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Chapter 13

Chapter Ten

A Touch of Sin

Winnow is now used as the term for teleportation - This is based on one of my favourite book series from when I was a mid-teenager.

Why won't you cry?

Tears in my eyes, yeah

And you're okay, you're okay

How can you be okay?

No, why won't you cry?

Chapter Ten – Scream

Nephele's POV

I awake with a daze, the sheer curtain around the bed wavering slightly, as if a soft breeze was blowing against it. It was confusing, the thought of there being a breeze in Hell not something a normal mundane would necessarily think of when the term Hell did arise. When I used to think of Hell, it would be dark and red if anything, a deathly place. However, these previous thoughts had contradicted what I found unless all of this was a hallucination, which at this point would not seem surprising.

My head has the familiar throb to it; the one that reoccurs everything three months due to the accident when I was a kid but I swallow the pain away and continue to enjoy the warm silence.

I smile, not even having opened my eyes. There definitely was sun now that I thought about it, the bright sun possibly the reason for my awakening. Also, not something I would suspect to be a part of Hell.

Everything about this place was opposing my expectations.

When I finally do open my eyes, I still cringe at the bright light, as usual. I sit up regardless, my head spinning with vertigo. Rubbing my eyes lazily, I hum before stretching and pulling the soft sheets away from my body. For some reason my muscles were stiff, despite the mattresses comfort.

Standing from the bed I walk stiffly over to the bathroom doors, breathing harshly every time my still stiff ankle would make contact with the ground, regardless of it being a minor sprain. My back had remarkably healed since I arrived, yet the twinge of pain I regularly felt when I moved in the wrong direction was still there. I hadn't looked at it recently, but I knew it was scarring. Some of the skin had not scared however a majority did, despite what happened previously.

I swallow as I stand in front of the mirror and turn around, lifting the large soft cotton tee above my arms and looking at my back in the mirror. I gasp in horror as a few long scars run down my back, the longest of three being from the tip of my spine to the middle of my back. It was rather jagged and rough, the line not being straight. None of the silver white lines were straight to be honest. They were ugly and unattractive, the thin as well as think lines an unpleasant sight to admire.

I suck in a harsh breath at the sight and turn hastily away from the mirror, somewhat disgusted with what I saw.

I quickly brush my teeth with the provided toothbrush, my teeth still not exactly the picture-perfect white that I have always wanted, but still not yellowy. I smile into the mirror as I spit the remaining toothpaste out of my mouth and rinse quickly before walking out of the bathroom.

I quickly throw on some stretchy leggings and a white cotton top, along with a pink hoddie that sports a pineapple logo. Cute, I know. I swiftly run a brush through my hair, hoping to detangle all the knots I have gathered throughout the night, except a knock on the door makes me stop and jump in fright. I drop the brush, which was not my fault and obviously the person who knocked on my door.

I pick up the brush and place it down gently on the bed side table. I run over to the door and open it quickly, the brass knob cold as usual. I look up expecting to see the white blonde hair of Lucifer, but cross my eyebrows in confusion when I find the air empty. I look down the halls suspiciously, expecting to see him hiding or something, yet still find no one. Not a single soul.

Good one Nephele, you should add that to your list of record-breaking jokes.

I snicker to myself and look down, seeing the white parchment of paper close to my socked feet. I pick it up delicately between my fingers and bring it to my face, reading it in my head.

Will be busy all day however I am free later tonight. I have something planned, and do plan on telling you the things you wish to know tonight. Nothing will be encrypted anymore, promise.

Meet me at 4 by the courtyard, down the hall to the right. Keep going and you'll find it.

Lucifer.

The note confused me so much, the butterflies in my stomach rising as the temptation to stay and find out what this man wanted from me. I did want to know, but I also wanted to be free and go back home, wherever that was these days. I was conflicted, I wanted to go but some fucked up part of me wanted to stay as well.

I scowl and screw the paper in my hand, shaking my head as I toss the paper behind my shoulder and walk to the other side of the room and slip on the pair of shoes I was given, some black shin-high combat boots that looked very difficult to tie but appealing nonetheless.

I was right. After two minutes trying to successfully tie the right shoes shoelace, I had discovered my foresight to seeing that it was a difficult thing to do was right. I should become a famous medium, I obviously have a talent for seeing things of the future.

I sigh and look at the digital clock on the bed side table, the modern looking clock reading close to 11 AM. Another knock resounds on the door, on time as usual, the little demon was. I smile and turn towards the door once more, opening the door as soon as I am in reach.

