Salem Moon (13 page)

“
We
’
ll see what you think of the Snow family, includin
’
Lily once you
’
ve read our family history. And to think, the irony of it all is that she is a
real
witch
.
Her family are members of Wicca, talk about the pot calling the kettle black!
”
Chloe exclaimed.

A
fter dinner, Gabriel went to his room. He waited until after midnight for everyone to be asleep. When the household fell silent, he called for Lucien to come to him.

Gabriel sensed Lucien
’
s presence before he actually saw him. All the air in the room seemed to collect in one space and then a light, so bright and vivid, its source could only be preternatural enveloped the room. The rest of the
area became
an airless vacuum and yet he was able to breathe.

Gabriel saw a silhouette and then all other objects in the room blurred and melted away, leaving only Lucien.

“
Behold me, Gabriel and give me the awe I deserve! You are seeing me as I am, without illusions so that you may know my power, my beauty,
and
my seductive nature and embrace it. For, I am a part of you and you are a part of me.
”

His beauty was virtually indescribable, far surpassing that of the majestic white wolf or the man he
’
d saw later.

As he drew closer, no more than a foot away from where Gabriel stood, he held out his arms, palms facing
up
, his eyes
the
dark
est of blue
,
above them, rested long, silver lashes
. The air around him was washed in a silvery, pale greenish glow. His platinum, gold hair fell in graceful waves to his shoulders. Despite the beings enticing appearance, Gabriel could
’
ve sworn he saw malice in those eyes.

Everything about Lucien exuded sensuality. Woman would no doubt be helpless in his seductive presence.

Lucien stopped walking, and lowered his arms, a trace of a smile upon his lips. Gabriel watched as two shadowy shapes took form from Lucien
’
s back and shoulders. Rising up toward the very ceiling were two enormous white wings
shimmering
in pale, silvery white. As they swung up, they created an arc, a semi-circle of pure white, soft, multi layered feathers.

Gabriel was speechless
, observing
the full wing span of the creature. Not only were they wide and feathery, but long as well
.
The
bottom of them tapered in magnificent fringes, curling around his loins.

As the light faded, Lucien lowered his wings and came within inches of Gabriel; moving with preternatural speed until his very lips brushed up against Gabriel
’
s ear.

“
What do wish to know of me?
”

“
What are you? You say you are a fallen angel and yet you appear with white wings. Is this your true form? Or are you a demon whose tongue is filled only with lies to fool the human servants of God, such as myself?
”

“
I am an angel
,
that is true. My very name means
‘
light.
’
It is no illusion or magician
’
s trick that you see
. This
is how I really
look
.
”

“
But…if you are fallen, ho
w can that be? I have read the B
ible many a time and I do not recall reading of an angel named Lucien. Does that make you evil, then? A follower of Satan?
”

“
Ah, you speak of evil as if it were a simple matter. I assure you, it is not. Evil is subjective
. W
hat is evil to one man may not be to another.

“
As for Satan, he was once greatly loved by God. He created the angels in His own image
. We
are the
true
‘
sons of God.
’
He gave
us
dominion over all things earthly. But then
…
he created mankind.

“
Lucifer, as he was originally called was
like a
spoiled child, he was originally an Arc angel
; a
seraphim
like me. We are of high rank in the angelic realm
’
s hierarchy. But he grew increasingly angry and jealous at the love God showed toward mankind for they were clearly inferior to him and the other angels
as well
.

“
However, he not only angered God, he made enemies of the other arc angels as well. Arc angels, Michael, Gabriel, (whom you were probably named after, that being such a well-used name in the seventeenth century), Raphael and the others were the ones who actually cast Lucifer out upon the command of God. As for your bible, there are very few angels even mentioned in the book
.
”

“
But…where do you come from, Lucien? Why are you here and not keeping company with Satan himself?
”

“
Lucifer was only one of thousands of fallen angels, of which I am one.
”

“
Where are the others and why are you not with them?
”

“
Most are under the earth
. They
are buried where they cannot see the sunlight or glimpse the sky.

“
I escaped their fate because I was able to find a sinless man
’
s body to hide in. Although, it is difficult to find such a man
; m
ost men have some evil in their hearts, even though they are quite adept at hiding it. I can only reside in a man who is pure of heart. A man such as yourself.
”
Lucien
’
s eyes bore into his and Gabriel felt a shiver of fear. How much of what Lucien said was truth?
There is something he is not telling me, something he is holding back
.

