2

To say that things weren't drastically changing for me would've been a terrible lie.

I watched these changes unfold in the next month, feeling a bit unsure of what to think of them. My recovery was going much better than anyone had expected, surprising even the doctors, who allowed me to return to home to finish recovering. This had apparently been thanks to Jade's influence. He had wanted to move on with everything, and that required getting me out of that God forsaken hospital.

Of course, there had been the issue of exactly where I'd go when I was released. With my broken leg still in a cast and my still healing body, I needed constant care. However, with Leo dead, that might have been hard to come by. Obviously, my grandmother would not be able to care for me with her age, and no one else in our family was ever around to even attempt asking.

This, in turn, was what had allowed Jade to make his next move. He quickly extended an offer to my grandmother and the doctors to take me in so that he and his brother could take care of me. He claimed that he had been living in a house in the countryside with Saffron and that there would be more than enough room for me until I could get back on my feet.

Of course, my grandmother was furious when I agreed and was allowed to do so. She was now thoroughly convinced that Jade wasn't just some new friend. She even accused me to my face of him being my lover.

Jade was more than amused over her accusation, although he said nothing at the time, just allowing her to rant and rave. However, he did tell me later that I shouldn't have denied that one, considering that the old woman might have a heart attack in knowing such an illicit thing. Fallen angel or not, I found his sense of humor to be rather morbid.

As for Saffron Mulliken, he did indeed exist, so Jade was backed up on the story that he had fed everyone around us. Of course, he wasn't human either. I found that one out fairly quickly when he came with Jade one night shortly after the meeting with my grandmother so that he could visit me, and we could meet for the first time.

Saffron, however, did not seem so much like Jade. It was an impression I had from the moment that he'd first spoken to me. He did not seem so harsh and calculating. In fact, I'd dare say that he seemed quite friendly. How odd that was for me to even contemplate when I knew what they were.

That particular afternoon, which was about two months after I'd fallen from that balcony, I was sitting in a wheelchair under the canopy of the hospital and waiting for my ride. Jade stood beside me with his hands in his pockets. I glanced at him for what must have been the tenth time since we had come out there. I really did not want him to catch me staring.

It usually was not my habit to stare at anyone, but Jade had this way of fascinating me from the moment we'd met, so it had become an annoying habit of mine to try and take in everything about him every time I saw him.

As usual, he was wearing mostly black. I was beginning to think that it was the only color that he wanted to wear, though he did occasionally off set it with some white here and there. As of that moment, he wore black slacks and a black vest over a stark white shirt. His dark hair also added to such attire, giving his skin an almost porcelain look even with the whiteness of that dressy under shirt.

Jade could be what some liked to refer to as a pretty boy. He wasn't very big for a man, just about average size, although he was a bit on the tall side. The main thing that caught people's attention when he was around them were his eyes. Jade had very powerful eyes, almost catlike at times. They didn't glow in front of people like he'd let them do with me at times, but they were as green and vivid as emeralds. I would suppose that the term darkly handsome could've easily applied to one such as him, or more precisely, to Jade Mulliken, as he so enjoyed calling himself now.

"You know that you don't need to be so secretive. I do not care if you wish to stare at me. I find it rather flattering." Jade suddenly said as he looked over and we caught eyes.

I blushed, looking back to the street in front of me.

"I'm sorry. I suppose that it is a bad habit of mine when it comes to you." I muttered.

"I've been hoping for your opinion on my appearance with all of this, however, there hasn't been much time to ask such without interruption. Hopefully that can change soon enough." Jade continued.

I made myself look back over at him. He was looking forward now, a slight smile on his face. It was one that I was coming to recognize quite easily, telling me that he knew something that I didn't.

"Jade."

"Yes?" he responded as he looked back at me.

"There was something that I wanted to ask you, but I am not sure if I am allowed."

I looked down again, my embarrassment returning full force. I'd found that I often had it when I tried to put him on the spot about anything.

"Really? And what would that be?" Jade inquired.

I began to force myself to speak, but didn't get the chance before a car pulled up beside the sidewalk.

"It's about time. I'll take it that you had a few delays after all." Jade guessed as the driver's side door opened.

"It was nothing to speak of here." Saffron answered as he slipped out of the Buick.

