30.

I stared for another few moments at the young female looking right back at me through the silvery glass, focusing on her generally innocent appearance, the plain, casual outfit adorning her frame strangely making her resemble to a regular human girl.

If only...

I let out a small sigh as my gaze once again traveled over the oversized plain white t-shirt Blake had snatched earlier from the owner of this large mansion -which she had also recently disclosed about him being her older sibling, the root of their connection however still a mystery to me- since all of hers were apparently too small for my overly-generous bust, trailing down to the dark denim jeans and canvas shoes, right before it darted back up, only to find those bright green eyes once again vividly glowing as they stared right back at me.

“I hate you,” I so quietly said, my voice no higher than a mere trembling whisper as I blankly stared at myself, somehow stupidly believing that it would be capable of hearing and even understanding me as my gaze trailed lower, straight towards that certain part of me safely cradling the entity in question.

“I curse the moment you’ve made your crib inside of me and I wish that I could crush your abominable essence in the palm of my hand,” I only continued, my voice slightly rising as I could feel that deep loathing for the wretched Sin slowly resurfacing as all those innocent victims it so ruthlessly left in its wake now momentarily flashed before my mind’s eyes, my palm unconsciously rising to grab the thin fabric covering the middle of my chest, tightly fisting it as I lowly seethed,
“I hope father will, the moment he plucks your tainted roots out of my soul...”

With one last cold stare at my slightly heaving chest I then turned around and left the chamber, deeply inhaling as I gathered my courage, preparing for any unexpected encounters as for the first time, I was about to roam around the house on my own, set to do a little harmless exploring since I have already grown a little tired of constantly being closed within the confines of four walls, my last encounter with the mighty Archangel that is Blake’s father also seeming to have a certain uplifting effect, feeling myself a little less frightened or depressive than usual.

Taking slow, steady steps I carefully walked down the spacious corridor, all the way towards the grand staircase, momentarily hesitating as my hand finally landed on the intricately-carved wooden railing, warily glancing around for any incoming threats before descending the first stair.

Huh...this is easy.

I lightly smiled to myself, letting out a small breath of air as I dared to descend another few steps, for the first time since I have set foot in this house actually taking my time to gaze around the nicely-decorated grand hallway.

Various beautiful abstract pictures decorated the cream wallpapered walls, suavely illuminated by the massive silvery chandelier hanging from the pristine white ceiling, its faint glow giving the whole spacious room a such a warm, welcoming vibe.

My feet further moved on their own accord down the rest of the stairs as I allowed myself to simply lose myself in its beauty, for once every other thought momentarily forgotten.

No sounds could be heard around the spacious area, other than perhaps the tiny whispers of my own calm, steady breaths and strong heartbeat, my steps gracious as a cat’s as I aimlessly walked around, like a dazed little child gazing around at every piece and every carving, every color and pattern designing the imposing interior.

“Is that why you summoned me back here?”

My steps almost immediately faltered at the sound of that specific voice, feeling my steady heart slightly jump and pick up its pace, quickly moving closer towards the nearest wall as I held my breath, like a scared little mouse dreading of being caught standing so still, frozen in place.

"Raphael...”

My brows immediately furrowed at the sound of my father’s much milder tone, my curiosity undoubtedly spiked as I couldn’t contain myself anymore and with tiny, soundless steps I dared move closer towards the source, until my gaze landed on a widely open door.

“Please.”

I simply blinked a few times at the sound of that simple yet so meaningful word, failing to comprehend exactly what was going on in that room, with newfound courage fueled by unbridled intrigue pushing myself even closer, just in time to hear that single word,

“No.”

Gripping so tightly against the wooden doorframe, my eyes widened as I dared take a peek inside, finally noticing them standing in what appeared to be a comfortable study room, my father’s posture so rigid and tense as he stood somewhere close by a fireplace, the nicely-carved glass in his hand almost breaking at the sheer force he was holding it with, those steely grey eyes slightly wavering as they intensely watched his sibling standing just a few feet away, casually leaning against a wooden mahogany desk.

“Why?”

Deep silence followed, my father’s breathless, single-worded question drifting so heavily around the very tensed air, mere heartbeats before the reply finally came,

“Funny you would ask. You, of all...”

My attention quickly averted towards the very same former archangel that for so many times had managed to mend and break me all over again, with baited breath watching him shove his hands in his dark jeans pockets as he casually strode towards the wall-length windows, his tone oddly calm as he then continued,

“You, of all of us should be the one to know best why...”

“After all, you were the one lucky enough to find yourself stuck in the same unfortunate situation as I previously were,” His head momentarily turned back towards his elder sibling as he said those words, almost ducking back against the wall as for a human second I truly believed my position was being compromised, hesitantly moving forward to peek again, just in time to catch him so intensely staring somewhere outside that window. My gaze curiously followed his, eager to find out the object of his undivided attention, only to suddenly find myself looking at the only couple of this house, immersed in what appeared to be a some kind of sparring session, for the millionth time awestruck by Death’s actions towards that single being as he so deeply stared at her, seemingly mesmerized by that specific smile, ever so gently gripping her delicate wrists in his large palms, moments before he swiftly pulled her body closer to his, giving her such a sweet and caring kiss on the forehead, feeling my own eyes fill with unshed tears after witnessing such heart-touching moment.

“That deep longing...The excruciating pain...” My breath almost instantly lodged in my throat after hearing those words, deeply shocked as I watched him stare for a few moments longer outside that window, my tear-filled gaze averting back towards the pair, just in time to notice how as if hearing Raphael’s words, Death’s midnight gaze darted straight towards him, those dark blue orbs suddenly turning so cold and downright terrifying, shocking me to the core as I could only stare between them, hearing Raphael’s tone quickly turn so rough and bitter as he practically seethed between gritted teeth,
“It still makes me sick...Every damn time I allow myself to remember...”

I forcefully swallowed down the small sob threatening to escape my quivering lips, shakily placing a hand over my mouth as my mind finally started to place everything together, with blurry eyes watching him suddenly turn back towards my father, almost failing to notice that tiny flicker of utter despair glinting in those black eyes as he almost pleadingly said,
“I cannot feel that. I refuse to let myself feel that. Ever again.”

“You’ll have to find another way to help your kid. Because I won’t do it.”

That treacherous tiny sob finally forced its way out, disturbing the gravely silence in its wake, ultimately revealing my current position, watching how both their heads turned straight towards me almost in unison, a look of utter shock crossing both their features as they blankly stared at me.

Moving on their own accord, my feet carried me a little closer, letting my tears run free as I watched them both, too deeply hurt to even bother hide myself.

“You...” I tried to form a coherent sentence but failed miserably, that single word ending with something between a hiccup and a tiny squeak, feeling my entire body trembling with pure rage and desperation.

But before I could even try to react in any other way a sickening stab pierced right through my lower stomach, forcing out a small cry escape me, staring at them wide-eyed before roughly collapsing on my knees.