This chapter is dedicated to my BFF, buggypetty, who's having her birthday this weekend!! Happy Birthday to you and enjoy!!

Elle's POV:

I peer out of the blinds by the front door and gasp. There are nearly fifty Dark Angels standing in the driveway, and I recognize some of them from the woods yesterday.

Through the open door, I can hear them yelling. "Release our general!"

Jack, Gabe, and the Replication are trying to contain them, but they keep getting swatted off. After too many times, they just shrug and walk back inside.

"Sorry. They want to see their general safe and sound."

Beelzebub starts to leave, but I grab his arm.

"Wait. I'm coming with you."

He sighs and runs a hand through his hair. "Elle. We both know we've covered this. I vowed to protect you, and if I have to tie you up and stick you in a closet, I will."

"True, and I believe you would, but I didn't dethrone Hell's general just for him to get killed because he wouldn't listen. And maybe if they see what happened even when you tried to kill me, they'll join us."

He sighs again and presses his hands over his eyes. "Why did the Earthly One have to be so stubborn? Why?"

"Because she doesn't want her friends to die because of her." I cheerily inform him and pat him gently on the cheek. "I am going out there with you."

"Fine. Hurry up before they do something stupid and irrepairable." I slip on a pair of hightop sneakers and a loose hoodie.

"Come on. You go first, I'll hide." He turns to reply, but I've already hidden myself from anyone's view. He shrugs and steps outside and instantly, silence ensues.

"My general, have they freed you?"

He clenches his jaw in frustration. "I was never held hostage, Daeven. The Earthly One showed me mercy, even when I tried to kill her twice. She is not as bad as the Serpent told us she would be. She holds no prejudice against us. She even pardoned me for my sins."

The Dark Angels are shocked into silence by what he says, and Daeven's expression becomes fierce. "But you would betray her for Him, wouldn't you?"

"Never. I cannot allow her naivete to become tainted by His evil. As of now, she is exactly as the One should be."

Daevon scoffs haughtily. "Unbelievable. You have betrayed Him for a silly mortal girl who won't live to see a hundred."

I release the Manipulation and face Daevon, an enraged fire burning in my eyes. "Oh, I'd say I'm a little better than a 'silly mortal girl', and anyone who's known me since Friday would probably say the same. You know, I'd be willing to pardon all of you. So long as you agreed to not kill me and et cetera et cetera." I smile agreeably, and several Angel's expressions soften.

He turns and snarls at them. "What are you doing? She turned our own general against us, then used him."

"No I didn't. He decided to stop trying to kill me, and now we aren't enemies. I don't want to be your enemy, but if I have to, I will be. You don't have to listen to Lucifer about some things. About me."

A lone Angel steps forward, his wings dragging on the ground, guilt on his face and in his voice. "I have done horrible things in my life. I have committed atrocious sins. I want to make up for that now. May I pledge myself to the Earthly One?" He looks me straight in the eyes, and is surprised by my warm smile.

"You may.

"Are you, Maizen, Destroyer of Gemmorrah, prepared to trust the Earthly One with your Destiny and your life?" I don't know how I know his name; I just do.

"Yes."

"Are you willing to pledge yourself to her cause and protection till the day of your Reckoning?"

"Yes."

"Do you pledge fealty fealty to the Earthly One, I, Elle McPhearson, making my cause your own and giving me your life as mine?"

"Yes."

"With these words, I pledge you into my confidence and pardon you, gifting you a clean slate for a new era of your life."

The angel stands, his wings lifting happily. "Thank you, Your Highness. I will not waste this gift."

I shake his hand and smile. "Call me Elle. 'Your Highness' makes me sound better than people, and that isn't true."

He smiles back and nods. "As you wish, Elle."

Daevon scoffs again, disbelief in his voice. "You really think Dark Angels care about a stupid oath of fealty? Wrong."

Beelzebub steps forward, his face angry. "Some of us are loyal. Some Dark Angels decide to change for the better." He sweeps his now-gray wings up behind him, and the whole group of Angels gasps.

I can hear them mutter among themselves. "I thought all Dark Angels were doomed."

"Me too." Another Angel pipes in, an awed expression on his face.

Several more Angels step forward to join Beelzebub, kneeling, and I know he's giving them an oath of fealty. Daevon starts snarling at his soldiers, yelling for them to attack, but they just stand around indecisively, torn between what they know and something that's uncertain but probably better.

The Angels kneeling at Beelzebub's feet stand and I smile at them, hoping the others don't think I'm being too controlling or high and mighty.

"Daevon, are you just gonna leave and cut your losses or are you going to stay and let all your soldiers join me. I like to win, but I like to win a fair fight. And right now, you're handing me victory on a silver platter with a side of caviar."

