A Serpent's Kiss

Chapter Ten

Alaura’s resolve crumbled and she grabbed the bowl before she could change her mind. Her lips met with the liquid inside and she was suddenly interested in finishing the bowl’s contents. It did taste good.

Sated, she flung the bowl to the side where it smashed against the wall. Apophis laughed.

You’re becoming more like me. Not long now.

Alaura watched him through slits of her eyes. Revulsion at what she had just done now hit her and she was desperately trying not to gag.

“You’ve made me a monster.”

Not quite yet but nearly. Till tomorrow, daughter.

“Do not call me that. I will not be your daughter.”

Night after night, she endured the crippling pain, watching helplessly as larger parts of her angel soul left her. She began to feel cold take a strangle hold over her body, edging from her hands to her shoulders, her feet to her hips. In daylight, she could see small marks appearing on her skin. To her horror, she realised they looked like scales. Although she had lost all faith in Gabriel, she now began to pray fervently that he would hold true to his word and come for her before it was too late.

“I’m waiting,” she would often whisper into the silence of her cell.

On the fourth night, Apophis came to her but this time he did not immediately sink in his fangs. He was also in his human form.

“Transform,” he brusquely ordered, startling Alaura. What was this? Some test? She opened her mouth to complain but the look in his eyes cowed her into submission. Closing her eye so she would not have to look at the monster before her, she visualized her serpentine form. It felt like a barrier was blocking her efforts. In her mind, she pushed and pushed, hoping that it would give way. There was a slight shift in pressure and she knew she was starting to transform. Her skin became tougher, her legs fused together. But that was as far as she could get. The barrier was back, this time in the form of searing pain. It wasn’t like what had prevented her from shifting before. This pain was much fiercer, reminding her of fire. Gasping, she let her focus go. Apophis was glaring down at her, the look of disgust evident on his face. “Still too angel,” he snarled, launching at her. Alaura threw her hands over her face, shutting herself off from the pain that was about to follow.

Let me die she prayed, knowing that heaven had not heard her prayers.

Apophis was relentless. Alaura knew that soon she would become a creature of evil like him. Her skin had begun to feel flaky and dry, and if she looked closely, she could see her veins becoming like a spider’s web over her arms. Her mouth was constantly parched and the blood Apophis flung at her was like nectar. So far as she knew, it was still animal blood but she was preparing herself for the day when he laid human blood before her.

She lost count of the days and nights, but it felt like a month since she had lost touch with humanity and the real world, Gabriel. Gabriel. Each time she heard that name, her stomach seemed to backflip but however hard she tried, his features were becoming blurred, like smudged wet paint. Deep in her heart, she still clung onto the hope that he would come for her but somehow, the vision was beginning to fade as she grew more and more corrupted with evil.

“You’re ready. Come with me.” Apophis slammed open the door and strode over to where Alaura lay curled up in a tight ball. He would not make her move. “You know what I can do girl, don’t make me hurt you even more.”

She didn’t answer, her eyes fixed on the dirty stone wall.

“One day you will obey me,” he hissed in anger, seizing an elbow and hauling her onto her feet. She stumbled, her muscles weak from disuse. Apophis’ arm circled her waist and Alaura had to hide the shiver of revulsion at his proximity.

“Where are we going,” she panted with the effort of remaining upright.

“You will see,” he purred. She did not like the tone in his voice. Quickly, Alaura shot a glance at the window and saw it was the middle of the night. Cold trepidation seemed to grow in the pit of her stomach. A vague idea of what could be about to happen shocked her.

“No,” she tried to back away, struggling to release herself from Apophis’ grip. Shooting a smile at her, his grip tightened and he hauled her into a corridor grotty with disuse and down stairs. Once upon a time, she had come up these steps but that memory was now at the back of her mind.

They stormed through an odd combination of rooms; some exquisitely extravagant with lavish furniture and gilded decorations, whilst other rooms were decrepit, furniture covered in streaky black coverings. They emerged in what felt like a courtyard. Whilst they paused, two people stepped from the shadows, dark eyes flashing in white faces. Dark hair glinted in the light that streamed from the house’s large windows.

“Keep a tight grip on her. Do not let her escape,” Apophis barked. Immediately, they moved forward, each taking an arm. Alaura bucked and jerked but soon gave up when she realised that they were infinitely stronger. “Good. Let’s move.”

A change in air hit her and she found herself staggering on a cliff top, gazing down at sheer cliffs that seemed to vanish into a sea that raged with an animal ferocity. Her feet seemed to fall from under her and the edge rushed forward. A weight seemed to slam into her chest preventing her from screaming or breathing. Then a hand hauled her up just as her feet left solid ground and Apophis was cackling wildly into her face.

