Dark Lordship

Ever since the night of the Labyrinthe Ball, Alexiel had been on edge. After all, it wasn't everyday that a mere mortal got to dance with a Demon and an Angel in the same night…

The Dominion Angel's threat had lingered, hovering over the woman's head, waiting to drop. Nothing had happened since then, but Alexiel knew that it was only a matter of time... And Sir Crow was being absolutely no help at all.

Whenever Alexiel had broached the subject of Angels, the Demon had given her that infuriating, tight-lipped smile of his and immediately changed the topic of conversation.

Finally, after days of botched attempts, she had lost her temper.

"Damnit, Crow! I just want to understand!" The outburst wasn't loud, but caught the demon's full attention. Crow had cooked her dinner before they'd decided to go out for an early evening stroll. Now, while walking side by side, the demon stopped mid-stride and turned his stunning wine red eyes to appraise his companion.

"There is nothing to understand, my dear." His tone was flippant, and it made her even more angry than before. "The haloed buffoon danced with you and I cut in. End of story."

"That's not true, Crow." Alexiel shook her head, and fought to rein in her temper. "I get it. You don't want to talk about it. You don't want to think about the aforementioned buffoon. But I need to know what I'm up against."

He scowled, eyes sparking with annoyance. "There is nothing for you to go up against, Alexandra. Your whole conversation with him had little to no meaning. He blew hot air... and it would seem you ate up every word…"

Alexiel's mouth dropped open in disbelief, as she clenched her fists. She loved Crow, but sometimes he was utterly impossible!

"Dude, he threatened me because of our friendship. That's more than 'hot air' when he's a celestial being! I think the fact that I'm on an Angel's radar warrants more than a two word discussion!"

Sir Crow stared at her for a time, before he began to walk once more, leaving her behind. "You are the companion I chose, Alexandra. I bequeathed to you the secret of my true name. And as such, I will protect you from any who would mean to do you harm. . ." He glanced over his shoulder with an unreadable expression. "But that means you must trust me to do just that… I think you should take the time to consider if my companionship is something you truly desire… And if trusting my judgement is enough."

Alexiel felt her heart sink as he continued to walk away, and then disappeared up into the sky as he transformed into his bird form. The woman stared up at the heavens for quite some time, considering the demon's words, before she walked back home.

When Alexiel arrived back at her condo, she'd made up her mind. She adored Crow and didn't regret their friendship, but that didn't mean she could live without answers. She had a feeling that Crow would protect her from almost any threat the Dominion Angel could make, but it didn't make her feel any better about the situation. She was an inquisitive sort, and only solid answers would satisfy her anxious mind.

Locking her door behind her, Alexiel got to work. She would research all she could about Angels and gain as much insight as possible. But first she needed to find the proper tools…. As she pulled up a list of libraries in her nearby vicinity, the woman grew more resigned with her task.

"I'm sorry, Crow… But if you can't give me answers, I'll find them on my own."

Two days later on her day off of work, Alexiel found herself walking through the doors of an old Spanish Mission. The library housed within was ancient and carried countless religious manuscripts and books, some copies, some original. But all invaluable for her needs.

She'd called ahead and was now escorted to the far side of the mission. The grounds were preserved and cared for by a full time caretaker, but not another soul could be seen. The mission might as well have been deserted for how quiet and secluded it was.

As they walked the length of the courtyard, Alexiel was able to see the tower that rose above the library, and marveled at the beautiful structure. She wasn't exactly comfortable with her surroundings due to the history behind it, but she would have been lying if she didn't admit her interest and admiration for the Mission. She would love to come here again someday, when she could take the time to properly enjoy the historical value.

Alexiel politely listened to her guide's instructions, before she was seated at a table in between the countless shelves and left alone to read. There was no electricity in the mission, so candles offered the only light, save for the flickers of sunlight that peeked through the small windows. It was truly an indescribable atmosphere: that of an ancient place of learning. The air was musty with the age of the manuscripts, and it made Alexiel smile despite herself.