I hear Beelzebub's voice in my head. Nice analogy.

I try. He snickers as Daevon's voice cuts through the air.

"You will come with us, Your Majesty, if we have to bind and gag you." The fifteen or so Angels who have joined me move to stand at my back, their expressions stony and hostile. If they weren't on my side, I'd be deathly afraid of them.

"I really don't think so. I really like it here, and I don't like being told what to do." I shift my weight to my right foot and cross my arms. To anyone but me, it looks like I'm relaxed, but in reality, I'm getting ready to fight.

The demons behind Deavon form ranks behind him, but I can tell some of them are nervous to fight me.

"You think you can beat me when some of your best soldiers just joined me? I mean, really."

He narrows his eyes at me, shooting daggers with them. "You read my mind, didn't you? You read an unwilling person's mind, and you call us monsters? You're abusing your power."

I smile smugly. He obviously underestimates humans. "Actually, no. First, I didn't use my powers, it was just a lucky guess. Second, I never once called anyone a monster, so don't put words in my mouth. And third, I never used my powers at all in this situation, so no abuse of powers, and please refer to number one, where I said I didn't use my powers."

"Sure. We'll say you didn't use any powers. But you're still coming with me. I have almost 40 soldiers, and you have 16, counting Beelzebub."

"Nope. I have more. I have about 45, which trumps your 40. And I'm being generous." I feel Cole prodding my mind, asking if I'm okay.

I'm fine. Can you ask Jack if he can bring soldiers onto the front porch?

Sure. And I'll even be nice, and not ask why.

Have I ever told you you're amazing?

No.

Well, you are, so thank you and please hurry.

I return my mind to the porch, where Daeven is watching me, studying me. "What was that about?"

"None of your business."

He laughs cynically and cracks his knuckles, meaning to look imposing, but to me he just looks a little stupid. "He will be happy when I bring you back. I might even be promoted to general. I want to thank you in advance, Elle."

I smile wickedly at him, seeing scores of Jack's Dark Fallen approach the front door, led by Cole and Jack. "I wouldn't celebrate too quickly. See, I have a way of making really good first impressions. There are these guys I bought breakfast for, and you know how men love food. Anyway, they're sorta my brother's friend, and now they're willing to aid in my protection. And then there's my boyfriend...so, yeah. I've sorta got all my bases covered."

Cole waits for me to finish, then leads the Fallen out, simultaneously interrupting my thoughts.

Boyfriend?

Shut up. Just play along, and maybe.

Goodie. I can tell that he's trying to sound sarcastic, but the quiver in his voice belies his giddiness.

Bigger fish to fry, Cole. Focus.

The Fallen have taken up rank behind me, their faces grim and determined.

Recognition flickers across Daeven's face, and I notice that Cole is glaring at him.

"Ah, Michoel. How times have changed. When did you become Light, again?"

Cole growls slightly, the sound barely registering. "Nearly two thousand years. Daeven, leave. We don't want to fight you, but we will to protect Her Majesty. I will personally expedite your day of Reckoning if I have to."

Realization dawns on Daeven's face. "You're her Soulmate, aren't you? She's brainwashed you good. The Michoel I knew would never risk himself for a stupid little human girl."

I can't believe he just said that. "Excuse me?" I Manipulate over a gallon of water to appear over his head, and release my hold on it. It cascades over his face and head, dousing his whole torso and down to his knees.

"You little-" I hold my hand out, restraining him from fifty feet away. I mime pinching, and his mouth shuts solidly, blocking the insulting name he was about to call me.

"Are you done yet? Or is it bedtime for the preschooler?" He snarls soundlessly, and I roll my eyes. "Okay, it's bedtime." I imagine his body going to sleep, and it falls to the ground, cushioned only by one of his Dark Angels.

"Bad move, Elle. Anyone who's stayed is loyal to only themselves and Lucifer. By downing their leader, you've told them that you are a viable threat. Be prepared." As Beelzebub finishes speaking, the Angel sets the limp body down and stomps up the stairs, stopping with his face inches from mine.

"Do you want to die today? I can say we had no choice, and He will be upset, but will get over it."

I breathe deeply, trying to calm myself without releasing my wings. I have a feeling my wings are an advantage I want to keep hidden.

"No, I don't, and I don't want anyone else to die either. Tell Lucifer that if he wants to talk, he can come himself. And I will talk to him, as long as he doesn't hurt anyone.

The Angel smirks derisively. "That can be arranged." He shuts his eyes lightly, then snaps them open.

