voiceofthedamned

[voiceofthedamned]

Wine nipped at the sleek glass as it swirled under the fidgeting motion of his rotating wrist, casting shadows of red across the pristine white of his shirt with each rotation. “How terribly dull.” His flat tone did nothing to hide the lack of interest that threatened to pull his attention toward something or someone more interesting in the continuously growing crowd.

Pale lips caressed the cool glass as the fragrance of the wine once again assaulted every taste bud. Once, in the years of his youth, Gabriel had held a desperate appreciation for the taste of the beverage, making conversations with kings and nobles alike while cooing over the flavor of the contents of a cup. It was pathetic under the scrutiny of his own retrospection. “I suppose after a few centuries, I have grown rather bored of paying attention to something as insignificant as taste.” His eyes moved down her form once more, the judgmental inflection of his words mirroring the calculating glint of his cold gaze.

It would be easy, he supposed, to find someone more interesting to spend his time with. Delilah always held the tempting promise of a night well remembered, even without the lure of seduction. Yet the sudden change in Josephine’s expression stirred a curiosity that threatened to keep him close for the rest of the night. Something he said had hit a nerve, and Gabriel was determined to discover what could make such a pristine mask crack.

“Nonsense,” he said with the wave of a hand. “Lucifer has far too much to show off for this to be a one-time thing.” It seemed as if the devil himself had grown arrogant with a need to impress the creatures he once thought so lowly of. Perhaps he, like God, was growing fond of the humans and the unique way in which they refused to break beneath the pressure of hell itself.

In another life she might have pushed him away for grabbing her so suddenly like he did. Usually she liked to give the illusion that the man was in power, but keep the power for herself. In this instance, she was very much powerless. No matter how hard she could try to seduce any of the demons, the ball was very much in their court any time she spoke with them. She was a plaything, a toy to be passed around–she had no delusions about these things. But there was still hope that perhaps one of them would get more attached than they initially meant to, and maybe that was even more dangerous, or maybe then she’d finally be safe. Either way Jo had to try, it was all she had.

Gabriel’s hand held her tightly as he said words that many before him proclaimed. “And as I said before–that’s your problem to figure out, not mine.” As space between them grew, Josephine wondered how much the demons discussed her, and even the rest of the humans. Did they know every aspect of her life? Every sordid detail? Did they know her actual name was Linda? The questions continued to swirl as the room around her seemed to grow more and more crowded. Every around her was either a stranger or briefly familiar, and she remembered, in a life that seemed so long ago, when that was her entire life. Rooms filled top to bottom with strangers, people that she had to persuade. Most of the time she didn’t belong in any of those rooms, nor parties, but sweet talking the guards had become her greatest past time.

“I’d rather remember every detail and enjoy the taste.” Josephine’s response was not completely truthful. There had been plenty of nights where she knew they were going to end, and so she would drink. Drink to forget. Drink to let herself stop thinking. Drink to make the man she was with seem less horrible, and a little more satiable. None of these things embarrassed her, but she didn’t want Gabriel thinking she was just going to waste her life in Paradise away by drinking away her memories. She had become an expert at erasing her life without outside influences.

Jo’s jaw threatened to drop as for a moment she was uncertain as to whether he was talking about Los Angeles, or Adair. She chose to believe he didn’t know about her farm in Iowa.

“It’s horribly dull here. This is the first party, and I’m sure one of the only parties we’ll have.”

[voiceofthedamned]

Steps unfaltering at a leisurely pace slowly brought him closer to the woman calling back to him. Each syllable ricocheted off the hollow halls; the ambiguous words reaching his ears with no reaction. The easy smile of another’s company, welcomed by the omission of who it could have been rather than who it was, persisted in his expression with the casual commonality of his own character. It would do no good to obtain a tone of anything less than amusement in a discussion with those he now shared the familiarity of species with.

Cerulean eyes lingered on his surroundings. Splatters of citrus discolored steel as rust clung to the edge of every hinge, flourishing in the drab darkness that invaded every sight and the damp air that weighed heavy as it loitered in every breath. “Any action that calls you down to a place such as this is surely an obligation.” The articulation of each word echoed through the cell-lined hall, crawling through the mildew-filled air to reach the target of a narrowing gap.

