Chapter 22 - Lost
Cain:
As long as I live, I will never forget how the arrow pierced through Lilith’s heart. I won’t forget the cry that escaped my lips when I saw her fall. How I held her in my arms as she took her last breath. As the Tenebrous’ power circles her and is siphon through the arrow, scenes of Lilith’s life appear before us.
A gasp resounds beside me when Lilith’s son Fallon falls to his knees, his eyes glued to the passing scenes. Tears run down his face as he looks down at his mother. This time I can see that he’s no seeing the horrible bitch he thought she was. This time he sees a small, wounded girl who suffered greatly every moment of her life. The reality of what Lilith suffered so that she wouldn’t hurt her own son is finally revealed. We both watch tearfully as Lilith pushes her son away, fighting against the Tenebrous’ hold, so she won’t hurt him. We see how she punishes herself when she fails to control her rage.
Leaning down, I wipe the blood that falls from her lips, and kiss her temple. Several seconds pass before Lilith takes one last breath and grows still.
The arrow glows brighter with the harnessed power, making me blink.
“No!” I cry out when the arrow disappears, and Lilith’s body turns to ashes and crumbles beneath my fingers.
“It is done,” Ma’at mutters gently, her eyes full of pity as she observes me fall apart, “The Tenebrous is harnessed, and the arrow has returned to its owner. Lilith is now at peace. I will give you time to care for her remains and be here when you’re ready to accept your redemption.”
Uncaring of her news, I ignore her statement. Nothing matters but my loss at that moment.
Somehow, I manage to rise from the floor and wipe my tears before producing an urn and using my magic to collect the ashes.
Once they are all safely ensconced inside of the urn, I turn to Lucifer. “I’m going to spread her ashes in the ocean near my villa in Greece. I think she would like that.”
Lucifer looks haunted as he pats his distraught son on the shoulder and nods. “We’ll accompany you.”
I don’t give Ma’at another look as I flash to my villa. Lucifer and Fallon appear beside me a second later. Fallon looks around before he faces his father. “Did you know?”
Lucifer arches a questioning brow, “Did I know what?”
Fallon growls, “Did you know about her? About the things that happened to her? That she was following me? Did you know that?”
Lucifer looks at me, then back at his son. “I did. I saw her past the last time that I siphoned her power. I also caught her watching you from a distance several weeks ago.”
Fallon shakes his head dejectedly, “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Lucifer throws his hands up, “It was Lilith’s story to tell, and you’d become angry any time I’d bring up her name.”
Fallon’s eyes glaze with tears, “This whole time I thought she detested me. That she didn’t want me but…” he swallows deeply, “She pushed me away to save me from her. All of the things I said to her. I was so hurtful.”
I move toward the male and softly whisper, “Lilith understood your anger and never blamed you for it. When the Divinity Pantheon sent me after her, I followed her, and I caught her watching you several times. Though she was sad you didn’t want to speak to her, I know she enjoyed those glimpses she caught on her outings.”
Lucifer nods. “I told her that she was acting dodgy and that she should talk to you, but she was adamant about not interfering in your life.”
Fallon’s eyes hone in on Lilith’s urn. “She’s gone.”
I nod brokenly. “I will never forget her.”
Lucifer clears his throat, focusing our attention back on him, “What if she wasn’t gone?”
My brow furrows, “What do you mean?”
Lucifer takes the urn and places his hand on the lid, “Perhaps it's time that hell had another ruler.”
Fallon and I listen intently as Lucifer breaks down a plan that makes hope kindle in my heart.