Morningstar

Everything had happened so fast. He didn’t even realize how it had all gotten so out of control, so quickly. But the Morningstar had gone from simply asking questions to leading a rebellion against the Divine Choir and the full force of the Host of Heaven. Elysium, the capital city, had gone from a place of peace and tranquility to a burning site of death and savagery.

He remembered being engaged in battle. He had loved his brothers and sisters. And yet, they had come at him with everything they had. Each one trying to destroy his very existence simply because the Divine Choir had ordered it.

And so, Lucifer had no choice but to fight back.

Pahaliah. Sarathiel. Cassiel. Harut. Daniel. Those were just a few of the angels whose blood had now stained his hands. He remembered the look of terror on their faces as he extinguished their light with a sword constructed from the fire of his own soul.

This wasn’t what he was meant to be. He was the Morningstar. The bringer of light and knowledge. Not a slayer of his brethren. Not the ultimate villain that the Choir had tried to portray him as.

He remembered facing off against his brother in battle. At one point, Lucifer would have counted Michael as his hero. They trained together, fought together, laughed together. Not one angel in all of Heaven had been worthier of Lucifer’s respect than him.

And then, Michael had turned on him. Lucifer wasn’t sure how many of his own rebellious angels Michael savagely cut his way through in order to reach him. Not even Azrael had seemed as frightening as Michael on that day.

Lucifer had held back, not wanting to harm his brother. Michael had no such qualms. His ferocity had been unmatched by anything Lucifer had ever seen. And once it was all over and the dust had cleared, Lucifer expected Michael to deliver the killing blow.

Except he never did.

What happened next was a maelstrom of images. Lucifer and the other rebels had been imprisoned within the walls of Gehenna. There was a trial. Angels were in attendance screaming for their blood. One by one, the judgments came forth. Each of the angels who had sided with Lucifer had all received the same sentence—exile.

But after they had announced the verdicts, the court was emptied. Only Lucifer stood in chains before the seraphim who comprised the Divine Choir. The angels were told that Lucifer’s powers of manipulation were so vast that no mere angel should even be in his presence.

The truth, however, was simply that the seraphim feared what Lucifer might say. That he would reveal the secret they had spent eons keeping from the rest of Heaven. Naturally, they would never admit it, not even to Lucifer when no one else was present. But he could sense their uncertainty as they read out the verdict.

“Exile.”

Lucifer had felt defiant in that moment. More so than in any other. And he looked up, the ethereal chains heavy around his neck. His yellow eyes had burned bright, and he remembered asking them a simple question.

“If my crime was so heinous, then why exile?”

“Because, Morningstar, you still have a role to play. One that will continue to serve our cause for generations to come.”

The floor dropped away. Lucifer looked down to see the clouds spiraling below, spinning off into a darkening void. His wings strained against the attraction, but the chains had already fallen down to the abyss. Then, they pulled him down with them.

His wings were useless and he fell. Lucifer had screamed as he descended down through the clouds. The darkness approached, and Lucifer found himself in the depths. It felt like the darkness had gone on for an eternity without end. Lucifer was no longer certain which direction was up and which was down. All he knew was that there was a feeling of extreme loss that only grew deeper the further he fell.

Finally, after what felt like forever, there was light at the end of the tunnel. But it wasn’t the soft, cool light of Heaven. No, this was a harsh light. Lucifer tried to look away from its glare but he couldn’t. Its light burned his soul, searing away the touch of divinity he had been blessed with since creation.

His descent came to an end when he crashed into a shallow pond. The chains had vanished from his naked body and he strained as he tried to move. Lucifer got on his hands and knees and looked into the surface of the water. There he could see his reflection—dark hair, sharp angelic features, he seemed exactly the same.

Yet somehow, there was something that felt very different.

“Morningstar.”

Voices had echoed around him, all calling him by his title. Lucifer looked at the angels who had joined him in his rebellion. They all stood around him.

He realized they were all changing. The holy light had vanished from their eyes, now replaced by the yellow glow they associated with this wasteland of damned souls. Even their wings had changed. The feathers fell from them, leaving just the bony structure beneath. And though Lucifer didn’t know it then, in time leathery skin would grow over those bones, giving the fallen angels a new sort of wings.

However, Lucifer also noticed his wings remained the same. He folded them around his body so he could examine them closely. The feathers were intact and holding firm. Not even a spot of dirt stained them. He had no idea how that was even possible, when the rest of The Fallen were changing right before his very eyes, being transformed in this place.

Lucifer walked towards the edge of a cliff and looked out over the horizon. The skies were a dark, ominous crimson. And when he looked down from the cliff, he saw the legions that had followed him into damnation. All of them looked to him. When he glanced back, he saw the lieutenants—the ones who had been among the first who joined his rebellion and served him valiantly in the war.

“What do we do now?”

“Where are we?”

“Is…is this the end?”

“Can we really never go back?”

Lucifer felt that defiance build up within him once more. He held up his hands and the voices all around him grew silent. And then, he began to speak.

“I hear your despair. We’ve been cast out, separated from the light that had once nourished us. No more Elysium fields, where joy seems to dwell. Instead, hail this new infernal world we now rule. And in this place, I see a new vision of our existence. Where you see horrors, I see opportunity. Because it’s not the location, but the perspective. The mind can make a Heaven of Hell or a Hell of Heaven.

“So why should we care about Heaven? A beautiful prison with glass walls instead of bars is still a prison. Leave it to the angels and the ‘Divine’ Choir. Here, at least, we can be free. Here we are secure. They may have damned us to this hell, but I welcome their damnation and their hatred. And do you know why?”

There were shouts asking him to continue. And Lucifer smiled as he heard their chants, feeling the rush of their devotion. He raised a defiant fist high above his head, and then spoke a rallying cry that would define this new place for centuries to come.

“Because it’s better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven!”

The cheers echoed throughout the desolate landscape. Lucifer wore a broad, defiant smile on his face as he looked back to see his lieutenants similarly cheering him on.

However, though the moment felt exhilarating, Lucifer felt the hint of knowledge deep in his soul that something profound had been lost.

In the beginning, God created Heaven and the angels. The angels were beautiful, powerful creatures, holding no free will of their own, existing only to serve their father. But one angel, considered the most beautiful and beloved of all, was so struck by the sin of pride that he sought to elevate his station above that of even the Almighty. He led a rebellion against God, but he and his followers were defeated and cast down into the pits of Hell. His name was Lucifer.

Or at least, that’s how the story went. But reality was often quite different from what people had been led to believe. And in truth, the angel known throughout the halls of Heaven as the Morningstar was not so struck with pride that he wanted to be a god himself. The truth of the matter is Lucifer had learned a forbidden secret, known to no other angel save the Seraphim who serve as the priests of Heaven.

There was no Almighty, no Presence, no God. Or if there was, no angel in Heaven had ever spoken to him. Lucifer, honoring his title of Lightbringer, sought to free his brothers and sisters from the bondage of servitude. And so he led a rebellion, but was defeated by his own brother and cast into Hell.