When one looked at these two as a casual observer, they would believe that Jade and Saffron were brothers. Saffron would've been the younger of the two, as Jade had stated to my grandmother, but he had the same dark hair and lean build. He also tended to wear mostly black, just as Jade did.

However, there was one startling difference between the two that I'd immediately picked up on. Saffron had blue eyes. They were as blue as the ocean, just like Jade's were as green as emeralds.

Another thing that I had noticed about Saffron was that he was slightly smaller than Jade in stature. However, I still sensed the same dark power within him from the moment that we met, and I had no doubt that he was just as dangerous as Jade when he was provoked.

The mystery to me with all of this was in the fact that he seemed to be working very closely with Jade on this whole deal. He didn't really defer to him per say, but he played along with his part in it very well. I could not help but wonder if he got some amusement out of everything that was happening just like Jade did. If so, then I would venture to say that fallen angels had a very sick sense of humor.

"It doesn't really matter. Let's just get going. I'm anticipating getting into our new home." Jade said, walking over to me so that he could help me into the car.

"Impatient as ever." Saffron grumbled. He then looked at me and smiled his usual friendly smile. Again I had to remind myself of what he really was. My God he was good at fooling people with that sweet smile and beautiful face, "Good morning Faith. Are you ready to go?" he asked cheerfully.

I couldn't resist returning that smile, "Yes. I'm ready to be home."

As strange as it seems, I truly feel like I was heading home to my real family with them. There was something about Jade and Saffron that allowed me to feel at ease, despite the fact of what they were. Even the contract that I was reminded of every time I looked into the mirror didn't bother me that much.

I'd decided after Leo died that I would make the most of this human life. Hell may have awaited me, but I still had a long life ahead. Jade had promised me that much and I was certain that he would be there to see it out with me.

"Let's get going." Jade said as he picked me up out of the wheelchair to put me into the back seat of the car. I knew better than to argue with him about him doing this. He was quite strong, and he did what he wanted.

Saffron opened the passenger's side back door for him and Jade slipped me into the seat. I tried to make myself comfortable as he closed the door and the two stood outside talking for a moment. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but I had the sense that Saffron wasn't very happy about something.

After a few more minutes, the two climbed into the front seats and Saffron started the car. I sat back and tried to relax, watching the scenery pass as the car began to move. Allowing my eyes to close after a few more minutes of this, I let my mind wander.

My attention was brought back to reality as I realized that I heard Jade and Saffron talking quietly to one another. I had the feeling that it was a conversation that they may not have wanted me to hear. But they were assuming that I was asleep, or at least that I was not paying any attention.

"I still don't know about this Jade. You're getting too close." Saffron was saying.

"You should mind your own business. I have complete control, so you have nothing to worry about in all this." Jade retorted.

"I'm worried because I'm the one who's supposed to be your partner. If you lose face for such foolish actions as before, then what the hell will they say of me?"

I heard Jade chuckle slightly at his angry tone, "You worry too much. It's not like I haven't gotten past them many times before, and even when I am caught out I can weasel my way out of the repercussions."

"Those times were different than this Jade. There's been more riding on such things in the last hundred years, including the plans."

"That's enough of that. Nothing more needs to be said in presence."

I got the distinct feeling that he'd realized that I was awake. Saffron must have realized it too, because he immediately became quiet. I slowly opened my eyes.

"Are we almost there?" I asked.

I decided it better to not question their conversation, although I had to admit that it sounded quite strange for its context. Just what did they mean by plans?

Although I wondered, I could not bring myself to ask. There was something that felt a little too unnerving about what the answer may be.

Jade glanced back at me, "Soon enough. Just relax." he assured me.

It was a half an hour later when we finally pulled into a long gravel driveway. I sat up a little more to look around us as we did. The driveway was surrounded by woods, and it didn't take long before a small house came into view. I was pretty surprised at what I saw there. The area was stunningly beautiful.

As we parked by the garage, which was attached to the left side of the house, I could see that there was a small river several feet behind the house with a little dock. Woods surrounded the house, and it looked like there were trails leading into them.

"Well, the outside fits the standards." Jade commented as he opened the door and slid out.

"You're far too picky." Saffron complained, slipping out of the car as well.

Jade ignored him, walking around the car and opening my door so that he could help me out.

"So this is home?" I asked him.

