Sins of Oz

By Jennifer Crowfoot

Heartbreak sneaks into Lucifer and Annabelle's blissful life in the form of an old and vengeful enemy.
His actions force Lucifer into disobeying the only rule he has yet to break.
From the wide-open landscape of Dis to the gaudy lights of Kings Cross, Lucifer is forced to hunt down one nearly as powerful as he and settle a few scores along the way.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jennifer Crowfoot
• Release date: May 1, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301265602

Jennifer Crowfoot

Married, Jennifer lives with her husband and her spoilt, feline fur-baby, Hades, in beautiful rural N.S.W, Australia.When not writing, Jennifer can be found with her nose buried in a book.She also has a collection of self-published books on Amazon.? ? ?

Book preview

Sins of Oz.

By Jennifer Crowfoot

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2013 Jennifer Crowfoot.

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Chapter 1.The Great Fall.

Lucifer was in torment. Falling, tumbling and plummeting like a skydiver in free-fall, the ultimate jump that had no ending, no destination, no bottom. He’d been dropping forever and still there was no end to this horror that he’d been plunged into. The silky darkness which surrounded him was absolute, the spiritual pain of separation indescribable. After the light and serenity of his Heavenly home this inky abyss was soul destroying.

Creasing his brow he swivelled his head from side to side, his hands waving before him in a sweeping pattern, trying to find someone else in this perpetual night-ocean that he was flailing in. The blackness crested like a giant night wave, washing over him, pulling him down into its onyx depths. Filling his chest, it saturated his lungs and his head swam as his breaths came too hard and too fast.

Tipping his head back he yelled, his voice cracking, Mikhail, Samuel, Salomè. Where are you all? What went so wrong?

Wrapping his arms about himself he shivered as the demonic wind of his descent roared past his ears unwilling or unable to answer him. His heart pounded out a rapid tattoo. Surely there was someone else in this eerie wasteland of nothing?

Maybe this is my punishment, the place where I’ll spend all eternity?

As he descended he rotated gracefully like a pirouetting dancer and his gut twisted into a tight knot. Groaning, he threw his arms out to the side, slowing his body’s giddy dance downwards, completely disorientated and clueless as to which direction he now faced.

Am I up or down?

His long hair whipped down his back, onto his raw bloody wounds in a twisted form of self-flagellation and he never had the chance to contemplate his earlier question any further as a legion of wickedly honed swords pierced his back. Bending he fisted his hands against his abdomen, feeling the muscles grow taut as he sucked back and held his breath in an attempt to ride the sensation out.

He’d never known pain before his punishment and clenching his teeth he threw his head back and briefly felt the tendons in his neck bulge. The agony was too much and he moaned, feeling fresh blood trace a hot path down the length of his spine, inching in-between his bare buttocks and trickling down his thighs, calves and feet.

Argh! he screamed through gritted teeth as agonising fiery fingertips caressed a molten path along the nerves of his body.

Burying his face in his palms he wept for the loss of his glorious wings, torn from his back as he knelt head bowed, humbled and utterly ruined before the beatific glow of his Father’s presence.

Lucifer’s eyes closed and he swallowed noisily as he recalled the sorrow laced through the omnipotent voice that had echoed around in his head as his sentence had been pronounced, along with countless others. Amongst those, his closest friends: Samuel, Salomè and Mikhail.

Eternal banishment from the only home he’d ever known.

He’d never meant it to go as far as it did. He really hadn’t. He’d only wanted to teach that high and mighty Michael a lesson.

He growled low in his throat at that name.

Pompous arsehole.

Lucifer clenched his jaw, his hands fisting by his thighs as he remembered the events leading up to his betrayal. It had all started when he’d mentioned to Michael how unfair he believed it was that others were placed before him and the other Archangels when principalities’ positions in the Angelic third hierarchy became vacant. And how he believed that Father consistently favoured others over him.

As Archangel in charge of Venus, Lucifer was pretty pissed at being passed over, time and time again. He really wanted to spend more time caring about these wonderful new creations the humans, and not some — quite frankly — boring chunk of rock.

As he tumbled he closed his eyes and drifted backwards to the trigger of his downfall; his ill-fated discussion with Michael.

† † † †

Grabbing him around the bicep Michael squeezed and narrowing his eyes momentarily he opened them wide and leaned forward, staring into his face.

Look, you know you can’t have that position. You already have an important job….

