Chapter 24 — Perfect beginning
Lucifer:
“No!” I cry out as I watch the love of my life stab herself in the heart and plunge into The Creator’s seal. Despair fills me as I rush to the chasm, but I know I will not get there in time. Bursts of light erupt around me, nearly blinding me as The Creator shatters to pieces like broken glass and is sucked into the void.
I don’t care what happens after that as the power gets sucked back into the abyss. I follow the current of power as it drains, but I don’t see Lana anywhere. Within seconds the power sizzles out, and all that is left is darkness. “Lana!” I call out helplessly, “Lana, I’m here!”
Unfortunately, the only sound that I hear is my voice echoing back to me. For minutes, I fly through the void until I finally reach the bottom. Searching around, I see nothing but the closed seal, sand, dirt and ash.
Anguish overwhelms me as I fall to my knees and claw at the ground. I’ve never cried before. Even as I fell, I refused to cry. But at this moment, tears rain down my face and sobs of sorrow erupt from my lips.
“Lucifer!” Michael calls out to me as he lands beside me and searches the space.
“She’s gone,” I mutter brokenly, “Lana’s gone.”
Michael rests his hand on my shoulder, his eyes mirroring my misery. “So are our mates,” he mutters mournfully, “They are all gone, frère.”
My eyes blur as I take one last look at the covered seal covered in ash.
The rest of my brothers land beside me and quietly mourn together, our heads bowed with grief.
Once we’re sure there is no other living being left inside the chambers, my brothers and I fly out and gasp when we see that all of the destruction is gone.
“Mon Dieu!” Michael sputters.
Rafael stops beside me, “Apolliana’s sacrifice must have annulled all of the destruction that was reaped.”
My throat clogs at the sound of Apolliana’s name.
Fallon and Bree appear before us at the moment, looking bedraggled but unharmed.
“Where’s my sister?” Bree asks as she frantically searches around. Tears blur her eyes as she turns to face me, “Where is she, Lucifer?”
My jaw ticks as I struggle to contain the desolation that threatens to burst inside of me.
Bree stops in front of me and pushes at my chest, her lips curled with rage as she pummels me, “Where is she!? Where is she!? Where is she!?” she screams over and over again until her energy is spent and she slumps into my arms. Holding her tightly, I join her in her grief as we both cry for our loss.
As steadily as I can, I recount Lana’s sacrifice, which makes Bree cry harder.
“I can’t believe she’s gone,” Bree cries out.
“We should go,” Fallon mutters.
I look at my brothers, “You’re welcome in my home,”
Each male wearily nods as they flash themselves to my throne.
Azazel and Zoe from their perch on the couch as soon as they see us.
Zoe rushes to Bree’s side. Before Zoe can ask, Bree tightens her arms around her sister and mutters, “She’s gone, Zoe. Lana’s gone.”
Both women cling together and break into tears.
Azazel’s eyes are hollow when they meet mine, “I’m so sorry, mate.”
I give him a grateful nod as I take a seat and slide my palms across my face.
That night, everyone holds a candlelight vigil for Lana. Within days, Zoe and Bree bury her casket next to her mother's grave. Because we were unable to gain possession of her body, we put keepsakes of her inside of the casket. I made her gravestone out of white dragon stone. Her gravestone read beloved sister, friend, daughter and soulmate. For hours, I sat in front of her grave and wept until Fallon found me and convinced me to go home.
The night, my brothers and I sit in my throne room and mourn together.
Rafael takes a large swig of bourbon and rests his elbow on his knees with a huff. “How could it hurt so much when I don’t even know what she looked like?”
Michael and Gabriel give him an agreeable nod.
At that moment, I realize that I was the luckiest of all of us because I at least spent time with my mate. I got to kiss her, bathe her, make love to her and hold her. My brothers never got that opportunity.
I take a couple of deep breaths as a crippling depression threatens to overwhelm me.
Though most humans have forgotten that the world nearly ended the night before, we are the select few who know what has been sacrificed.
Now that the world was set back to rights, everyone went back home. Fallon offered to stay with me, but I had to convince him that it was best if he cared for Bree during her grief.
One consolation that came out of our loss is that Bree and I became closer. When our anguish became too much to bear, I’d call her, or she’d call me, and we’d mourn together.
Weeks pass without any respite for my anguish. My brothers choose to stay in my home and try to keep me, and themselves distracted from their own pain. My brothers do not seem to be doing any better. Michael goes back and forth from my fortress to his home and his work as a profession, while Gabriel and Rafael help me in hell. Gabriel seems to be the one who is taking it the hardest, though we are all suffering. He’s taken to fighting at one of Michael’s underground rings to expel his rage.
I try to keep busy by doing everything that I can, but my nights are spent grieving for Lana. The sheets smell like her, and I consistently find myself reaching for her at night. When I become exhausted enough to sleep, I dream of her. It’s a crushing cycle of grief.
Tonight, we’re sitting around the fireplace talking when a bright light flashes in front of us.
We snap up from our seats, ready to fight until we come face to face with the Moirai Clotho.
Michael visibly relaxes, but the others remain ready to fight.