"May I present to Her Highness--Lucifer, The Great Serpent." A puff of bloodred smoke swirls from behind him, and a tall man with platinum, almost white hair appears, a look of contempt on his drop-dead handsome face.

"What is it, Eionayle? What do I need to help you with..." His voice trails off as his bright red gaze falls on me.

"She is the Earthly One. She demanded to speak with you before anything else happened."

"Before what? Before you lost your whole legion to her? She already has fifteen of your best soldiers, a Replication, a Light, Beelzebub--wait, Beelzebub?" His expression turns frustrated and angry. "Beelzebub, why are you just standing there? Do something! You are my general!" He roars, and I'm glad the whole block I live on is vacant except for my house.

"I'm not anymore. I'm Elle's general now. I owe no loyalty to you or any other Angel."

He jogs up the stairs and stops right in front of me, inspecting me. "So. How did a mortal girl steal my general of two thousand years?"

I sigh. "I really hope you all would stop calling me a little human girl. And I was just nice to him. By the way, I personally think that after three thousand years, you would stop using highschool tactics like rumors. And teach them some manners. Seriously, he attacked me twice on the same day, and I beat him both times."

"Then how did you get him to follow you instead of me? And take an oath of fealty, I assume, unless the One is a typical highschool airhead."

"Nope. Not an airhead, thank you. And the way I got him to stop attacking me was that we Bonded. Happy, Mr. Serpent?" I smile at him, attempting to drop the issue.

"Could you explain how to Bond?" He attempts a puppy dog face, but any chance of it working is ruined by his scarlet eyes.

I pretend to play dumb, but the evil me in my head is snickering at the thought of fooling the great Lucifer. "Sure! First, you look the person straight in the eye and focus on something you both have in common, something that connects you." He's looking me determinedly in the eye. "Like a dislike of people trying to manipulate you. You didn't really think I was going to tell you, did you? If you did, you aren't nearly as smart as people are telling me."

He releases his wings, but instead of feathery soft bird wings, they're dark red and leathery with a hooked horn at the joint where they fold. "Would you like me to show you just how conniving I can be?"

I release mine, gently flapping them as added balance. "I would love to, but I have company over. I really shouldn't keep her waiting. She really gets quite hellish when she's angry."

Moniqué. Come out onto the front porch, please.

I don't even hardly have to wait before she steps outside. "Lucifer, this is my best friend. Try not to kill her, please."

He steps close to her and I hold my arm out to stop him. "Uh, no. Hands off." The part of my arm touching his clothes begins to heat up. He smiles smugly, but I cool the area with a mist of water.

"Smart girl. You and I don't have to be enemies you know."

"So what do you propose? I come with you and you hold me hostage until further notice? No thank you."

"Well. History is written by the victor, and obviously, my side lost. You think poorly of me, don't you?"

"Gee. Did you figure that out on your own, or did Einstein help you out?"

He clenches his jaw, frustrated. "I will pretend you didn't say that. All I'm suggesting is that you see how you would like ruling alongside me for a few days, and then decide which side you choose to favor."

"Again, do I look stupid?" I cross my arms and glare at him, disdain on the edges of my voice.

"No. You seem to be a quite agreeable and intelligent young woman. But don't judge a book by its cover, no matter how horrible the title."

"Fine. Shoot." I don't know what he thinks I am, but obviously, he doesn't think too highly of me.

"You come to Hell for a human week, and see how your life would be if you ruled it alongside me."

"I'll think about it. IF you let me bring two of my allies along with me."

He nods reluctantly, and I think of who I want to come with me. "Beelzebub and..." I trail off as I consult Beelzebub to decide.

How far below you was Maizen in Hell's ranking?

Just below me.

And how far would Cole be if he was in Hell?

A few positions below Maizen. Why? I ignore him and make one of the toughest decisions of my life.

"I will take Beelzebub and Maizen along with me."

Elle. Cole's cautious voice sounds off in my head.

Listen. You'll stay here to take care of things. And Maizen and Beelzebub will be able to protect me better. Hell is their home turf.

Fine. But please be careful, Elle. I couldn't stand it if I lost you.

I'll be fine. I'll talk to you as soon as I can. I want to get this over with.

Lucifer is watching me when I focus back on the real world. "Are you ready? Do you need anything?"

I shrug, my body language turning slightly hostile. "Nope. I've always been a very light packer."

He picks a nonexistent piece of dirt off of his teeshirt. "You'll probably pass out when we get there, so I recommend you two hold her up." He gestures to Beelzebub and Maizen, who lift my arms over their heads.

"Up, up, and away." I grumble at Lucifer's back as a cloud of reddish smoke rises from our feet, and my vision goes spotty and black before cutting off all together.