Hate

by K. A Knight

  “Fallen,” he greets, his voice cool and emotionless. The fucking bastards. I never could muster that, always too much swimming around inside me. How they can serve these assholes with no emotions, I will never understand. Do they not want freedom, want to feast on their pain and blood for what they did? No, they are happy being servants.

  “Brother.” I nod and he hisses.

  “I am not your brother, fallen.” His voice whispers through the air. I try not to let the sting show as it sinks in, but even among my own kind I’m looked down on, disowned for the madness and emotions, for being stripped of my wings, something I had no control over. I survived but they all think I shouldn’t have, that it made me into...well, a fucking monster.

  They aren’t wrong, but the part of me that’s still human aches at the thought of the people I was once family with, the children I grew up with, turning their back on me. I was never close with them, but they were all I had. They were jealous back then of what I had, but now? Now they would kill me given the order or choice. For simply surviving.

  “What do you want?” I finally ask.

  “To see why you are here. Is it to finally beg for forgiveness and meet death like a warrior?” he whispers, his voice filling the room with power, no doubt a gift from his angel father, the fuckers. He steps into the room then, so I sit up, my boots ringing out as they hit the floor, my hands loose at my sides, waiting. It wouldn’t be the first time they have attacked me, tried to kill me. The council calls it a test, saying if I don’t survive them, I have no worth, but if I do then I am of use.

  “Or maybe to grovel at their feet, to try and become one of us? It will never happen,” he carries on, circling around the room, feathers ruffling. “You are too mad, we see it in your eyes, in your actions. You are uncontrolled, a force for sure, powerful thanks to your father, but your soul? It’s as black as your eyes, too far gone to be saved. You will never be one of us, one of those who serves, you are nothing but an experiment gone wrong, too human to be a warrior, too mad to be sane…”

  “And what does that make you?” I snap, getting to my feet to face him. “You are an experiment, brother, just as human and angel as me. You forget where you come from. You think licking their boots makes you more holy? More worthy? It makes you a fool, one not strong enough to fight.”

  He hisses again, his eyes bleeding into gold for a moment, another thing that makes me stand out. “We never loved, not like you. You craved the human, the one who birthed you, you held her close with your human sentiment. You let it blind you. We are the force the council uses, chooses to save and keep, and you...you are nothing more than an outcast that, in their mighty power, they deemed too sad to kill. One day they will and I will do it, and we will rejoice for the scourge is gone. They should have killed you that day, like they killed that human you loved and that angel.”

  I snap, the madness taking hold. I’ve lost so much, faced so much pain and grief, and with my mother’s screams resounding in my ears and Dawn too far away to touch and drag close and keep safe, I let it all out...unleashed like the animal, the beast he accuses me of being.

  He doesn’t even see me moving, he doesn’t expect it. He is too formal, too emotionless to see how hate and anger can guide you. It makes me reckless and unpredictable and he doesn’t know how to fight me. I grab him around the throat and my wings burst from my back as I drag him into the air and slam him back against the wall, next to the painting of our captors. His eyes widen slightly, his breath quickening for a moment, the only sign of fear he will share, to do otherwise would be to dishonor his father, his council.

  I know they were treated worse than me back then. Their fathers didn’t love them, just what they stood for, a chance to train warriors. A lot of them were tough, hard, evil even, but I can’t help that or change it. I will not let them sully my father’s or mother’s names in my presence. They might have been raised by monsters, but they chose to work for them, they chose their path and now they have to live with it.

  He fights my hold, but I’m too strong, the veins bulging in my arms with the strength of gripping him. He stops struggling and just stares at me. “What will you do now, fallen? Kill me? You do and they will torture you and rip your wings away again, you overvalue yourself, you are nothing but a toy to them.”

  “And you are nothing but a blade,” I counter, leaning closer and letting him see the madness he thinks he knows, he has no idea. “You think they would really care if I kill you? There are hundreds of others just like you, waiting to step into your spot. You are nothing, disposable.”

  A throat clears and we both turn our heads to see Veyo standing there with a dirty expression on his face. “That painting is very expensive. Wings away, fallen, they are ready to see you.” He sighs and waits until I release the man who drops to the floor before jumping to his feet, his arms crossed behind his back like a good soldier. I float to the floor, my wings going away as soon as I land and push them both back.

  It’s about time. Now, let’s trick the council.

  I watch them both go with a sigh on my lips. How I wish my little monster was here, but we will get her back soon and this infighting will stop. They wouldn’t dare bicker with her here. I lock up behind them and leave the key before walking into the forest, shedding my clothes as I change, my hands catching on the trees as I pass by, absorbing their knowledge and strength.

  I feel the change wash through me, like letting out a breath as I move through the forest. I am to collect allies and wait near the council in case anything goes wrong, which tests my patience. I can feel my little monster, and to not be with her is a torture unto itself.

