Chapter 15

Lucifer's POV

This can't be real?

I looked over at Gabriel and saw him staring at me.

"I am sorry about your friend and her beginning into this world, that woman," Clotho shook her head.

"She is heinous."

But what does this mean for Catalina and I?

Catalina. She was the daughter of Cain, the eternal wanderer. Cursed to spend eternity always moving, never settling in one place. He had always been a great ally, granted he was one of the only beings I could ever talk to considering everyone else was locked away and forbidden to find me. He was as close to what I considered a friend to be. And we just learned that he had a daughter, and I was in love with his daughter. And what that woman had said,

The King will come for you.

Long live the Queen.

She was right, In a twisted way I had come for Catalina.

"Catalina is Cain's daughter?" Gabriel shook his head as the question escaped him.

Clotho nodded her head,

"It would seem so," a smile tugged at her lips,

"He always seemed like he would make a good girl dad to me."

"What does this mean for Lucifer and Catalina then?" Gabriel asked, his voice sounding gruff as if he was holding himself back.

"Only your friend and Lucifer can answer that question."

I couldn't deny that in these past few months, I had found myself wanting to get closer to her. I enjoyed our training sessions, actually I found myself excited about them and excited to see her. I enjoyed having her company around the house and that night at the bar? When I had gotten so angry at the thought of someone hurting her or even touching her and when that guy kissed her. I saw red. I was angry and pissed because she was-

She was mine.

"Now while it has been a pleasure seeing you two again, we must go. Apparently someone," Clotho glanced at Lachesis,

"Left the stove on at home." Clotho returned her gaze to us,

"I hope to see you both again soon."

Within seconds the sisters were gone and Gabriel and I were alone. His eyes were hard as he remained staring at the spot where The Fates had once stood.He was pissed.

"Did you know about the fire?" I asked him, unable to stop myself

"No, No I didn't."

I didn't expect him to. If the fire had happened to her as a babe I doubt she even remembered it. A few moments of silence passed, and the look of anger never left Gabriel's eyes.

"Stay away from her," Gabriel whispered out,

"No." I turned to face him to find his fists curled at his side, his face contorted with rage.

"Do you expect me to stand here and believe that you have some feelings for her? That you care about her?!"

"I will not insult you by lying and saying that I don't have feelings for her because I do Gabriel and maybe I had them for a while but I had dismissed them, but after last night, when that piece of shit had his hands on her,"

She was mine. I should have known when I was overcome with rage when she told me about her therapist. I should have known when I found myself wanting to comfort her and be around her but last night was when it clicked into place for me when I finally acknowledged what I already knew to be true. The vision just confirmed what I already knew I felt.

"I know that she is your friend Gabriel but I will not hide what I feel for her,"

"I don't give a shit what you feel for her! You are staying far away from her."

Over my dead fucking body.

"That is not your decision to make."

Gabriel walked up to me, his face mere inches from mine, his rage pouring over him, consuming him.

"You will put her in danger so stay the fuck away from her."

"I would never harm her! And perhaps we should let Catalina decide that."

"Maybe you should just leave."

Not a chance.

"She has a choice in this Gabriel and you cannot make this decision for-"

"WHAT DECISION!" Gabriel erupted.

"Do you honestly believe she reciprocates any feelings towards you?"

I had hoped so. She never said outright what her feelings were but then again neither had I. It was in her eyes though, when she tended to my hands after beating up her therapist, When she had been so worried about me getting hurt or in trouble. The way she opened up and talked to me as if she trusted me. Whether Gabriel liked it or not I cared for Catalina and I hoped she cared for me as well.

"I don't know but perhaps if I tell her then she-"

"You will do no such thing." Gabriel hissed.

"You do not get to tell me when I can and cannot express how I feel towards her."

That wasn't his call.

"No Lucifer I can't but I can make sure you don't have a chance to say it."

What the hell is he talking about?

"When we get back, pack your shit and get the fuck out of my house."

* * *

Catalina's POV

I swear if I see one more Kardashian ad on this screen I will lose my ever-loving mind.

I tossed the remote aside on the little end table as I heard the front door unlock and slam shut.

