Gabriel and Lilith

By Nicole Field

He had unfinished business to tend to. The former arch angel, Gabriel, stalked silently down streets, walking among Man who he's always admired from afar. This had been true freedom that Lilith had granted him. How could he have possibly seen it any other way before? When he thought of the irrational fear that he'd felt upon entering her domain, he scoffed lightly. Nothing from before that time even seemed to touch him now. He was invincible. Once more immortal. And this time, God could never touch him.

Life, or this type of 'unlife' was grand. He had never thought to feel so free of all the constraints that had formerly held him. However, soon came the day when payment for the gift given to him by Lilith had to be paid.

She came to him first by way of a dream. She stood before him, proud and strong as no other woman before her had ever been.

"I have something I would have you do," she said in those same sultry tones he could remember her speaking in. "You shall come with me. Tonight. Ask no questions, all will be revealed soon enough." And he felt a tugging sensation at him, before having the sense that he was no longer among those mortals he had so long coveted.

When he opened his eyes, the flawless image of Lilith filled his vision. She lifted a finger to his cheek and trailed it down caressingly. Only when she leaned forward and licked up the same area did Gabriel realize that she had drawn blood with her long, pointed nails.

"Come," she beckoned seductively. Nothing seemed more natural to Gabriel. He followed behind her, voicing not even the smallest of objections.

"Lilith," a voice boomed from ahead. "It has been an age since the last time you visited here."

Lilith glanced back to Gabriel before stepping ahead of him a couple of paces to speak to the one who greeted her so knowingly.

"That it has been, Lucifer." Lilith directed with a small wave of her hand that Gabriel was to step up beside her. "Have you heard of the guest I have brought here to you?"

Lucifer's eyes gazed down to Gabriel intently. Gabriel resolutely held the glance of the renowned Dark Prince, unwilling to be the one to back down first. A small smile graced the edges of his mouth in acknowledgement of the small challenge thrown down. His eyes lifted back up to Lilith's.

"I believe that he is quite well known as the almighty God's right hand." Again his eyes gazed down to Gabriel. "So what brings him down here, I wonder?"

It occurred to Gabriel that Lucifer's voice had much the same silky texture as Lilith's. He looked between these two mighty beings, wondering what was going on that he was as yet unaware of.

"I believe you brought one down here that would interest this one," Lilith said, stroking up and down Gabriel's arm lightly. Gabriel shivered.

"Someone who would interest him...?" Lucifer stroked his chin in contemplation. Then his eyes gleamed as he came to realization. "Ah yes. I do think I know the one you mean. Let me just call her to us."

He turned around, but Gabriel did not hear words leave the Dark One's mouth. Yet sure enough, only moments later, an intoxicatingly beautiful woman with shiny black hair that hung to her waist and deep brown eyes entered into this domain. She was almost an Angel herself, except that instead of immense feathered wings perched on her delicate back, Gabriel glimpsed the dark shadows of wingedness behind her.

He recognized her. This one had been a human when last he had seen her. That had been before she had died. Now it seemed that this was her residence. With Lucifer. He stepped forward to convince himself... how could this be real?

"Uh uh uh," Lilith said, placing a hand lightly over his arm. "Now, to the subject of your payment..."

"Raven, you know this one...?" Lucifer asked of the dark haired woman without looking behind him at her.

"I think so..." she said hesitantly, gazing over Gabriel as he did to her. "As a mortal... but how could I have...?"

"I came to you through your dreams," Gabriel revealed. "Just before your death, I saw you..."

"I remember you now. You preached to me of God."

"I really don't think that will be a problem any longer," Lilith said calmly, sharing a smile with Lucifer. "The time of the Overthrow is nigh."

"Yes..." Lucifer said, looking over both Gabriel and Raven. "With the help of our little children here..."

"We could rule the world..." Lilith ended with gratification. She appeared to take great pleasure in the words.

Raven stepped forward. After a hesitation, Lilith released her hold on Gabriel. He met Raven half way. He had finally come home again.