While the doe-eyed look or angry stares of those he had betrayed were not enough to keep him away, Gabriel still loathed to return to the rotting construction that housed his guilt. Somehow, he thought, this may be a sentiment shared with the woman before him who seemed just as eager to avoid the violence of this hell named Paradise.  

Merciless. That is what they all had been, what they would always be. Days after and still the walls hummed its countless recaptures after numerous attempts floundered. And while she didn’t agree with it, refraining from getting a speck of blood on her fingernails, a burst of pride still fluttered in her veins over comrades - friends being satisfied in their charge. It served to show they could maintain some sort of order, even if it took the rounding up of foolish ducklings each time they decided to fly the coop.

Eyes alight with a grin, Salome had departed from her guest room in the mansion to return to dismaying restoration of duties around the prison, simultaneously irritated with the continuous static and vigilant of angels who held a certain glint, a particular gleam that pressed caution as Salome wasn’t doltish to believe that was their final pursuit for freedom. The angels would press on given hope by the irrational, faith-filled humans while they reiteratively imprisoned them.

Still, day by day and night by night, together, all gets forgotten or lost in translation as false sense of securities settle in. Salome, light on her feet, glides into the cell block with an arched brow and artful grin, never betraying her true feelings to any in her path. One foot in front of the other, walking, moving each toe slowly, moving each limb carefully, she swirls towards the familiar inflections carrying a pet name every male seemed to assign her. Her voice carries across the room, but is still a whisper that caresses the ear. “ For a treat. Or is it called obligation. The lines are far too blurry to define it for myself anymore. ” 

[voiceofthedamned]

Date: October 12th 

Location: Big Apple Diner

Closed: @homaciida

The diner was surprisingly void of the everyday patrons that typically littered the faux leather seats that were sticky with years of something better left unfounded. Their absence, justified among the chaos of recent events, perplexed Gabriel in the slightest of natures – perhaps the humans of Paradise had finally found themselves spooked enough to combat the innate need to resist the abnormality that had invaded their lives. The idea was rather depressing: to see an admirable quality succumb to the heavy weight of reality.

Despite the quiet atmosphere surrounding the once bustling diner, Gabriel continued on with his own indulgence. The screams of a fork scraping the porcelain of the plate reverberated through the room only to fall on the deaf ears of an uncaring waitress. Even sitting on a dressed dish, the food barely looked appetizing without the usual distraction of overheard conversation. The ringing of the bell above the door caught the attention of his ears but not his eyes. He did not need to see the man that had just walked through the smudged glass door to know who it was. Cain had the unique ability to fill the room, full or empty, with an unwanted presence.

Gabriel waited for the man to approach before meeting his gaze and saying, “And here I thought I would actually be able to enjoy my meal.”

Azure eyes once again focused on the piece of pie in front of him and more importantly eating it. Sugar, too sweet for anyone resisting the development of a sweet tooth, infested every taste bud as the fork slipped from closed lips. “What do you want?” he asked, lips smacking as chewed food interrupted his words to mirror the indistinguishable mumblings of a child.

[voiceofthedamned]

★

Wesley 

I like you // I love you // I’m indifferent toward you // You’re one of my best friends // You’re like family // You are family // I dislike you // I hate you // I’m jealous of you // I’m scared of you // I would adopt you // I’m attracted to you // I’d date you // I’d sleep with you // I’d marry you // I’m worried about you // You confuse me // You’re annoying // I respect you // I want your respect // I feel protective of you // I’d like to cut loose with you // You’re good-looking // I’m suspicious of you // I’m hiding something from you // You’re fun // You’re boring // You’re nice // You’re mean // You’re smart // You’re stupid // I think you’re a better person than me // I think I’m a better person than you // I want to apologize to you // I want an apology from you // I wish I’d never met you // I never want to forget you // I want to get to know you better

[voiceofthedamned]

★

Rowan 

I like you // I love you // I’m indifferent toward you // You’re one of my best friends // You’re like family // You are family // I dislike you // I hate you // I’m jealous of you // I’m scared of you // I would adopt you // I’m attracted to you // I’d date you // I’d sleep with you // I’d marry you // I’m worried about you // You confuse me // You’re annoying // I respect you // I want your respect // I feel protective of you // I’d like to cut loose with you // You’re good-looking // I’m suspicious of you // I’m hiding something from you // You’re fun // You’re boring // You’re nice // You’re mean // You’re smart // You’re stupid // I think you’re a better person than me // I think I’m a better person than you // I want to apologize to you // I want an apology from you // I wish I’d never met you // I never want to forget you // I want to get to know you better 

