The Fallen Angel
Chapter 17

Gabriel could feel his anxiousness run through his human skin as something he never felt before. Jealousy, rage, hurt, guilt all emotions that penetrated his unusual beating heart. Jasmine had stormed out to replace Xavier some hours ago. He had hoped she would return back home safe and sound and they could talk. Maybe give him some time to explain himself, but he knew better. Jasmine wasn’t the type to admit her feelings, she more so ran from them then allowed anyone to get this close to her.

It was a possibility he lost her forever. Lost this pulsating feeling forever. Gabriel knew himself to be a lot of things, unsure was never one of them, but Jasmine had wormed her way through his human skin, through his angel armor and now he could never let her go. To both of their dismay he would never let her go as human or Angel.

His eyes darted to the door, feeling the subtle power, thinking it to be her, he immediately jumped from the couch to open the door, disappointed once he saw Raina there, in red as usual, hips thrusted to the side as her hands rested upon them. His jaw clenched and he groaned frustrated.

“Expecting someone?” She asked as she walked in as if she was invited.

“Certainly not you Raina. Why are you here?” He asked clearly annoyed by her presence.

“I came to speak with Jasmine, is she here?”

“No. Why do you need to speak with her?”

Raina looked hurt. “Oh Gabriel do you not trust me?” Gabriel only squinted his eyes in response. “Of course you do because why else would I risk everything to be here? After the run in with my ex-lover I shouldn’t step foot in this place otherwise. You have done well to keep her safe.” Raina touched a picture of Jasmine’s mother on a bookshelf.

Gabriel stopped her from touching anything further, grabbing her wrists, leading her back to the door. “You can leave now. Jasmine isn’t here.”

Raina looked surprised then. “She hadn’t come back home to you? Hmm what a shame. I assumed you knew she came to me at the club earlier that’s why I thought she would be here by now. Did you have a fight?” Gabriel wanted her to leave then. She was getting too many clues that he didn’t want to give away. Raina was all knowing and could clearly see what transpired between them just by the look on Gabriel’s face. “You do know what happens if an Angel sins don’t you? You will never be able to go back to heaven. Bound to this world forever until you wither and cease to exist in the heavens nor hell just out of existence.”

Gabriel’s jaw tightened again along with his entire posture. It was worth it. Being with Jasmine was worth it. If that meant ceasing to exist then at least he had the chance to know what love felt like, passion and the art of love making. His eyes looked away from Raina to the floor.

“Tell me do you love her?” His eyes shot back to Raina’s then. “I can tell you do. It’s written all over your face. Do you think the Almighty will celebrate your union? He didn’t for Jasmine’s father. He ceases to exist which is why no one knows a thing about him. It was what I’ve come to tell her. The angel Silvia who came down and fell in love with a human. Denied The Almighty’s wishes and had a child, Jasmine Peters. Which explains why she could see you, why you are so drawn to her. You both share the same fate.” Raina placed her hand on Gabriel’s cheek as he just stared at her unable to say anything. “Tell her I stopped by would you?” She walked out thankfully leaving Gabriel to his own vices.

Jasmine sat in the car in front of Xavier’s apartment, wanting to go in and tell him everything, needing to release the emotions welling up to someone. It wasn’t ideal to go to Xavier, but he was the only one who knew about the craziness even though he was in love with her as well. Telling him she fell for an angel was going to crush him. She didn’t want to do that either. Jasmine was stuck and for once in her life didn’t know what to do.

“Why do you cry my child?”

The voice came from nowhere, angelic and soft like the other angels when they spoke. It startled her as she turned to the window to see her mother walk towards her. Her eyes opened wide and she jolted to the passenger side to get away from the entity.

“You’re not real.” She chanted closing her eyes, hoping the entity would go away. She wouldn’t be fooled like last time. She knew who was truly in front of her. “Does this form not make you comfortable?” The voice then changed to a familiar voice then. “How about this one?”

Her heart fluttered from hearing it, but fear even more spread through her body. She chanted again. “You’re not real.” A hand touched her knee that was brought all the way up to her chest, her head rested on them as she continued to chant. “You’re not real.”

“Jasmine…”

His voice was pure seduction as she wanted to open her eyes and look at the devil himself play with the person who had her heart at the moment. “You’re not Gabriel.”

“No. I’m not. But yet you seem to wish it to be so. I wonder about my human kin sometimes. So filled with desires and wants and needs, but never truly doing what’s best for them. You love Gabriel don’t you? Why not go to him? Tell him.”

