Fallen

Chapter 19 "Tunnel of Truths"

We held each other in the dark, dozing off. Probably not the best thing to have done, but I felt oddly safe with Cameron. It was as if we were both running away from demons. More literal in my situation, though, but we were in the same boat together. And, we would overcome tonight together.

But in my stupor, I heard a voice. "Come here, Lydia," it whispered.

I followed the voice, removing my arm from around Cameron's waist. I knew the voice well, so I feared it not. I just followed it deeper into the tunnel.

"Lydia, turn around."

I felt fingers wrap around my torso, "Arion," I gasped nearly lunging into him. "You found me!"

"We have some time left, so you must know the truth," whispered Arion, pointing my chin up to match his gaze.

Arion stepped back, creating some space as he spoke, "You were chosen as a blood sacrifice."

I couldn't see his face because it was still too dark, so I followed his voice instead.

"What?"

"Tabitha comes from an ancient bloodline—Witches, warlocks, whatever you choose to call them; her family is the most powerful occult in your world."

"Impossible!" I spat. "I know her parents—they would never do such a thing!"

"Ever notice how popular Tabitha was in your first year of high school," said Arion, sauntering back and forth as he added, "She cast spells—she used telepathy to persuade any man she wanted."

I couldn't refute such a claim, though. Her father moved up the ranks of society rather quickly. I sat down as my mind processed this information, putting each piece together; this had to be a mistake. If there were ever the perfect American Apple Pie family, it was Tabitha's.

"What do you mean blood sacrifice?" I blurted out.

"Your parents don't attend church like everyone else—you were a virgin child, vulnerable to the dark forces, and Tabitha's parents put a mark on you."

Tears developed, falling along my cheeks as I tried desperately to wipe them away; this couldn't be true.

I was just a child.

Then, the vision of Candyland hit me. The demons preyed off of children.

"Why not just sacrifice me then?" I yelped.

"They wanted your soul, hence the Ouija board—I was summoned to take control of your body and destroy you from the inside out—But I couldn't," muttered Arion.

"So it was no coincidence when you rescued me from drowning?"

"No."

My hands touched my lips.

"The whale was a manifestation of a demon, and it was going to drag you down into the depths had I not intervened."

"Achk!" I shrieked, weeping in desperation.

Everything was a lie—EVERYTHING!

"Jayden?" I gasped.

"His blood sacrifice was John—That was his family's offering for the occult."

"Your only true friend from Madison is Cameron, Lydia—He knows nothing about the occult. And, he's shielded by the blood of Christ. You're going to need each other if you are to get through tonight."

"—And what about you!" I spat, clenching my fists. "Are you a lie too?"

"I'm the damned—I cannot be saved for my crimes. Only punishment awaits me," whispered Arion, turning away.

I felt his anguish; it was evident in the tone of his voice as his demeanor plummeted.

"NO!" I shouted, leaping up and embracing him. "We're in this together," I buried my face into Arion's chest.

Again, I felt the impression on my chin as it was guided up. I could see a slight silhouette of his facial features such beauty. Overcome by a longing sensation, my tongue tasted his chin, leaving a trail of kisses to his neck. Although he was an angel, his sweat sweet like honey. I yearned for more as my fingers explored his chest. He was hairless as my hands reached down, sliding underneath his shirt moving up his firm, muscular physique.

Arion reciprocated with wandering hands of his own as my shirt was lifted higher—higher! Gentle fingertips followed a trail to my belly button and lowered. I felt the vibration of the zipper as the pressure of my waistline became free, sliding off of my butt, knees, toward my ankles.

Is this really happening?

A firm embrace hovered over my tummy, and I could feel an energy emitting from his palms as it glided toward my panty. Moments later, those too fell to my ankles as I snaked both of my feet free from such cumbersome garments. The cold, dank sensation caressed my nakedness accompanied by Arion's warmth as my fingers relieved his lower extremities of its stifling gear as well. I wasn't going to be the only one naked in the depths of a sewer.

With flesh exposed to the elements, I felt Arion's heat in between my legs thicken as our bodies were enmeshed. Pressure built up inside of me as my hands pressed gently against his face. I wanted to get a clear view of such a magnificent being with each thrust. His breath quickened along with mine as the sensation intensified. I pulled him into me—deeper, grasping a fist full of his hair, controlling his head. I pushed my pelvis up, maximizing the euphoria of both pain and pleasure in my womb.

His groan tickled my ear. Then, his head dove back in as our tongues collided in a slippery duel. My fingernails grazed across his back, gliding over each muscular crevice.

—Arion.