Page 2 of Trust the Fall

She reminds me so much of myself. Back before I was damned to rule Hell. Overflowing with curiosity and a thirst for human life.

The very curiosity that damned my existence.

Our eyes hold the connection. My breath hitches and her throat constricts.

She’s the most beautiful creature I’ve ever laid eyes on.

The woman below me whimpers, drawing me back to her suffering. I’m not sure what possesses me, but I plead to the angel. “Help her.”

You know damn well what possesses you, that inner voice chides, and it’s correct. I do know. I want to test her. How far will she allow that inquisitiveness to flow?

“Why do you want to help her?” the angel responds, growing more curious by the second.

My brow lifts in response, and I have to resist the urge to smirk at the undercurrent of jealousy emanating from the warrior.

Oh, love... you need to school your emotions better.

Let the devil in, and you’ll fall like every other before you.

Her jealousy is a potent draw. One that I’m not accustomed to refraining from acting on, but now isn’t the time. I must be certain that I’m not reading her wrong.

“She doesn’t deserve to die for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Surely you agree?”

I know she does. The battle raging inside her is intense. She wants to save the woman, but her duty calls her to abandon those thoughts and allow fate to do its damage.

I internally scoff at my father’s insistence ofthy will be done.

He looks at life as a gift, but I know that it’s anything but. Life on Earth is a series of tragedies. One after another, compounding on a human until they eventually break or die.

What kind of gift is that?

The angel is undergoing an internal conflict. She knows if she does this, it changes everything. She just has no idea how much.

After several deep breaths, she slams her eyes shut, and I hear the silent prayer she sends up for forgiveness.

It’s no use, because if Heaven learns of this, there will be no forgiveness.

She places her hands over the woman and breathes life back into her.

That’s it, love.

My hand comes up to cover the smile spreading across my mouth.

I haven’t lost my touch. Even an angel crumbles under the charm of the devil.

Distress pours from her as the reality of what she’s done settles over her. She’s gone against the Divine Council. Tsk, tsk.

That’s enough to send her straight to Hell, and I must admit that idea pleases me. But only for a minute. Something akin to dread spreads through me at the thought of this stunning creature being shoved into some pit of Hell with the demons I rule over.

I won’t allow that to happen.

“She’ll survive,” she says, standing to leave.

A pit forms in my stomach at her retreat. The need to keep her here with me is so intense, I damn near beg.

What the fuck is wrong with me?

“Wait,” I say, grabbing her elbow to stop her.