“Because I don’t. I can’t…because of you…”

“Me?”

“I have seen what you want to do with this world. Gabriel will never forgive me.”

“What exactly do you think I have done?”

“You caused people to hurt. You made me shield myself from him. You’re Lucifer, the devil, evil incarnate…you caused people…”

“I don’t do anything!” His voice rose more changing to his own as Jasmine held onto her legs to keep from crying shaking in fear from her already shaken emotions. “Your people are so quick to blame me for things they chose to do. It’s just like human kin to need someone to blame for their problems. The Almighty gave you a choice, gave you all free will while we have rules and consequences. I show up when you are at your lowest is it my fault you take the bait and choose what I offer freely? What happened to your faith?”

Jasmine’s eyes opened then with the realization. She was so upset at The Almighty for so long for the works of humankind. The world was filled with evil, but The Almighty was always there loving them wanting them to change. They never will until it’s too late. Her eyes opened then as she stopped blaming everyone else for her own sorrow and pain.

It was time for her and Lucifer to take some responsibility for their own lives. If she wanted the world to change so badly it was time she stopped complaining about it and actually did something about it. She slowly looked to Lucifer as himself, the human form he decided to take. They were quiet for a moment before Jasmine spoke. “My self-loathing brought you here?”

“You are being quite dramatic I will admit.”

“Why would you want me to tell Gabriel I love him?” Jasmine thought for a moment. “You want him to cease to exist.”

“I would prefer if he was so enthralled with you he would stay out of my business. I started this war with The Almighty. I wish to finish it.” Lucifer smirked then at her.

“Why won’t you just kill him?”

Lucifer scoffed. “Far too easy. Where is that imagination of yours?”

Jasmine shook her head with a scoff as well. “You can’t because he has massive faith. He is becoming human, but he isn’t weak.”

Lucifer shrugged. “I wouldn’t say that. It seems you have weakened him tremendously for me. Killing him now would just be out of duty. It wouldn’t even be fun.”

“I won’t let you. You won’t hurt Gabriel and you won’t win this stupid war.”

“It has already happened Jasmine. The Almighty loves you all so much that he doesn’t want to interfere or play unfairly. As always The Almighty wants you all to come and bow on your own terms on your own time, but you and I both agree the human kin isn’t worth saving…isn’t worth taking pity on.” Lucifer turned to Jasmine then, fully looking her in her eyes. “It’s time for your answer, Jasmine.”

They were quiet for a moment then as she looked determinedly into Lucifer’s eyes, unafraid now and somehow thinking so much clearer than she did before. No matter what she felt for humanity, no matter how much she hated herself, no matter how much evil was in the world humans deserved a second chance. She deserved a second chance and there was no way she was going to be the reason Lucifer took over her world, even as bad as it was.

“No.” She replied, finality in her voice. “You can’t have them. The good people still on Earth, you can’t have them.”

Lucifer frowned as he nodded, disappointedly. “I see.” He said low. “That is your final answer?” There was something in his tone, an underlying message that Jasmine caught.

Jasmine remained quiet as she looked around the car, revealing everything Lucifer said she started to panic. She hopped out of the car and ran to Xavier’s home, screaming his name. Lucifer was planning something big and he was going to hurt anyone around her to get her on his side. He was becoming desperate just to show himself to her at her weakest point.

She banged on the door then. “Xavier! It’s me. Open up please.”

Teresa opened the door to Jasmine’s surprise. They both looked at each other for a moment. “How dare you show your face here?” Teresa argued, pointing at Jasmine with malice.

“I’m not here to cause trouble…I just need to make sure Xavier is alright. Is he here?”

Teresa nodded, spitefully showing Xavier’s naked body as he tried to cover up in the doorway. It was clear they were having sex which should’ve bothered Jasmine on any other occasion, but she was just relieved he was fine. Xavier looked confused to see her at the door.

“Jasmine what are you…”

“I came to check on you. The devil is close by and I wanted to make sure…” Jasmine looked to Teresa then afraid to say too much to her. “I…um…I need to come proof the apartment. Can I come in? It will only take a moment.”

“No.” Teresa replied, but was caught off guard by Xavier’s yes. She turned to him the look on his face was fear and Teresa knew there was something going on she didn’t know anything about. Jasmine did feel awkward that she had sex with Xavier, her feelings for him were still there, but not in the same way she was falling for Gabriel. She hated herself for allowing her body to become so weak that she jeopardized their friendship.