A
s Gabriel walked to his meeting with Lily (whose home was not very far from the
Blackstones
) he pondered all that Lucien had told him. He
’
d pressed Lucien for more information, however, Lucien refused to reveal any more than he had, stating that anything more he could tell him at this point would be superfluous. All things would be disclosed in time, he
’
d said.

Gabriel was weary of Lucien and not sure if the thing was even an angel at all, but instead an evil demon of sorts that could and would lie to suit its own purpose. That Lucien had taken revenge on Thomas Snow was true, but then again it was
he
who had put Gabriel and Abigail in the cross hairs of the witch
judge
in the first place. And what of his obsession with a woman
’
s flesh? Surely, he had experienced sexual intercourse in the other bodies he claimed to have possessed.

“
Hey, wait up!
”
a voice from behind Gabriel shouted.

It was James
. He ran up to Gabriel side and walked alongside him.
This was the only time James had spoken
to
him
.
Gabriel was cautious.

“
So, you goin
’
on your date with Lily today?
”
James asked.

“
Yes, I am on my way to call on her now.
”

“
Dude, seriously…to
call
on her? Who
talks
like that?
”

Rather than answer, Gabriel just kept walking.

“
She
’
s hot, I
’
ll give her that, but she
’
s as cold as a witch
’
s tit in February,
”
he said with a cruelly sarcastic laugh.
“
She
never
dates anyone from around here. Even in high school, so many boys tried to get into her pants, but she seemed to see right through them all. People around here say she
’
s a witch. You know her family is Wiccan, right?
”

“
Yes, I am well aware of it, but she does not practice the Wicca religion.
”

James just laughed and shook his head.
“
That one doesn
’
t need to practice any kind of witchcraft to be a witch. Have you met her cat yet? Magick? The cat is her
‘
familiar
’
whether she admits it or not. She keeps a low profile, allowin
’
no one to get too close. She hides behind her passion for history, to hide what she really is.
”

“
Oh? And what is she, exactly?
”

“
Make no mistake, Gabriel. She
’
s a very powerful sorceress.
”
James
’
s tone was suddenly solemn.

“
Why are you telling me this? And do you intend to follow me all the way to her very doorstep?
”

“
I
’
m telling you this because you
’
re a Blackstone. The
Snows
and the
Blackstones
don
’
t mix. Never have. Once you read the history on both families, you
’
ll understand why. If she does possess the powers many of us think she does, she could be very dangerous to you
. T
o be honest, I could care less about you. But, I
do
care about the rest my family.
”

Gabriel
’
s curiosity was peaked, but still, he did not believe in witchcraft, only in the heartache and horror that he
’
d witnessed firsthand due to the ludicrous accusations. The hangings of innocents, and the families it destroyed. Witchcraft was
not
the enemy, ignorance and fear of those
who
were different
. T
hose were the true enemies.

“
No. You should leave her be. Now the other one, Lilac; if you are looking for a girl to fuck, she
’
s your girl,
”
James said slyly.

“
Have you…?
”
Gabriel asked tentatively. He was not used to hearing profanity, and he cringed at the sound of the word
“
fuck.
”
In his day the word used was
“
intercourse.
”

“
Oh hell, yeah! Late one night, I got her to meet me in the boy
’
s locker room. She was on me like that
.
”
He
snapped
his fingers.

“
I kissed her a few times and she arched her body right up against me until I had a hard on like no body
’
s business! The next thing I know, she pulled down my jeans and
…
”

“
Stop! Tell me no more.
”
Gabriel had never heard such things and was mortified by the tale
.
To speak of a woman in such a dishonorable way was disgusting. Just what was acceptable in this new time? Surely, there were still men
with honor
,
h
e thought.

Lucien on the other hand, was enthralled!
“
Ah, yes,
she
is the one for me, at least for now you can keep your precious Lily.
”

Gabriel ignored Lucien for the time being. Neither his lustful thoughts, nor James
’
s filthy stories were going to ruin this day for him
.

“
Is that why you followed me, then James, to tell me these…stories?
”

“
No, dude. I only came to warn you. Be careful, that
’
s all.
”