“Oh dear. Seems the little one does not like adrenaline rushes. Shame. Ah well, there’s another opportunity coming right up.” Alaura gritted her teeth but said nothing, still in shock from her near death experience. “Now,” he shoved her behind him but keeping one hand on hers. He began to close his eyes and sway, hissing sounds rather than words, a forked tongue appearing from his lips. Alaura began to see the air shimmer before them and it became liquid in appearance, a whirlpool seeming to open up before their eyes. Behind it, she began to see a familiar urban scene. Houses began to form, blurry at first then crystal clear. Streetlamps glistened and unsuspecting figures sidled past, laughing and talking.

“You can’t do this!” she screamed at Apophis, now seeing with blinding clarity what he was about to do. He laughed that cruel laugh which set her skin tingling, turning to look at her. In the light of the moon, he looked manic, excitement shining from his eyes.

“Oh I can and you are coming with me as a spectator.” Alaura felt like she was going to throw up. As she watched, Apophis began to ripple, as if a wave was moving inside of him. His skin began to bulge and then there was a small smoke cloud that momentarily obscured Alaura’s vision. When it cleared, she saw a huge serpent before her. That was a first. She had expected to see him transform like she did.

There’s many ways a powerful demon like me can transform my dear. The voice spoke in answer to her unspoken question. Alaura flinched, hating the intrusion. Are you going to try? Resolutely, she shook her head. You will. With those two words, he launched himself through the whirlpool before him, appearing on the other side. He swivelled his great head and jerked it, prompting Alaura to follow. Shaking her head, she dug her heels into the soft mud of the earth. Her actions were in vain though as her two captives pulled her through between them. There was a slight sucking feeling and her eyes momentarily saw the world in a swirl of colours before her feet hit tarmac.

Follow Apophis instructed, sliding further down the street. Alaura tried to keep her feet planted firmly on the ground but the two demons bore her onwards, their strength no match against her own. A scream rose inside her and she opened her mouth but a hand that tasted of pure darkness clamped over hers.

They moved silently, keeping to the shadows, encountering no human life. The hand slid away as its owner grew to trust Alaura’s silence. Tenseness filled Alaura’s body, making it hard for her to move. Desperately, she tried to think of an escape plan. She was back in her world, she had to be somewhere near home. If only she could escape Apophis…

Prey. His voice interrupted her plotting and she recoiled. Anger rose in her making her hands shake. This worm thought it was some kind of game. A high pitched giggle alerted her to a figure walking down the road towards them. As it drew nearer, Alaura saw a young woman tread unawares to them, a hand holding a mobile to her head.

“Run!” she screamed, taking the opportunity, her voice raw with horror and pity. Apophis snarled and delivered a bone- snapping whack of his tail around her face. The force sent her head reeling and she could feel the bones in her neck straining at the violence. Blood rushed to her mouth and she spat, trying to get rid of the iron tang.

Keep your mouth shut.

Up ahead, the woman had stopped talking, and was looking warily about her. Apophis launched forward. Alaura screamed again before a hand clamped over her jaw. She turned her head away despite the pains that shot through her hand and closed her eyes. Her hands tried to reach her ears but the two demons holding her would not let her move an inch. She could only listen in absolute horror as panicked screams filled the night. A sweet smell reached her nose and she gagged, not because it was horrible but because it was making her stomach groan. A part of her began to strain to break free. Her demon part. Apophis had been right.

Don’t you want some?

“I hope you…” she screamed, her voice muffled against the hand. No insults or curses came to her. After all, Apophis was already in hell.

The night air fell still but almost immediately running feet approached. With her eyes still closed, Alaura heard Apophis slither past and the scent wafting to her with him. Then she was flying as they ran. There was that familiar suck of the doorway and then she was back on a cliff, salty air rushing over her. The hands that held her finally let go and she sank to her knees, tears spilling down her cheeks. A pair of booted feet stepped into her lines of vision.

“You do not need to be afraid or ashamed. It is what you are now. In two days, you will be like me.” Alaura’s head shot up in panic to look into his eyes. Her heart was pounding furiously and her breath came in small flutters. When she raised a hand to her heart, she realised it trembled like a leaf in the wind.

“What do you mean? Two days?” She understood completely what she had just heard but her brain refused to process it, hoping that she had misheard.

“Two days. Tonight, your pain will be far worse than ever before. Over the next few days, you will not know who you are, where you are, what you are. At the end of it, you will be a demon. And then there will be one last thing that will make your bond with me unbreakable.”

Alaura gulped. “I will not be a victim to your sadistic torture or any unworldly, unrealistic ceremonies.”

“Oh, I think you will be surprised at this one. Back to your room you go my dear.”

Alaura allowed herself to be dragged home, feeling like an empty shell. She had seen things people only saw in nightmares. Only a few minutes ago she had witnessed a murder. No, not even a murder. It was worse.