Jasmine walked into the apartment not looking at Xavier as he scuffled to replace clothes. Her eyes wandered around the apartment though, taking out the holy water Raina gave her. She noticed the spray bottle and added more water just enough to spray it on the windows and in the air. Xavier started to follow her around the apartment then without Teresa.

“Jasmine what happened? Did Lucifer say something to you?” Jasmine nodded as she continued. “Are we in danger then? Where is Gabriel shouldn’t he be with you?”

Jasmine sighed and turned to face her friend. “We got into a fight and I left to replace you. Lucifer did visit me and enlightened me actually. Human kind I believe is worth saving and If The Almighty isn’t giving up on us then how could I?”

Xavier touched her hand stopping her from walking off. “You seem different…” Jasmine looked confused. Xavier gestured for her to look at herself in the mirror then as she noticed her eye color changed. She sounded angelic. It was almost as if she was turning fully into an angel.

Jasmine touched her face then, seeing what Xavier was and feeling astonished. “I don’t understand…”

“Lucifer made you change your mind about the human race? What could he have possibly said that…”

Jasmine stood up straight as she continued to spray a bit faster now in a hurry. “I have to go!” She ran out hearing Xavier call her name, but not stopping until she reached the car to drive home to Gabriel.

Gabriel opened his eyes to a pain in his chest and a dark icky glow fell upon his body. He was frozen paralyzed only able to open his eyes to the darkness that was overtaking him. Footsteps appeared behind him as he struggled to move. He wanted to scream, his veins in his neck started to pop out. As the pain in his chest increased, the more he wished to scream.

“She believes human kind is worth saving. I was hoping…I did all of this to show her that they are not. That our human kin are useless and ungrateful souls. That they are the real demons upon us.” Lucifer came into view then to Gabriel’s dismay. He tried to fight his hold, but nothing could stop his hold on him.

“She loves you, you know…Caught her outside of the detective’s home crying because she couldn’t hurt him or you, but she couldn’t deny herself anymore torment.” Lucifer paused, rubbing the top of his lip slowly. “Her scent is very intoxicating. I can see why you are so drawn to her.”

Gabriel lifted his fists enough to cause Lucifer to look at him. He found his struggles interesting. The fact he nearly broke his hold was impressive. The veins in his arms were now visibly showing as he struggled to lift his body.

“Fighting me is useless Gabriel. Denying me is useless. You have settled yourself to become mere mortal to please The Almighty, but where is The Almighty when you need help, Gabriel? He deceived you into falling in love with Jasmine, ordered you to watch over her which wasn’t your job, but yet you still have faith, yet you still sin.” Lucifer got closer to Gabriel’s face, his true form flashing before Gabriel’s eyes as they stared down each other. Lucifer waved his hand to give Lucifer’s face freedom.

“What have you done to Jasmine? Where is she?” Gabriel yelled his neck leaning up to continue his struggles.

“She’s fine. Should be on the way about now.”

“If you have harmed her in any way…”

“Oh calm down, Gabriel. I never seen you so worked up. It is truly sickening to see you so in love. The soldier, the carrier who clipped his wings for mortality. They will write new stories about you in their bibles. The choirs will sing songs of your sacrifice, but in the end you will cease to exist like everything else.” Lucifer sat on the couch by his legs, tapping his chin in deep thought. Then finished with a laugh.

“What’s so funny?” Gabriel asked through clenched teeth.

“Your thoughts. You mean to destroy me when you know you can’t. You know what will happen if the balance is disrupted. There must always be a good versus the evil, always a wrong to a right. Without me who will The Almighty have to play with?”

“That’s enough Lucifer.” Voices came from behind Gabriel that he couldn’t see. “Release my brother now.”

Relief swapped over him then. Ezekiel hadn’t given up on him as he thought. Another power, then another, entered the room as multiple angels surrounded Lucifer causing Lucifer to fold his arms.

“I see Jasmine sent you all here. She has ascended to her true form.” Lucifer nodded impressed. “I admit I didn’t see that coming.”

“How could you?” Gabriel asked, feeling his confidence coming back. “You’re just a jealous child who feeds off the pain of others. You’re not strong you are weak and that’s why you don’t want to have hope for our human kin. You don’t have hope for yourself.”

