Chapter 29 — The calm before the storm

Zoe:

I don’t think I’ve ever had such an odd conversation as I did today. Once I was done explaining to my friends Mathias and Azazel’s roles in this, we sat there and questioned Fallon and Lucifer about the supernatural world. Lucifer wasn’t much help, though. Every time we’d ask him a question, he’d grumble and tell us that he’s bored. However, I can’t help but notice the long looks he gives Lana when he thinks no one is looking. The look is a mixture of longing and frustration. I know that I have to tell Lana about Lucifer, but I have no clue how to approach the topic without freaking her out.

I startle when Azazel comes up behind me, wraps his arms around my waist, and kisses my temple. “I just spoke to Mathias and let him know that we were able to extract all of you from hell. I'm going to assume that Marael probably knows we escaped the dimension since she's connected to the spell placed on the apartment. And who knows what happened to Sahara. For now, we'll need to place the ladies in a safe place.”

Lucifer sits down on the chair next to the couch and rests his feet on the coffee table with a relaxed sigh. “Perhaps it's best if we split them up until everything gets sorted. It would make it harder for them to be found.” Fallon quirks his brow in agreement. “It's a viable option. I can take Bree to my home until we can sort this out. I have an excellent system, and it would make it easier for me to protect her.”

Not happy with the men's decision, Bree glares. “Shouldn't that be our decision? We're not children who need to be watched over, you know?”

Lucifer snickers. “Oh sweet, you may not be children in your world, but you are in ours. Trust me when I say that you're better off taking Fallon's invitation.”

Bree opens her mouth to disagree, but Lana interrupts her before she can respond. “If what you say is true, then we'll go with you.”

Lucifer shakes his head. “Sorry, luv, but you can't join her. It would be too dangerous.”

I frown at his words. “Why would it be dangerous for Lana to go with Bree?”

He rolls his eyes and sighs with impatience. “Are you daft? Your friend is a bloody angel! She glows like a beacon in the night for any supernatural to see. It's best if she doesn't go with either of you. The last thing you want is to do is to draw more attention to you.”

Azazel and Fallon both look at Lana, then gasp in surprise. “How did I not notice what she was before?” Azazel mutters with astonishment.

Fallon nods, his face becoming grim. “Oh, this is not good.”

Lucifer rubs his chin in speculation. “I assume it's because whatever spell she had hiding her wore off after we arrived.”

Lana backs away, looking chagrined. “This is crazy. I don’t feel like an angel.”

Bree and I shrug. “We saw your wings, Lana. You’re an angel,” I whisper.

Lana’s face falls. “Fine. Whatever. What do I do then?” Everyone remains quiet. Our options are definitely limited. Then a thought strikes me. “Maybe we can ask Mathias if the Council can protect her.”

Lucifer sneers. “Those wankers can barely protect themselves. And who's to say that some of them are not working with Sahara or Marael? I wouldn't trust them.”

Azazel runs his hands through his hair in frustration. “And I can't take her with me because I have to protect Zoe.”

Lana shakes her head, looking dejected. “I'll just go and stay with a friend. I'll be fine.”

Fallon and Azazel shake their heads pityingly.

“No, there has to be something we can do. You can't be left unprotected now that you're revealed. It would be disastrous.” Fallon turns to Lucifer and gives him a deep, penetrating glare. “Perhaps she can go with you. No one would think that an angel would receive shelter from the King of Hell.”

Lucifer shakes his head vehemently. “I'm no bloody nanny. What kind of wanker would I look like if I brought an angel home with me?”

Fallon shakes his head. “We need your help, father. Keep in mind we're trying to save hell. It's the least you can do, considering her connection to you.” He mutters reproachfully. Thankfully, Lana is too freaked out by the situation to notice.

Lucifer’s face tightens at Fallon’s words. “I already told you, this changes nothing. She's not my bloody problem!”

Lana's mouth tightens into a grimace as the men discuss her fate. “You are such a selfish asshole!” She croaks out. Unaffected by her anger, Lucifer rises from his seat and gives her an arrogant grin. “No doubt about it, luv. It is who I am.”