She immediately began to research all the texts she could find about the Heavenly Hosts. She grew lost to the innumerable texts she found, and soon minutes turned to hours. It was hard work sifting through the documents and tomes, but Alexiel made do. Between consulting her phone for loose Latin translations and her ability to speak and read Spanish, she was able to garner some valuable information.

Crow had referred to the Angel as a 'Dominion'. So she had searched for that title and had finally found a decent description, as well as several related stories of Dominion Angels.

"The Dominions or Dominations," Alexiel read, "are a presumed hierarchy of celestial beings. Otherwise referred to as 'Lordships'. The Dominions regulate the duties of lower angels. It is only with extreme rarity that the angelic lords make themselves physically known to humans."

"So why did he take the trouble to visit me?" Alexiel wondered, frowning as she read on.

"The Dominions are believed to look like divinely beautiful humans with a pair of feathered wings, much like the common representation of angels. But they may be distinguished from other groups by wielding orbs of light fastened to the heads of their scepters or on the pommel of their swords."

Alexiel didn't recall seeing a sword or scepter, but it didn't mean the Dominion she'd met hadn't been carrying one. . . But why had he singled her out? Sure, he wanted to know Crow's true name, but surely that wouldn't warrant a special visit to a human…. Unless Sir Crow was a bigger deal than he'd originally let on.

If a Lordship Angel wished to know Crow's name, he must have been an important foe…

Alexiel brushed off the sinking feeling in her gut, as she continued to read several narratives about Dominions. From all counts, it seemed you were either extremely blessed or extremely unlucky if you encountered one…

"I think I fit into the second category…" Alexiel ran a hand through her dark hair, as she tried to digest all she'd learned. Then she stretched and glanced out one of the windows. To her surprise, it was dark outside. How long had she been in the library? Surely the caretaker would have come to escort her out if it was that late?

Alexiel tidied up the table and the documents she'd been looking at before she stood up, preparing to leave. . . But just as she did, the library was submerged in darkness. Alexiel jumped at the sudden change, before her rational mind took over. "It's just the candles…A window probably got left open somewhere and the wind blew them out."

Feeling better about the suddenly dark library, Alexiel was just about to pull out her phone and use it for light, when something caught her peripheral vision. The woman turned her head to get a better look and froze in her tracks.

It was a pure white flicker of light in the dark. It started as a tiny circle that hovered in the air, before it began to grow in size and pulsate. Alexiel watched silently, as it expanded until she had to cover her eyes from the intensity of the light.

Then as the light dimmed enough for her to look again, she felt her heart flip.

There, standing in the center of the library, was a man dressed in glowing white robes. Gorgeous, pearl draped wings spread about his shoulders and back, marking him for a divine being. . . But his face was all wrong. . . Instead of peaceful features, the Angel's face was twisted up into pure outrage; his nose was scrunched up as if he smelled a foul odor, while his eyes blazed a wrathful violet hue.

At first Alexiel thought it was same Angel she had encountered at the Labyrinthe Ball. But upon closer inspection, it was obvious this was a different Dominion. . . But how on earth had two separate Dominion Angels seen fit to seek her out?

Alexiel stared for what felt like a lifetime before the cold, violet eyes landed on her. She didn't realize she had stopped breathing until the Angel spoke.

"Wretched child of man!" he spat, pointing at her with a bold, glowing finger. " I have seen your heart and the company you keep! You are unfit to enter this hallowed ground! You are unclean! You are tainted by loathsome sin and corruption! The darkness has stained you! The shadows gnaw away at your immortal soul, and you allow it!"

Alexiel had begun to shake as he yelled, taking an involuntary step away. She found herself unable to speak, knowing that the Angel probably wouldn't listen to her. Her words would be empty excuses to him, probably making him all the more angry. If his expression was anything to go by, he already saw her as little more than scum.

"You walk alongside DEMONS and FIENDS! THE FILTH OF THE EARTH! DAMNED, GROTESQUE ABOMINATIONS!" As the Angel roared the library began to shake, and Alexiel held onto the table she stood beside to keep from falling over.

