Y'know, I never really understood one thing about pregnancies. Married couples can try to get knocked up for years but teenagers always get it on the first try? What the hell is that? Beginner's luck or something?
My siblings just kept smiling at me and I know the people reading might be all like 'aww, they're happy for Andrea' but the truth is, those pricks had those smiles on their faces because they knew if dad heard this, he was gonna be so pissed off.
I mean, why couldn't the Poet just write me a better family? Why the hell is he always in such a bad mood? Did his girlfriend break up with him? Don't they pay him either?
"Uhh, Miss Torrez, they don't pay him... and yeah, Lucy did break up with him."
Oh? No wonder he's so sad. And what about you? You got a job? Happy spouse and kids? Or are you just another teenager still looking for someone? Take it from me, guys are pricks. They woo you with sweet charms and disappear right after they get info on your dad.
"Miss Torrez? You're going off course."
Off course? Don't people talk about themselves and express their thoughts on interviews?
"For the fourth time Miss Torrez, this isn't an interview."
Oh yeah? Why are there so many cameras then? I mean Jeff over there hasn't—
"Miss Torrez!"
Jeez, what's got your panties in a twist? I'll continue the damn backstory alright?
So yeah, I was screwed. Monumentally screwed and I knew it. Fors looked horrified by the revelation, even more than me.
"This can't be true..." Fors whispered and looked directly at me. "Andrea! Tell me this isn't true!"
The reality of the situation hadn't sunk in until Fors snapped at me. I couldn't look at him or anyone else in the room. Without warning, Fors grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the room. He didn't say anything but just kept pulling me forward until we were in the castle garden.
"Who..." Fors asked now that we were finally alone. His voice was harsh and I could feel the disappointment in his tone. I didn't know what to say. Fors gripped my arm more firmly and growled, "Answer me!"
"An angel... his name was Michael..." The words felt bitter in my mouth. Fors stared at me like I had grown a second head. Without any warning, he slapped me. My head whipped to the side and I tasted my own blood. I finally broke down in tears but Fors didn't let up for even a moment.
"Do you know what you've done?!" He yelled and a moment later, one of Lucifer's guards approached us.
"Lady Draven, your father wants to see you," the guard said. Fors stepped back and looked away.
Fors walked away but not before saying, "Take her to him. She deserves whatever comes next." The guard nodded and led the way. I wiped my tears and followed him.
The last time I spoke to my father, I was ten years old. I knew we would eventually have to speak to each other again but I never guessed it would be under these circumstances. My older siblings scowled at me as I passed by them. Their approval was something I always wanted but now, I felt too numb. My cheeks still stung from Fors's slap but I knew deep down, I deserved it.
Eventually, we reached the gates to my father's chamber. The guard left me to my fate and I steeled myself for whatever came next. I pushed the door open and stepped in.
Dad's room was as terrifying as ever. There were heads of monsters, demons and angels hanging on the walls. The far side of the room was made out of mirror shards held together by rose vines. Two women stood at the far corners of the room and sitting at the center of the room was Lucifer himself.
When Lucifer saw me, he gave the women a subtle look and they left the room instantly. It was just the two of us now. A red jacket hung over his shoulder. I heard rumors about it from my siblings but I had never actually seen it in person. From what I knew, it was the only object he actually cared for.
"Drea," he called and I froze on the spot.
"Lord Lucifer," I said and bowed my head. "I'm sorry." Those words wouldn't fix anything but they were all I had to say.
"Don't speak. " I already knew this was going to happen," Lucifer said and stood up. He was over 16ft tall and he towered over me. "You'll be executed tomorrow night. An abomination like you doesn't deserve to exist."
My whole world shattered in an instant. His tone showed how unbothered he was with the decision. He walked past me with the jacket still draped over his shoulder and he didn't even offer me a second glance. My fate was set before I entered this room.
Word spread quickly and after just an hour, the entire castle and all of Hell was buzzing with the news of my execution. The black sheep of the Draven family was to be executed. My siblings even threw a party to celebrate my impending doom and all of Hell rejoiced at the news. I expected as much though. I spent my last night crying myself to sleep and when morning came, I felt like trash.
Most people would spend their last days enjoying the sweet things life had to offer but I on the other hand had nothing. No friends, a family that wanted me dead more than anything and a cursed baby growing inside me. Even Fors didn't come to see me and that hurt more than anything else.
