Chapter 12 — Wait, there’s more?

Lucifer:

I hold Lana’s hand as I flash us back to her temporary home. This morning we woke up, made love, and bathed together. Or at least I tried to bathe before I bent her over the shower stall and took her again. We kissed and touched for a while, content to be in each other’s arms until we had no choice but to leave.

“I know there’s a lot we need to speak about, luv. Can I come by tonight?” I mutter against her plump lips.

I want to explain everything, but with how delicate her tenuous hold on Apolliana is at the moment, I worry that I might drive her over the edge.

Lana throws her arms around me and crushes her lips to mine. The sensation of finally holding her and kissing her without deceit is extremely liberating. Though we still have a great deal to discuss and work through, I’m thoroughly enjoying having her in my arms.

By the time we end the kiss, we’re both thoroughly breathless. “I’ll see you later.” She replies before she gathers a couple of things and walks out of the door.

Lana doesn’t know this, but I placed several guards around the perimeter to watch over her. I gave strict orders for my guards to remain unseen. I’m sure Lana would not be too keen to know that I have guards watching over her.

As soon as I see that she’s comfortably working with her team, I flash to Azazel’s office and meet with him, Fallon and Michael.

Michael strides toward me and arches a brow. “How is Lana?”

I look at my son before I turn to my brother. “She was a bit shaken. It seems she saw everything that Apolliana did but was unable to take the reins. Lana says that she has also been gaining memories of her time in heaven.”

“If she remembers, then Apolliana is most assuredly devenir plus fort,” Growing stronger. Michael states. “Did she say anything else?”

I shake my head, “She talks about her angel as if it was a separate entity and says that Apolliana is very angry at both of us.”

He swallows deeply and nods. “That is expected.”

Fallon moves forward and stops beside Michael. “Would you care to explain to me why the bloody apocalypse almost began last night?”

Michael and I grimace. “As we agreed, we spoke to Lana, and she became a bit agitated, which seemed to have brought forth her angel. Apolliana was quite upset by our interference and decided to give us a demonstration of her power. Fortunately, we were able to place the siphon necklace around her neck and weaken her before she could cause any real damage.”

“This is disastrous, father. My mate is so upset by this that she could barely sleep last night.”

“I understand your frustration, Fallon, but there’s nothing we can do until we find a way to help her angel. Perhaps you should talk to Bree and see if she can convince Lana to come home until we can figure this all out? I tried, but she declined. She blathered about keeping herself busy or some nonsense.”

Fallon’s jaw ticks. “Bree is speaking to her now. Hopefully, she can get through to her.”

Azazel approaches our little group and extends an old book toward me. “Bree’s not the only one who is concerned about Lana. Zoe just asked me if I would take her and Bree to see her this morning. I told her to hold off until we’re sure that Lana is safe.”

I take the book, “I’m sure they weren’t very happy about that.”

He snorts, “Zoe threatened to cut off my bollocks if I didn’t get this settled swiftly.”

I nod. “It seems our women are not happy with any of us.”

Azazel gestures to the book. “Either way, Bree, Zoe, Fallon and I spent the whole night searching through the books Michael gave us, and I think we found some useful information.”

Everyone’s eyes focus on the volume in my hand. “What did you find?”

Azazel gestures for everyone to take a seat across the conference table’s smooth surface and lays out several photocopies on top of the table. He waves for me to settle the book on the table, which I promptly do. Michael looks at the book. “In Libro Regum,” he mutters. “The Book of Kings.”

Azazel nods, “At first, we weren’t sure what we’d find. Because not only is it in Latin, but the scriptures are quite involved.” He scrolls through the book and opens it to a specific page. “Then we saw this, Pestifer Mundi, the destroyer of worlds. At first, it discusses the plagues, but as we continued to read, we found information about Lana.”

Fatum enim et creator est, qui potest non mutare, ut destinatum est. Geminis dividentur. Et unum mortis exitium. Amor hominis perdidisse diabolus peribit. Humanitas erit sacrificium si non sanguinis humani aestus avertere.