The Angel's glowing form began to smolder with white flames, and books began to float around him. They circled the air at a terrifying speed, and Alexiel felt her heart drop to the soles of her feet. But she was unable to move as pure terror held her place.

The Angel stared at her, as the white flames crackled to and fro and the books zoomed in the air. The eyes were void of anything but disgust, as he held out his hand to Alexiel. He beckoned to her pointedly, but the woman was unmoving, causing the Angel to close his eyes as if in pain.

"A disease plagues you, child," he murmured darkly, raising what looked to be a pure ball of crystal white light. "But I shall save you from it. Come to me and I shall help ease your way."

Alexiel's eyes grew ever wider as she realized what he was implying. Cleansing…. Ease her way. . . Diseased…

In that terrible moment, Alexiel understood with perfect clarity.

This Lordship Angel wasn't just after Crow's name. . .

…. He was after her life.

Alexiel immediately took another step away, fighting to get her whole body to recover from her shock and move. When she stepped away instead of moving towards him, the Angel's face grew even harder, as if she'd betrayed him personally.

"Your lack of cooperation is disturbing." The Angel grimaced, before the ball of light in his hand began to expand into a long rod. At the tip of the spear he now held, the ball of light continued to glow, and the Angel shook his head. "But I shall cleanse you, child. By any means necessary…"

Then, a pair of a massive, feathery white wings erupted from the Angel's back. The room was hailed in feathers, as the Dominion stretched his arms wide. One grazed Alexiel's upper arm before implanting in the book shelf behind her. For a breath the woman merely stared at the feather, before looking down at the place the feather had touched her.

A river of blood trickled from the cut, and Alexiel gripped the wound. It didn't hurt, but from the way the blood had covered the sleeve of her sweater it was clear that it was a serious injury.

The Angel offered a dark smile as he viewed her bleeding arm, and Alexiel finally found control of her body. Without a second of delay, she sprinted towards the exit, but was pelted by several of the tomes that flew through the air.

The Angel laughed at her attempt to flee, and glanced towards the door, closing it with nothing more than a gesture. "You cannot escape your reckoning, human. You should be thanking me for taking the time to save you, instead of running like the ungrateful wretch that you are."

Alexiel looked around rapidly, trying to spot another way out of the library. The windows were too small to climb through, so that wasn't an option… Her dark eyes scanned the entire library, before she spotted another doorway. She had no idea where it led, but anything was better than being murdered, so she made a mad dash for it. Though this time she did her best to hide her attempt, seeming to run at random.

The Angel watched her with annoyance, as more books and feathers rained down upon her. Another feather cut her cheek, but she paid no attention to the slice in her face. She had to get out of here; the rest could wait!

"Crow! Help me! Please!" The unspoken cry wasn't intentional, but Alexiel didn't regret it. If she could just hold out long enough for Crow to come, she'd be safe. But until then, she'd have to play for time and not let the Angel catch her. . . .

She continued to zig-zag through the countless shelves, dodging feathers and books, until the door was only a foot or so away. The angry snarls of the Angel spurred her to go faster. Heart racing, Alexiel dove for the door and entered. It was dark but the woman ran headlong into the shadows.

Once her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she was able to make out what appeared to be a storage room for the library. It had quite a few large bookcases and more than a handful of bins. There was another door on the far side of the room; she tried to open it, but found that it was nothing more than a utility closet. The only other exit to the room, other than how she came in, was a staircase that led upward. Perhaps the staircase led up to the tower that she'd seen when she'd arrived at the mission? . . . Whatever the case, she opted that the staircase should be her very last option for escape. It wouldn't do to get caught on the roof, or in a tower with a pissed off Angel…

So, she scanned the room for a window or another door. And just as she realized that there was nowhere to go but the staircase and the way she'd come, the library went silent.

Without thinking Alexiel quickly skidded out of sight, pressing her back to one of the shelves. They were thick, so the width was larger than she was, thankfully.