Lana crosses her arms across her chest while giving him a killing glare. “Fine, I won't go with you. I definitely don't want to cramp your style. I'll just go now. I'll call you guys when I find a place to stay.”

Bree and I protest when she strides angrily to the front door. However, before she can leave, Lucifer wraps his hand around her waist and pulls her to the warmth of his body. Lana gives him a scathing glare. However, her anger is only a front to her rioting emotions. Her eyes sparkle with unshed tears as she looks into his cold eyes. “Let me go.” She grits out through trembling lips.

Lucifer does not release her as he gazes pensively into her eyes. Instead, he sighs mournfully and says. “Bloody hell, then, you can stay with me. However, I want you to do what I ask when I ask. No questions or reprimands.”

Lana shakes her head. “I'm not a puppet you can control.”

“I know.” He mutters gruffly. “I fancy no one would think that of you, luv. However, I'm not saying it to annoy you. I'm asking you to do what I ask for your sodding safety.”

Lana bites her lip, looking at him from beneath her lashes. “Okay, I'll do what you ask—within reason!” She adds with a warning glower. “Let's go!”

Lucifer rolls his eyes in frustration. “I'm already regretting my buggering decision. Very well.” Before he leaves, he turns to us and says. “Keep me updated.” Fallon and Azazel nod in reply.

Lucifer stops next to her, a frown marring his gorgeous features. “Are you ready?”

Lana rolls her eyes. “And just how are we going to get there? Am I supposed to fly us out of here? I know you think I'm an angel, but I don't see any wings.”

Lucifer releases an aggrieved sigh and shows her his wings. “I have my own, luv. However, how about I transport us instead?” Lana's mouth falls open as she gazes upon his magnificent wings. “Okay, that’ll work.” She mutters weakly. It would be funny if the situation weren't so dire.

I have to give it to her, though, because she composes herself quickly, gives us a tight hug and whispers. “I love you both.” We both hug her back, clinging tightly until she takes a step back and gives us a watery smile. “Everything will be okay.”

Turning to Lucifer, she extends her hand. “I'm ready. Let's go.” Lucifer quirks a brow at her gesture. “Sorry little one, that's not how this works.” Before Lana can ask, Lucifer wraps her in his arms, and they both disappear.

Bree gasps and makes to follow, but Fallon stops her before she can step outside. “She'll be fine. My father will protect her. She’s his mate, remember?”

Bree turns to Fallon, balling her hands into tight fists. “You do realize that your father is the devil? And even if he is her mate, he’s still a dick.”

Fallon snickers. “I do know that. However, don't be too quick to judge. He's not a bad father. He's just burdened with an occupation that was not of his choosing. And whether he’d like to admit it or not, he fancies her.”

Bree nods and takes a cautious step back. “Fine. What do we do then?”

“Sahara changed the game when she took all of you to hell. We have to speak to Creighton and see what he has to say about that. I just wish I knew what set Sahara off enough for her to betray Marael.”

A memory of Sahara's rant from earlier hits me at that moment. “Wait. Sahara was pissed earlier. She said something about Marael taking her amulet and how she was going to make her pay by taking us from her. Do you think this amulet might have something to do with her power and my siphon status?”

Bree nods in recollection. “Yeah, she was pretty livid that Marael took it from her.”

Both Azazel and Fallon raise an inquiring brow. “It's possible,” Fallon replies. “I guess we just have to figure out what kind of magic her amulet contains.”

I bite my lip and turn to Azazel. “What do you think happened to all the people in our building?” Azazel shakes his head. “It's possible that she just bewitched the building to transport you, Bree and Lana. It might appear as a regular apartment for the other tenants. It would make no sense for her to take everyone into the dimension. It would drain too much of her power. Plus, it’s not good press if a whole building of people disappeared, and I'm sure Sahara knows that.”

I sigh in relief, grateful that Sahara didn't hurt anyone else. Some of the people in the building are elderly.