With a big smile on my face, I come face to face with the Devil himself. Shock spreads across my face in an instant, not expecting Lucifer to be at my door step. Or room step. Either or works, I guess.

His dazzling face and stormy blue eyes looked down upon me for some time, the mere seconds it took seeming like a few hours at least. I was once again lost within the storm known as Lucifer, the time seemingly once again slowing.

"Yes?" I question mockingly his arrival, snapping out of the lapsed time moments. He, seemingly dazed, smiles back with soft eyes. The note was enough of a goodbye for me, no need for face to face conversation.

"I just wanted to do this." His words confused me so much until he did what he had come here for.

His lips descended on mine within a heartbeat, his lips warm and soft as he gently kissed me. It wasn't a long mouth-slobbering kiss but it held passion and lust, two things that were deadly when combined.

Butterflies ran throughout my body, the tingling sensations erupting all over my skin. The feeling of safety and security floating through my head like a soft lullaby. It felt so natural, not faked or forced but something that was meant to be, although I knew it wasn't meant to be.

No matter how much that part of me wanted it to be.

Nonetheless to his sudden intrusion, I stand there stunned, not responding. My arms did raise to hold his biceps, in a non-weird way but I didn't respond to the kiss as it was over within seconds.

I open my eyes, them briefly closing in ecstasy as cliché and cheesy as that sounded. He looked down upon me, his eyes darker than before and lips holding the classic smirk he normally bestowed. His hand came up to my cheek almost affectionately, his index finger curved and gently running along the soft skin of my skin-bone. I was absolutely speechless, the words either evaporating or become stuck in my throat as the recollection of what just happened connects within my mind. The seconds become minutes, or I assume they do, as we stand like that.

"Later mea amare." His voice was like a breath of wind, just like his silhouette was as he disappeared into thin air a heart-beat later.

What the fuck.

How dare he do that? I did not consent to that.

Not that you didn't protest either honey.

As much as the rage consumed my body, my subconscious was right. I did somewhat like it, despite the guilt towards the person who was his Mate and future Queen.

Cheating Bastard. The poor girl, probably so entranced in the Devil that she couldn't see him being unfaithful.

I could not let that happen again. I needed to get out of here as soon as possible; the thought of that occurring again had me spinning. The part of me that wanted it to happen again had me spinning.

"Well looks like you've just been kissed by death." I spin on my heel to find Lilith lying back on my bed with her heels on the sheets. I turned up my nose at her insolence towards the sheets but I guess the materialistic aspect of that didn't matter; she could make new ones in her sleep anyway.

Did she know I had just kissed the almighty Lucifer? If she did, that'd be so bad. This could not be happening.

"Not literally of course, but what has you so spooked?" She sounded like she actually cared but she was Lilith, she did not. Plus I knew better than to trust anyone from this place, let alone kiss them again.

"Yeah. Everything is fine, ready to go?" Realising her question did require an answer I reply in a really face paced voice. Definitely did not alert to her that something happened, no never. She looks me dead in the eye, her eyes piercing and hard making me want to let the truth come crumbling from my mouth almost like a broken waterfall. Her eyes narrow one last time before she lets out an exasperated sigh.

"Well, if you must insist on your escape, lets get going." She acted as though she wanted me to stay. Doubt that fact, a lot.

"Finally." I reply quietly, pondering the thought of why she would help me escape; what is in it for her?

"Why are you doing this?" I ask without really thinking about asking it nor the consequences. She looks back at me with a puzzled expression, her eyebrows crossing.

"Doing what?" Her innocent reply makes me role my eyes in annoyance.

"Helping me? Why would you help me? It doesn't make sense for you to help me when it doesn't help you in any way." It just wasn't logical. She doesn't respond straight away as usual which makes me feel as though she didn't hear me. Just when I was going to ask the question again she responds, leaving me looking like a slobbering fish as my mouth hangs partially open with the intention to ask the Question again.

"I do have something to gain." She says quietly before continuing. "I do have something to gain, plus what a way to make a friend and save her from a literal hell am I right? You don't get many friends down here." She ends with a goofy smile and appears beside me, disappearing, sorry; winnowing through the air to nudge my shoulder. I smile back softly, nudging her back.

"Never mind, let's get you out of here! I have your bags already packed." She claps excitedly, something you wouldn't expect by a deemed Princess of Hell. Once again, I smile softly, almost hesitant to go. I wanted to ask if this was the right thing to do, if I should run if that's what you can call it. But the words get stuck on my lips as I follow Lilith over to the edge of the bed where a small duffle bag has appeared out of nowhere.

