SONG FLASH FICTION ~ WAR

Song time again, and this month it’s a song I’m not familiar with, but it’s quite catchy. Here’s the video if you’d like to listen. I have to admit, the only thing that popped into my head when I heard this was Lucifer, so… here’s a bit from that book. Once I figure it all out, of course.

“I’m sorry. But I can’t bow before them, Father.” Lucifer rolled his shoulders, snapping his wings in a show of defiance. “I won’t.”

The field where they were gathered grew silent, nothing but the odd whisper of the breeze along his feathers sounding above the eerie quiet. He didn’t move, didn’t flinch as clouds slowly gathered overhead, the white colour bleeding into black. A few hushed voices finally rose around him as the wind picked up, pushing him a few steps closer to his father before Lucifer had the strength to push back—halt his movements. Thunder boomed around them, a flicker of lightning charging the air.

A shadow fell in beside his—smaller. More delicate. He didn’t have to turn around to sense her presence. He felt her heartbeat echo in his head. Smelled the sweet essence of her skin gather around him. He wasn’t sure why she affected him the way she did. Why he wanted to gather her in his arms—love her in the same fashion as the very creatures his father wanted him to honour. To kneel before.

His brother stepped out from beside his father, his gaze falling on Lucifer. Michael had been the first to bow—to swear his service to their father’s new creations, not that it surprised Lucifer. Michael had always been the good son. The one to follow commands without question. Lucifer wouldn’t have expected any less of the angel.

Michael frowned. “You must yield, brother. I beg of you.”

Lucifer lifted his chin. He didn’t like going against his family. Seeing disappointment gleam in Michael’s eyes. Lucifer had always looked up to his older brother. Had idolized him and had always wanted to be close to him. He’d even gone so far as to establish his sanctuary close to Michael’s. Standing there, on opposite sides, made Lucifer want to acquiesce.

He glanced at his father. “I’ve done everything you’ve ever asked of me. I’ve fought your battles. I’ve made everything you hold dear sacred to me. But this… I won’t bow to a race that will never love you the way I do.”

Michael’s expression fell before he looked away, shoulders hunched, eyes closed. Lucifer frowned, moving forward, when pain blossomed in his chest. His breath hitched, held prisoner by the crushing force in his chest. Stone bit into his knees as he fell forward, the scenery dimming around him.

A small hand landed on his arm. He managed to catch a glimpse of the green in her eyes before a blinding white light blanketed the area. Lucifer covered his eyes with his arm, shouting Michael’s name when the ground vanished beneath him. There was a moment of silence, then the air rushed past him, crushing his cries for help. He opened his wings, doing his best to slow his descent when the earth raced upwards, slamming into him.

Pain splintered through him, the taste of blood and dirt heavy on his tongue. He focused on breathing, groaning against the fiery sensation in his ribs until he was able to open his eyes. Darkness spread out around him, the only light coming from a flicker of flames far off in the distance. Sulphur saturated the air, the pungent aroma making him sick.

He pushed onto his hands and knees, ignoring the way his limbs shook as he tried to bridge his weight. His once white wings had turned a bloody shade of red, some of the feathers littering the stone surface around him. He glanced to his left, and his heart stopped cold.

She was lying on the ground not far from him, eyes closed, lips pursed into a grimace. Her wings stretched out to either side, the feathers nothing more than black stains against the grey stone. Blood covered most of her creamy skin, a small pool collecting beneath her.

“No, please.”

Lucifer crawled over to her, staring at her limp body before brushing her pale hair back from her face. Her eyes squeezed shut, then opened, most of the spark he’d always admired gone. She moistened her lips, crying out as she tried to move her head to look at him.

He shushed her. “Just, lie still. Let me heal you.”

She shook her head, grabbing his hands as he placed them on her chest. “No, Lucifer. You can’t. It’s too late.”

“Don’t say that. I still have my power, I feel it, I…” He swallowed past the lump in his throat. “Please, don’t leave me, Grace.”

She gave him a stunning smile, lifting one hand to touch his face. “It won’t be forever. You’ll find me again. I know it. And when you do, we can be together for as long as you’ll love me.”

“I already love you that much. Grace!”

Lucifer clenched his jaw, drawing on the power still strumming inside him. A golden glow surrounded him, slowly fading into red as he tried to heal her broken body. But despite the surge of energy he pumped into her fragile form, the light faded from her eyes. She whispered her love one last time, before her head lolled to the side, her eyes drifting shut.

Another flash of white light knocked Lucifer back on his ass. He covered his face again, waiting for the glow to fade before opening his eyes. Nothing but a ghostly outline of her body remained, a single, golden feather resting on the rock.

Lucifer picked it up, holding it against his chest as a numbing cold bled through his body. He tipped back his head, staring at the endless darkness above him. “Why? Why did you have to hurt her? I’m the one you’re mad at. Punish me.”

He waited, but only his own ragged breathing sounded around him. He let his head bow forward, staring at the desolate stone as the reality of his fate sank in. He’d been cast out. Exiled to some kind of barren wasteland. And Grace had paid the price. Had suffered for being close to him. For loving him.

Lucifer pushed to his feet, the feather still clutched in his hand. This wasn’t over. Not until he’d found a way to make his father’s beloved creations suffer the same loss. Until he’d buried his love so far inside him, nothing and no one could ever resurrect it again.

 

And that’s it for me. Go and see what the lovely Bronwyn Green and Jessica Jarman have to offer.