I spent the whole day curled up in bed, just staring at the wall like it held all the answers. I came to terms with my fate hours before two of Lucifer's guards entered my room. They were armoured from head to toe and even their faces were covered up in armour. It was almost like they expected a fight from me.
"Miss Draven... It's time," one of them said. The other guard stepped forward.
"Do you want your story to end here?" he asked. The question caught both the first guard and me by surprise.
"It doesn't matter what I want," I said. "I'd be better off dead."
"Do you want your story to end here?" the guard repeated. The first guard stood between us.
"Why are you asking her that?" the first guard questioned his companion. "Our job is to take her to Lord Draven! Let's get this over with before we get into trouble."
"I... I don't want it to end here..." The words came out before I could stop them. The first guard spun around and looked at me with surprise. The guard who asked me the question brought his hands up and removed his helmet... it was FORS?!
"That's all I needed to hear," Fors smiled. He turned to the second guard and before anyone could react, THUD! Fors crushed the guard's head with his fist. The helmet the guard wore folded and his head was flattened by the impact. Fors turned back to me and I tackled him into a tight hug.
"FORS!" I yelled and burst into tears. I thought he hated me. After everything, he still came back for me. He hugged me back for just a moment but then he pulled back.
"We have to get you out of Hell," Fors said and started pacing around my room. The blood from the dead guard covered the floor but Fors walked through it without noticing.
"Out of Hell?" I asked. "But where could I possibly go?" Fors stopped walking and faced me.
"We could use an Abyss Gate," Fors suggested.
Abyss Gates were scattered all over both Heaven and Hell. They were portals that could send whoever walked through them into the mortal realms. They were the reason so many angels and demons roamed the earth and other worlds alike. But as you might have already guessed, there was a catch to them. For a portal to activate, a life must be sacrificed. Those who wanted passage always sent a slave to sacrifice but in my case, that wasn't an option.
"That could work but... we don't have anyone to sacrifice," I said. Fors smiled and pointed a finger at himself.
"I've already made up my mind on—" I shoved him hard before he could finish the sentence.
"I'M NOT LETTING YOU DIE!" I yelled. "There has to be another way!" I held my glare until he backed down from his suicide plan.
"Andrea, it's the safest way for you," Fors sighed. "Our only other option's too risky."
That's all I needed to hear. If there was an option where both of us could survive, I was going to take it!
"What's the risky option?" I asked.
"There's an Abyss Gate in the castle. Unlike the other ones, it's activated at all times," Fors said and my eyes lit up in excitement but then I remembered... this was the risky option.
"Where is it?" I asked.
"Lucifer's chambers." The memory of my last meeting with Lucifer resurfaced when Fors said that. The broken mirrors held together by rose vines. They were the portal! The only problem was the painful reality of their position. Getting to Lucifer's chambers was something that could go badly very fast and even if we did make it, we would have to hope Lucifer wasn't inside when we got there. The risks were high but so was the reward.
"My father's chambers are our best shot if we both want to make it out of Hell alive." I looked up at Fors and smirked. "Lucifer must be getting suspicious about why you haven't brought me to be executed yet. First, we'll have to find a disguise for me. Any ideas?"
Fors looked down at the dead guard on the ground. His armour would work perfectly.
Fors waited outside my room as I changed into the armour. When I reappeared outside, Fors gave me his helmet to wear. His broken horn was out but he didn't seem to mind just as always. The helmet fit me perfectly and with that, I had my disguise.
The journey to Lucifer's chambers was a tough one. There were multiple close calls but for the most part, we avoided rousing suspicions. I saw most of my siblings along the way. They celebrated like I was already dead but whenever Fors passed by, they would go quiet.
"Ignore them. In a few minutes, you'll be out of this place," Fors reassured and I nodded.
After an agonisingly long time, we reached the gates to Lucifer's chambers. Fors stepped forward and slowly pushed them open. I held my breath until the last moment... LUCIFER WASN'T INSIDE!
I ran in and took off the armour and helmet. I got to the Abyss Gate and turned to Fors with excitement but then, my blood ran cold.
"Drea... You were my greatest joy... but now, you're my greatest sin..." Standing right behind Fors was the devil himself... Lucifer Draven...
END OF CHAPTER 20