Chapter 47
Year: 3663 BC
“The devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.”
–REVELATION 12:9, ESV
I had fallen in love with Lilith quickly, but Shem fell even faster. Lilith taught him about death and pleasure. Between the two of us, Lilith and I helped Shemhazai see Yahweh’s lies, though it didn’t take much.
“I always knew He was a fucking prick. I just didn’t realize how deep it went.” Shem scowled one day. Lilith was curled between us in bed, and I watched hungrily as Shem laid gentle kisses down the side of her neck.
“He is angry that you have not returned,” she said, looking up at me as Shem continued his leisurely exploration down her side. I reached out and stroked her face, feeling the usual tug at my heart that seemed to happen every time I touched her. I loved her so much that it made my chest tighten and my eyes burn. She had given me everything when I had not even known that I had nothing.
“Fuck Him,” Shem growled against her flesh. He lifted her arm, sucking and nipping at the skin on her ribs. “Mmm… I never realized how much I like putting my mouth on things,” he murmured, more to himself than either of us. I chuckled as he nipped at the side of her breast. She shivered beneath him, and I reached out to pinch the tip of her nipple, a thrill of adrenaline coursing through me as I watched her body writhe for us. I loved that we had the power to make her react like that.
“You need to officially tell Him that you are leaving Heaven,” she sighed, leisurely stroking her fingers through my hair. “He has been sending an angel each day for months to collect you. I have held the gates, but it would be easier if we could end this amicably.”
I made eye contact with Shem and pursed my lips. “I will go. You stay here to keep her safe.”
Shem nodded, his eyes darkening. He wrapped his arm around her soft waist and tugged her closer to him possessively.
She laughed, softly smiling up at us. “You two are sweet, but I do not need your protection. Neither Yahweh nor His angels can take me from Hell against my will.”
“We will protect you anyway,” I growled, leaning in and claiming her mouth. I stroked her tongue firmly to remind her that she was mine and that I would burn the world to the ground for her if it came to that.
I left for Heaven, and the brightness burned more than it ever had before. The darkness in me had spread, and I was now a black stain in the middle of an endless expanse of purity. I fucking loved it.
Yahweh waited for me by the Sorter of Souls with Rafael, an archangel who had served beneath me in our choir.
I had been stronger than Rafael as an angel, but the Reaper that Lilith had gifted me was stronger still. Even Yahweh did not strike terror into my heart the way He once had. The power and control that He exacted on me through my angel form had been removed, and I could freely refuse Him now in a way that I had never been able to before.
“You have sinned, Ramel,” Yahweh boomed, His voice echoing through the vast expanse of Heaven. I curled a lip at Him in disdain, and Rafael’s wings quivered in fury. Slowly, more and more angels floated out through the clouds, their many eyes watching. I tensed, worried for a moment that they would attack, but soon found that they were just observing.
They were curious.
Never before had one of God’s angels defied Him. This was an opportunity. Lilith had said she wanted to build a queendom in Hell. Well, this was my chance to gather recruits.
“Please, oh great mighty Yahweh. How have I sinned? Enlighten me,” I drawled, ensuring my tone was every bit as patronizing as I intended it to be. I examined the fingernails on my death-ridden hands and felt my mouth curl at the nervous ripple of feathers that rustled through the audience of angels.
Yahweh’s fury was palpable, but I was not afraid. I was no longer His to punish.
“You have fallen into the temptations of the Devil! You have laid with a demon and accepted an unholy gift unto yourself! Look at you! You are a demon yourself!” Yahweh bellowed.
I raised an eyebrow. “I have, and I am.” I agreed, smiling. The angels exchanged looks with their many eyes, clearly taken aback by my lack of shame or remorse.
“I am of Lilith now. Shemhazai and I willingly leave the path of light in favor of knowledge, pleasure, and balance. Anyone who wishes to do the same is welcome to join us in Hell. We have plenty of space.” I grinned at the hovering forms of the angels that surrounded us. They stared at me while Yahweh fumed. I looked at the many wings and eyes of Yahweh’s creations and remembered how much pain my angel form had brought me. I softened at the thought.
“If you tire of being punished for sins you have not committed and long for a reprieve from the pain that Yahweh calls repentance, join us. Lilith does not cage her followers in bodies that bring pain.” I held up a midnight hand, examining it fondly. “Lilith’s gifts are filled with pleasure.”
“I damn you, Ramel. I damn you and Shemhazai. You are failures, and you risk your immortal souls for this foolish attempt at rebellion. I created you . Without me, you are nothing! ”
I snorted and pointed a death-ridden finger at Yahweh in rage.
“I’m sick of your fucking lies, Yahweh. You may have created me, but what you offer is nothing. Nothing but blind obedience and undeserved shame. Lilith offers everything. Lilith offers me the chance to choose. I love her, and so does Shemhazai.” I turned to the congregation of angels. “I can promise that you will love her too if you get the chance to meet her.”
To my astonishment, the angels began to shift into their human forms, and many of them walked to stand behind me. Their faces were full of curiosity and what looked like hope.
Yahweh sneered at me. Many angels stayed with Him, including Rafael. However, it would seem I had recruited enough to start a small army.
“You will be punished,” Yahweh warned, His many faces contorted with rage. I regarded him coolly.
“I do not care what you do to me,” I said, and it was the truth. All I wanted was for Lilith to have everything she deserved and to not be lonely anymore.
“It is not you that will be punished. Your love for her condemns her. I will hurt her for this,” Yahweh threatened, and I narrowed my eyes on Him .
“If you touch her, I will spend an eternity learning how to unmake you,” I snarled, and the darkness in my soul expanded, tainting His precious, burning-white heavenscape.
“Get out!” Yahweh boomed, watching in horror as I poisoned the purity of His perfect space with my rot and shadows.
“Gladly,” I sneered before leading my new legion of demons from Heaven down to Hell, where we belonged.