tw for this fic will include: SA, smut (18 +), violence, gore, torture, dark themes
In all her time spent in purgatory waiting for her judgement to be passed upon her , never did Salome ever think that the king of hell himself would call upon her. "A divine purpose" he had called it, this gift... this duty. She had observed in silence as Lucifer sat upon his throne woven with bones and flame and declared her his glorified errand boy. The dark thrumming power he had bestowed on her swirled in her veins and coiled around her bones like a serpent. She had felt the shift immediately; felt herself become something... more. The offer Lucifer had proposed was simply too tempting to resist. Her soul and eternal loyalty in exchange for revenge and a new life. Salome needed all of seconds before accepting the fallen angel's deal; her soul hadn't meant anything to her in quite some time. Little did she know, she'd soon become his favorite creation but perhaps his biggest regret.
Chapter 1: The Harbinger
The rocky earth bit into her hands as she collided with the ground below, this landing could've been better. With a raspy breath, she willed her now aching body to stand and surveyed her surroundings. The crimson moon casted an eerie glow on the desert and the distant howling of a coyote pricked at her sensitive ears. Shaking the dust from her wings, Salome willed them away with a flick of her wrist. This had always been a welcome perk to her power, being able to call on her wings should she need them but tuck them away when she didn't. It allowed her to blend in as well as keeping her from dragging them around as they were undoubtably heavy. In the distance, light from a nearby town shone brightly against the darkness of the desert, the bandit-ridden shithole of Black Rock she assumed. The buzz of dark energy that slithered up her spine told her that her assumption was correct. She always felt this buzz when her targets were close, the thrill of the hunt was the name she gave it. With a melodic whistle, Salome called for Azrael, her horse and was met with a rumbling beat of hooves as an answer. Chosen by her from a yearling, Azrael had become her mount and companion since her very first collection. The obsidian colored stallion was by far her most treasured gift from her king and he too was given abilities of his own. "Hello, my friend." Salome cooed to her steed and he greeted her with a low nicker and toss of his head. Running a hand through the thick tresses of Azrael's mane, she stroked the soft fur of his coat underneath, "Are you ready?" With a dip of his head, Azrael shifted so his side was facing her, an invitation. A smile ghosted over Salome's lips as she gripped the cool silver of the saddle horn before slipping a boot into the stirrup and swinging up. Adjusting the blade on her back and grabbing hold of the reins, she took in a breath to calm the dark energy that hummed in her. Something ancient and primal stirred beneath her ribcage and the honeyed taste of bloodlust coated her tongue. Salome savored these moments, when the Harbinger energy flooded her senses and replaced tormented thoughts with those of a predator, in these moments, she was free to indulge in the carnal parts of herself without the distraction of a conscience. Eyes that once held the color akin to liquid smoke now shone with the violet hue of the Harbinger and inky black tendrils worked their way across her body, down to her fingertips. Do with me what you must, the Harbinger rasped into her mind, I am yours to wield.
Before she could depart, a powerful gust of wind tore over the sand and rock and the rumbling of thunder along with it. Salome gave a sigh of agitation as she stared into the amber gaze of Killian, her master's lap dog and resident pain in the ass. "Happy to see me?" purred Killian, his voice a deep and sultry timbre. Salome's violet-kissed eyes narrowed in frustration, "As happy as a kicked dog." she spat. A feline grin worked it's way across the Incubus's full lips, "Come now Sal, I'm only here to help. No need to get testy." A snort came from Azrael, signaling his impatience, his mistress had summoned him for a job, one he was eager to carry out. Salome shushed him with a gentle pat to his thick neck before quirking a brow at the nuisance before her. "Do I look as though I need help? Don't you have innocent women to seduce into handing over their souls?", the bite in her voice was palpable. Her patience was running thin, did Lucifer not trust her to carry out this collection on her own? She had never failed him before so why now, was he suddenly concerned? Killian clocked the wheels turning in that startlingly gorgeous head of hers, he could tell that she was questioning her master's trust in her abilities. Little did she know, Lucifer had nothing to do with his little visit, he came of his volition. His spies sent word that Salome's target, Jonah Madsen, was no ordinary collection mark. He's been dabbling in dark magic and other occult practices to stave off his collection. He knew Salome was coming and he'd be ready for her, information that had likely not reached the Harbinger before she left. "Jonah knows you're coming Sal, he's prepared for it. He won't go without a fight. I just want you to know what you're walking into.", Killian exclaimed, he knew how stubborn Salome could be and it was going to get her killed one of these days. The eye roll aimed at the demon was felt before it was seen, and the scoff Salome sent his way, had the Incubus clenching his jaw. Fucking insufferable. "Give my best to dear Luci, he truly wasted his time sending you. I'll have that prick kneeling at the throne before dawn and I'll level that cesspool of a town to do it.", she growled, turning Azrael and galloping towards the town at breakneck speed.
Killian ran a ring-clad hand through his silvery hair with a huff. She's going to be the death of me, he thought to himself before enveloping himself in the shadow to follow her. The demon had a feeling she would need him and he'd be there when she did.
