“Father; forgive my doubt, strengthen me so I can endure,” she whispers looking at him.
Entering her cell, Tieran smiles hugely and opens his arms to her. With joy and relief Varena runs to him, lifted into his heavenly embrace. Squeezing her he tells her “I have missed you. I brought food and water.” She takes the tray he offers, gratefully and sits with her back to Raphaim. She always feels guilty taking the food and water Tieran offers, knowing Raphaim will not be shown the same kindness.
“Why are you here, Tieran, I thought it wasn’t safe?” she asks biting the red apple savoring the juice as it fills her mouth. Moaning in pleasure, she drinks some water not sure how long it will be before she will be given more.
Raphaim watches as he paces on the other side of the wall. He knows what she does not. He can smell the trap. The question is, will she, and why does he care? Trying not to give anything away, he watches quietly from his cell, distracted by the smell of the food. His mouth salivates, as he watches her drink the life giving water and wishes he could break through the barrier.
Tieran leans forward slowly and licks the juice from her lips. Rena freezes, afraid to move. He had never crossed the line with her, preferring more to be with her than to use her. Unsure what to think, she begins to tremble as his hands ball up in her hair to pull her closer to his body.
“Let me cherish you, Varena. I can provide all your needs,” he says as he sucks her lower lip between his teeth. With a wave of his hand her skin and hair is washed clean. Her ratty clothes are replaced with a beautiful silk dress. A bed appears with fresh linens and the room is lit with a chandelier and candles. Shaking, Varena allows him pull her to her feet.
“I don’t understand, Tieran. What’s happening?” Looking around the room at the decadence he offers, she realizes it is all an illusion because standing with his hands on the wall behind Tieran is the demon Raphaim. He is beating his fists on the wall, screaming at her, but she does not hear him. Tugging her towards him, Tieran lifts her chin with his finger and leans close to taste her mouth once more, when she asks, “Why now? Have you come to free me after all?”
“No more questions, Watcher. I will have you!” He jerks her close and she knows she is in trouble.
“Release me, Mocker! I will never be yours!” she screams and begins to struggle. Tieran laughs and throws her on the bed. With Raphaim watching, he punches her in the jaw and knocks her senseless. Blood shatters the beauty of the room, splattering across the purity of the white comforter. With hopeless eyes, she looks at Raphaim.
“I offer you refuge, daughter of I Am. Find peace here,” he whispers to her and offers what he can. Taking her mind, he shields her from the abuse in the only way left to him.
“This is your last chance,” Tieran stands and shifts back to the Mocker form. Wiping his body off with what’s left of her dress he demands “provide me with the heir I require or you will be given to the Fallen. Why don’t you keep these as a reminder of who rules here, Daughter of the King,” he says mockingly and drops something at her side. With a wave of his hand the room is returned to its barren cell once more and she is on the floor, naked, beaten and bloody once more. Resting beside her on the ground is a pair of beautiful snow white wings, splattered with blood.
“Nooo, Nooo, NOOOO!” she screams clutching the broken, bloody wings to her chest. The cell lights on the other side and Raphaim waits. He knows he can’t protect himself against what is coming.
“Some things never change, do they, Father?” Raphaim sneers at him as he enters his cell. “What do you want from me now? I have nothing left to give,” he asks warily watching him approach.
“Now, play nice son, I brought you a gift.” Entering the cell behind the Mocker is the fallen angel Tieran. Beaten and tortured, he is shoved into the center of the room. Collapsing on the ground at Raphaim’s feet, he sees the burned stumps where Tierans wings once were. The scent of the blood fills the cell, and Raphaim’s heart begins to beat with anticipation.
“Why?” he asks his father, never taking his eyes off the bleeding angel. Tieran looks at the wall and sees Rena on the other side. She is holding his wings, and looking at him in horror. Running to the wall she reaches for her power but finds he has blocked her.
“NOOOO, let me help you!!!!” she screams beating against the wall. Sliding down the wall, she weeps, begging for help. Struggling to reach her, Tieran crawls on his hands and knees to the wall, and places one hand against hers.
“Peace, sister, I am finally free. Let me go,” she hears him says in her heart. Looking into his eyes, her sobs slow.
Nodding she whispers a prayer. “God, please forgive him, take him home,” she whispers.
Raphaim watches, he knows this will enrage his father and he’s glad of the knowledge. “I want no part of this. Get him out of here!”
The Mocker grabs Tieran by his blonde hair, and pulls him away from the wall. Varena turns away unable to watch, and curls into a ball.
“You win, Mocker, I am broken, I am broken,” she weeps rocking on the floor.
“You are a pathetic excuse for a son.” Tossing the angel on the floor at his feet he walks away. “You are evolving, yet you turn away a chance