  As I amble, I let out a call to the animals and creatures that linger in the forest under my protection. I hear their howls and songs of answer, and the stirring of the dark creatures that slumber here undisturbed under my protection, awakening as they feel my need. I called a few of my friends before I left and spoke to them. They were suspicious at first, not believing the council was behind it, but we all know the council has its own agenda, and these beings will stand with me if it turns out to be true. I also spoke to Victoria, who is scouring the city for any sign of The Others, as they called them, and she will report back to me. Additionally, she put the city on lockdown, so nothing moves without her knowing. Her last words were a warning—get Dawn back or she would. It seems my little mate is collecting friends as she goes.

  Powerful friends.

  I reach across the vast forest and send a whisper to the fae, knowing they want their people back too. If the council did this, they are going to face an army of angry supernaturals, all mixed and united because of them. All I care about, however, is getting my little monster back. She needs me and I need her.

  Being apart from her after all my years of searching is painful, but she is strong, and if anyone can make it through, it is her. They do not know who they have taken or they would have let her be. It is very much like shaking a hornet’s nest, they will get stuck and not know what to expect from her. Even I don’t as her mate.

  She is powerful, that is for sure, and unpredictable like the fallen, but there is something more there, waiting, like a hunting wolf. And I will be there when it is unleashed, standing at her side as I was always meant to. Until then, I will rally an army for her.

  Wolves join my sides, eagles and owls float in the air, the rabbits hop closer, and snakes and bugs assemble us as I go, until I look back and I see the forest moving with the force of the animals. An army trails after me, ready to follow my call. I protect them, they protect me, everything is a balance in this world. I am the God of the Forest and they have taken my mate, they will see my wrath before this is through.

  They will taste my power and bow before it, huddled in their thrones as they realise their mistake. I have stayed out of politics and wars, but no longer, they have taken the one thing I will always fight for and they don’t even comprehend it…

  I can feel our bond, our souls linked across the
miles. She smiles at me, waiting patiently for me to come and get her, but my mate doesn’t need rescuing, I can feel it. She has a plan, a purpose. I will have to wait and be ready, because now I can see it all. She needs me to ground her, to keep her safe as she fulfils her goal.

  For now she needs her fallen…and a minotaur? Interesting. I send my birds forward, cooing in their mind to get into the compound and watch her and keep me updated. Ravens, eagles, and so many more rush forward in a flap of wings that sounds like gunshots through the forest.

  Far across the world I feel a darkness coming, reaching for her, and I know. I just know, my mate has called something old, even older than me and more wild...untamed. I have to have faith in her and fate, that she will never call what she can’t control.

  I put my hope into that, otherwise I will have to try and kill him. It’s a good job we have a fallen and a dragon on our side to help, because mate or not, if he hurts her, we will watch him scream in agony as we rip him to pieces in front of her. This world doesn’t even realise that monsters are uniting around them, that the darkest and strongest of us all follow one tiny woman, called by my mate’s power and purpose.

  A natural disaster, that’s what she is. Strong, powerful, untrained, and wild, and we are just swept along with her. My little monster, determined to right the wrongs and save or damn us all, it’s in her hands…

  I’m here, Little Monster, feel me. I am always here with you, just look inside.

  Xaph sweeps into the room with a roll of thunder from Heaven and his holy father. His white wings flare in anger, his golden halo floating above him, spinning faster with his fury. He wears his white robes tied with golden leaves, his feet clad in sandals. His blue eyes lock on me with hatred upon where I sit in his chair. He slams the door shut, his light fighting my darkness in the chamber, clashing in the middle of the room as we both fling our power at each other. A test, as always, to see who is stronger.

  “What are you doing?” he screams, stepping forward, and for a moment my darkness retreats a bit, but with a mental flick I shoot it out and it hits him, throwing back his golden power until it curls into him with a pained groan. He likes to think his light is the strongest, but everyone knows darkness always wins. It’s where people seek power and conduct rituals, letting out their fantasies and energy. It’s where they find solace in warm blankets, their hate, anger, love, and hope all coming together. It’s where they hide. Light has only one thing to offer, shining on you...spotlighting everything.

  No, darkness will always win. I will always win, and it’s about time the angel realised that. I never cared to prove it before, never needed to. I could do this job with my eyes closed, but now...now I have something I need...I want.

  Her.

  It gives me a purpose, something to use, and there is nothing more dangerous than a demon with a mission. He must see it, because he falters for a moment, unused to me pushing back as much. His eyes flicker nervously, wondering what hell I will bring down on Earth and the humans he cares so much for.

  They pray to me for redemption and him to save them...he is worried I will walk among them, killing and seeking bloodshed, bathing in the pain and death. Maybe I will, but first I will find her. I will find my mate, the one who called me from my slumber. If it is a trick, I will wipe this world clean of sinners and saints alike. If it is not...it’s unknown, something I have never faced before. I have nothing to offer in the way of love or kindness, my heart is as black as my forms and power, unbeaten for thousands of years. I live in hate and darkness with betrayal and lies wrapped around me. She will hate me, but I don’t care, I will take her anyway. She will be mine, to do with as I wish, chained to me for eternity, forced to burn with me—a cruel outcome, but I cannot stop it now. It is fate, it is destined...she is meant to be mine.

  “Xaph,” I greet conversationally.