[voiceofthedamned]

★

Cain 

I like you // I love you // I’m indifferent toward you // You’re one of my best friends // You’re like family // You are family // I dislike you // I hate you // I’m jealous of you // I’m scared of you // I would adopt you // I’m attracted to you // I’d date you // I’d sleep with you // I’d marry you // I’m worried about you // You confuse me // You’re annoying // I respect you // I want your respect // I feel protective of you // I’d like to cut loose with you // You’re good-looking // I’m suspicious of you // I’m hiding something from you // You’re fun // You’re boring // You’re nice // You’re mean // You’re smart // You’re stupid // I think you’re a better person than me // I think I’m a better person than you // I want to apologize to you // I want an apology from you // I wish I’d never met you // I never want to forget you // I want to get to know you better 

[voiceofthedamned]

★

Alastair 

I like you // I love you // I’m indifferent toward you // You’re one of my best friends // You’re like family // You are family // I dislike you // I hate you // I’m jealous of you // I’m scared of you // I would adopt you // I’m attracted to you// I’d date you // I’d sleep with you // I’d marry you // I’m worried about you // You confuse me // You’re annoying // I respect you // I want your respect // I feel protective of you // I’d like to cut loose with you // You’re good-looking // I’m suspicious of you // I’m hiding something from you // You’re fun // You’re boring // You’re nice // You’re mean // You’re smart // You’re stupid // I think you’re a better person than me // I think I’m a better person than you // I want to apologize to you // I want an apology from you // I wish I’d never met you // I never want to forget you // I want to get to know you better

[voiceofthedamned]

★

Salome

I like you // I love you // I’m indifferent toward you // You’re one of my best friends // You’re like family // You are family // I dislike you // I hate you // I’m jealous of you // I’m scared of you // I would adopt you // I’m attracted to you// I’d date you // I’d sleep with you // I’d marry you // I’m worried about you // You confuse me // You’re annoying // I respect you // I want your respect // I feel protective of you // I’d like to cut loose with you // You’re good-looking // I’m suspicious of you // I’m hiding something from you // You’re fun // You’re boring // You’re nice // You’re mean // You’re smart // You’re stupid // I think you’re a better person than me // I think I’m a better person than you // I want to apologize to you // I want an apology from you // I wish I’d never met you // I never want to forget you // I want to get to know you better

[voiceofthedamned]

★ (for stella and daniel if you don't mind!)

Stella

I like you // I love you // I’m indifferent toward you // You’re one of my best friends // You’re like family // You are family // I dislike you // I hate you // I’m jealous of you // I’m scared of you // I would adopt you // I’m attracted to you // I’d date you // I’d sleep with you // I’d marry you // I’m worried about you // You confuse me // You’re annoying // I respect you // I want your respect // I feel protective of you // I’d like to cut loose with you // You’re good-looking // I’m suspicious of you // I’m hiding something from you // You’re fun // You’re boring // You’re nice // You’re mean // You’re smart // You’re stupid // I think you’re a better person than me // I think I’m a better person than you // I want to apologize to you // I want an apology from you // I wish I’d never met you // I never want to forget you // I want to get to know you better 

Daniel

I like you // I love you // I’m indifferent toward you // You’re one of my best friends // You’re like family // You are family // I dislike you // I hate you // I’m jealous of you // I’m scared of you // I would adopt you // I’m attracted to you // I’d date you // I’d sleep with you // I’d marry you // I’m worried about you // You confuse me // You’re annoying // I respect you // I want your respect // I feel protective of you // I’d like to cut loose with you // You’re good-looking // I’m suspicious of you // I’m hiding something from you // You’re fun // You’re boring // You’re nice // You’re mean // You’re smart // You’re stupid // I think you’re a better person than me // I think I’m a better person than you // I want to apologize to you // I want an apology from you // I wish I’d never met you // I never want to forget you // I want to get to know you better 

[voiceofthedamned]

Date: October 11th 

Location: New Utopia Prison 

Closed: @xsalome

Endless rows of bars and brick lined the darkened halls of the prison, each tediously similar to the last in nothing more than a mirrored pattern of symmetry. It was simple and orderly, a mockery of the time Lucifer had ruled with an iron fist. Nowadays, it seemed as if angels, demons, and humans alike were running rampant in a blatant show of rebellion.