Important? he interrupted and laughed and Michael saw his dark eyes glitter. Taking a step back, he shook his hand loose and snorting he unfurled his massive wings fanning them furiously in his agitation intentionally ignoring Michael’s white thinning lips.

Of course, how could I forget my so very important occupation? he snapped. Feeling himself growing hot he looked down and taking a deep breath he exhaled slowly and deliberately before allowing himself to continue, "I have to watch over a barren round lump of burning gas. I’m the chief Angelic rock-watcher, how idiotic of me to forget! Why would I be needed to help watch over his precious humans when I can watch a rock? Anyway you all seem to be doing such a fine job of guiding the humans, don’t you think?" he spat.

He turned away and looked up, studying the fiery long tail of a passing comet and releasing a sigh he glanced back at Michael. Rubbing the heel of his hand across his forehead he wondered why Michael couldn’t see his argument, or at least try and understand his point of view.

Trying a different, more civilized tack he crossed his arms over his bare chest and rocking back on his heels he softened his tone as he appealed to his fellow Archangel’s sense of fairness. Michael, a word or two from you will carry weight. Won’t you help? Or don’t you think I’m good enough for the job?

Feeling eyes on him he spun on his heels, glaring at a group of lesser Angels standing nearby, who were not quite quick enough to disguise the fact that they had been staring. He saw their eyes dart from him to Michael and peeling his lips back he snarled, noting with satisfaction as they blushed before turning and walking away.

Giving his attentions back to Michael he smiled tightly. Haven’t I proven my loyalty and love, over and over again? he argued, his voice rising as he added for good measure, It’s high time things were done a little differently around here. Pausing he glanced down at his bare feet, his fingers thoughtfully stroking his chin. Dropping his hand he heaved a heavy sigh and blurted out, You may as well know, I’ve recruited many of the other Archangels, Guardians and lesser Angels to my cause and for your information they’re all eager to join with me in protest.

† † † †

As the wind whistled mournful laments in his ears he tensed, recalling his extreme naivety at the time. Bowing his head he shook it from side to side reigniting the flames in his back. He’d never expected the betrayal which his former comrade would serve him and his friends. He had genuinely believed that Michael would understand. Even Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel had been — if not overly sympathetic – patient as they’d listened to his criticisms and none of them had spoken up in condemnation of him at the hearing.

He’d never suspected a thing as Michael’s face had grown stern as he listened.

Lucifer had seen the thinning of his lips and the steely look which had transformed his normally pleasant features into that of the fearsome and avenging warrior that he was. His eyes had grown frosty and narrowed and the large hand which gripped his fiery sword was white-knuckled. But Lucifer had ignored the warning signs and chosen to keep running off at the mouth never for a minute believing that he’d ever betray them.

In the darkness Lucifer’s lips curled back as he recalled that it was only later when all of them had been rounded up and brought before the gathered court of Archangels — of which Michael now sat closest to Father — that the penny had finally dropped.

He’d seen the look of triumph on Michael’s face as he’d detailed their sins of envy and arrogance in his commanding voice and he’d seen the look of disappointment that had flashed across Father’s face as he’d listened patiently to the charges.

Lucifer tasted a bitterness in his mouth as he remembered the sick feeling which had swept over him as he’d knelt before them, listening with a scalding face as his crimes were detailed for all to hear and judge. Deep in his gut a painful mass of knots had tightened making the hairs on his body rise in alarm, while his mind had spun with such a range of emotions he’d been giddy. The embers of a latent fire in his belly had flared into life and as he’d humbled himself, his chest so tight he’d been gasping for breath, he’d vowed that he’d get Michael before their punishment was pronounced, three days hence.

After they were dismissed to await Father’s verdict Lucifer waited patiently for the moment when Michael was alone. It had taken two and a half frustrating days of subtle, but fruitless inquiries as to his whereabouts. But on the eve of their judgement, his opportunity had been handed to him on a platter.

† † † †

Spying some gossiping Guardian Angels heading towards the Heavenly Square Lucifer gestured to his three friends to wait and calmly walked over to them. As they turned upon hearing his approach he dipped his head in greeting, and taking a deep breath he exhaled slowly, in an attempt to calm himself as his gut fluttered with a strange emptiness.

Taking a step backwards they tilted their heads to the side, and their eyes narrowed as they waited for him to speak. Noticing their set jaws and crossed arms Lucifer scuffed his feet and clasping his hands behind his back, he dug his nails into his palms and grimaced, before smiling quickly to hide it.