That was where Lucifer had remained, presiding over the Infernal Court and generally keeping to himself for thousands of years. But that all changed when he met a man named Luther Cross. The son of one of Lucifer’s lieutenants from the revolt and a human woman. A cambion who saved the world from a rogue angel driven mad by the same knowledge Lucifer had discovered. Lucifer had agreed to help Cross in his campaign in exchange for one thing.

When it was over, Lucifer would walk the Earth and Cross would become the Shaitan, the supreme ruler of Hell.

That was how the Devil found himself in a club located on Chicago’s Rush Street, dressed in a white suit and a black silk shirt with an open collar. His dark hair was neatly combed back and his eyes had a haunting yellow glow to them. While the other angels who had fallen with him ended up corrupted by Hell and transformed into demons over time, there was something different about Lucifer. He still maintained his angelic beauty and his feathered wings. The only mark Hell had left upon him was his sulfur-colored eyes.

He moved on the dance floor, gyrating with two women at once. Their hands moved up and down his torso and he felt sensations he hadn’t experienced since before The Fall. During his time in Hell, he’d mostly stayed isolated from the others, never indulging his urges. It was a form of penance for him after he failed in his stated mission. As the Lightbringer, he saw himself as a disseminator of truth, but the greatest lie of all was still believed by angels and many humans as well. And after Pyriel’s madness, Lucifer realized the other angels would have shared the same fate.

So he declared his penance over and rose to walk the Earth. To experience everything he’d missed out on for centuries. He could feel the perspiration dampen his clothes in a feeble attempt to cool his body. His heart thumped against his chest in excitement as he savored the women’s fingertips moving across his arms and chest, their lips softly pressing against his neck.

The song ended, but the women seemed content to continue even without music. Lucifer was tempted himself and was already whispering into their ears, offering the suggestion they find somewhere a bit more private. They both seemed enthused by that idea and Lucifer wrapped his arms around their waists, leading them from the dance floor and towards the exit.

But before they reached the door, a hand fell on Lucifer’s shoulder. He turned and saw a large man dressed all in black standing behind him. “If you’ll excuse my interruption, sir, but the owner would like to have a word with you.

“Luc, you know the club owner?” asked one of the women.

“How come you didn’t tell us?” asked the other.

Lucifer smiled at the two of them, then turned back to the bouncer, his smile vanishing. “I think you’ve made a mistake, friend.”

The bouncer shook his head. “No mistake whatsoever. She was quite insistent you meet with her immediately. Sire.” The bouncer’s eyes changed yellow, revealing who was truly inside that body.

Lucifer sighed and turned to the women. “I’m afraid I’ll have to take care of something first, ladies. If you wouldn’t mind waiting at the bar, I promise I won’t be long…” he produced a platinum credit card with a wave of his hand and offered it to them, “…and drinks are on me, of course.”

They smiled and took the card. Both simultaneously planted a kiss on each cheek before they went to the bar to make use of the credit card. Lucifer smiled with satisfaction as he watched them go, but when he turned back to the bouncer, once more the smile vanished.

“Very well, let’s go.”

Lucifer was led through the club and up the stairs to the sixth floor. The first floor of Lust was where the main dance floor was. Each subsequent floor up from there was more like an extended balcony wrapped around, with full-service bars, tables, and a view of the dance floor. The sixth floor had one extra feature that set it apart from the rest. And that was a large office with floor-to-ceiling windows looking down at the club. The door was guarded at all times by two men—also demons.

This was where Lucifer left his escort. The two demons bowed their heads as he approached the door and entered. The office was large and spacious. It was colored red and there were burgundy couches and chairs arranged in front of the window with a bar manned by an employee in the far left-hand corner of the room.

Lucifer walked towards the couch and saw a figure sitting there. Long, dark hair spilled over her shoulders and she was dressed in a black suit. She raised a hand without looking at Lucifer and beckoned for him to come. He straightened his jacket and circled around, facing her.

She was a demon as well, named Mara. A loyal servant of Lilith, the first human corrupted by Hell. And now, Mara was Lilith’s representative on Earth, ruling over Lust and keeping the demons who managed to make Chicago their home in check. She stared at Lucifer for a few moments, her jaw slackening.

“I…I wasn’t sure it was true…” she stuttered, her wide eyes fixed on him. “I mean, I knew. Of course I knew. But to see you here…in the flesh…”

Lucifer chuckled. “It’s quite all right. Seems I tend to have that effect on people.”

Mara stood slowly, her eyes never wavering. She took a step closer to Lucifer and then bowed down on one knee. Lucifer rolled his eyes and pulled her up to her feet.

“No, don’t do that,” he said.

“But you’re him…the Morningstar…”

“Yes, I know. But one of the reasons I rebelled was because I hated the idea of bondage. Well…that form of bondage, at least.”

“Right, right…umm…” Mara giggled and played with her hair. She glanced back at the bartender. “You want a…a drink or something?”

“A martini would be lovely. Gin, not vodka.”

“Sure, of course.”

She signaled the bartender and he went to work making the drink. When it was ready, he brought it over and Lucifer happily accepted the drink. He glanced at the chair nearby.

“May I sit?”

“Oh! Yes, absolutely. Please.”

Lucifer settled into the leather chair as he sipped his drink. Mara was still standing and staring at him. She had a reputation in Hell as a fearsome warrior. But now she was acting like a schoolgirl talking to her crush. The whole thing made Lucifer a bit uncomfortable. One of the reasons why he’d isolated himself from the rest of Hell in the first place was because he abhorred being worshipped. He might have been arrogant and prideful, but he certainly was no hypocrite.

“Mara, dear, sit.”

“Okay…” she sat back down on the couch.

“Your man said you wanted to speak to me, so I was hoping we could speed things along,” said Lucifer. “You see, I have two very beautiful and very aroused women waiting for me at the bar.”

“Right, I’m sorry to keep you, but it’s just…” She still stammered. “Look, you’re…here. On Earth, I mean. And some people—not me, of course—but some people may think that’s…bad.”

“And what sort of people are we talking about?”

“Well, there’s…” She glanced up and pointed towards the ceiling. “I’m guessing they don’t like you walking around.”

“No, I’d imagine they don’t. But they also won’t move against me unless I give them reason to,” said Lucifer. “Besides, most of their forces are presently focused on monitoring Hell or trying to find that nephilim boy. They won’t be an issue.”

“And what about others? Like the Sons of Solomon? The Opus Dei?”

Lucifer dismissively waved his hand and took another drink. “I don’t concern myself with a bunch of uptight assholes dressing up in robes and jewelry.”

“Okay, but what are your plans?”

Lucifer finished his drink and set the glass down on the table. He set his elbows on the armrests and steepled his fingers. “Ever since The Fall, I’ve been living in seclusion, simply watching from a distance.”

“Watching?”

“Hell. Earth. Just watching from my tower. Never interacting, never participating, never experiencing,” said Lucifer. “It was because I failed that I felt it was necessary to punish myself with seclusion. But now, I feel like my sentence has been lifted and I want to experience things.”

“That’s it?”

He nodded. “That’s it.”

“So you’re just here to get drunk and screw anything that moves?”