He points to the section with the word Geminis. I read it out loud, “For destiny and The Creator cannot change that which is meant to be. Gemini shall be divided. One of death and destruction. The Devil shall lose his love, and humanity shall be lost. Only humanity shall be a sacrifice, if it were not in the blood of humanity, to turn the tide.”

My throat clogs, and my voice stutters at the mention of the devil losing his love. Fallon places his hand on my shoulder as if to keep me grounded.

“This speaks of Lana and Apolliana’s eventual division from each other. Obviously, the part about death and destruction talks about Apolliana. The part about the devil losing his love…” Azazel’s voice fades as he gazes back at me with a pitying expression.

Fallon’s jaw tightens, and Michael’s shoulders stiffen. “Merde!” he curses beneath his breath wretchedly.

“It says that humanity shall be a sacrifice if it were not in the blood of humanity to turn the tide. How can humanity turn the tide if they are the sacrifice?” Fallon asks.

Azazel points to the documents on the table. “We found several other scrolls that mention the word Pestifer Mundi again. This time it’s in Gaelic.”

Aon uair ‘s gu bheil anam Gemini a’ bàsachadh. Bidh sgriosadair an t-saoghail ag èirigh agus thèid daonnachd a chall air eagal ‘s gun dèan daonnachd ìobairt.

“Once the Gemini soul perishes. The destroyer of worlds shall rise, and humanity will be lost lest humanity makes a sacrifice.” I interpret it again.

Azazel uncovers several more documents in ancient languages that share the same sentiment as the first two. Michael’s brow furrows. “Does it say how her soul will perish?”

Before anyone can answer, a female voice interjects, “We think that means that Lana’s going to die in some kind of accident.”

Everyone turns to face the new visitors. Zoe, Bree and another female stand in the room next to my former demon lord, Samael’s son.

“What are you doing here, luv?” Zoe gives Azazel an annoyed glare as she strides forward until she’s right in front of him. “You didn’t actually think I’d stay out of this considering one of my best friends is in danger, did you?”

Bree stops beside her and places her hand on her hip with a haughty scowl. “I’m here to save my sister, and if you have a problem with it, you can step aside.”

Fallon gives his mate a proud smile and wraps his arm around her waist. “You are an amazing woman, my love.”

The young hybrid male, Mikhail, takes the unknown female’s hand and steps forward. I arch a brow when he stops in front of me. “Lucifer, we’re here to help your mate.”

I bow my head humbly before I turn my gaze to the young Seraphim female. Her mouth gapes open as she takes me in. Mikhail nudges her shoulder and says, “This is my mate, Nevaeh. Her father is Mathias, the head of the Council.”

I take the female’s hand and squeeze it gently. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, luv. It’s rare to see female angels in our world. Angels have difficulty bearing children. Even half-blood ones.”

Nevaeh smiles. “Yeah, Mathias told me that too. He said that I was his miracle.”

Michael stops beside me, diverting my thoughts back to the matter at hand, “Frère, I believe the Siren a un point,” has a point. “What if it is as simple as Lana passing?”

Zoe and Bree frown solemnly.

My jaw pops with unrestrained emotion. “Then I need to ensure that Lana’s protected at all times until we can find a way to save her.”

Bree throws her hands up in the air frustratedly, “We can’t be around her twenty-four-seven, Lucifer. Do you really think that Lana would let us?”

Michael interjects, “Lucifer and I do not require as much sleep as other creatures. We can take turns watching over her until we find a way to save her.”

Bree’s fiery eyes snap up to his, “And why should I trust you. You don’t even know my sister.”

Fallon tightens his arm around her and mutters soothing words in her ear.

Thankfully, Michael is not offended by her temper. “You do not need to trust me, chérie. But you’re wrong. I do know your sister. I knew Lana long before she was human, and I would protect her until my last dying breath.”

Bree stumbles back with surprise while the others look on incredulously. “Did you really know Lana when she was an angel?”

Michael nods, “Oui, I knew her.”

Zoe’s brow furrows, “Who are you?”

I give the women an admiring nod, “Bree, Zoe, this is my brother, Michael.”

Zoe arches a brow, “As in the archangel, Michael?”

Michael gives her a humble smile, “Oui,”

Bree gives Zoe a knowing look before she retorts, “Okay, but having you two watch over her is only a temporary solution since she refuses to come home,” she looks at Zoe and rolls her eyes, “We already tried, and she shut us down.”

