn’t worry about his reputation so much as his friendships. What would Gabriel think if he knew what Michael had done?

  “Summon them, Michael,” Gabriel said, distracting Michael from his thoughts.

  Michael called forth the angels who were in relationships with demons, and after explaining why they were there, they took their seats.

  Raguel voted first, giving his strong opinion on the need to enforce the ban once and for all.

  One by one they cast their votes, and Michael wasn’t surprised to see that several of the archangels had changed their votes to join Raguel.

  Gabriel voted to keep the status quo, as did Raphael, though Michael could tell he had reservations, and he suspected that only their friendship had tipped the scale.

  Finally, the day—the moment—Michael had dreaded for years arrived. Seven votes for banning relationships and seven to allow them to continue had been cast. Fifteen archangels, one vote left, and it fell to Michael to break the tie.

  For as long as he had been allowed to vote on the issue, Michael had abstained. But his vote had never made a difference to the outcome. Today it would. His choice right now could change the lives of not just him, but of all those angels sitting in the gallery, as well as those who might meet and fall for demons in the future. Their fate was in his hands and he had no idea what to say for the best.

  “Well, it seems we’re voting to allow relationships to continue,” Raguel complained, the disappointment clear in his tone.

  “Wait,” said Michael, his voice quiet. “I’ve not voted yet.”

  “Well, we all know which way you’re going to vote, don’t we?” Raguel replied. “Let’s just get this over with and move on to the next order of business.”

  “You think you know me so well?” Michael asked. “I have never once voted on this subject, but today I’m going to.” He faced the gallery. “For those who are not aware, the reason I have always summoned you, to give you warning of these petitions, is because I too am in a relationship with a demon, and have been for many years. As you may already know, Lucifer, who I’m famed for killing in battle, lives. Not only that, he has shared my bed for centuries. If this ban should be imposed, I will be forced to make the same choice as each of you. My lover or my wings. By giving up our wings, we are able to avoid falling from grace, for to do so could bring about another war. Angels have fallen this day, and if this ban had been imposed upon us a hundred years ago, or even fifty years ago, it might have been avoided. I’m sorry, but had I known this day would come, perhaps I wouldn’t have fought so hard to ensure we be allowed to love whomever we wish, even if that someone is a demon.”

  Michae
l turned to Raguel briefly and nodded. “I vote for the ban.”

  Raguel nearly fell from his chair in shock, which under any other circumstances might have brought a smile to Michael’s lips.

  “Michael, are you sure you want to do this?” Gabriel asked. “Your mission to save Lucifer…”

  “Was a lost cause from the moment I accepted it,” Michael replied. “My vote is cast. The ban is now effective and no angel present is to leave this room without confirming their choice. Their wings or their lovers.”

  “What’s your choice?” Gabriel asked.

  Michael didn’t know, but he hoped he would have the answer by the time the rest had made their decisions. “I need some time to decide,” he said. “But I give my word, I’ll make my choice before this meeting is concluded.”

  Gabriel nodded and faced the angels in the gallery. “Do any of you have any questions?”

  One of the angels, a young man with dark skin and hair, rose to his feet. “What will happen to us if we give up our wings?”

  Michael stood to answer the question for everyone in the gallery. “If you give up your wings, you have two choices, whether you wish to keep your lover or start over in a new life. If you’re reborn, you will continue without your memories from the moment you walk through the archway of reincarnation, and at the end of your new life you’ll be treated the same as you are at the end of every life you live. You may be reborn to another life or given the opportunity to become an angel again. It will be entirely dependent on how you lived your life. The other option, if you wish to continue your relationship, will involve you being relocated to Earth. You’ll be given a new identity, a home, and enough funds to ensure you are comfortable until you are settled into your new life.”

  “What if we give up our wings and our lover no longer wants us?” another angel asked. “What if they were only interested because they wanted us to fall?”

  Michael sighed and his thoughts turned to Lucifer.

  ‘You will rule with me or kneel before me.’

  He forced himself to focus. “That’s a chance you must take. Only you can decide whether or not you trust your lover.”

  The angels began to whisper among themselves. There was lots of shaking of heads and worried expressions. They needed a little time to make their choices, just as Michael did.