“I also enjoy sitting on the beach with an interesting book and dinner at a good restaurant. But in so many words, yes.” His face softened and he smiled at Mara. “Listen, I’m not interested in making trouble for you or the angels or anyone else in this city. I’m just trying to enjoy my retirement. You can appreciate that, can’t you?”

She gave a nod. “I understand. And of course I can. But other people may not feel the same.”

“If they cross my path, they’ll quickly learn just why I was so feared in Heaven,” said Lucifer. “But until then, I do have something to take care of. I trust we won’t be speaking of this matter again?”

“If that’s what you wish. I apologize if I came off as…over-enthusiastic. I just wanted to be certain all your needs were being met.”

Lucifer stood and buttoned his jacket. “Well, not everything. But I’m off to change that. Have a lovely evening, Mara. And thanks for the drink.”

He left the office and bid farewell to the demons standing guard. Lucifer quickly went down the six flights of stairs. As he did, someone bumped into him and Lucifer stopped in his tracks. Flashes appeared in his mind’s eye, clear as if it were his own memory.

He was looking through someone else’s eyes, seeing someone else’s memory. Seated at a bar, there was a glass of wine nearby in front of an empty seat. The man whose memory Lucifer was seeing took out a small bottle and unscrewed the cap. He poured some of the liquid into the wine. A few moments later, a woman with brown hair and in a red dress came to the seat and started talking with the man. She picked up the glass and took a drink.

There was another flash. Lucifer saw the woman look drowsy and start to stumble. The man helped her stay on her feet. He suggested they should get some air. She nodded and he started to lead her from the bar, down the stairs.

And that was where the vision stopped.

It has often been said that the full moon brings out the crazies. And this particular summer night in Chicago proved no different. Even at three in the morning, the night air was warm. The gatehouse for Rosehill Cemetery had the appearance of a gothic cathedral. But in the middle of the night, the gate was supposed to be closed.

A man dressed in a white suit appeared seemingly out of nowhere, his yellow eyes like embers illuminating the darkness. He approached the gate and examined where it had been broken into. A crude job, which suggested he wasn’t dealing with experienced professionals here.

He glanced up at the moon and sighed.  Three AM—the Witching Hour. Or in some circles, the Devil’s Hour (a term he wasn’t very fond of himself). The time of day when the veil between worlds was at its thinnest. And when summoning rituals were at their most effective.

With his hands in his pockets, he calmly walked past the broken gate, as if he were just on a leisurely, Sunday morning stroll through a park. One would have almost expected him to whistle a tune.

A few steps in and he stopped, noticing something on the edge of the grass. The man in white knelt down and reached out, running his fingers over the tire tread. It was fresh. Made just before he arrived. While his fingers brushed over the track, images flashed in his mind.

The trunk opening. A child, bound at the wrists and ankles with tape over his mouth. The boy resists, but there are two men holding him. His thrashing means nothing to them. A third person waits at the trunk, holding it open. The boy is thrown inside. The trunk slams shut.

He stood upright and closed his eyes. Though to the rest of the world he was still as a statue, what he actually did was reach out with his power. He had a kind of sixth sense that allowed him to expand his perceptions and feel for supernatural energies.

And he could get a sense of something in this cemetery. It was very weak, which again reinforced his theory that these were amateurs. But the forces they were messing with were by no means benign. If he didn’t stop these idiots before they completed their ritual, there was no telling what sort of chaos they might unleash.

He wasn’t about to let that happen. The Astaroth affair had caused him enough problems. Things were now on a tenuous footing between him and the angels, and he had no desire to draw any more attention to himself.

The car was a red sedan and had seen better days. A bumper sticker on the back read “WHAT WOULD SATAN DO?” He almost wanted to chuckle—they were about to find out.

It was parked haphazardly in front of the Rosehill Mausoleum. At two stories—one partially underground—it was the largest mausoleum in the city. When he came to the steps leading up to the quartet of white columns, he got a clearer sense of the energies lurking inside.

The door had been pried open and he walked past it and into the main hall. His feet were soft as he moved across the marble floor, not making a single sound. The columns gave way to family tombs, the names etched across the walls in a grid-like formation.

His senses guided him through the mausoleum, towards the back east end of the building. Now he could hear voices echoing as he came closer. Three voices, in fact. Two male, but one was female, and clearly in command of the others. No screaming or crying, which could mean the boy was dead or just still gagged.

Their voices came from behind the doors leading to the John G. Shedd Chapel. He clapped his hands and rubbed them together. Then, with a gesture, the doors blew open and he strolled right through them.

A skylight was above them, bearing an intricate design of vines, and the moonlight filtered through the glass. The marble room had a series of benches arranged in a semi-square, with a podium standing before the Shedd family tomb. The design on the wall and in the chairs featured aquatic elements.

And in the center of that ring of benches, held down to the ground by the two young men, was the child. A boy of about eight years old. The young woman was standing at the podium, an intricately designed dagger in one hand, the other hand resting on an old grimoire.

“Who the hell are you?” asked one of the young men.

His head was nearly shaved, with just a thin stubble of hair across his scalp. The other had shaggy brown hair, and seemed like any average university student one could spot around the city. The girl was around eighteen or nineteen, with chin-length dark hair and blue eyes that looked upon him with fear and uncertainty.

“That’s an interesting dagger you have there,” said the man in white. “Judging by its design, the book you’re reading, and the innocent child being held down on the floor, would I be wrong in assuming that you’re trying to offer a sacrifice to summon a demon?”

“None of your business!” said the girl.

“On the contrary, I think it’s very much my business…Caitlin.”

What little color remained in her fair skin drained completely. She stammered for a reply, but nothing came out other than a series of noises.

“How do I know your name? Or how do I know that the bald one is Dave and the handsome brunette is Brock?”

The two men exchanged quick confused glances, and then looked at Caitlin. She didn’t acknowledge them, just kept staring at the man in white.

“The answer to all these questions is quite simple. You wanted to summon a demon, well I am the first demon.” He gave a bow as his yellow eyes simmered. “My name is Lucifer.”

The dagger fell from Caitlin’s hand and clattered on the ground. Dave and Brock both loosened their grips on the boy and slowly turned to fully face him. Caitlin staggered forward, coming closer to the Morningstar.

“It…it can’t be…” she whispered. “My dark lord…? Is this really…have we been blessed by your presence?”

Her obsequious nature did little to calm the rage Lucifer felt building within him. In fact, it only increased his hatred for this woman and her two little lapdogs. He was now close enough to touch her, and so he reached out and brushed his hand over her cheek. She shivered in response and closed her eyes, an expression akin to arousal falling over her features.

Lucifer could see her memories flashing before him. A middle-class suburban girl, wanting to rebel against her religious parents. Turned to the black arts, but never accomplished anything other than the most elementary of spells. Floating a pencil for half a second, creating a spark to light a candle, but nothing beyond that. She simply lacked both the natural aptitude towards magic and the discipline to overcompensate for that deficit.

