Gunshots.

Luke could hear them coming from around the corner, echoing in the night air. Noticing that none of the humans around him were screaming, or looking around in wonder and fear, he knew the sound had to be concealed by some sort of magic. He broke into a run, anxious to find the source of conflict, careful not to slip on the wet ground.

Once he turned the corner, he saw everything, even though the humans around him could not. In a small, tree lined section of one of the area’s parks, a team of three vampires and werewolves were attacking a single girl, though Luke couldn’t tell if she was angel or demon. They were all flitting about the trees, attempting to protect themselves against the other’s attacks. Luckily, none of them had noticed him. Anyone that would fight against vampires and werewolves was a friend to him, and the girl, who had been the cause of the gunshots, was certainly outnumbered.

Stealthily, Luke crept up behind one of the vampires, and knocked him out with a single blow to the back of the head. The other vampire and the werewolf stalled for a moment, surprised by the new arrival into the battle, which gave the girl the split second she needed to shoot the werewolf with what one could only assume was a silver bullet. The werewolf gave out a cry of pain, and fell writhing to the ground. Soon after, its body crumbled into dust.

Luke knocked the other vampire to the ground next to his comrade, as the girl approached to finish him off. She removed a wooden, cross-shaped stake from a pocket of her trench coat, and stabbed both the fallen vampires with it. Their bodies quickly joined that of the werewolf’s; nothing but dust.

“Thanks for that,” said the girl, bending down to dust off her boot. “I thought I was a goner there for a second,” she smiled as she stood up.

As she and Luke observed each other, a look of realization crept onto their faces. This girl, with pale, grey-blue eyes, long black hair, and set of sharp, white fangs, was none other than Sangel, an old friend of Luke’s. Sangel was at the same time recognizing that this man, with his black hair, dark reddish eyes, and regal composure was actually Luke, the son of Lucifer himself. Well, more like Lucifer’s 500th incarnation, but it was the same principle.

“Sangel?” asked Luke in disbelief.

“Luke?” asked Sangel in the same bewildered tone. “Lucifer actually sent you out?

“Indeed,” said Luke. “He said as many people as possible should be out in the fray. But it’s no surprise to me that you were sent out. You’re a great fighter. Plus you have valuable skills no other angel has.”

“Ha,” scoffed Sangel. “They just want to keep me from causing trouble up high. But thanks for the compliment; most people don’t call them skills. So, where’s your sister?” asked Sangel. “Out looking for people to boss and criticize?”

“We both split up, trying to find one of the outposts,” answered Luke. “I know they’re supposed to be concealed, but I didn’t know they would be this concealed. But we’ve found some clues that lead us to believe there’s one nearby.”

“I see,” nodded Sangel. “So you mean to tell me there’s an outpost set up around here? If I had known that I wouldn’t have been sleeping on park benches like a bum for the past few weeks.” spoke Sangel in mock frustration.

Luke chuckled. “Yes. I’m afraid so. But like I said, they keep them hidden.”

Sangel sighed. “Well, then I suppose we had better get going. It won’t be long before dawn; maybe we can find one by then. Where should we start?”

“You don’t have to start anywhere,” said a female voice from nearby. “I already found one.”

When they looked up, they saw Jessika, her every feature matching her elder brother’s, leaning against a tree, with one hand on her hip. “How did you find it? Where did the clues take you?” asked Luke

“It’s not where you go,” she said matter-of-factly, “It’s who you know. Or, more accurately, who you threaten. You guys coming?”

* * *

As Jessika led them to the outpost, she explained that she had gotten her information from a weak angel who was being attacked by a vampire. Jessika had quickly dispatched the vampire, and had questioned the angel about the outposts. Once the angel had said that she knew where one was, but was not allowed to divulge the secret, Jessika had announced herself as rightful heir to the throne of Hell, and that if the angel did not give her the information she wanted, she would be forced to remove the girl from this plane of existence. It was then that the angel broke down, revealed the secret location of Outpost Number 24, and scurried off.

“You’re still as cruel as ever, Jessika,” said Sangel.