Oh shit, they're back!

I opened the door to my room and raced into the living room. Gabriel and Lucifer were both standing there with pained looks of anger on their faces.

What the hell happened?

"What's going on?" I asked as I glanced between the two of them.

"Nothing," Gabriel whispered out.

Liar.

"You both should know by now how much I hate liars. So spill what happened." I took a seat on the arm of the couch and waited. Lucifer was the first to respond.

"I need to pack." His voice was tight and clipped with anger.

Well, he's pissed.

"Why do you need to pack?" I asked as he walked past me to his room.

"LUCIFER!" I called out again but he ignored me and slammed his door shut. I looked towards Gabriel who was looking down the hallway, seething with rage.

"Gabriel, what the fuck happened?"

"Get in your room until he's gone."

He can't be serious right now!

"Not until you tell me what happened." Gabriel walked over and in a low voice responded,

"Catalina for once in your life just do as you are told."

Fuck this shit.

I walked around him and began to make my way to Lucifer's room. I was going to get answers whether they liked it or not and if Gabriel wasn't going to tell me then I would make sure Lucifer would.

Before I could even cross the threshold into the hallway, Gabriel picked me up and threw me over his shoulder.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME!

"GAbrIEL PUT ME DOWN!" I shouted but he ignored me and turned around to walk towards my room.

I AM NOT A TOY YOU CAN JUST MOVE AROUND!

I tried to get him to put me down, but hitting his back did nothing and I was getting pissed.

I placed my hands gently on his back as a familiar warmth coursed through me.

"OW SHIT!" Gabriel yelled as he released me, his back arching in pain as I hit the floor. I looked up and saw Gabriel walking fast towards me, I closed my eyes waiting for the verbal lashing but it never came. A warm gust of wind brushed across my skin as I opened my eyes and saw Lucifer standing there in front of me, his back to me as he faced Gabriel.

"Walk away," Lucifer said in a hushed yet lethal tone. It sounded as if he was trying to hold himself back. As if he was struggling to remember that Gabriel was his brother, not an enemy.

Gabriel yanked his arm out of Lucifer's grasp,

"You're angry and I get that, but you take it up with me not her. Do I make myself clear?" This wasn't the voice of Lucifer I had come to know. This was the voice of the Prince of Darkness and his voice was beautifully lethal.

Lucifer inched closer,

"If you ever raise a hand to her again, I will make sure that what was done to me all those years ago will seem like a mercy compared to what I will do to you."

Well damn.

The way Lucifer spoke was captivating. I couldn't take my eyes off him. The sound of his voice, even though it was threats coming from his mouth, was hypnotic.

Gabriel smirked at Lucifer as he whispered ever so softly that I almost didn't hear,

"Already protecting what you think is yours I see."

His? What the fuck are they talking about?

I stood up off the floor and grabbed Lucifer's hand to steady myself as I got between the two of them and pushed them apart. A sibling brawl was something I didn't expect to happen today.

"Alright, you two I don't know what happened but you two need to cut the shit before someone else gets hurt."

Without taking his eyes off Gabriel, Lucifer spoke,

"Take a walk, Gabriel."

Gabriel looked at Lucifer and then back to me. His gaze shifted down as he took notice of my hand in Lucifer's.

Shit, I forgot I was still holding his hand.

Lucifer's grip on my hand slightly tightened as Gabriel stormed past us and walked out. Slamming the front door behind him.

"I should probably go after him and make sure he's alright." I let go of his hand and made my way to the door when I felt a slight tug on my hand.

"We need to talk." His eyes softened as I felt him wrap his pinky around mine. I gave him a small smile,

"When I get back we'll talk okay?"

He nodded his head and opened the door for me,

"Just be careful okay,"

I nodded my head as he gently shut it once I was outside.

* * *

He really should find a new spot to mope in.

This was Gabriel's favorite spot to be when he was angry. It was a good twenty-minute walk from the house but with the wings, he could be here in less than two minutes. There was a boulder that he liked to sit on overlooking the small creek. Gabriel always said the soft sounds of the outdoors always seemed to calm him. It helped him sort through all the voices and distractions that crowded his head.