One of the interesting aspects of Lucifer’s psychometric abilities was that they were not a one-way street. He was more than just a receiver of memories—he could also project his own memories or those he’d viewed into the mind of another. And they would feel those memories as if they had experienced them firsthand. Before he came to Rosehill, Lucifer had visited the boy’s home and absorbed memories from his bed.

Lucifer grabbed a fistful of Caitlin’s hair and pulled. She screamed and he placed his other hand on the side of her head, showing her just what the boy had felt as his favorite babysitter pulled him from the bed and kept yelling at him to shut up while her two boyfriends bound and gagged him. Caitlin could feel the boy’s fear, and she shouted in feeble protest, just as he had.

“What did you do to her?” asked Brock, coming at him.

“I showed her what it feels like,” said Lucifer. “Would you like to experience it as well?”

Brock attempted to charge the Morningstar, rushing at him and swinging his fists wildly. Lucifer moved lithely stepping out of the path of the punch, then pushed on Brock’s shoulder and let his own momentum send him stumbling forward and right into the wall.

Dave had picked up the knife and now pointed it at Lucifer. “D-don’t make me do this! I’ll fuck you up, man!”

Lucifer let out a sigh of exasperation. “Little man, do you have any concept of what the word ‘immortal’ means?”

“Nah, you’re not him, you can’t be!” shouted Dave.

“And what makes you say that?” asked Lucifer.

“Satan…he’d be cheering us on! He wants us to slice that little brat open! He needs innocent blood!”

“Don’t believe everything you see in the movies, boy,” said Lucifer. “I was a teacher, a bringer of light and knowledge. I believe in freedom and independence. What you’re trying to do is take away another’s right to live. And I can’t allow that.”

“Yeah…then let’s sacrifice you instead!”

Dave swung the knife wildly on his quick approach. Lucifer evaded each attempted slash with grace and poise, until he finally reached a hand out and grabbed hold of Dave’s wrist. Lucifer twisted the young man’s arm behind his back pushing up until the knife fell from his fingers and hit the marble floor.

But Lucifer didn’t stop there. Even with the knife out of the way, he still continued to apply pressure to the arm. Dave’s screams grew louder, echoing in the chapel until they were deafened by a loud crack. He slumped to the ground, weeping at the pain in his broken arm.

Lucifer stepped back from Dave and Brock tried to attack him from behind. It was a sloppy attack and Lucifer could sense it coming. He grabbed Brock’s arm and flipped him over, dropping him hard onto one of the benches.

Without a word, Lucifer approached the podium and examined the grimoire. It was real, all right. Real and powerful. Even an idiot like these three could accidentally unleash something terrible with a book such as this. But as Lucifer tried to get a read off it, he found he was blocked. He couldn’t see where the book came from or how Caitlin had managed to possess it. That would be a mystery he’d have to unravel later. For now, he closed the book and took it from the podium.

Lucifer knelt down beside the boy, who had fear in his eyes. The Morningstar offered a reassuring smile and the yellow of his eyes dimmed. Gently, he peeled the tape off the boy’s mouth.

“Your name is Anthony, right?” asked Lucifer in a soft voice.

The boy nodded.

“Anthony, my name is…” he paused and then said, “Luc.”

“Y’mean…like Luke Skywalker?”

Lucifer gave a tiny chuckle. “Yes, exactly like Luke Skywalker. Remember what he said to Princess Leia?”

“‘I’m here to rescue you’?”

“That’s correct, and that’s why I’m here, too.”

“So…you’re like…a Jedi?”

“Something like that. Now let’s get you out of here.”

Lucifer removed the bindings and helped Anthony to his feet. He walked the boy to the door leading back into the main hall. With a snap of his finger, he created a small, floating orb of light that moved a few feet in front of them.

“I want you to follow the light to the front entrance. And then wait there for me.”

“But it’s dark. Aren’t there ghosts in the cemetery at night?”

“No, Anthony. I promise you, no ghosts will harm you. I’ll just be a moment. Just stay near the light and it will protect you.”

Anthony gave a somewhat-apprehensive nod, then followed the light out back. Once he was out of earshot, Lucifer turned back to the three would-be demon worshippers.

“As a rule I generally don’t like to lie, particularly not to an impressionable young child like that,” said Lucifer. “But I didn’t want him to be scared. Because you see, there actually are ghosts in this cemetery. Some quite famous ones, too.”

Lucifer held out his arms to the side and begun muttering an incantation in the demonic language of Dimoori Sheol. Feathered wings emerged from his back and raised him off the ground and his eyes had the fiery intensity of a blazing inferno. All three of them could feel a sudden chill, as if the entire room was plunged into winter. As Lucifer continued the incantation, his voice boomed and echoed, like several people speaking all at once.

Once he finished, the wings retracted and his feet touched the marble floor. He turned his back on the three and then stepped out of the chapel.

“Enjoy your evening.”

Lucifer snapped his fingers and the chapel doors closed, locking the three inside. As he strolled through the hall towards the entrance to the mausoleum, their screams followed him.

Andrew Greene had been having a good night. He came out to the Red Lion in Lincoln Square hoping for some good drinks, decent food, and with any luck, a chance for some female companionship. His boss had been on a tear on everyone in the office for the past week to finish their projects before the end of the quarter. Stockholders were getting impatient, which meant so were the higher-ups. And that led to crunch time for everyone else.

But it was Friday and Andrew could at least put that out of his mind for the weekend. And he’d managed to do just that. Standing at the crowded bar and sipping a Guinness, he somehow found himself capable of beginning a conversation with Haley. She said she was a graduate student at the University of Chicago. Andrew had barely finished his undergraduate degree at Southern Illinois University, so right from the start it was obvious that Haley had the edge as far as intelligence was concerned.

Fortunately, Andrew had felt renewed confidence thanks to a little bit of work he’d had done on himself. In the six months since then, he hadn’t had much luck, but tonight he was feeling good. Haley was in her early twenties with chin-length brown hair and green eyes. She had a great body and Andrew was starting to feel confident as she laughed at his jokes.

“Hey…” she said, reaching her hand for her drink. But instead of taking hold of her glass, she brushed her fingers against his hand, which held his own beer. Andrew felt a charge and looked up at her. There was something about those eyes that he kept finding himself being swept up in. Her smile was different than before, a little more sultry. And then she said those words Andrew had been hoping to hear ever since he spotted her: “You wanna get out of here?”

“Wh-what did you have in mind?” asked Andrew.

Haley blushed and smiled as she looked down at the counter and swept a few strands of hair behind her ear. “Well…” She looked just slightly embarrassed when she leaned in closer and said in a softer voice, “my roommate’s out of town this weekend.”

A tingle of feeling in Andrew’s lower regions responded to Haley’s invitation. When she made eye contact with him again and asked, “What do you say?”

Andrew’s response was to finish what was left of his Guinness and set the glass down on the counter. “Where do you live?” he asked.

Haley chuckled at his exuberance and finished her own beer. They left the counter and pushed through the crowded bar to reach the exit. Outside, the air was crisp. Despite it technically being spring, it sometimes took the Chicago weather a few weeks to catch up with the season. Haley shivered and Andrew jumped on the opportunity by wrapping his arm around her shoulders.