“I suppose I am, but it solved out little problem, and you can’t deny that,” replied Jessika haughtily. “Now, here we are.”

They had stopped in front of a large, abandoned business office, about 7 stories high, with signs reading ‘CONDEMNED’ posted in various places around it.

“Doesn’t look like an otherworldly outpost,” said Sangel.

“They used a strong concealment,” explained Jessika. “It covers ground a few yards out, so humans won’t see a bunch of crazy kids entering a condemned building.”

“How do they keep humans form tearing it down?” asked Sangel.

“Paperwork, I guess,” snapped Jessika. “It’s not our business.”

Jessika took the lead and marched up to the door of the condemned building. She lifted her hand and knocked quietly on the door. Once she had done so, a small panel inside the door opened.

“Who goes there?” demanded a fierce voice, as a silver sword was pointed in Jessika’s face, preventing her form taking a step forward, lest she be skewered.

“Jessika, rightful heir to the throne of Hell,” snapped Jessika, frowning at the weapon in her face.

“Who is with you?” asked the guard.

“My brother, Luke, and Sangel,” spoke Jessika.

The sword was lowered slightly, as a face came slowly into the view of the panel, surveying them to see if they’re story was true. Recognition alighted on his face as he saw it was indeed the Prince and Princess of Darkness, and Sangel. Without even the slightest creak, the door opened smoothly inward. The guard, who was, in fact, a demon, stepped aside to allow the three companions in.

The building was much nicer on the inside than it looked to on the outside. None of the walls were crumbling, no windows smashed, and the air was warmer than it was outside. Crowding the first floor were group of demons and angels, some intermingled, others avoiding the opposite race.

“This is the main floor,” said the guard, whose duty apparently doubled as greeter. “If you’re looking for anyone, best look here. The rest of the floors are living spaces, and the higher up you go, the colder it gets,” explained the guard. “I suggest you find a place to sleep now, it’s getting light out. I'm rather uncomfortable sleeping during the day, but we have to be ready for the vampires.”

“Thank you,” said Luke, as he, Jessika and Sangel walked out of the antechamber and into the main area of the floor. A few people looked up in recognition, with mixed reactions, to Luke and Jessika; demons were glad to see the presence of Hell’s young rulers; angels, unfamiliar with their nature, feared their power and possible prejudice toward angels. There was also a bit of pointing and whispering directed at Sangel, although she ignored it.

“Sangel?” They hadn’t gotten very far when a voice behind Sangel surprised her by saying her name. She turned around to see a girl with brown hair, sad brown eyes, and white angelic wings, looking at her.

“Yes?” asked Sangel.

“You may not remember me, but...” said the angel, “A long time ago, you helped me out in Heaven’s court. The Judge wanted to amputate my wings, but you persuaded them not to.”

“Selena?” asked Sangel in disbelief. The girl nodded. “I’m sorry that you were sent out.”

“Well, they thought because of what I’d done, I would make a pretty good fighter.” said Selena, “Although I don’t think I have that in me anymore.”

“I'm sorry,” said Sangel. “You don’t belong out here. You belong in Heaven, with the rest of God’s faithful servants.”

Selena shook her head. “It’s nothing. Good luck to you all,” she said walking away, where a small group of angels were waiting for her.

“What was that about?” asked Luke.

“It’s a story that happened a long time ago,” said Sangel. “Maybe I’ll tell you some day,” she finished her sentence stifling a yawn. “For now, maybe we should get some sleep.”

Sangel shrugged her shoulders, and a pair of large, black wings, dotted with bloodstains, unfurled from her back. A few people stared at her, some in alarm, some in confusion, as she ascended the stairs with Luke and Jessika. The demonic duo left Sangel at level three, unable to stand the colder temperatures in the higher altitude. Sangel however, ascended all the way to level 6, where only a few other angels were occupying the area.

Without so much as glancing at the others in the room, and avoiding the gazes upon her wings, she found a corner and settled into a position where her body was curled into a tight ball, yet her wings stretched and relaxed. Lulled into a restful sleep by exhaustion from her earlier fight with the vampires and werewolf, Sangel did not wake until the next evening.