In spite of the conflict and chaos that flooded the little town once so quiet under the hand of the devil, Gabriel had found himself woefully uninvolved in the most recent affairs of his brethren - a position well suited for a soldier stuck fighting a war over nothing. Now he simply had to choose the side that would win; the choice of which would prove to be more difficult that he could ever prepare for.

Nimble fingers fluttered restlessly against the palm of his hand as thoughts of loyalty and alliance filtered through his buzzing mind. The movement ceased with the distinct noise of scraping metal, a characteristic of the prison’s rusty hinges. Recognition overtook his previously thoughtful expression as he saw the green-eyed beauty that was Salome.

“Darling,” he called out to her, paying no mind to the disgruntled noises of annoyance that echoed from the cells. “What brings you down to the cell bloc?”

[voiceofthedamned]

SEND MY CHARACTER A ★ AND I’LL BOLD EVERYTHING THEY FEEL TOWARD YOUR CHARACTER.

I like you // I love you // I’m indifferent toward you // You’re one of my best friends // You’re like family // You are family // I dislike you // I hate you // I’m jealous of you // I’m scared of you // I would adopt you // I’m attracted to you // I’d date you // I’d sleep with you // I’d marry you // I’m worried about you // You confuse me // You’re annoying // I respect you // I want your respect // I feel protective of you // I’d like to cut loose with you // You’re good-looking // I’m suspicious of you // I’m hiding something from you // You’re fun // You’re boring // You’re nice // You’re mean // You’re smart // You’re stupid // I think you’re a better person than me // I think I’m a better person than you // I want to apologize to you // I want an apology from you // I wish I’d never met you // I never want to forget you // I want to get to know you better

[voiceofthedamned]

Clouds, splattered across the sky, blocked any reprieve from the bite of fall, only allowing a glimpse of shining sun to periodically peek through the offending veil. Despite Gabriel’s dismissal, the underlying chill of the autumn air was evident with only the soft cotton of a thin shirt as a shield. The days, it seemed, had finally succumbed to the persuasion of the changing season and embraced the telltale approach of winter.

The deep rumbling of the stranger’s voice surprised him. Many humans remained either fearful or resentful of those that donned raven wings, making the potential for conversation rather slim. However, this man seemed to hold nothing more than a shallow apprehension in his casual inquiry and stilted apology.

A smirk pulled at his lips as he studied the man through the corner of his eye. “There’s no need for such formalities,” he said, waving away any ideas of authority. “The only time I’m called sir is in the bedroom, and I’m rather doubtful you would wish to take on such a role.” Eyebrows raised in suggestion and amusement, equally seen in the azure irises, enveloped his expression as he let his eyes wander down the man’s body.

Turning his gaze back toward the street before him, Gabriel gave another small shrug. “Curious as you may be, I’m afraid my reason will not grant you any excitement. You see, the diner in town is the only place you can find a decent slice of pie.”

The man — a demon with some of the largest wings he’d seen thus far — gave only a shrug in response, and although the gesture contributed next to NOTHING to their conversation (should it turn into one), Wesley couldn’t help but find it refreshing that the stranger hadn’t felt the need to retort for the sake of proving a point.

The doctor was far more concerned with their captors’ existence than with threatening the grip they had on Paradise — for the time being, at least. Though, with a gut that couldn’t quite stomach the thought of partaking in violence, it was debatable whether Wesley would be of much use.

Was he even capable of harming a living creature and not being overcome by the desire to fix it? He didn’t know, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to find out.

“Is there a specific reason you chose to cross the fence, or did you just need to stretch your legs?” Your wings? He realized (perhaps a bit too late) that he might’ve come across as rude or even accusatory, and after a moment of deliberation, Hudson decided to extend some sort of apology — if not for the demon, who may not have been offended in the slightest, then for himself.

“Pardon my brashness, sir. I’m just curious, is all.”

