An Angel's Kiss

The evening was cool, crisp. Most of the residents of Oakley Lane had shuttered themselves away in their homes, retreating to the comfort of smoking fires and warm hot chocolate. Only a few remained on the streets, and the majority of them were teenagers.1

Most sat on the walls outside their houses, clustered in groups with their friends. One girl stood out from the rest, partly because of her striking looks, but mostly because she was alone.2

It was as if she repelled the other teenagers. Beautiful as she was, there were no boys vying for her attention, no girls eager to bask in her reflected beauty.3

Her name was Seraphim and she was alone.4

She sat perched on the lowest branch of an oak tree, swinging her slender legs gracefully. A whistled lullaby floated through the leaves and reached the ears of those who wouldn't join her, causing them to look up at her uneasily.5

She was almost too beautiful. A pale, heart-shaped face surrounded by masses of copper-coloured curls, slanted green eyes and a smile that could melt anyone's heart. Or at least, that's how it was supposed to be.6

The whistled tune was clearly affecting the youths who were lounging nearby. After exchanging a few muffled words, they left. Seraphim was now truly alone, the only one outside. She stopped whistling and stilled, becoming as immobile as a statue.7

Hours passed and Seraphim did not move. She was waiting for something.8

He arrived just past midnight, seeming to materialise straight from the darkness. He walked through a fog of mist, his eyes burning like lanterns. Seraphim blinked and slid from her perch.9

"You're late," she said in a light, musical tone. "You said midnight." She leaned against the trunk of the tree and waited for him to approach her.10

"It wasn't my intention," he said. His voice was deep, dark and dangerous. The kind of voice that made girls weak at the knees. But his charm was lost on Seraphim.11

"You know that I'm risking everything by meeting with you," she said, looking up at him from beneath long, sooty lashes. "If Michael found out I was here..." She trailed off, and a question mark seemed to hang in the darkness.12

"Sera, Sera," he laughed. "Does it matter, really, when we are together?" Seraphim considered this for a moment, and tilted her head up to look at him properly.13

"You know, Lucifer," she said thoughtfully, "why do we do this? Every time we meet, we go through this ridiculous charade. Why can't we forget about pretending? Can't I just-"14

"Stop," he interrupted. "You know that if we stop this so-called charade, you'll fall. You can't really want that. You know how painful it can be."15

"I don't care," Seraphim said fiercely. "I love you. Not being with you is worse pain than falling. Please, Lucifer."16

She wrapped her slender arms around his shoulders and raised her eyes to meet his. Their lips met, electricity crackling between them. For a moment, Lucifer forgot himself, and didn't argue with the angel in his embrace.17

"You're not what people say you are," Seraphim whispered, closing her eyes. "You're not evil. Evil things aren't capable of loving."18

Lucifer followed suit and closed his eyes. "Aren't we, my dear?"