"Of course. You expected any less?" Jade responded, that same cocky grin crossing his face.

Okay, so maybe I should've been expecting something like this. After all, Jade did not strike me as the pauper type.

Saffron pulled out my wheelchair from the trunk, "You should be thankful that it was done in time. It's hard to find decent help in the Abyss these days." he went on as Jade sat me down in my chair.

This would be the first time that I'd hear the two of them refer to Hell. They simply called it the Abyss. That name sounded even more ominous. Yet another reminder of what I had to look forward to in the afterlife, and believe me, by then, I thoroughly believed in the afterlife and the human soul.

Jade wheeled me up to the front double doors and I watched as Saffron took out a silver key from the front pocket of his jacket to unlock it. The doors were then swung open, and I wheeled myself in for the first time, taking in my amazing new home.

The house was very beautiful. The floors were all hardwood, with stone in the foyer. To my immediate right, there was a small bedroom. I saw that there was already a twin bed and dresser in there, and it gave the impression that someone had been living there for a while.

Straight ahead of me was the entrance to the kitchen, which was quite stunning. The counter tops were all granite marble, and the stove and ice box were brand new. Just to the side of the bar that the counter top made were two glass doors leading out to a deck and pool area. I couldn't quite believe that I had a pool now. That was going to be wonderful when I could use it.

The living and dining room were right next to the kitchen, and good size as well. Off to the side of the living room was a screened in porch. All of the furniture that I was seeing around me looked like it had just come off of a showcase floor.

Off to the other end of the living room was a narrow hallway. The first door was to another bedroom, and a small bathroom was across from it. At the end of the hallway was the master bedroom. It was as big as the living room and had a king size bed, dresser, bookshelves, and even a writing desk.

Everything was so perfect as I took it in. This was the house I'd always dreamed of living in.

We ended up sitting in the screened in porch to have dinner. It was a warm evening and a cool breeze was coming off of the nearby river. Saffron fixed a nice dinner of all types of different seafood, and we were able to sit back and actually relax. I would find that Saffron would be the cook in the household. It was something that he was very good at and seemed to enjoy.

"You know, sometimes I think that you enjoy tormenting that woman about all of this." Saffron was commenting. We'd been talking about my grandmother and Jade was making his opinions of her known.

"She's an easy person to do so. Someone with such false faith usually is." Jade told him.

"Perhaps. But what good will it do? She knows nothing about the contract or any of what's really happened." Saffron pointed out.

"She suspects things, but she knows that she cannot prove them. It's always bothered Grandmother when she cannot get to the bottom of something." I admitted.

"It's better if she just leaves well enough alone. After all, we cannot jeopardize what has already been put in place." Jade said, sitting back a little beside me on the wicker couch.

Saffron stood up and gathered our dishes, "I suppose, but it would be rather inconvenient if she figures out too much. Oh well. We can deal with such things if we come to them."

I pondered that as I watched him walk out to the kitchen. Obviously this whole thing was a big secret. After all, what would people think if they knew that demons were walking among them like this or that a young woman had just made a deal for her soul with one?

Jade looked at me, "Still feeling troubled?"

"A little bit." I confessed.

"By the way, what did you want to ask me earlier?"

"Hmm?"

I'd actually forgotten that I was asking him something before. I guess this whole new home thing had overwhelmed me a bit.

"It's just the two of us now, so you can ask whatever you like. I promise that I will give you an honest answer."

Okay, so maybe promises and honesty didn't go hand in hand with what he was, but I was willing to believe those words, at least for now. He was under contract with me. He may not have had a choice.

I took a few seconds to think about what I wanted to ask first. May as well clear all the bases now.

"I was curious... about what you actually looked like."

Jade thought about his answer, "I suppose I could say that I have no true corporal form. It's beyond the comprehension of humans to see such things as angels or demons as they truly are. However, we do have preferred forms and this is mine. And, as I said before, I'm hoping that it meets your approval."

I nodded, "It does."

"Anything else you'd like to know? I have plenty of time."

"Well, there were some other things. Just tell me if I'm prying too much."

"You won't be. I can assure you of that."

I again had the feeling that he knew something that I didn't with all of this, but I'd never figure it out and I think he knew that too. Maybe that was why he was being so forthcoming with his information.