Zoe releases a resigned sigh, “She so damn stubborn.”

“It’s alright, luv. Lana’s trip will be coming to a conclusion soon, and it will be easier for us to care for her. Until then, we need to continue looking for a way to save her. Finding the prophecy was a start, but we still need to know how to stop the apocalypse.” Fallon mutters.

The mood is grim as they go back to their homes to continue their research.

Michael stands beside me and is about to speak when Mikhail and his mate, Nevaeh, approach.

Mikhail looks at Michael with wonder. Archangels are even rarer than female angels. Most of the others chose to stay in heaven.

“Are you really the archangel, Michael?” Mikhail states, starstruck.

“Oui,” Michael answers. “Enchantée. Comme c’est étrange…” How strange. “…you are a half-breed angel and a demon. That is most uncommon.”

Mikhail snorts, “Yeah, that’s what the nice supernaturals think when they meet me. The rest either want to see me dead or are disgusted by my existence.”

Michael quirks a brow. “Ne laissez pas l’ignorance des autres diminuer à vos réalisations. Ce que vous êtes n’est pas à craindre, mais à célébrer.”

Michael looks at me for translation, but it’s Nevaeh who answers. “He said, Don’t let the ignorance of others diminish your accomplishments. What you are is not to be feared but to be celebrated.”

Michael smiles in reply. “Tu parles francais?”

Nevaeh smiles, “I took it in high school.” She wraps her arm around Mikhail’s forearm.

Michael smiles at the young mates, “It’s beautiful to see so many mated couples. In our time, it was a rare thing. Lana was the first and only archangel. Most rare females are Seraphims or half-bloods.”

Nevaeh’s smile widens. “Weirdly enough, neither of you have called me a Nephilim like everyone else.”

Michael nods, “Though we are fallen, we can sense most angelic bloodlines. Your lineage is quite strong. Your father must be an ancient Seraphim.”

“Yeah, he’s pretty old,” she answers cheekily.

Michael and I chuckle in response because even the oldest Seraphim isn’t as old as we are. We were the first.

“My brother Kell and his mate were unable to come here due to scheduling conflicts, but they are working on helping Lana as well. Mara is a Breija and is working on her visions to see if she can glean any information on the Destroyer’s prophecy. She also has the power to absorb and interpret information from scriptures.” Mikhail states.

Michael and I give him a congenial nod. Having a Breija on our side can become a valuable commodity. Breijas have a variety of powers. Some think they’re even stronger than Seers or Oracles because they can Astro project and duplicate powers.

“Thank you. We truly appreciate your help.”

They give us hopeful nods before they walk away.

“I have to go and meet with several of my lords now. It seems that the seven circles are in a bit of an uproar after Apolliana’s show of power.”

Michael nods, “I will go and keep Lana company then.”

I want to argue, but I know it would be petty. Though I have ordered my best guards to care for my mate, I know Michael’s vigilance would be far more valuable. That’s why I swallow down my jealousy and steadily reply, “I have guards watching over her, but I’m sure she’d welcome your assistance.”

Michael tilts his head to the side and quirks his lip. “Is there something else you’d like to say? Perhaps you’d like to warn me away from your love again?”

Jaw clenched, I give my brother a tight smile. “No, I do not have anything to say because you already know what I’d do to you. That’s why I’m going to trust you to graciously care for my mate without letting your emotions overwhelm you. Can you do that, Michael?”

His smile widens. “Nous verrons.” We shall see. He answers slyly.

I want to argue with him, but I can see the git is only doing it to provoke me. “You’re such a wanker,” I reply mirthfully.

Michael chuckles. “Oui, and you make it so easy to tease you.”

I roll my eyes at my brother’s childish behavior. “Just keep my mate safe, you git. Because if you don’t, I will rip those bloody wings you treasure so dearly from your body.”

Unlike other supernatural beings on hell and earth, my brother is not easily intimidated by me. Rather than cringe in fear, he gives me a smug salute and vanishes from sight.

Hopefully, Lana will not be angry that we’re ensuring her safety. My mate can be quite contrary when she wishes to be.