"Are you alright?" I asked him, staying a good distance away. Just in case.

I watched as his shoulders rise and fall as he took a deep breath,

"I'm sorry for how I acted at the house. I didn't mean to lash out like that at you."

Cautiously, I walked over and took the seat beside him on the boulder,

"Gabriel, what happened?" Gabriel never lashed out like that. He was always better at keeping his emotions in check so for him to lose control like that, Whatever made him lose control like that it had to be something serious.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before he answered,

"Ever since I have known you, all I've wanted to do is protect you and keep you safe." He paused but I knew he had more to say.

"Do you know why my brother was cast out?"

Strange question.

I shook my head. I've never really been one for biblical stories, even though my mother tried her best to drill them into my head. All those years forcing me to go to church, to then go home and sit and listen to her read the bible for hours. Honestly, I was glad I learned how to tone her out yet she never touched on Lucifer's story all that much.

"A few years after our father and the other gods created you mortals, some rumors had begun to spread about Lucifer. Rumors that he thought humans were not perfect enough, a flawed and broken creation, and that he hated them. Some shit went down and our father and brother Micheal decided Lucifer was too much of a risk especially with how powerful he was becoming. So they decided to lock him out of his home and deny him entry to ours."

Gabriel took another deep breath and I could tell this was difficult for him. I grasped his hand as he continued,

"Lucifer was angry for so many years, but mortals were safe, Hell was closed off and his power was gone. We could rest knowing he was no longer a risk, but with Lucifer stuck here we were always on edge about what he would do, but without access to Hell or his power, he was essentially just a mortal with anger issues and we'd be able to handle him."

"What happened between him, your father, and Micheal?"

Gabriel shrugged and said,

"No one knows except them but Lucifer lashed out badly enough that our father saw it only fair to banish him." He glanced at me very briefly,

"He tends to let anger drive his actions sometimes."

A trait that runs in the family I see.

"And sometimes those actions are catastrophic." he finished.

Gabriel looked at me again, a touch of softness accompanied his eyes as he looked at me,

"I'm not telling you this so you can sympathize with him, I'm telling you this so that you can remember how dangerous he is. He might be all smiles and warm around you but inside he is a monster and he has done plenty of evil and horrendous things in his life and has plenty of blood on his hands."

Monster. I fucking hate that word.

I hated that Gabriel couldn't see that Lucifer wasn't the same person he was when he fell all those years ago. Gabriel still saw only the bad in Lucifer, not the good. And that bothered me. Lucifer was many things, sarcastic, egotistical, cunning, and devious. But he was also fearless and protective, charming yet assertive. Lucifer did care for people and yes he had a rather dramatically murderous way of showing it, but he still cared. He cared more than most people did.

"I think it's best if I form my own opinion of him, don't you think?"

I moved to stand up but he grabbed my hand, pulling me back down next to him.

"He'll hurt you."

I intertwined my fingers with his and told him,

"Plenty of people have hurt me, but you two have made sure that no matter what I can always defend myself."

It was true. No matter what Gabriel had always made sure I was protected or had protection while Lucifer was making sure that I could take care of myself and hold my own. I grabbed his other hand and pulled us both up and off the boulder,

"When you are ready to talk about what happened I'll be right here ready to listen." I hugged him for a few moments before walking back to the house. I understood what Gabriel was saying but I couldn't believe it. Lucifer wasn't the monster people thought he was. Sure he was a bit protective but it was because he cared. He just wanted the people he cared for to be safe because if anyone knew what kind of horrors there were in the world, it would be him. Lucifer cared. He cared a lot and it was one of the things I had come to appreciate about him.

* * *

Twenty Minutes Later I was back at the house. I opened the door to see Lucifer standing outside on the balcony, His hands clasped behind his back. Even from behind, I could tell he was gazing up at the night sky. The soft glow of the full moon highlighted the slight hues of blue throughout his dark black hair.

Here we go.

"Gabriel will probably be out for a few hours until he calms down," I told him as I walked over to stand next to him on the balcony.