She opens the bag, revealing a few spare clothes and matching set of bikinis. The bag also contained some shampoo and conditioner with bathing essentials. There were two pairs of shoes

"Where are you sending me? On a Holiday?" I laugh and face her, her face a deadpan.

"Actually, Lucifer will search for you and the only way we can keep you away is put you somewhere he won't expect, so we, my friend, are going to Switzerland." I gape at her words. I was ecstatic that we are going to Switzerland, but I can't go home? Wasn't that the whole plan?

"I know, I know, you want to go home right?" I nod but smile regardless. "And we will get you back home but we just need to wait some time." I release a harsh breath through my nose and nod regardless.

"Also, the bottom of your bag is filled with your world money and some other essentials needed for quick escapes, but these are only if needed. I thought of every possible problem and trouble we may encounter." I roll my eyes and laugh, knowing she was taking this very seriously for a demon who went against their Master's wishes.

Time passes as we go over the plan and what we are going to do, how we are going to escape. The thought does bring a smile to my face, but that tough part of me does want to stay and wait till tonight and see what Lucifer has to say.

Despite what that part of me wanted, we were going to escape tonight. The plan was for Lilith to Winnow us straight out of this dimension and into my old apartment, which would lead Lucifer there, before winnowing us to Switzerland which will now be untraceable as we are in the Human dimension. Lilith is obviously excited about the traveling to Switzerland part, she had all these ideas of Hiking and tourism that it made me wonder if she had ever been around before; the thought that she was millenniums old and she hadn't travelled puzzled me.

It was currently 1pm, it being three hours since the mishap with Lucifer that still had tingles dancing across my lips, and about the time Lucifer would be the busiest. It was the time to go and the pit in the bottom of my stomach was growing bigger and bigger as the feelings of doom and dread flew around my body. I did want to leave but again, I did not. I knew I had to, I know I had to. I needed to be free and I couldn't do that here.

I take a deep breath as I look around the room one last time. The black sheer curtain covering the bed, the dream-worthy bed, the black bedside draws, the large floor space and plush couches by the windows. I loved this room, probably more than the one back home but that was only because of the room design. There was no way I would be able to afford this until I passed my surgeon exams.

"You ready Nephele?" I turn at Lilith's voice and give a warm smile, ready to go. I nod my head to accompany my confidence and grab a hold of her outstretched hand.

"Okay, hold onto the bag tightly. Get ready M'Lady." She says jokingly. I take one last look around the room, seeing the small amount of memories, or hallucinogenic memories I have made in this room. Let's hope I was just drugged; although a horrible outcome, and I was now in hospital or at home. Let this be one big dream. I suck in a harsh breath as the air around us moves and scenery changes to the darkness of my apartment.

(A/N For sensitivity purposes – I AM NOT saying that being drugged is better, good, great etc thing but Nephele thinks like this and she is a FICTIONAL character. Drugging someone is not okay, it NEVER is and I am not supporting this. Please understand this.)

I smile as the apartment materialises around me, except almost scream in horror as I see what my old apartment holds. Lilith's hand grasps mine even harder as I shake.

My apartment is in shreds, most furniture articles overturned and the glass vase that once held pretty flowers within it one the cabinet by the wall as laying shattered on the floor. The couch as turn on its side with a massive shredded rip down the plush underneath of the couch. The small dining table lay in two pieces, the chairs absolutely destroyed and laying under the two pieces of the table acting as rubble. Both bedroom doors lay open, Angelina's cracked down the middle and mine laying off the upper hinge although not fully broken. Our bedrooms looked fine, nothing over turned.

The kitchen lay similar to the living and dining rooms. The knives were clattered all around, the stone bench having a rather large circular mark in the middle with the cracked stone rubble surround the mark. Pots and two pans have obviously been thrown from the two draws they once were in, the food from the cabinets having appeared to have rained down. The box of lucky charms was half of the cracked stone bench, the lucky charms having spilt onto the floor.

The sight was hard to look at. What had happened to this place to leave it in such a bad place?

"Nephele we have to go now. Lucifer knows you've left and the people who ruined this place just pulled up to the block again; two males." Lilith says whilst giving my hand a soft squeeze. I swallow a harsh breath and nod with her idea.