[voiceofthedamned]

Date: October 11th 

Location: Lucifer’s Mansion

Closed: @rowanofwar​

Shadows, sleepless in the soft lines of dimmed lights, danced across the lavish halls at every turn. Footfalls rustled across the glistening, wood floors of the manor in the ghost of a whisper emptied into the night. Closed doors remained deaf to the soft sounds gently echoing through the dark, ignorant to the subtle ruckus of a welcomed invader traveling down familiar halls. It would be easy, Gabriel supposed, to get lost among the twisting corridors of Lucifer’s manner.  However, Gabriel maintained his direction as he neared the object of his venture: an exterior door.

The evening had granted him the idea that perhaps a walk in the woods would do him well.

Despite the late hour, Gabriel had been unable to possess the tendrils of sleep forever slipping from his grasp. Thoughts better suited for repression sat unacquainted in the forefront of his mind, plaguing every breath that rattled through tightened lungs. The darkness invading his lavish room was far too heavy to be tolerable. It was as if the world was suddenly full of smoke, suffocating and disorienting with every inhale, as he continued to engage in the dangerous game he had once again found himself playing. Double crossing the devil – it had worked out fine when it had been God, after all.

Hands twitching in a nervous tic, Gabriel had the sudden awareness of eyes on him. A characteristically cocky smirk pulled at his lips as he stilled his footsteps and let his gaze wander across the shadows in search of another’s presence.

[voiceofthedamned]

Leaves of all colors, itching to fall to the Earth in a recycled display of life and death, painted the landscape of Paradise with a beauty seldom appreciated by icy blue irises.  Despite the constant presence of something as common as change, the shifting of seasons remained stubborn in the company of anticipation. It was a feeling of little comfort for someone who simply wished to enjoy the mundane lifestyle of what humans considered exciting – preferring to spend his time in the parties of Los Vegas and engaging in the sins of mankind rather than fighting a war over a fallen crown under which he had no stake.

In an effort to occupy his thoughts, Gabriel had found himself wandering down the streets of Paradise. A figure, merely a pace of two ahead, caught his attention. Gabriel wondered briefly just how long he had been walking behind the man without any awareness of his surroundings. Nevertheless, the stiff posture and faltering pace of unsure steps of the stranger before him spurred Gabriel forward, an innate curiosity flaring to the surface in his bored state.  

The man's greeting, offered in the form of despised small talk, only earned a shrug in response. Feathers, still shining beneath the overcast sky, rustled against the soft cotton of his shirt with the subtle movement. Gabriel rarely found himself affected by something as menial as temperature since donning both white and raven wings and would sooner kill himself or the man beside him before making small talk over something as cliche as the weather.

availability: demons, humans (or angels loose in paradise) date: october 3rd, 2016 time: 9:00 am location: paradise, washington

It was cooler here.

Back home, early October demanded short sleeves and appreciation of long-awaited relief from the blistering heat, but here, autumn had wasted no time in lowering the temperature enough that the Southern man didn’t particularly fancy going outdoors without a light jacket, at the very least.

There was a chill in the air — a shift in the pressure, like Paradise was trying to herald the approach of a storm, and though what had transpired two mornings prior had certainly shaken the town up, Wesley Hudson was HELLBENT on chalking the distinct difference up to nature, to science. As far as he was concerned, that was all it ever would be and all it ever was.

Hands stuffed into the front pocket of his slacks, he made his way down the sidewalk with long, easy strides — a stark contrast to the state of his usually calm, focused mind, which had erupted into the sort of absolute PANDEMONIUM that even a few days of supposed tranquility hadn’t been able to quell.

Subjects, they’d labelled them. But of what experiment?

Convinced he heard footsteps on the pavement behind him (and willing himself to be right, for the sake of his sanity), he paused for a moment, giving them — whoever or whatever they might’ve been — ample time to catch up. A brief glance over his shoulder rewarded him with the knowledge that he’d been correct, and he nodded a greeting, remarking, “A bit chilly, isn’t it?”

[voiceofthedamned]

His steady gaze remained stubbornly locked on the seductive curves she proudly displayed beneath the tight fabric of a dark dress, donned with the obvious purpose of leaving Lucifer’s party on the arm of someone more powerful than she could ever hope to be in the trivial game each and every one of them played.