"It is a beautiful evening, perhaps the cool air will do him some good."

I hope you're right.

"So what did you want to talk about?" I asked him as I turned and lifted myself to sit on the ledge. He was silent for a few seconds as if contemplating what he wanted to say. His eyes were at war with deciding where to look as his gaze shifted from me to the sky and then back to me.

"I think we should increase your training to five days a week instead of three."

Oh.

"How come?"

I knew I was improving and I loved the training but damn did I enjoy those days off too.

"I just believe you should be more prepared, especially after seeing what Gabriel did today."

Yeah, he's never going to let me live that down.

"So that means you're staying then?"

"Yes."

Before I could even open my mouth to respond, Lucifer turned away and headed down the hallway to his bedroom. A few seconds later his door slammed shut.

This is not going to be good.

I wasn't a stranger to sibling brawls. Hell, my siblings and I had arguments all the time. Sometimes those arguments ended badly but they usually blew over in a few hours. Well, that was until the last argument we all had. But Gabriel and Lucifer were different. These past few months they had gotten closer and closer. It was honestly hilarious to watch them bicker, both of them old as hell yet they argued like children. They had little spats here and there but within a few hours, they were fine and back to being their usual selves. So what the fuck happened?

* * *

Lucifer's POV

I had barely gotten any sleep last night. The vision that the Fates had shown me and Gabriel kept replaying in my head over and over again. The horror that Catalina had survived as a baby, Discovering she was meant to be by my side. I was going to tell her. I was going to tell her everything and confess what I felt for her on that balcony, but it wasn't the right time. She was still a little rattled from her earlier encounter with Gabriel and honestly, I didn't exactly know how to tell her how I felt. A part of me was also worried about the possibility of rejection. What if Gabriel was right and she had no feelings for me? What if she only saw me as a companion and nothing more? Would my confession have ruined this….friendship? alliance? whatever this was. If she didn't feel the same way and I confessed to her what I felt, everything would fall apart.

Gabriel said he had no idea about the fire, but I wondered if he had any suspicions about who her father was.

Gabriel, Shit…

How the hell was I going to deal with him?

Well, I'm awake now better to just get it over with.

I pulled myself out of bed and pulled on a clean shirt and jeans and made my way to the kitchen.

Dammit.

"I thought I told you to get the fuck out of my house Lucifer." Gabriel seethed as I walked into the kitchen and to the freshly brewed pot of coffee.

"I didn't say anything to her." Gabriel finally decided to look at me,

"And why's that? Doubt she reciprocates the feelings?" he replied, a mocking tone decorating his voice.

"If she does have feelings for me, I'd rather they be true and genuine. Not coerced by some vision that could easily change." Seeing our two shadows appear in that crystal filled me with an emotion I hadn't felt in eons. Yet I knew it could change, her mother should have known as well that things in the future can change at the drop of a hat. The vision in the crystal showed Catalina and me together. Yet if she didn't want me, if she found herself repulsed by me, that vision could easily change. One decision is all it would take to change the course of her life and mine.

Gabriel tensed as he continued to stare at me,

"You expect me to believe you care about what she wants? That you give a damn about her decisions and choices?"

Dick.

"She has already had enough taken from her, she should be able to control her future and what she does with it, and who she decides to share it with. Without the influence of other's opinions!"

I burst out, angry at the way Gabriel sounded. For the first time in eons, I was disgusted by my brother.

"I will not allow it."

"It is not your choice Gabriel."

He stared at me and I could tell that all he wanted to do was lash out at me.

"I'm sorry Gabriel but while you may disagree with it, I won't deny my feelings for Catalina, regardless of whether you believe me or not and it should be up to her to decide what to do."

For a moment we stood there. Both of us, just staring each other down.

I can do this all day brother.

Gabriel was the first to speak as he walked past me,

"We'll see about that."

Gabriel was going to be a problem. He was going to do whatever it took to keep me away from her. And I couldn't allow that, I wouldn't allow it. Catalina was mine and I was hers and if she wanted me as much as I wanted her, then no one, not even my brother was going to keep me from her.

* * *