SAMAEL

A chilly shiver ran down my spine as I looked around the deserted corridor and then back at Lucifer. He hesitated as he stood in front of the door, reaching for the knob. Why was he hesitating?

I mumbled, "Any second now," trying not to seem pushy, but my leg was tapping impatiently on the floor. 

He turned to frown at me, "I'm just nervous," he said.

Which was odd, because Lucifer was never nervous.

"We don't have to do this, you know. I could just skip the debate."

"You can't skip a debate. That's wrong."

He didn't comment on my suggestion that we quit and turn around, indicating that he was acting independently. That was good. Even while the others would undoubtedly think I was guilty of luring him if we were caught, I would know for a fact that I hadn't done so. 

"Yes and unlike everyone else, I can actually do wrong," I said.

Without looking at me, he exhaled an annoyed sigh and shook his head. Then as if he had finally found the courage, he turned the golden knob quickly. I rolled my eyes but a surge of relief swept through me when he pushed open the door and peeked inside.

He entered and remarked, "It's empty," motioning for me to follow. I took a glance around the empty corridor once again before going in.

My father, being the creator that he was, spent a lot of time in a room he had built for himself at the top of the highest tower in the skies. My eyes were drawn to the expansive view of the heavens from the large window that filled the full wall across from the entryway. The buildings resembled tiny present boxes that had been wrapped in gold paper. 

With stark white walls and a quietness to it that made my flesh crawl, the room was spotless. Lucifer appeared at ease as he strolled about. I surmised that he had spent a lot of time in it with our father.

The floors were tiled and polished, so much so that I could see my reflection in them. A throne, albeit not as substantial as my father's actual throne, was located on one side of the room. It was typical of him to have a throne in his workspace, and I pondered what he must have looked like when he sat on it, alone while he created.

My brows drew together into a frown. I had expected more.

"I thought this was some sort of laboratory," I said, "there's nothing here."

"Father doesn't need tools to work," Lucifer said without looking at me.

"Right," I mumbled as I followed his gaze. The earth appeared to be a tiny blue ball floating across the room from the throne. It sparkled and made a buzzing noise.

I brushed my thumb across my lips. It seemed like a brand-new toy to me, and I couldn't help but think about all the humans that way- shiny new toys for my father to play with. Below it, on a small altar lay a book.

"What's that?" I asked as I walked closer to it.

"I don't know," Lucifer answered.

The book had a strange-looking emblem on the cover and was brown with silver edges. It was something I had never seen before, and I couldn't help but run my fingers down its leather exterior. The angels typically recorded information in scrolls and this book was important enough to be kept in my father's little playroom. What did he keep recorded in it?

"You shouldn't touch it," Lucifer said quickly and I withdrew my hand, "we should just go."

I nodded and without taking my gaze off the book, I said, "okay."

"It really is beautiful," he muttered. I looked up to see him staring at the earth, a peculiar sparkle in his eyes. 

I crossed my arms, "I guess," I said, "but how are we supposed to go into it?"

The thing didn't look like it came with instructions and I didn't see a door anywhere nearby. Lucifer pinched his chin as he studied it, angling his face to her a view of every part of the blue ball. It would have been easier if my father had let him in on what was happening as he usually did. I thought that not knowing anything about people would be a blow to his ego, but he appeared to be handling it very well. 

"I'm not sure," he said as he reached out to poke it, "what if we..."

The ball appeared to explode, emitting a white light that briefly rendered me blind. I squinted my eyes shut and shielded my face with my hand. At first, I thought my father had arrived. It was just like him to make such an entrance, but when I opened them, there was no sign of neither my father or, Lucifer.

"Lucifer?" I called, glancing around.

In front of me, the earth continued to make the buzzing sound. I frowned at it. Had Lucifer gone in there?

I raised my finger and fixed my gaze on the ball.

"What if it destroyed Lucifer?" the voice asked.

I shrugged, "well, it'll just have to destroy me too," I said, before prodding it as well. 

Again, the light shone and and a doorway appeared in front of me. My hand stretched into it and I felt a dragging sensation on my flesh. I closed my eyes, giving in to it. 

When I opened them...I was falling.

It only took a few seconds to realize what was happening and when I did, it didn't make me any less scared. I tumbled into the night, the wind howling in my ears. I opened my wings from behind and started flapping them to attempt and gain momentum in the air, but it was challenging. 

I hadn't flown in so long and it was awfully embarrassing that I was having trouble now that I needed it. I turned my body to look below and realized that whatever I would land on was getting visible fast. Incoherent curses spilled from my lips as I continued to move my wings, letting all the strength from the manna I ate earlier power my flight. It worked, only for the sought second before I hit the ground.

My body erupted in searing anguish as I gasped and inhaled heavily. 

It was dark. Never before had I seen skies so gloomy. It was strange.

I noticed the moon as I looked up; it was white and round, giving everything else a dull shine. If that amount of light was enough for them, then the humans really were different. 

I forced myself to sit up and looked around. I could see that I was in a small forest, and it appeared that the force of my fall had left a significant dent in the ground and damaged some of the trees. I winced. Hopefully, the humans wouldn't notice that.

The aroma of fresh, green grass filled my nostrils and I noticed a small orange fruit had fallen off one of the trees and landed in front of me. It was covered in dirt so I picked it up and wiped it against my shirt. Then I sliced it open with my fingers and placed them in my mouth, sucking on the juices gently.

"Not bad," I said, after tasting, "I should ask father for the recipe."

In my head, the voice chuckled.

"Now, I just need to find out where Lucifer landed," I said as I tossed the fruit away.

A low twig snap alerted me and movement caught my eye as I instantly rose, ignoring the ache in my joints. A little animal approached me quickly. It came to a stop at my feet and turned to face me, its emerald eyes piercing through my gaze.

I put my hands on my waist and said, "And what might you be?" but it made no response. It tilted its head before leaning against my leg. Then it began to rub its neck against me, making a slight purring noise.

I scowled.

I looked around then. I was being watched by something else and whatever it was, wasn't silent. It was breathing quickly and shakily, and I could smell its scent dominating the odor of nature and trees.

"I know you're watching me," I said out loud and its breath caught, but it did not comment. Instead, its heartbeat thumped faintly.

My eyes followed the sound to the back of a tree and I floated up quickly, swooping in its direction. The shriek of the weird animal by my feet filled the air as I raced towards the tree. However, on getting closer, my watcher emerged from hiding. 

I stopped in my tracks and my eyes widened.

"I'm so sorry," she said nervously, "I just- it's my first time seeing an angel. I'm sorry."

I continued to hover a few inches in the air, supported by my wings. I didn't dare drop to the ground, for fear of losing my balance as my legs suddenly felt weak.

"Oh wow," the voice in my head said, "the humans are prettier up close."

It was right. This human looked different- a woman, a very beautiful woman.

"You're really an angel," she whispered as she peered up at me, sounding as though she couldn't believe it. 

When I didn't respond, she introduced herself, "It's nice to meet you. I'm the Queen of Eden," she said, "My name is Lilith."