“Thanks,” she said with a smile as she leaned her head against his chest. “I’m not far, just a little past Western.”

Andrew smiled and the pair walked a few blocks down to the corner of Lawerence and Western. As they waited for the light to change, Andrew glanced around, suddenly feeling the odd sense that they weren’t alone. There were other people around, sure, but it was almost like they were being watched. Andrew looked at the people who waited at the light and further back down the street towards the bar. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

The light changed and Haley pulled him to cross. He gave one more quick survey and then acquiesced. Once across the street, they went another block, but Andrew’s sense that they weren’t alone persisted. He tried to dismiss it as simple nerves and instead allowed Haley to take him down one of the side streets. She then pulled him into an alley.

“C’mon, my building’s just down here. This is a shortcut, we can go in through the back.”

“Yeah, sure…” said Andrew, still feeling the growing sense of dread. Better to get off the street quickly in case they were being followed. Last thing he needed was to get mugged right in front of Haley. He wasn’t much of a fighter and she’d likely feel humiliated if she saw him cower before some gang banger.

Haley stopped right by the back gate of a small tenement. She grabbed Andrew by his jacket and slammed him against the bars. He was shocked at first, but then relaxed once she kissed him. Andrew’s hands found her back and he fell into the kiss. Haley’s body crushed against him and Andrew felt his body warming to her touch.

“We should go inside…” he said.

Haley nodded. “Yeah, inside.” She turned towards the gate and reached inside her purse, rummaging around for the keys. When she pulled them out and searched for the right one, but they slipped from her hands. “Damn, sorry. Butterfingers,” she said and knelt down to pick them up.

Andrew was feeling impatient. Not only because he was excited for what was about to happen, but also because he still felt nervous for what might be out there. And as he looked around, he noticed a guy turn down the alley and start walking towards them. The man was tall and wore a knit cap pulled down to his brow, his chin tucked into his chest to maintain warmth. Not only was he tall, but his shoulders were broad. And there was something about him that made Andrew feel paranoid.

“So…you got that door open yet?” Andrew asked.

“Sorry, give me a sec,” said Haley. “This lock’s a little tricky, I keep telling the super to fix it, but he just says he’ll get to it soon.”

The man was coming closer to them. And now he looked up, making eye contact with Andrew. It could have been a trick of the light, but something seemed strange with his eyes. There was almost a kind of flash Andrew could have sworn he saw, as if the eyes had glowed for just a moment.

The man broke contact and continued on. Andrew let out the breath he’d been clutching and turned back to Haley. It was just paranoia, nothing more. He had to get himself together, didn’t want Haley to think he was some pussy who’d flinch at the first sign of a stranger.

“Hey.”

Andrew’s body stiffened when he heard the sound. He turned around and saw that same man walking towards him. The guy came closer, almost towering over him. Andrew swallowed hard and reached for the pocket that held his wallet, willing to just hand it over quickly.

The guy’s hands were in his pockets. Slowly, he pulled one of them out. Andrew started to shrink down, fearing that it might be a knife or maybe even a gun. But what the man pulled out instead was just a pack of cigarettes.

“You got a light?” he asked. “Think I dropped mine.”

“Oh!” said Andrew, both surprised and relieved. “Sorry, I…uh…I don’t smoke.”

“Prob’ly a good idea, bad habit,” said the man. “Anyway, you have a pleasant evening.”

“You t—”

Andrew’s response and his relief were both cut short when—much to his horror—Haley turned and pounced on the man with a noise that could not have been human. Instantly, her fingers were tipped with razor-sharp claws that tore open the stranger’s jacket and raked across his chest. He fell back on the ground and lay motionless. Haley turned to face Andrew and he was horrified when he saw the fangs in her mouth.

“Holy shit!”

“Hey, hey, easy,” said Haley, holding out her hand as her fangs and claws receded. “Look, okay, yes, I’m a vampire.”

“So…that’s what this all was? You were just trying to lure me back to your place to bite me?”

“What the hell kind of attitude is that?” asked Haley. “Oh right, just because I’m a vampire, that must mean I’m going to kill you?”

“Well…yeah!”

Haley scoffed. “Believe it or not, I actually like you—well, liked. Before I found out what a racist you are.”

“Hold on, you’re actually offended by my reaction?” asked Andrew.

“You’re a young white guy, wouldn’t you be offended if I assumed you were a serial rapist?”

“That’s…that’s not even close to being the same thing!”

“And after I saved your life from that creep, who by the way had been following us ever since we left the bar,” said Haley. “Y’know what, maybe you should just take your bigotry and go home.”

Andrew’s mouth hung open in disbelief. “This is…insane.”

“Maybe next time you shouldn’t judge people based on what you’ve seen in movies!”

Haley slammed the gate behind her and went into the building, leaving Andrew just standing out there alone. He looked down at the body and jumped, almost forgetting it was still there. “Great, now what?”

He turned back to the mouth of the alley and started walking towards it.

“Uhhh, goddammit!”

Andrew’s body froze. That voice was the same as the guy he just saw Haley killed. Slowly, he turned around and saw the man get back to his feet. He looked down at his tattered jacket and sighed. Then he glanced at Andrew while gesturing to the jacket. “You believe this shit? Brand-new fuckin’ jacket…”

“What the hell is happening?”

“Apologies for all that.”

This was a new voice that came from above. Andrew looked up and saw a man perched on a nearby garage. He hopped off and landed flawlessly on the ground. He was tall and bald, dressed in a long coat.

“My associate over there was just supposed to follow you, not engage,” said the new arrival.

“And who are you?” asked Andrew.

“My name is Belial,” he said, then nodded to the other guy. “That’s Erik.”

“And how is Erik not…dead?”

“I’m a lycan, kid,” said Erik. “Or, y’know, ‘werewolf’ if you wanna go with the normie description.’

Andrew’s eyes went large at that. He turned to Belial. “So, does that mean you’re also a…a…”

“A lycan? No. I’m just a demon,” said Belial.

“Wh-what the hell is going on tonight?” asked Andrew.

“The vampire was just some bad luck,” said Belial.

“Yeah, sorry about that, kid. I thought she was actually going to bite you, so that’s why I stepped in,” said Erik.

“So you guys are what? Monsters hunting monsters? Trying to protect humanity in an attempt to redeem yourselves or something?” asked Andrew.

“No, actually, we’re here because you made a deal about six months ago,” said Belial.

“This is about what I owe? So you’re saying you’re supernatural loan sharks?”

“Basically, yeah,” said Erik.

“A service was performed for you. You were given six months to pay what you owe,” said Belial. “I’m here to claim what’s due.”

Andrew sighed. “C’mon, man. Can’t you just give me a little more time?”

Belial removed his gloved hands from his coat pockets and cracked his knuckles as his eyes flashed yellow. “Do I look like a patient hellspawn, Mr. Greene?”

Andrew sighed. “I mean…it’s just…things are rough out there…”

“Perhaps you’d like to know what happens to deadbeats in Hell?” asked Belial. “I can show you, though I doubt you’ll find it a pleasant experience.”

