Awaken: Book two of Fallen Series

Chapter Seven

“Belle.” Someone shouted, shaking me by the shoulders. “Belle wake up.”

“Go away.” I groaned. Swatting at them as I grabbed the pillow and covered my head with it. Why couldn’t they just leave me alone for five minutes? Just let me freaking sleep in peace, that’s all I ask. They already crowded me in my waking life, they didn’t have to in my sleep too.

“No.” The voice growled, shocking me awake. Right in time too it would seem because as my eyes flew open the bed flew off the frame. I soared through the air with the mattress following. Using my wings to propel me upwards I was able to stop myself from hitting the wall and stop from being crushed by a king-sized mattress.

“What the hell?” I shouted, looking over to where the bed, and I just was. Michael stood there in all his naked glory, fuming. But why? “Michael, what was that for?” I demanded flying over to him and dropping in front of him with my arms crossed over my chest. “I was sleeping, what could I possibly have done to make you mad enough to throw me across a room?”

“Have you not seen your arms?” Michael roared.

I furrowed my brow. “You mean your mark on my right forearm?” I asked holding my arm out to him. “Of course, I saw it. But you were asleep and I didn’t want to wake you. I was going to tell you about it when we both woke up. But I still don’t understand how that gives you the right to throw me across a room.”

“Belle. Look at your other forearm.” Michael said with barely contained anger. I shook my head with a sigh but did as he asked. I gasped at the sight that met me. There was a second mark there. Almost exactly the same as on my right arm. Still more ancient looking, more intricate. Beautiful and mesmerizing. But left arm was “Shield” Why did I get two marks from Michael? “Weapon” And “Shield” What was the purpose of these.

“Why are there two marks Michael?” I asked, looking up from my arms to him in confusion.

“I don’t know Belle.” Michael told me sternly, his blue eyes boring into mine almost harshly.

“Why are you so angry with me?” I asked, taking a step away from him. Michael finally looked as if he were looking at me, and his eyes softened. Hurt and regret crossed his features as remorse settled into his eyes.

“I am sorry my Belle.” Michael murmured closing the space between us and pulling me to him. “It is not you I am angry with but myself. I lost myself completely last night. I was a monster.” His grip on me tightened as he buried his face in my hair.

“You weren’t a monster, Michael.” I assured him wrapping my arms around his waist. “Last night was amazing. Indescribable. Do not beat yourself up. Please.” I pulled away from him and caressed the side of his face in my palm. “You were absolutely phenomenal.”

“You are truly amazing my beautiful Belle. But we must go speak to your father. Two marks should not appear for one beloved.” Michael’s brow furrowed as he gripped my arms in his hands and stared down at my marks. “I wonder what they do?” He muttered, more to himself than to me. He was right though. I should have only received one mark not two. I only remembered one mark before I went to bed. So when did the other one appear?

Michael and I got dressed in silence, both of us deep in thought over what could possibly have happened. Me probably more than Michael himself. I mean it was my body. Deciding it would be better for the marks to be seen I put on a smoke grey tank top and black skinny jeans. I paired it with my black combat boots, and twisted my hair on top of my head into a messy bun. It was the best Thanatos was going to get from me today. I just didn’t feel up to it.

As we made our through the castle I began to wonder where the other guys were. I haven’t seen them in a while. The last time I saw Lucifer was when was spoke about Theseus. And the others right around the same time. Maybe soon thereafter. So much has been going on I couldn’t remember. I know one of them are always with me, but mostly it has been Michael lately. I didn’t even notice this until now.

“Michael. Where are the others?” I asked, looking up to him. “I haven’t seen them around.”

“They have been busy.” He told me vaguely.

“Busy?” I questioned. “Care to elaborate?”

“No, I really do not.” Michael told me, his jaw tightening.

“Michael.” I stopped, pulling him to a stop with me. “What is going on? Where are they? What are you all hiding from me?” I was trying to swallow the panic that was threatening to consume me. My heart was beginning to beat harder and faster. The mark on my right arm started itching and I dropped my hands from Michael and started to scratch it. “Tell me Michael.” I demanded, trying to keep the panic from leaking into my voice.