  He straightens his back, lifts his chin, and steps closer, showing he is unafraid. I smirk, we both know that’s a lie, for there is nothing the angel fears more than me. One day I will be his downfall. We have been locked in this game for thousands of years, light versus dark. I do not know who will win, but it was my only entertainment until now, the only creature who could stand against me.

  “Demon,” he replies, refusing to call me anything else, even after all these years. He hates that I have a seat on the council, but this world needs balance and light and dark to lead. If I did not, it would fall into chaos. “Why are you awake?” he demands, his holy power ringing with truth and calling the same forth from me, but I snort at the simple trick he tries to wield on me. He should know by now I keep things close to my chest, never to be used against me. Lies are my usual and my power comes from secrets, those whispered into the night, both mine and theirs.

  “Why not? I was tired of sleeping.” I grin, flicking my fingers and setting the torches in here alight, pretending to examine my nails as he glares at me. His holy righteousness takes over as he steps closer yet again, his wings still spread like a declaration.

  “You should not have been able to break the spells holding you,” he states. It’s not a question, so I don’t answer and he carries on, his voice growing angrier with each word. “It is my turn to rule and yours to sleep, this is out of place, you will upset the rules of nature and our world. You cannot be awake, demon, it is not right!” he finishes on a scream.

  I turn my head, not my body, no doubt looking disjointed, and stare him down. “Is that right? I do enjoy the chaos of breaking the rules,” I purr, my voice wrapping around him like a tightening leash, probing for chinks in his armour. That’s the thing with being so good, so angelic, there is always a part of you, a dark little voice that wants to break the rules, who craves the chaos and wrongness I bring. I exploit it now.

  My darkness curls through those cracks, those doubts, and pushes them, the voice in his mind urging him to give in. I see him battling his beliefs, his nature, as I thread my power through him like a puppet, showing him just how strong I am. How powerful. How I could have this whole world on their knees before me as I walk through their worship of fear and death.

  “Demon, stop!” he orders, his voice shooting out like bullets, but I just laugh, still relaxing on the throne. This is almost like the time he tried to perform an exorcism on me. I grow bored though and pull back, it was enough, a warning. He is breathing heavily, his sweat covering his brow as I sit there unbothered. “Why are you awake?” he asks again, his voice shaken now that he is aware of just how formidable I am. I wonder what he would think if he knew I could possess him.

  Tilting my head, I watch him as I decide what to share. “Not for you, or your seat. Do not worry, angel, I do not crave your power or the love of your people. I have a different purpose, it will take me away from you.”

  “You are not to leave this place! This is our duty!” he retorts.

  “I do what I wish, do not test me again, angel,” I warn, my tone exploding like a volcano and he flinches.

  “We have had enough of your reign, of your unruly behaviour. You represent our people, you are a leader now, vowed to protect and guide our populace. A hundred years awake, five hundred asleep, that is how we work! You cannot break tradition or your vows on a whim!” he protests, but just then we are interrupted by the servant. He scurries into the room and throws himself on the floor between us.

  “Yes?” we both say at the same time, and the angel cuts me a glare as I grin.

  “M-Masters,” he offers worriedly to not offend us, I do have a tendency to kill them. Once we had to replace him nine times in one week, that was a good time. “There has been a disturbance.”

  “A disturbance?” Xaph repeats with a frown, and I shrug at him, already bored with this conversation.

  “Yes, master. Unrest, unbalance,” he explains quickly.

  “Someone is trying to rise above their station?” I muse and Xaph frowns.

  “Maybe, do you know anything else?” he inquires, addressing the servant.

 
“It is to the south, master, towards the dragons’ homes. There is a crack forming, they are breaking back through into the world.”

  “What? Why?” Xaph fumes as I grin, I did say I enjoy chaos, after all.

  “Well, it looks like you have your hands full, angel, I will be on my way,” I comment before standing, and he turns to me with a heavenly glare.

  “You will do no such thing. We must determine why you are awake, and as a leader you are duty bound to investigate this disturbance, which does not mean killing them! Or have you forgotten your blood oath, snake?”

  Damn oaths, I hate them, pesky bastards to break. Last time I tried I sunk Atlantis, fun times.

  I sit back down, smoke curling around me as the chair burns under my anger. He does not understand. My duty is no longer to this world or the people under us, but to finding her, to claiming her before she is snatched away. If they knew I had a mate, that she was out there...they would do whatever it took to take her and make her theirs, to control me. She is my one weakness and she is left alone in the world, unprotected as I face an infuriated agent of God.

  I can’t remember my name or birthplace. Or even my life before this. How long have I been trapped here? I can’t tell, it is all a blur, a foggy memory I can’t grasp. The thirst rips holes in my mind and lets in the darkness until I’m half mad. My memories, my past, flickers through my head, a horror show that weakens me further, my own mind turning against me until I am howling both internally and externally.

  I leap to my feet and whirl, my gun held in my hand, but I am too late. Antoinette screams as I watch a creature rip into her neck. Blood arcs out, hitting the door and floor, seeping through the hay and wood, staining it forever with her life force. I race forward, firing again and again at the creature, which jerks and laughs as my gun clicks that it is empty.