"I was curious also about Saffron." I admitted, "I didn't believe that he existed until you brought him to meet me a few weeks ago. What is he to you?"

Jade looked a little amused with that one, "You think that he means something to me?"

"You seem close."

Jade shrugged, "I suppose in a way we are. Saffron tends to be my partner in whatever ventures we might take. Most Fallens don't have that, so lucky me to have him."

"Well, that didn't sound too friendly." I scoffed.

"It's in jest. Saffron is very reliable when it comes to our goals, and I know that I can count on him to back me up when it's needed. He may not have much amusement in all of this, but he will do what he knows must be done. Besides, it's getting him out of the Abyss as well, so he won't really complain that much." Jade explained.

There it was again. The Abyss. Jade spoke a bit more lightly of it then Saffron, but there was still a hint of distaste in his voice when he said it.

"Jade, what is that?"

"Hmm? Ah, you mean the Abyss. It's a section of what you humans commonly refer to as Hell."

"I remember hearing people say it had sections before, but I don't think that I've ever heard of that one." I responded.

"Yes. There are many things that humans don't quite understand when it comes to the spiritual aspect of the worlds." Saffron said as he joined us.

"And so the scholar reappears. Care to tell her the differences and see if it makes sense to a human?" Jade said, giving him a smug look. I had the feeling that he'd just gotten himself out of what may have been a major headache for him to explain.

Saffron made a face at him, but sat down by me anyway and sighed.

"I could try. Would you like to hear some of the standings with all of this? I promise I'll try for it to make sense." he offered.

There was that gentle smile. Could that really be fake? If so, he was the best damned actor I'd ever seen.

"Yes. I'll try to be a good listener." I promised.

I was very interested in hearing what he had to tell me. It was a privilege most humans probably never had until they were dead and gone.

Saffron thought about it before speaking again.

"Where to start?" he mused, "Well, I suppose that the best place to start is to explain about the section that we come from. What we call the Abyss. The most basic function of it is to provide a home for the cast outs of Heaven. A majority of the residents there are such."

"Cast outs of Heaven?" I repeated.

"Fallen angels." Jade clarified.

"You humans carry a belief that all demons were once angels, and you'd be half right. Your demons that you fear so vehemently were once high ranking angels, but they died and fell into different sections of Hell for their sins. Because of this spiritual death, so to speak, they were 'reborn' as demons. However, in the Abyss, things are a little bit different. All the fallen angels in the Abyss haven't died. They were simply cast out of Heaven for whatever sins that they have committed. Sometimes there is redemption for them later, but it's quite rare. So these Fallens, as they like calling themselves, formed an alliance there and made it their own home. It's almost like a small country in Hell itself now. However, in the end there isn't much difference between the Fallens and the regular demons of Hell. We all still do things in corruption's way, and we still make the same types of pacts with humans when it suits us." Saffron explained.

I nodded. This was absolutely fascinating.

"So you both were angels once?"

"Not any longer. They make sure of that when we're cast into the Abyss. Honestly, there is no compassion when it comes to sin, especially not with what's considered holy." Jade complained.

"There is one major difference as well between the Fallens and the demons. It's our ending up there. As I said, we did not suffer a spiritual death. Instead, we were cast out for our sins, whatever they may have been and as punishment for being cast out, something is taken from us." Saffron continued.

At that, Jade looked away. He seemed a bit uncomfortable now, as though a bad memory had been called up.

I glanced back at Saffron, "What more could they take?" I dared ask.

"It's simple." Saffron replied, "The symbol of our purity: our colored wings. They burn them and they become as black as our hearts."

I think by then I was getting the clear picture of what it must have been like to fall from grace. For angels that fell, there was nothing good awaiting them. Only suffering.

Jade sighed, "Fallen or not, we are what we are. But also, there is one more thing about this contract that I forgot to mention." he said, looking back at me.

"Something else?" I asked, tilting my head. I probably should've been scared at that point, but I was only more curious.

"Are you sure that this is the time Jade?" Saffron asked, actually looking a little apprehensive.

"Of course. I know what I'm doing." Jade answered. He then looked back at me, "As I'm sure you're aware, these contracts have no loopholes. However, I added in something for my own amusement as well. You see, I'm quite bored with my life in the Abyss and I wanted to give this whole human thing a spin. But in hearing your prayers, I also found something else that I think I may want."