Andrew sighed and took out his phone. “Okay, just give me the account details…”

Erik took out his own phone and walked over to Andrew. “I got you covered, kid. Let’s settle this now and then you can go home.”

“Yeah, yeah…”

As the two performed the digital transaction, Belial looked at the apartment building Haley had retreated into. Vampires looking for actual one-night stands, sorcerers performing spells on demand, demons and werewolves acting as loan sharks. This was definitely a unique world he’d found himself in.

“Okay, big guy, we’re all set here. Andrew’s gonna get himself home and probably jack off through tears to the soft, blue glow of his computer,” said Erik.

“And my fee?” asked Belial.

“Already taken care of, deposited right in your account,” said Erik.

“Right…my account…” Belial reached into his pocket for the phone. He was still uncomfortable with this human technology, but he was starting to learn.

“Oh, and I got a message from the boss,” said Erik. “He said if you need more work, he’d be happy to toss it your way.”

“Thank you,” said Belial. “Out of curiosity, what kind of spell did Odysseus Black perform for the boy?”

Erik chuckled. “You won’t believe this. Kid wanted a few extra inches below the belt.”

Belial cocked his brow. “Penis enlargement? That’s what this was all about?”

Erik shrugged. “Normies, man. What can I tell ya? Anyway, so about that extra work?”

Belial sighed. “I suppose so.”

“Your boss is okay with this, right?” asked Erik. “Mr. Black wouldn’t want to piss off the Morningstar or nothin’.”

“No, it’s perfectly fine,” said Belial. “The Morningstar is…laying low for the time being.”

A flash of pure, blue light appeared in the night sky above the shore of Lake Michigan. The light quickly took shape and slowly faded as it transformed into a beautiful woman with long, dark hair, piercing blue eyes, and feathered wings wrapped around her body. The angel named Anael unfurled her wings and they gently lowered her to the surface of the water, where she was able to set her feet down as if she were standing on solid ground.

Her wings folded back and the feathers emitted a soft, azure glow. The wings receded into her back and once they were gone, so was the illumination. Anael walked across the water’s surface and came to the edge, stepping onto the soft sand.

This part of the lake bordered Evanston’s Lakeshore Historic District. The homes here were large mansions, bordering areas of far more economic distress. A perfect microcosm of humanity—those with the means to help ignoring the problems right in front of them.

Anael hadn’t come here for a stroll along the lakefront, nor to admire the beauty of the excessive mansions. She was here to visit one home in particular, and to tell the occupant that she was well and truly done with him once and for all.

That might have sounded dramatic, if it were the first time Anael had done such a thing. But she felt it was starting to become a pattern with the man she had once loved and pledged her soul to. He had promise once, but he threw it all away. And in her attempts to try to help him find his way back, she herself was now a pariah. She hadn’t even tried to return to Heaven yet, so fearful was she of what the reactions would be once she did set foot in the capital city of Elysium.

The Tudor-style mansion was just across the road from the lake. The streets were empty, and yet Anael still found herself hesitating before crossing the distance. She took a deep breath and then set a foot off the curb. Her steps were slow and methodical, but soon, she had reached the front door. When she raised her hand to press the doorbell, her finger just hovered over the button.

“This is stupid…” she chastised herself and then pressed it.

She could hear the melodic ringing of the chimes from behind the door and she waited for a few moments. When no answer came, she pressed the button a second time. It was then that the door finally opened and she looked up into the face of a man with broad shoulders, a shaved head, and yellow eyes.

“Thank you for coming,” said Belial.

“Might be too soon for gratitude,” said Anael. “I haven’t agreed to anything yet.”

“Come in.” Belial held the door open for her and Anael stepped inside.

She was somewhat taken aback by the demon’s manner. Normally, theirs was an antagonistic relationship and they had exchanged blows on more than one occasion. In this very house, in fact. But now, he was extremely cordial—almost deferential. She found herself missing the animosity.

As Belial led her through the house, she was surprised to see two unfamiliar figures sitting in the library. Anael stopped to examine them and the pair turned their heads in synchronous movements to look at her. They were dressed in identical black suits with leather gloves and sunglasses. One was completely bald and rail-thin. The other was stockier with straggly hair framing his face and a full beard. They weren’t demons, nor were they human. Anael couldn’t quite a sense of what exactly they were. But something about them both unnerved her.

“A condition of Lucifer’s ‘bail,’ for lack of a better term,” said Belial. “Consider them court-appointed monitors.”

“Who are they?” she asked. “For that matter, what are they?”

“Their names are Grant and Moore,” said Belial. “As for what they are…that’s more difficult to answer. They’re agents of Purgatory and that’s all anyone really knows of them. This way.”

Belial led her away from the library and down the corridor to the kitchen.

“I don’t understand. Why is Purgatory involved in this?”

“They’re not, but they serve as a neutral third party. The Court was divided on whether or not the Morningstar could be allowed free on his own recognizance and any monitors proposed by one camp would be seen as suspect by the other.”

“No honor among demons?”

Belial ignored her jab and just opened the door in the kitchen that led to the patio. “He’s in the pool.”

Anael walked through the door and stepped out onto the wooden deck. There was a staircase that led down to the ground level, where an in-ground pool sat. The lights beneath the water illuminated the blue-painted concrete, and the silhouette of a man swam laps from one end to the other.

She walked down the steps, keeping her eyes on his form. Once she reached the foot of the stairs, Anael stepped up to the pool’s edge. He didn’t stop to acknowledge her, just continued swimming. But on the final lap, he didn’t swim to the end of the pool, instead coming towards her. He sunk beneath the water and Anael was surprised to see a bright light emerging from beneath the surface. The pool started to bubble, as if it were boiling. Anael stepped back and watched in surprise, the percolation intensifying. And then his head pierced the surface, his body rising from the pool in full defiance of gravity, with large wings spread out behind him. When he opened his eyes, they were yellow and burning as bright as the afternoon sun.

He hovered above the water and his wings carried him over to the pool’s edge. His bare feet touched down and his wings receded into his back. Rings of flame-like energy encircled his body, forging clothing over his naked form. The energy dissipated and Lucifer stood before Anael, wearing a smile on his face.

“It’s good to see you, Ana,” he said.

“Hardly the words I’d expect after our last encounter,” said Anael. “I see you managed to get your powers back. So returning to Hell did the trick, huh?”

“Not without some challenges along the way,” said Lucifer. “Since you’re here, I take it Mara delivered the message?”

“She did,” said Anael. “And I have to say, I’m pretty confused.”

“About what?”

“Try everything.”

Lucifer gave a chuckle and walked over to a table with a bottle of brandy resting on top with two glasses. He sat in one of the deck chairs and gestured for Anael to take the other. She remained standing. Lucifer just shrugged and poured himself a drink.

“My actions started all of this. Humanity’s awakening, the war, eons of conflict, Cocytus—it can all be traced back to a decision I made long ago,” said Lucifer. “And so my guilt is going to be judged by the people of Hell.”

“And what’s the charge?” asked Anael.

“Conspiring against them by working in concert with the Divine Choir.”

Anael scoffed. “You weren’t working with the Choir, you were working against them.”