“Just shut up!” Lucifer caused more pain to his chest as if he was caving it in.

“Stop!” Ezekiel leapt into action just to get blown away by Lucifer’s power. The other angels all attacked at once afterwards, battle armor and weapons ready to take Lucifer back to hell where he belonged. Lucifer dodged their attacks gracefully and fluidly as they used their swords and shields to try and take him down. Gabriel still screamed as he could feel his human bones cracking and failing. His eyes looked to the ceiling praying to The Almighty that he just wanted to see Jasmine’s face one last time and he would die happily.

His eyes started to close and he began to feel his body fading in and out. A bright warm light appeared then breaking Gabriel of the hold as he could breath. He sat up holding his chest as he looked over to see Jasmine. Her eyes were brighter and her skin was glowing, wings appeared transparent to the untrained eye behind her back. She had ascended a half angel half human, the best of The Almighty’s creations.

Gabriel could only stare at her in complete awe as the battle raged behind him, knowingly, but he couldn’t stop himself from looking at her. She cleared her throat, turning away from him as she blushed shyly.

“Stop looking at me like that.” She said, making Gabriel smile. The moment was short lived as Lucifer pulled Gabriel back with an unseen force, pulling him from the couch. After hitting the ground with a hard thud Gabriel rolled avoiding Lucifer’s foot and other unseen attack with his power. He hopped on Gabriel though looking him dead in the eyes as his hands turned black with aura around it aimed straight for Gabriel’s forehead.

Gabriel’s hand glowed then grabbing Lucifer’s wrist causing smoke to form under his grip. Lucifer was more powerful than the other demons Gabriel fought. His holy angel hand could only hold him back so much. Before Lucifer could overpower Gabriel he started to scream and wither before he poofed into nothing. Gabriel saw Jasmine now, hands were on his back doing far more damage than he had.

The other angels saw what she had done and understood what they could not. Jasmine was something altogether different. Something they hadn’t noticed. It was no wonder Lucifer feared her and wanted her on his side so badly. Gabriel stood on his knees grabbing her before she could turn away from him and pulled her into his warm embrace.

“I’m sorry.” He said, in her ear, kissing her cheeks.

“It seems my brother has found a companion during his time on earth.” Ezekiel teased walking over. “A fierce one at that.”

Gabriel only smiled, standing as he took Jasmine’s hand. “You haven’t been properly introduced. This is Jasmine Peters. Jasmine, this is my brother Ezekiel.”

Jasmine shook his hand. “Sorry I had to call you from your Angelic duties. I just didn’t want anything to happen to…”

Ezekiel held his hand up. “You save his life which I will be forever grateful for.” His eyes glanced at Gabriel then. “I will have to report to The Almighty. I wish I didn’t have to, brother, but it is procedure.”

“I expected nothing less.” Gabriel replied quickly.

“Lucifer is wounded, but he isn’t gone. You both better stay on alert.” Another angel said before disappearing. Gabriel and Jasmine watched them all leave one by one, leaving Ezekiel last as he nodded and disappeared into the sky.

The room was once again quiet as Jasmine stared out the window with Gabriel behind her. Unsure of what he should say she turned to him.

“So what happens now?”

Gabriel walked over to her, closing the gap between them and took over her mouth with his. They merged together so perfectly and the aura around them started to glow, beckoning them together. Jasmine melted into him, relaxing under his touch as she wrapped her arms around the back of his neck. Her back hit the wall and her legs went to his waist as he held her up. Their wings wrapped around each other one black and the other white.

“Gabriel?” She moaned his name as he started to kiss her neck. She grabbed his face and looked him square in the eyes. “I love you.” There it was. Her heart on her sleeve now handing it to Gabriel for safe keeping. His heart beat hard in his chest and he was overwhelmed by emotion.

He was trying not to smile. “I thought you wanted to have sex with me and leave me later.” He confessed, she opened her mouth to explain, but he continued. “You were right. I was jealous of you and Xavier and I thought you wanted him so I told him out of spite not out of good intentions.”

Jasmine caressed his cheek to his chin. “I love Xavier too, but I knew it wasn’t right for us to be together. We were holding on to the feeling of the possibility we could be more than we were. It was comfortable so it only made sense. Even though I want to make things right with him I understand it won’t be easy.” She placed her hands in his and watched their bodies glow together, giving a warm sensation to their bodies. “I’m right where I need to be.”