A slow smirk pulled at his lips as confidence brought her voice from what was once a tremor to the bold tone of coy words said under the art of temptation. “Be careful, darling,” he said, voice low in a matching tone of interest. His eyes moved down her body, a quick sweep barely seen in the quick flick of icy irises, before coming back to meet her still-locked stare. Amusement, never concealed even in the most dire of situations, swirled through the hues and shades of the splattered blue of his eyes. “To have jealousy, you need more than just attention.” His hand shot out to lay heavy on the delicate curves that had been tempting him since their introduction, pulling her close with a promise her husband would hardly approve of.  Of course, she did not seem overly concerned with his permission or thoughts on the matter. “You need investment.” The coarse whisper of words danced between the two as Gabriel let their close proximity linger for only a moment too long before pulling away.

Hand now held firmly at his side as the other occupied a wine glass slowly moving towards his lips, Gabriel moved his gaze away from the toy in front of him to once again survey the crowd. A small laugh echoed beneath the retreating glass as he heard her test his name on her painted lips. While he had spent centuries tasting wines fit for kings, Gabriel would never again find it in himself to care for the attention spent on something as simple as a bottle – something he would forever blame the flashing lights of Los Vegas for.  “Perhaps, however, I am under the belief that it is not the contents of the glass but rather the effects it has on the company I choose to keep.” Everyone was always more fun once they had a bit of alcohol to distort the memories of the night.

“I very well may,” he said, offering her no explanation or condolence for a mystery many in her position still wondered about. “And I’m sure you are enjoying this quaint little town. I dare say it is just as exciting as the city you came from.”

“Claim me?” Even the words themselves felt slightly ridiculous on Jo’s tongue, and only spitting them out could even begin to do them justice. Many men had claimed to have her, hundreds of them, as they pranced her around like arm candy, as if she was something to be owned and controlled. No, even if they did all attempt to claim her, she was not going to be maneuvered around like some marionette puppet. At least, not on the inside. On the outside she’d let herself be pulled around, yanked, used, anything. These kinds of games were never for the faint of heart, but Jo’s heart, while still far softer than she’d like, was not without its own armor. “Would that bother you, if someone else claimed me?” Josephine stared back into Gabriel’s eyes that suddenly seemed to light in contrast to his dark raven wings. “Would the idea of me slowly undressing with some other demon as they watched, would that anger you?”

At this point Josephine was looking at Gabriel through heavy lids. Even though she was never quite a fan of clingy, she needed him to want her. The protection he could potentially offer her was more important than the sex itself. She needed him to need her, desperately.

Jo scoffed, “Not care about wine? I’m not sure you’ve been drinking it properly at all, Gabriel.” She continued to test his name on her lips, and the more she said it, the more she decided that she liked it. It was familiar sounding, and yet, she felt as if she was getting away with something every time she spoke it. A secret of sorts.

Nice girl. The two words, especially in context should not have made her laugh as much as they did, but neither of them had ever been used to describe her. She was neither nice, nor was she some girl. All of that girl innocence was gone the moment she started to use her body to make men do her bidding. Her laughter bubbled from wine stained lips. “I think you must be slightly mistaken, or mixing me with someone else. No one has referred to me as a nice girl since I was nine and I used my proper manners.”

“As for Paradise, well, one moment I wasn’t here, and the next moment I was. I’m sure you’d have a better answer for how I got here than I would.”

[voiceofthedamned]

His head tilted to the side with a childlike curiosity as he regarded the woman before him. She was surprisingly forward given the position she had found herself in: tied to a pole in the company of enemies far more powerful than she could ever hope to be. Bravery – or perhaps it was stupidity on her part – was a quality Gabriel had always found annoyingly admirable about humans.

No answer came to her first inquiry. With raven feathers spilling down his back, Gabriel knew there would be nothing that would compel the human before him to trust anything he said. Yet her desperation had kept her ears open to the offer he held, making him wonder just how much she would gamble for safety and survival.  

“And how would you have me prove it to you?” he asked, eyebrows arched in inquiry. Gabriel knew the woman would need some type of insurance to ensure she did not get caught in the crossfire of his actions, but he was unsure as to what he could offer a human already at the end of their rope.  