After several seconds, Alexiel heard the storage door creak open, and held her breath. Silently, she peeked around the side of the shelf, and spotted the Dominion slowly stalking through the first aisle of bookcases.

"You cannot hide, child. Not from me…"

Alexiel continued to hold her breath, before she slowly inhaled as quietly as possible. Then she nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard a clicking sound to her right. She glanced around the corner again, and saw the Angel drawing closer. And all the while, he tapped the edge of his angelic spear against the bins and shelves.

"If you pray, I shall make it a quick end, little one." His voice was taunting, and Alexiel placed a hand firmly against her mouth to keep her breathing muffled. Then she slowly inched around the far end of the shelf, keeping low, as the Angel entered the second aisle of bookcases. "Do you really think you can escape? I am a celestial being, and you are an idiotic meat sack. The odds are hardly in your favor."

Alexiel cleared the other side of the shelf, just as the Angel appeared in the spot she'd originally been. The dragging sound of his spear against the floor made a frightened shiver run down her spine, and it took all her effort to keep moving quietly and not break out into a mad dash for the door. But if she ran, he'd catch her for sure. She had to distract him somehow….

Then, as she spotted a large pipe on the ground beside her, a plan came to mind. Carefully Alexiel reached into her pants pocket. She fingered around before she found her chapstick and pulled it out. She weighed it carefully in her palm, before she gauged the distance between herself and the utility closet. If she could time this well enough, she might have a chance to get out of the library alive.

There was only a single shelf left between herself and the Dominion. Now was the time for action!

Alexiel threw her chapstick into the utility closet, and heard it hit the floor clearly in the nearly silent room. The Angel's head snapped in the direction of the sound, and she heard him laugh. He strode towards the closet with his spear raised.

"A closet? Have you utterly no imagination?"

Alexiel crept up behind him on silent feet, the piece of pipe in her hand. She watched the Dominion's back as he peered inside the closet, and hoped that her plan would be a success.

Before she could second guess her sanity, Alexiel took the last step towards the Angel and pushed him as hard as she could. If he had been expecting the attack, she wouldn't have been able to make him budge. But luckily he was confident enough to be relaxed.

Alexiel had put all her strength into shoving the Angel, and to her relief, he fell into the closet. The woman's chest heaved painfully, as she slammed the door shut behind him and jammed the piece of pipe against the handle.

She could hear him in the closet, barking with laughter, though this time it resounded ferociously. "You would dare to push an Angel? And try to trap him in a dingy closet? I see there truly is no light left in you."

Alexiel rushed back towards the door to the library, but as soon as she reached for the handle it burst into white flames. Then, the rest of the door sparked and set alight. Alexiel covered her eyes at the bright assault, before she glanced back and saw the closet door begin to burn as well.

The Angel's laughter mixed with the crackling of the flames, and Alexiel realized there was only one place left to go.

With all her remaining energy, Alexiel sprinted towards the staircase and began to climb. Never in her life had she taken stairs so fast. She took two at a time, gasping for breath as she ran up the flight of steps. She could hear the closet door burst and knew she'd only have moments until the Angel was chasing her again.

Her legs protested as she pushed them past her normal exertion, but she kept going. Until she reached yet another door. She flung it wide and entered into the evening air. She closed it behind her before rushing towards the edge of the tower. It was a small space that didn't warrant much movement or a way off the roof safely.

Alexiel checked each side of the tower, but found that there wasn't anywhere else to run or a place to climb down. She was cornered. There was nowhere left to hide.

Alexiel stood in the center of the open-air tower, before she closed her eyes. Crow hadn't come. No one was going to save her. . . She was at the Angel's mercy. But somehow she doubted he had any.

"I can't run anymore," Alexiel thought, as she heard the familiar scraping sound of the spear. "I have to face him. . . I have to be strong."

"If your intention was to mislead me, you failed miserably. Your blood let me know exactly where you were." It was true enough. Alexiel's arm had been dripping blood since it'd been cut, and a ruby red trail had followed her every step. . .