Bree moves to stand next to me, her face set in a grim line. “What do we do now?”

Fallon and Azazel both look at each other, their faces set in resolution. “For now, Bree will go with Fallon, and you will come home with me. I'll talk to Mathias and see if he can have a few men monitor Sahara's club—and home in case she or Marael show up. I'll also ask him if his research on Sahara mentioned anything about the amulet Marael nicked from her. Our main focus right now is to keep you safe and find a way to remove the Siphon curse.” Bree glances in Fallon's direction with a nervous smile. “Uh...okay...when do we leave?” Fallon aims stoically towards the door. “Right now would be best.”

My chest swells with emotion at the thought that my friend will be leaving. Wrapping my arms around her, I kiss her on the temple. “Fallon will take care of you, B. Just be safe, okay. I love you.” Bree embraces me back and whispers. “I love you too. Call me if you need me.” We both split apart, giving each other weak smiles.

Fallon and Azazel both shift in place with a disconcerted frown. I guess they’re not used to seeing girls be so emotional. Men!

Bree steps close to Fallon, her face paling. “So, do we fly out of here or disappear like my sister and Lucifer?” Fallon releases his own wings and extends his hand. “I’d rather fly.” Bree gasps and takes a step back, surprised by the radiance of his wings. Unlike Lucifer, Fallon is more hesitant in his approach. He simply moves forward and holds his hands out to her.

Bree hesitates before she takes his hands in hers and steps into his arms. I watch in interest when Fallon leans down and whispers something in her ear. They make a very striking couple. Bree, with her fairy princess looks and Fallon with his dark, brooding expression. Fallon's wings flap as he rises with her in his arms and takes off into the night.

“We should go to,” Azazel whispers as he pulls my back to his chest and lays a kiss on my head. I nod and turn to face him. His golden eyes glow with pleasure, and his body hardens with my closeness. “I'm scared,” I whisper as I rest my head on his chest. Azazel wraps his around my waist and kisses my brow. “I know, luv. And no one is going to hurt you. They'll have to get through me for that, and I'm a hard demon to kill.” He moves back, looking into my eyes with a scowl. “But I need you to stay close. No more, trying to open any bloody doors without me. I thought I was going to go mad when you were sucked into hell.”

I run my hands over his firm chest with a nod. I can tell that he's serious about his reprimand. “You were really scared?” I ask, feeling my heart melt at his sweet words.

Azazel's mouth quirks as he lays butterfly kisses across my cheek and mouth. I tremble at the contact, my body becoming alert. “I was petrified.” He whispers as he pulls a strand of hair behind my ear. “I told you, I love you, and I've waited a very long time to find you. I’d be gutted if I lost you.” His words lift my heart because when I look into his eyes, I can tell that he's sincere. Rising to my toes, I pull him to me and kiss him.

Our lips meld, and our breaths mingle. It feels so good to taste him, lean my body close to his, and know that we belong to each other. His tongue caresses mine sensually. Azazel's large hands brush up and down my back, pulling me closer to his body.

Eventually, we break apart. Our chests are heaving, and our lips are swollen. Azazel sifts his fingers through my hair, never taking his eyes off mine.

“I love you too,” I whisper softly. You'd think that I had given him the greatest gift in the world by the way his eyes light up. However, my mate is not one to be humble. I almost roll my eyes when he quirks his mouth into a cocky smile and says. “It took you long enough to say it, luv.” I laugh at his look of admonishment. “Don't make me take it back.” He laughs, not fazed by my chiding tone. “You won't take it back. I won't let you because you know that I've loved you since the day I laid eyes on you in that gladiator arena. It was like I was struck by a thunderbolt. You're the other half of my soul.”

I won't pretend that I don't melt at his words. Because at that moment, I realize that this is true love at its most intense level. What Azazel feels for me is more than human emotion. It's a deep, guttural instinct that drives him. His heart is set to nth percent in us being happy forever. And even though it scares me a little, I also realize that nothing else will do for me either because I’m utterly and completely in love with him too.