“Was I?” asked Lucifer. “Every good story requires a good villain. By holding onto the secrets I’d learned, I was doing exactly what the Choir wanted me to do. I was perpetuating the great lie and thus, continuing their work. All while posing as some sort of liberator.”

“Mara told me about Raum. And how he broadcast the secret all across Hell,” said Anael. “I imagine people aren’t very happy about it.”

“You’d be surprised,” said Lucifer. “Once that initial shock wore off, most simply came to accept it. They all hated the Choir already, so coming to terms with that sort of duplicity from the seraphim was the easy part. It was my role in all this that’s spurred the most anger. And that’s something I expected, which is why I offered to put myself on trial before the calls for blood began.”

“Do you really believe you can get a fair trial in Hell? These are the people who thought you were their savior and now they see you as just a pawn of their oppressors.”

Lucifer took a sip of the brandy. “Do I take it you’re now willing to accept the truth I once tried to share with you?”

“What, that the Choir invented the concept of the Presence? That it was all a tool for control?” Anael shook her head. “Of course not. I think this entire thing is nonsense.”

“Then why are you here?”

Anael stepped up to the table and leaned over it, her azure eyes flashing as she stared into Lucifer’s face. “I came here to tell you that I’ve had it. Stop dragging me into your craziness, Lucifer. It’s already cost me more than I’d care to give up.”

Lucifer furrowed his brow. “What are you talking about? Cost you what?”

She stood upright. “Uriel’s taking credit for getting you to return to Hell, reporting to the Choir that I failed in my assignment because I let my feelings for you interfere with the mission.”

“That’s ridiculous,” said Lucifer. “I haven’t returned to Hell at all. Cross still sits on the throne. And you tried everything possible to complete your mission, but nothing would force me back onto the throne.”

“Uriel only cares about the details that make him look good. And he’s now let word spread that I’m compromised. That maybe I’m more loyal to you than Heaven. I haven’t dared return to Elysium because of that, so I’m stuck here on Earth.”

“All the more reason to help me,” said Lucifer. “You take up the cause of defending me, and together we can prove that these structures of control are inhibiting all of us.”

“No.” Anael crossed her arms. “Listen to me, Lucifer—despite what nonsense Uriel is spreading, I am loyal to the Choir and all it stands for. I’m not going to justify Uriel’s lies by taking sides with you in some sort of kangaroo court.”

“You really believe you’ll ever be good enough?” asked Lucifer. “As far as the Choir is concerned, you’re forever tainted because of your association with me. Doesn’t matter that you were simply trying to do the right thing. Scum like Uriel only deal in absolutes, and they’ll twist the truth in whatever shapes are necessary in order to achieve their desires. And the Choir? They don’t care at all. As long as they can maintain the status quo, they’ll happily swallow whatever Uriel feeds them. They’ll sacrifice anyone—even an angel who’s been as loyal as you have.”

“And if I were to help you, what would that do? How would that benefit me?”

Lucifer looked down. His silence was the clearest answer he could give.

“That’s what I thought,” said Anael. “There’s nothing to be gained from helping you, Lucifer. This is just another war that you’ll end up on the losing side of. I refused to fall with you then and I refuse to do it now.”

She turned away and her wings emerged from her back. Lucifer called out to her, and his words caused her to wait.

“So what will you do, then?” he asked.

Anael sighed. “I wish I had an answer to that question. All I know is that associating with you has never been anything but disastrous for me.”

Rather than using her wings to teleport away, Anael took to the skies. She felt like relishing in the freedom of just flying among the clouds and she didn’t give a damn if anyone saw her. All she wanted was freedom from the craziness.

Uriel, Lucifer, all of it. Every time Anael had managed to gain some ground, something happened to set her back. Nothing would ever satisfy either of them. She didn’t know how this would end between those two, but she no longer cared, either.

Now that she was a pariah among the angels, she’d have to find a new path.

A demon and an angel walked into a bar.

No, that’s not the set-up for a joke. In this case, the demon and the angel were on the run from both the forces of Heaven and Hell, which left them few avenues to remain invisible.

The demon was none other than Lucifer himself. After centuries of living in isolation and ruminating over his failed rebellion, the Morningstar finally reached his limit and abdicated the throne. He attempted to retire to Earth, leaving behind the politics of Heaven and Hell.

It wasn’t long before he got dragged back into those same politics, eventually ending in a trial in Hell where he was found guilty of betraying his revolutionary principles for his own self-interest.

His companion was Anael. Several lifetimes ago, they were lovers. But that was before the war and everything that followed. When Lucifer left Hell, it was Anael who was tasked to get him to return to the throne. It took some time, but soon, Anael learned it was just another attempt at gamesmanship on the part of Heaven.

Now they were both on the run. Anael had violated her orders by defending Lucifer in his trial and then refused to return to Heaven. Instead, she sacrificed any chance for forgiveness by aiding Lucifer in his escape.

Lucifer had conned Kushiel, Heaven’s jailer, into helping them abscond. Then as soon as he brought them back to Earth, Lucifer killed him. It wasn’t the proudest moment, but it was a necessary evil. They both knew it would only be a matter of time before the energy expelled by Kushiel’s demise drew attention, and so they left Lucifer’s home in Evanston’s Lakeshore Historic District on the border of Chicago.

Their first stop was a dive bar in Englewood. Far from the most pleasant of neighborhoods in Chicago, but they needed the help of the man who ran his operations out of there.

Lucifer pushed the door open and the stench of smoke hit both him and Anael as soon as they entered. It seemed darker in here than the street. Conversations hushed when they saw the pair enter.

The bartender was tall and broad-shouldered. His eyes had a reddish tint to them and he gave a nod by way of welcome to the two.

“Mr. L., wasn’t expecting to see you here tonight,” he said.

“Erik, right?” asked Lucifer.

The man nodded. “That’s right, sir.” His glance turned to Anael and he focused on her unnatural blue eyes. Without breaking his gaze, he spoke again to Lucifer. “Though not sure why she’s here with you. Boss hasn’t had a good track record with her kind.”

Anael tightened her lips, restraining her anger. Lucifer had informed her on the way here what sort of resistance they were likely to encounter, but she was on edge already and this wasn’t helping.

“She’s with me, that’s all you need to know,” said Lucifer to defuse the situation. “And speaking of your boss, we’d like a quick word with him. Just a few minutes of his time and then we’ll be on our way.”

Erik kept his eyes on Anael as he drew his phone from his pocket and sent a quick text. His phone beeped a few moments later with a response.

“Boss says you can go in,” he said.

Lucifer smiled and slightly bowed his head. “Thank you, Erik. You’re a gracious host.”

“Sir, if you don’t mind,” said Erik just as Lucifer and Anael were about to head to the back room. “Belial hasn’t been answering any messages. Was wondering if he was okay?”

Lucifer’s face darkened, but he wouldn’t give away the truth. “He’s…wrapped up in something at the moment. I’m sure he’ll contact you as soon as he’s able.”