"Like what?"

"It's quite simple. I've agreed in it to stay with you as long as you're alive as a human, and to take your soul once you've passed away in this world. But there may not be just torment awaiting you for me to do that. Instead, I've put in a little deal of my own."

"You did?"

Yes, I was suspicious, and I had no intention of hiding it.

"It's like this Kitten. What happens to you after you die is completely up to me. If I can learn to love you in your lifetime, then I plan to keep you with me in the afterlife. I'll take care of you like this forever. However, if I don't, then I plan on sealing your soul away in the darkness forever. I find it a fair deal, don't you?" Jade went on.

I suppose at that point that one probably would've really wanted him to love me just to avoid an eternity of nothingness. For me, I wasn't so sure. Did I really want a fallen angel's love?

Love can be an evil thing too. I thought about that as I was lying in my new bed that night and looking at the nearby window. Love was how I'd ended up marrying Leo Evans, and it was the thing that had kept me with him, no matter how many times he'd hurt me.

But eventually, that love had begun to turn to hate. Leo wanted to own me, to control every action that I'd ever made. What if Jade wanted the same? It wouldn't have been that surprising if he did. After all, one had to consider what he was. But somehow, I just couldn't picture Jade intentionally hurting me.

I looked away from the window as a weight shifted the other side of the bed.

"Thinking things over again?" Jade asked me.

His green eyes glowed in the moonlight, and I was again enraptured with the very sight of him. There was no denying the truth. Jade was incredibly beautiful. That allure very well could've been from what he was. I would've imagined anything that had once been an angel was probably still beautiful, even after falling from grace.

"And if I am?" I finally responded.

"I suppose that it wouldn't matter too much." Jade lamented, lying down beside me.

We laid there in silence for a few more minutes before he spoke again, "What do you think of your new home?"

"I think that it's beautiful. I can't believe that this is my home now." I confessed.

Jade moved to lean over me. I stared up at him, feeling entranced in those glowing eyes.

"Tell me, what are you thinking now?" he asked me.

I struggled to find my voice, "I think you're beautiful." I managed to whisper.

A small laugh escaped him. I tensed up as he leaned down to my ear, "Do you fear me?" he whispered.

"No."

Jade chuckled, pulling back to face me. His eyes had returned to normal, and the smile was still gracing on his lips. He was enjoying every moment of my confusion. I was sure of it.

"Do you know why I answered your prayers?" he finally asked.

I shook my head, "Not really."

"Because I knew what could come of it. When I said I was terribly bored down there, I told the truth. Humans have always been a good source of entertainment, but in your case there's a little more. You will test something that I am not sure I have anymore. Perhaps you can even prove Saffron wrong on it."

"Wrong on what?"

Jade grinned, "I'm not telling yet."

I was about to protest that one, but he quickly leaned down and kissed me. I melted into it almost instantly. After what seemed like forever, he pulled back. He was still smiling, but it had softened noticeably.

"Try to get some rest. You need your time to heal now."

I honestly don't remember falling asleep after that. It was like it just suddenly came, and the next thing I knew I was waking to the first rays of sunlight coming into the room. Turning my head, I saw that Jade was sleeping beside me. He looked peaceful, so I moved carefully in an effort not to wake him as I curled up a little closer in his embrace. I was still surprised at how soft and warm he was. The sound of his steady breathing lulled me back into a waking state, and my mind began to wander.

I really couldn't remember being at peace like this before. In the quiet of the morning, it felt like I'd entered some kind of wonderful dream. What was incredible to me was that it had taken a fallen angel to do it. I had to sigh. What on earth had I gotten myself into? I sold my soul to have Leo killed and gain Jade by my side in my human life. I must have lost my mind.

I felt Jade hold me a little tighter from behind as I thought about this.

"Are you awake?" I whispered.

"Hmm." was the only answer I got.

I'd later realize that Jade was not a person, or creature, to wake up easily in the morning with me. But at the time, I decided just to take my chances. I turned and wrapped my arms around him, snuggling my face against his neck.

Okay, so maybe I was insane to accept him like I was, but somehow I felt safe around Jade, and when I thought about it, I felt safe around Saffron as well. Even if it was through a contract, they were protecting me now. I had nothing to worry about for as long as I lived.

With them, I was home.