“Belle, you need to calm down.” Michael said gently.

“Don’t tell me to calm down Michael.” I shouted. “Tell me what’s going on.” Fire raged in my veins as anger mixed with my panic sending my emotions soaring to new levels.

“Lucifer has been having trouble in hell Belle.” Michael sighed, running a hand through his blonde hair. “The others have been trying to help as much as they can from earth, but it hasn’t been enough. Lucifer he..”

“He what?” The fire in me seemed to freeze as if it was waiting on Michael’s answer. Even the itching on my arm even stopped suddenly. Michael’s blue eyes just stared into mine, he seemed frightened to tell me. The longer he waited the more agitated I became. “Just tell me damn it.” I shouted, my voice echoing off the walls of the castle hall.

“He’s trapped in hell Belle. Someone locked him in.”

“What how? You know what, I don’t care.” I turned and started to run when I remembered I could just think of where I wanted to go and I would be there. The thing was, I didn’t know what hell looked like or where it was. Maybe I could just think of Lucifer and my power would take me directly to him? Or maybe I could talk to my father and he could unlock hell again? “Damn it.” I roared. Taking off running, deciding my father was probably the safest option. I couldn’t just go and teleport myself around and hope that I end up where I want to be. It was too dangerous.

“Father!” I ran into the room of the veil shouting for him. I didn’t even realize I was calling him father. Not at first. “Magnus! Where is my father?” I asked, stopping in front of the reaper that my father had introduced me to.

“He just walked out milady.” Magnus bowed. “Is there anything I can help you with?”

“No. I need my father. Now. Where did he go?”

“He needed to push a soul through the veil.” Magnus told me, concern entering his tone as he spoke. I turned towards the veil to see. There he was, right behind a soul that was frozen to his spot. His jaw hung open, and eyes frozen open in fear. His face was white as a ghost as he saw whatever it was, he was seeing on the other side. At this point though I didn’t care. I just needed for Thanatos to shove him over.

My mark continued to itch and my wings burst free in my agitation. They were black now and trembling with nerves as I began to pace the room. The fire burned hotter in my veins making them turn red and glow with the heat inside me. This must be what Lucifer’s fire was. I was positive it would erupt from me if I allowed it to. My agitation, my nerves and anger and worry. All of it just made the fire burn hotter, burn brighter. It made the mark itch more fervently.

“Arabella? Whatever is the matter?” His concerned voice reached me. I whipped around so fast a normal person would have saw stars.

“I need your help. Someone, or something locked Lucifer in hell. He can’t get out and I don’t know how to get to him. Those idiots of mates of mine kept their plans from me and now this happened.” I growled as I started pacing again. “They should have told me, let me help. I’m not helpless anymore. I’m not useless.” God, I wish I had my bow and arrows right now. I could really use the distraction.

My mark started to tingle and it was the only warning I got before the most beautiful pure silver bow, I had ever seen appeared in my hand. Elaborate and winding golden designs wound around the arch of the bow, while the string of the bow looked to be made from spun silk. A golden quiver filled with beautifully crafted arrows perfectly formed to my back. Huh. Well, this was unexpected.

“Arabella?” My father approached me cautiously. “What was that?”

“I guess it’s my new mark. Well, one of them from Michael.” I sighed. “For some reason I got two from him. Right now, though I really don’t care about that. How do I get Lucifer back?”

“Oh, well that’s easy. You just break the lock.” Thanatos shrugged.

“And how do we know what lock has been crafted?” I arched a brow.

“We go to the gates and look. Come on, let us go.” I gripped the bow tightly in my hands and followed my father. Those mates of mine were as stubborn as they come. Not telling me what they were doing, refusing to let me help. Well, once I free Lucifer they were all going to get a piece if my mind. I will not be pushed to the back anymore. I would not be protected like some little lost lamb. I was an angel now, and they sure as hell better start treating me like one.