Clotho’s cherubic features are neutral as she gazes upon us. Like before, she’s wearing a pleated, white dress and her hair is spread around her face, emphasizing her large, blue eyes and luminescent ebony skin. Somehow, her childish features do not seem to disguise the ancient power radiating off her.
I bow my head with respect as I face her. “Moirai Clotho, welcome to my home.”
Clotho gives me a congenial smile as she faces the others. My brothers seem unnerved by her presence but follow suit and bow.
“What may I help you with, Clotho?” I ask.
Clotho lightly flutters her lashes as she approaches me, “Our Pantheons have heard of The Creator’s fall.”
I nod grimly as I swallow down the pain that threatens to drown me, “Yes, Apolliana sacrificed herself before The Creator could gain his full power.”
Clotho raises her tiny hands and holds them palm up, “Yes, I heard of that as well. That is why I am here.”
My brow furrows with confusion, “Please, explain,”
Clotho paces around the table and appraises the room with curiosity, “Through her selfless act, Apolliana not only saved the lives of beings in heaven, hell and earth, but she also freed enslaved pantheons that the Creator had trapped with his power.”
I shrug, “Though I’m destroyed by her loss, I’m sure she’d be pleased that her sacrifice was not in vain.”
Clotho’s smile widens, “And her sacrifice shall be rewarded.”
My ears thrum as I consider what she means, “I don’t understand,”
Clotho’s eyes glow as she approaches my table and waves her hand across the surface. As soon as she does, a familiar female figure appears on top of the table.
Everyone rushes forward and gasps with shock as soon as they see who it is, “Lana,” I cry out with surprise.
Lana’s lashes flutter before she opens her eyes, sees me, and rises from her perch on the table. Her long white dress flutters as she stops in front of me, “Lucifer?” she murmurs huskily.
Without another word, I reach for her and engulf her in my arms, “Lana,” I cry into her silken hair.
Her hands wrap around my neck as she pulls her head back and kisses me, “You’re alive,” I mumble happily.
Tears of happiness run down her face as she searches my face. “I’m alive,” she sobs out, “I’m here,”
Clotho clears her throat, reminding us that we’re not alone. “Though we were unclear of Apolliana’s fate, my sisters and I chose not to cut her lifeline and weaved it so that her humanity perished, but her angel lived.”
She looks at Lana, “You are still yourself, but you are now fully angelic, Lana. Changing someone’s fate is usually not allowed, but with The Creator’s destruction, all of the surviving pantheons agreed to make you the exception.”
Lana and I give the ancient child a grateful smile.
“Thank you, Clotho. You’ve returned my heart.” I mutter.
Clotho bows her head congenially before she looks at my brothers and gently mutters, “Do not despair, Michael, guardian of heaven, Rafael, ruler of heaven and Gabriel warrior of heaven. Your mates are not lost, just their dark fates as the horsewomen. When the time comes, you will find them again.”
Michael releases a relieved sigh, “Do you know where they are, Clotho?”
Clotho shakes her head, “Unfortunately, there’s nothing more that I can say other than fate will bring you together. Good fortune in finding your loves,” she mutters before she flashes out of the room.
Lana and I look at my brothers, “It looks like your adventures have yet to begin,” I tell my brothers.
Michael takes Lana into his arms and embraces her tightly, “I am so glad that you’re alive, chérie.”
Lana pats his back warmly and waves at the others, “Thank you,”
I look at my brothers as I pull her back into my arms, “I’m going to take Lana to see her sister. We can speak in the morning and see if we can strategize ways on how to find your mates.”
My brothers give me a grateful nod and give Lana a warm smile before they flash out of the room.
Lana turns to me and mutters, “How long have I…” she clears her throat, “How long have I been gone?”
I clench my jaw tightly when I think of the empty weeks I’ve spent mourning her. “A bit over a fortnight, luv.”
Her brow’s rise with alarm, “I’ve been…gone for almost three weeks?”
I nod as I take her hands and lift them to my lips, “Your sister had a funeral ceremony for you,” I say as I kiss the tip of her fingers, needing to feel her, “It was quite lovely but heartbreaking,” I can jest about it now that she’s in my arms, but I don’t think I can ever erase the image of her casket being lowered into the ground from my head. I don’t know how these bloody humans do it.
Her eyes mist as she wraps her hands around mine and rests her forehead against my chin. “I’m so sorry,” she whispers.
Happier than I’ve felt in a long time, I kiss the top of her head and inhale her sweet vanilla scent. “I thought my heart was ripped out of my chest when you sacrificed yourself,” I croak huskily.
Lana looks up at me and kisses my chin, “I couldn’t let the world suffer because of my mistakes.”
My hands move up and down her shoulders and massage them gently. “I know, luv. Though it hurt me deeply, I understood.”
Lana smiles, “Well, I’m here now, and I’m ready to be with you if that’s what you wish.”
I inhale deeply, “You are the love of my life, Lana. I don’t just wish for you to stay by my side; I crave it with every fiber of my being.”
“Now, let’s go see your sister,” I murmur as I flash us to my son’s home. I can’t wait to see the look on the women’s faces.