"Too late." The voice makes me scream, jumping a foot into the air and looking into the dark space where the voice came from. I suck in a harsh breath and look into the dark abyss as a shadow steps forward. He continues walking further towards the light, leaving me to sort of lean forward to figure out who this man was. I want to scream more when Derick reveals himself, his roughish face appearing in the moonlight that cascades through the window.

"Judas." Lilith's voice echoes behind me, the harsh coldness in her voice scaring even me. I take a small step back knowing the things he had done to me that night around a week ago in the woods.

"What – How are you here?" My voice is barely a whisper as I look at the real devil I know. He smirks at me, his smile was once what the popular girls would consider even charming, but I knew he wasn't safe; I knew deep down something wasn't right.

"I am so sorry about your back my darling, I just wished you would have listened." His voice seemed soft but I knew the crude content behind his words. My hand subconsciously raises above my head to touch the tip of the silver scar that remains near the tip of my spine.

Derick runs at me seconds later, as if my distraction was a time for his attack. Lilith was fast, she kicked up her leg almost instantly which caught him in the nose. Her stretch was really far, and her reflexes were fast. She winnowed us away but no far, only to the street down below the apartment, not to far from the car that held Derricks, or Judas' friends.

"Lilith get us out of here!" I almost scream, panicking of being almost defenceless against these beings.

"I can't, there is something blocking me." She spins around and scans the area, looking at the spot Derick pops up with two men standing behind him. Derick is holding his nose with a pained expression on his face.

"Now Bitch, pass me the gem and no body will have to get hurt more than necessary." His voice was loud and clear. I hated it.

"Now Dickhead, don't demand for things that don't belong to you." Lilith mocks and lets go of me, standing in a fighting position. "Boy, it isn't very nice to call your Grandmother by such names is it?" She once again mocks, making my eyes bulge and mouth widen.

She's his Grandmother? What the fuck?

"Lucky I am not your favourite then." His words signalled his attack, his thugs jumping into action seconds after he, A third thug appears behind the other two, the third charging through the close to battling Lilith and Derick.

"Nephele run!" Lilith's voice echoes through my head, her words not even having to be said before I start to run in the opposite direct, which is even darker than where the fight was happening which was under the dim glow of a street-lamp.

I don't make it far before the loud growl of the third thug is heard right behind me. My human speed isn't enough to outrun the other-worldly monster behind me. I scream as I fall to the ground with a rather heavy weight on my still recovering back.

My check and shoulder smash into the asphalt, feeling the little rocks dig into the flesh of my check, with a great force as the thug behind me stands, holding my arms behind my back and roughly pulling my up by my crossed arms. The action hurt a lot and I let out a small yell of pain. I struggle in the mans hold as my vision swims for a few seconds as I get my bearings back after the cheek to road hit. The pounding in my head of the familiar headache that comes everything three months returns, as it had been for some time. The air around me seems to burn with the hot night air growing warmer than usual. I continue to struggle out of the mans hold, it becoming easier to move. I wiggle my arms in his hold till eventually he lets his gripe ease a little. The throbbing in my head continues, the urge to scream again becoming overwhelming.

What is happening? Why is it so hot too? Since when does summer air become this hot at night?

I push and pull against the man's grip, feeling the need to be free. I drag my feet behind me before kicking my left leg up into the groin area, hoping to hit the unlucky place. My heel makes contact with the rather soft flesh of his groin and he instantly lets go of me.

I use to moment to break free fully and turn to face him, the urge to scream as my head throbs more and more becoming nearly unbearable. I turn to him as his gets up from the ground, a sinister and malicious look in his eye.

"You little twat." His words were gruff and ugly, if I were honest.

I would not want to wake up to that in the morning, his poor lover.

Even in my delirium I could make jokes, how pleasant.

I snuff my nose at him, the pain in my head making it harder to see and control my expressions. I don't know what came over me but what I did was so strange, the I knew this had to be a dream. This could not be real at this point. The throbbing in my head had grown unbearable, it was calling for me to scream; calling for the chance to rid my head from the constant headache.

I just wanted to scream. To scream for the last few days. To scream for the pain, the heartfelt pain. To scream for the ache echoing through my skull.

So, I do what my head was pounding, begging for me to do.

I scream.

Lol, hope this is okay my few readers :)

I haven't edited TKM in ages nor have I updated this. I am getting back on track and here this is! I hope this will be liked as much as the other chapters lol. Please vote and comment because it does really help write this story, especially when I am struggling.

Hope you guys enjoyed! Xo

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QOTC: Favourite TV show?

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