They entered the door leading to Odysseus Black’s office. A powerful sorcerer in his own right, he also had his hands in a lot of Chicago’s supernatural underworld. Black sat behind a large desk and had a glass of rum in one hand and a cigar clutched between the fingers of the other.

“Well, well, the Morningstar himself gracing me with his presence yet again.” Black glanced at Anael. “But I gotta tell you, Lucy, I’m not so fond of your company. Sure, she’s easier on the eyes than Belial, but that’s not enough to distract from the halo of self-righteousness.”

“Okay, I’ve been playing nice, but I’ve just about had it,” said Anael as she stepped forward.

Lucifer stepped in front of her before she could move any closer to Black. He stared into her eyes and whispered, “I know you’re on edge. But if we’re going to get this done, we need his help, like it or not.”

Anael stepped back and folded her arms over her chest. Her lips remained taut.

Lucifer turned to the sorcerer. “Odysseus, my friend. We’re in a bit of an unusual situation.”

“I figured somethin’ must be up. Word on the street is that ol’ silvertop is happier than a pig in shit up in that ivory tower.”

“You’re talking about Uriel,” said Lucifer.

Black nodded. “He won’t stop crowing about how this is the dawn of a new day and all that.”

“Is he saying anything else?”

Black shook his head. “Nah, won’t go into specifics, even when asked. Meanwhile, Mara has been holed up inside her office at Lust. Won’t come out for nothin’, it seems. Not even taking appointments. I know, I’ve tried.”

“We’re in something of a unique situation at the moment,” said Lucifer.

“This something that Uncle Odysseus should be made aware of?”

Lucifer wasn’t sure how much he should divulge. Black had provided him aid and comfort in the past, but he was also an unpredictable sort with no real allegiance to anyone other than himself.

“Anael and I are on a bit of a scavenger hunt, so to speak. We need quiet passage to some of the other realms.”

“Which realms?”

“We have to go to three places. The first two are easy enough for us to access on our own. But the third is a little trickier, at least not without drawing attention.”

Odysseus took a few puffs on his cigar as he studied Lucifer’s features. He exhaled the smoke into his glass, allowing it to linger on the surface of the rum before he took a sip.

“You gonna make me guess?” he asked.

“Alfheim.”

Odysseus took another sip, then set the glass down on his desk. He picked up his cigar and leaned back in his chair.

“Pick a different place.”

“This isn’t a matter of choosing a vacation destination, Odysseus. We have to go to Alfheim.”

“That’s a very risky proposition,” said Odysseus. “The fae aren’t very kind to visitors. Especially not ones associated with Heaven or Hell. Don’t think I gotta remind you of your history.”

Lucifer shook his head. “No, you don’t. But unfortunately, we don’t have much of a choice in this.”

“You gotta give me a little more to go on if I’m gonna help you out,” said Odysseus.

“My house,” said Lucifer. “It’s a real nice piece of property and if you assist us, then once this is over, it’s all yours.”

Odysseus chuckled. “What would I want with a piece of real estate in some fancy-ass neighborhood like that? Cops’d be kicking in my door every day of the week and twice on Sundays.”

“You don’t have to live there, you can do whatever you want with it,” said Lucifer.

“To get you passage into Alfheim, I’ll need somethin’ more than that.”

“Belial, you’ve been satisfied with the work he’s done for you?” asked Lucifer.

“Sure. Good worker, nice violent streak. Payments have been a lot more regular when he’s on the job.”

“As you know, he’s been splitting his time between the two of us, but once this is all over, I won’t have need of his services anymore. He’d be completely available to pursue other avenues and I could convince him to become a permanent fixture among your entourage.”

Odysseus nodded along while he puffed the cigar. “Okay, now we’re gettin’ somewhere. But it’s still not worth the trouble of running afoul of the fae. Gonna need you to put a cherry on top.”

“Fine, I have one more thing to offer,” said Lucifer. “How much business does your product do in Lust?”

“A fair bit,” said Odysseus.

“But you’ve got competition, don’t you?”

“You know I do.” Odysseus cocked an eyebrow. “What’re you hintin’ at, Nick Scratch?”

“I can’t make any deals on behalf of Lust’s management, but I do have a pretty good working relationship with Mara,” said Lucifer. “You help us out, I can see to it that she grants your people exclusive distribution rights in Lust.”

“You think she’d do that? Crack down on all dealers except mine?”

“If you give us what we want, I’m sure I can convince her,” said Lucifer.

“She won’t agree to a deal like that without a taste. What could you get her down to?”

“Fifteen percent of your take,” said Lucifer.

Odysseus shook his head and held up two fingers. Lucifer scoffed.

“Two percent is pushing it, Black. What about ten?”

“With Belial on my crew, it’d be cheaper to muscle out the competition.”

“You only get Belial if you help me out, so I wouldn’t bet on that.”

Odysseus grumbled. “Five.”

“Okay, I can get her down to five. But only if you do something else for us.”

“Yeah, and what’s that?”

“We’re not very popular among either the halo or the pitchfork crowd at the moment. We need a way to stay off their radars while we go about our business,” said Lucifer. “And nobody works a spell like Odysseus Black.”

“You’re really in it, ain’tcha?” he asked. “What sort of scavenger hunt are you two on?”

“That’s not part of the deal. I just need to know that you can provide us with the protection we need.”

“A concealment spell from both Heaven and Hell? I can work something like that, but you gotta be careful,” said Odysseus. “Camouflage doesn’t work so well if you run around screaming like a damn fool.”

“Meaning?” asked Anael.

“Meaning that the more you flash those fancy powers of yours, the less effective the spell will be,” said Odysseus. “You can manage some stuff—little bit of strength here, little bit of spellcraft there. But you gotta stay grounded and keep your powder dry. You start flashing your wings or whipping out soulfire weapons, the spell won’t be much good to you.”

* * *

Before coming to Englewood, Lucifer had already known that too much use of their powers would draw attention, so he’d arranged for a car. Anael kept quiet throughout most of the meeting, but once they got back into the car, she voiced her misgivings.

“Are you sure that was a good idea?” she asked.

“If you know someone else who can get us into Alfheim, I’m all ears,” said Lucifer.

“You have to convince Mara to go along with this and then there’s the matter of Belial,” said Anael. “Or do I have to remind you that he’s currently trapped in Hell?”

“It’s my fault that he’s there, so of course I haven’t forgotten,” said Lucifer.

“So to recap, we have to rescue Belial from Hell, convince Mara to go along with this deal, and then retrieve Khronus’s pages from Purgatory, the Dreamscape, and Alfheim. And all of that has to be done before we have a hope of making the changes we need.”

“You’re forgetting something, Ana,” said Lucifer. “We’re going to change the timeline. So for the first time ever, we get to operate free from consequences.”

Anael scrunched her brows together. “I’m not so sure that’s how it works, Lucifer. This spell isn’t a ‘Get Out of Jail Free’ card. Khronus said that it’s not something to be trifled with. Everything has consequences.”

“What consequences are there?” asked Lucifer as he started the car. “We go back in time, we change all of this from ever happening. Everything gets set right. And if by chance it doesn’t work, then we can just do it again. We literally have all the time in the world.”