Alexiel opened her eyes just in time to see the Dominion Angel open the door and enter the tower. He glanced at her, as if waiting for another attempt at an attack, before he spread his wings, blocking the door from her sight.

Alexiel stood firm, holding her wounded arm to prevent more bleeding, as she faced the Angel with all the courage she could muster.

"I know you followed my blood. . . I'm done running." Her voice was surprisingly strong for how scared she was, and she met the violet gaze without blinking. "I don't know what I've done to inspire such hatred in you. . . All I did was love another creature enough to help it. If that's a sin, then I guess I'm guilty. That's all I did! I cared for and loved another person! Isn't that what He wants?" Alexiel gestured towards the sky, as she spoke.

The Angel stared at her for a breath, before he shook his head, holding his temple with clear astonishment. He glared at her, making the blood freeze in her veins, but she didn't run. Instead she continued to hold her ground and fought not to cringe when he drew closer.

"You truly believe that don't you, human? That because you love him, it will all work out in the end? You've told yourself that he isn't an unclean monster- a dreg from Hell. But you are delusional."

"I've never pretended he was something other than a demon. But I didn't judge him for it." Alexiel stopped as the violet eyes grew positively glacial.

"So that excuses you?" The Angel sneered again. "Such pathetic creatures, you Children of Adam; apt to trust in things that make you feel useful and wanted. . . So the Demon's dark deeds don't concern you, as long as it isn't your soul he devours? You happily turn a blind eye to the dark, as long as you can bask in the light? Is that it?"

Alexiel barely had time to blink, let alone answer, before the Angel's spear was hovering at her neck. It pressed into her flesh, but didn't break the skin, though it could have cut through her like butter if the Angel had wished it.

Alexiel tried her best to stay calm as the Dominion drew closer to her, but her legs shook, betraying her. When he was within reach, he reached out and grabbed her wounded arm, making her hiss in pain.

He was easily two heads taller than her, but leaned down close enough so that they shared the same air. His nose almost touched hers as he openly accused her. "You are so polluted by sin that you cannot see the error of your ways," he whispered. "I pity you, human. I pity your kind, for your weakness and inability to comprehend simple commands. What the Almighty Father sees in you, I shall never understand."

His fingers gripped her damaged arm like a vice, as he dragged her towards the edge of the roof. She panicked and tried to pry his fingers loose, but it was in vain. Alexiel tried to stop their progression towards the ledge, but was unable to do anything. He was stronger than her, and she was exhausted from all the running she'd done, and all the blood she'd lost.

Finally, they stood at the edge of the tower, and he smiled at her. "You needn't struggle any longer, child… Rest well, knowing you have been saved."

Then as she struggled and cried out, the Dominion dangled Alexiel over the edge of the tower and let go of her arm.

Alexiel's heart raced up into her throat as she was met by open air, and began to plummet towards the courtyard of the mission. She screamed as she tumbled through the sky, grasping for anything to stop her descent. She could see the Lordship, poised upon the ledge of the tower, watching her.

Alexiel closed her eyes as she waited to meet the ground. No solid thoughts came, as she prepared to die. Only sadness and the feeling of her heart trying to beat out of her chest.

. . . Until she heard someone calling her name, frantic and deep on the wind.

"ALEXANDRA!"

A second later, a pair of strong arms caught her firmly, and the rushing wind ceased. Slowly, Alexiel's dark eyes opened, and tears immediately formed.

"I thought I was going to die alone…. But you came."

"I will always come for you, my Alexandra." As the familiar voice spoke in her mind, Alexiel saw the emotion in the wine colored eyes, as he cradled her gently.

Sir Crow landed in the courtyard, still holding her, and for a moment he regarded her. Her cheek and arm leaked little rivers of blood, and she was incredibly pale.

"Can you stand, dearest one?" Crow asked tenderly, his voice comforting and low.

Alexiel nodded. "I…. I think so?"