Clearing his throat he chose to ignore their obvious suspicion of him. He was aware of the other Angelic hierarchy’s opinions of him. Father’s favourite, the golden-boy now turned rogue, he knew that’s what they were thinking, it was stamped all over their smarmy pale faces and seething internally he chewed the inside of his cheek waiting for his feelings of resentment to pass.

Good evening, would any of you happen to have seen Michael? he casually inquired, his resentment at them threatening to bubble out.

Their eyes flicked to each other. Shrugging, they swivelled, pointing in the direction of the Gardens. You’ll find him in there, they said before spinning about and walking off, their heads bent towards each other.

Lucifer heard the faint droning of their conversation drift back to him, but he was buzzing, his head humming like a busy hive. Swiping his sweating hands down the sides of his sheer sarong, he walked back over to the waiting Angels, his heart racing wildly.

Come on, he ordered and breathing heavily, he stalked towards the golden portico which denoted the entranceway, the other three silently keeping pace, the sensual whispers of their fanning wings and sheer linen garments the melody to which they marched.

Their eyes darted sideways to Lucifer’s tense body and back to each other, the unspoken question showing on their faces, what’s he planning?

Pausing, he turned and said tightly, Wait here and don’t let anyone in. I won’t be long.

Squaring his shoulders, he thrust his chin up and unsmiling he stepped through the opening, blind to the ornately carved pillars supporting the magnificent gilded roof. He was not of a mood to admire beauty this evening, his mind was occupied with other more vital thoughts.

As he spied his quarry’s long frame leisurely stretched out on the lush grass, arms folded beneath his head and eyes closed, he almost laughed out loud. Pausing a heartbeat he looked up and releasing a heavy exhalation he strode up, planted himself at his bare feet and with his white-knuckled fists rapping out a quick disjointed beat against his thighs, looked down.

Get up, I want to have words with you, he snarled.

Michael sighed.

Look, if it’s about the judgement I’m not privy to what Father’s pronouncement will be. Opening his eyes he sat up and seeing the hard cold look on Lucifer’s face he jumped to his feet and brushed stray blades of grass off himself before walking off, saying over his shoulder, You brought this on yourself Lucifer. You should have been happy with your lot and not thought to place yourself above others. You are no better or deserving than anyone else here.

Lucifer tensed, his teeth grinding noisily as he took note of the fact Michael wasn’t bearing arms and emboldened by the fact the playing field was now on equal footing, he raced after him. Grabbing his bare shoulder he spun him around, smiling coldly as Michael’s mouth dropped open.

What …?

Michael never finished his sentence as in two quick simultaneous moves Lucifer planted his left fist into his solar plexus and swung his right up, his hard knuckles connecting with the side of his jaw, while Samuel, Mikhail and Salomè watched wide-eyed and fidgety from the entrance.

Michael’s sapphire eyes widened, the pupils fading to mere suggestions of black as the air gushed from his lungs in a long wheezing noise.

But before he could get his bearings, and retaliate Lucifer drove two more quick jabs into his belly and as he bent over he punched him hard in the temple. Breathing heavily he stepped back, satisfied as Michael dropped to his knees and keeled over onto the grass at his feet, motionless, while discreet ribbons of blue blood trickled from his ear.

That next morning in the sundrenched Heavenly Square hunched over on his knees before a crowd of his peers and lesser Angels, Lucifer’s gut clenched as he looked up into that same face, although now swollen and bruised like an overripe banana. Lucifer saw steely-storm clouds drift across the blue ocean of Michael’s eyes as he leaned over and ripped his sarong off, throwing the silky scrap of material to the side like a spurned lover.

Grabbing hold of Lucifer’s wings firmly at the base, Michael’s fingers brushed against his trembling back as he wriggled them slowly from side to side, taunting him. Before Lucifer could react Michael yanked them forward, the delicate skin at their base stretching, thinning, the veins which supplied the life-blood to the large feathered wings exposed as they pulsed rhythmically.

Releasing the pressure he re-tightened his grip and wrenched again, hard enough this time Lucifer bit down on his lip to stop the humiliating cry -- which was poised on his tongue -- from escaping.

Michael smirked and bent over his shaking body. I’m just warming up Lu…ci…fer, he mouthed as he gave his wings an extra tug for good measure, his chest tightening at the muffled sounds of Lucifer’s groans.

Michael, enough! roared Father’s voice in his head, and turning to the dazzling throne which sat high on a dais above the square he bowed, murmuring, Forgive me Father.

After he’d passed Father’s sentence,