“That’s me!” Stella exclaimed in a faux cheery voice. “Pathetic Pryce.” The name was a too-close echo from her past. From the people of her home town, of her mother and sister, from the neighbor who had first taken her in, the cop who had brought her to the first group home… Pathetic. 

Her eyes tracked him as he moved closer. Too close. A primal voice in Stella was screaming at her to run back, stretch as far from him as she could. But she was entirely stuck against the post. There was nothing she could do but let his words wash over her. “And why in the world would I believe anything you say?” Stella asked. He knew she was desperate. He would say anything to make her believe that he was on her side, he would help her, that her helping him wouldn’t result in any of her friends getting hurt.

She would need more than just his word to trust him on that. 

“It would depend on what you wanted to know,” she began slowly, words as low as his. “What you could offer me. And how you could prove that only you would know.”

[voiceofthedamned]

Icy irises of blue continued to roam over the soft curves that created mountains and valleys in the dark fabric of her dress. Her body was delicate with a hidden strength, poised and ready with an all-knowing smirk that held the juxtaposition of corrupted innocence. An irresistible temptation to want more lay obvious in that smirk painted red in a sharp contrast to the porcelain skin. Everything about her seemed to contradict, a constant battle between light and dark as hues and shades danced across every distinction of diversity.

“That you are,” he said, voice low with the interest of seduction and the promise of more. An experienced temptress, practiced in the art of opportunity, could make cities fall. Yet he held the tactical advantage of awareness.

“It’s a shame I’m not the only one who could claim you, though.” His gaze bore into her brown eyes before turning to the room, still crowded with the presence of the other guests. There were plenty of men the young Hollywood beauty could catch the eye of… Perhaps Alistair would grow bored of playing with those who screamed out of pain rather than pleasure. Of course, Gabriel would never allow the woman beside him to fall victim to the knife of the interrogator as long she held his interest.

“I’m sure Lucifer could not bother to care for the state of the wine,” he said, turning his gaze back to Josephine as a shrug pulled at his shoulders. He had no doubt that their king with a fallen crown had more important matters plaguing his mind.

Cool glass met soft lips as Gabriel took a slow pull from the glass. The wine was bitter on his tongue, a spicy fruit infused with tendrils of leather dancing over his taste buds with even the smallest of sips. Even at room temperature, the flavor of the wine could not be persuaded to be anything less than exquisite.

“Of course, I could never find myself to care either.” It was habit inherited from a time when the concept of ice cubes and freezers didn’t even cross the minds of those drinking the contents of a glass. “Wine is wine.”

“So tell me Josephine,” another drink, another look, another smile. “How did a nice girl like you end up in Paradise?”

Best give me a reason to remember then. 

The words lingered in Josephine’s mind, and she wondered just what sort of stipulations demons had against sleeping with human beings. Having rules against it seemed fairly silly, especially considering the fact that demons were, well, demons, they were already the biggest sinners of all, so what was sex compared to murder? The gaze in Gabriel’s eyes led Josephine to conclude that maybe there was no rule to it at all. Maybe they could be seduced just as easily as a human. More work would have to be done, of course, but unless there was something vastly different in a demons anatomy, Jo was quite certain she would be able to imprint herself permanently into the demon that wore many colors. “Best give me the proper opportunity. I can’t do anything without you helping. I’m your prisoner, remember?” Suddenly the idea of role playing seemed a tad distasteful when she was actually in the sort of predicament that some people enjoying fantasizing about. She had never been shy about trying things, but cages had never suited her.

Suddenly Jo felt unstable once more as she felt Gabriel extract himself from her grip. She watched him greedily, and nervously, walk over to the table where the drinks were expertly laid out. Breathing could be heard throughout the room as Jo silently urged Gabriel to bring her closer once more. The breathing was too much. Hot breaths, begging to run, begging for safety, and all they were given was more uncertainty. Demons circled everyone like vultures, and Jo was torn between the want to be a vulture, and the need to be needed. She looked up and saw Gabriel looking at her and raising his eyebrows. It was the universal sign for, quit looking like an idiot and come over here.

“Couldn’t even bother to put it on ice?” Josephine said as she reached out to grab the glass of wine. All of this grandeur, and they couldn’t even chill the wine. Barbarians indeed.