Carefully, Crow set Alexiel down upon the ground. When she immediately collapsed, he caught her and sat her down. With affectionate fingers, he brushed the hair from her face, before kissing her forehead. Alexiel heard the Dominion roar furiously as the demon pulled away.

"May I ask a favor, my dear?"

"W-What is it?"

"No matter what you might hear, may I ask you to keep your eyes closed or averted?" When she stared at him, Crow added, "I fear you've already suffered a great shock this evening… I would hate to add to that suffering with visions of my true form."

Alexiel was silent for a moment, before she nodded her agreement. Sir Crow flashed her a gentle smile, before he jumped high into the air to meet the Angel.

As Crow landed atop the tower, Alexiel could hear the Angel address him. "The Filth of the Pit dares to face me?"

"I do," Crow said darkly, his tone calm but threatening. "It was an inevitability from the moment you put my charge in danger."

"You are arrogant beyond your status, Demon!"

Crow laughed heartily, as his eyes flashed an otherworldly magenta. "Funny. I was just about to say the same for you. Though arrogant isn't quite right, is it? I think cowardly suits you far better."

The Angel yelled in anger, as he swung his spear at the Demon. Crow dodged the blow easily, before smirking. "Oh yes, it suits you to a tee~ Attacking a human far weaker than yourself, knowing full well that she couldn't best you. Tell me, is it a normal practice for the Heavenly Host to kill their Father's creations? I thought the opposite was true. . . and you call my kind the deceivers." He laughed again, a deep chuckle that echoed about the mission and beyond. From her place in the courtyard, Alexiel closed her eyes and held onto her bleeding arm. She would have loved to see Crow's true form, but he had asked her not to, and she would respect his wishes.

Above her, she could hear the sounds of a battle. The swish of the Angel's spear, and the solid clank of something metallic clashing with it, but still she kept her eyes shut. The Angel bellowed and screeched like a wild animal, and all the while she heard the deep chuckle of Sir Crow.

Soon, the struggle for power erupted into a wave of air that blew Alexiel face down to the ground. But she didn't move. Instead she lay with her uncut cheek pressed against the dirt, and fought to breathe. Now that the Angel was no longer after her, the woman found herself entirely overwhelmed by her near-death experience. She hyperventilated as she clutched her wounded arm and fought to think clearly.

Alexiel lost all sense of time, as the battle waged above her, and she fought to calm down. But soon enough, the world went quiet, save for her labored breathing. It was only as a hand landed on her back, that the woman was brought back to the present.

Slowly, Alexiel opened her eyes to regard the demon that had saved her. Her chest heaved, as she looked about them frantically, before Crow's hands cupped her face. He studied her for a long moment, before his eyes grew unreadable.

"It's alright, Alexandra. It is over. The Dominion is no more."

And with those words, Alexiel broke down. Tears cascaded down her pale face as she sobbed in pure relief. Crow enveloped her in his arms, holding her close as she cried.

"I'm s-sorry, Crow! I don't know what's wrong with me!"

"There is no shame in crying, my dear. Not after what you've been through." He kissed her hair, as he cradled her close to his blackened heart. "I'm sorry I didn't get to you sooner. Please forgive me."

Alexiel looked up through her wet lashes, before she kissed his cheek and buried her face into his chest. "No. You came just in time, Crow," she murmured emotionally. "Thank you, thank you…"

For sometime, the demon and woman sat in the courtyard embracing. Then, as the stars began to line the horizon, the man picked the woman up in his arms and escorted her back to her car.

"Come," he said soothingly. "We must get you home and tend to that arm of yours before it gets any worse."

As he put her into the passenger seat and began to drive them back into the city, Alexiel noted that her beloved Crow didn't let go of her hand once. And in that moment, it was the most comforting thing he could have done.

A/N: This chapter was a bit different than the others for obvious reasons, but I quite enjoyed it. Now we have Angels in play and the dear Crow has killed one. XD What ever will Alexiel and Crow face next? ;)

I hope you are all enjoying their journey as much as I am.

Until next time,

~ Lyn