Chapter 18

Gabriel's POV

"Catalina, I'm back, the store was out of hot chips so I got the regular ones. I hope that's okay."

Silence.

"Catalina?"

I placed the bags down on the counter and walked towards her room.

There's no way she's still asleep.

Her door was open and I peeked my head inside.

Empty.

Maybe she's reading.

I turned back towards the library.

It'll be a good sign if she's reading.

I opened the door to the library.

Empty.

Where the hell was she?

"Catalina?"

I knew she wasn't out. Her car was still parked outside and her purse was still sitting on the chair in the kitchen. She had to be around here somewhere. I checked every room in the house. All except one.

I made my way down the rest of the hallway.

His door was open.

Shit.

I opened Lucifer's door just a little more and there she was. Tucked under the heavy blanket. Her back facing me. I walked over to the other side of the bed, her eyes were open and puffy as she held her gaze on the window behind me.

Physically she's here but she's checked out.

"Catalina, come on let's get you something to eat." I held out my hand and waited for her to grasp it.

She didn't move.

"How about I make you something to eat and bring it to you in here, is that okay?"

Please say something.

Silence.

I patted the top of her head as I stood up and made my way to the kitchen.

She'll feel better in a few days. This will pass.

I knew she was upset. Lucifer and her had gotten closer over these past few months. I shouldn't have left them alone so often but I thought Lucifer would do the responsible thing and just do what I asked of him. Yes, I was a little harsh but in the end, Catalina would thank me for this. She needed to be safe and I had to make sure that no matter what she would remain safe. Plus she had enough to deal with. Finding out who her biological father is was huge and she needed time to process it. Not to mention that she also just learned that her mother saw her as nothing more than a pawn to use against her father. Granted what the woman saw would terrify anyone, No one wanted to hear that their child was damned, but to go to the lengths that she did? It was horrifying. She nearly burnt her baby alive! She should have known that fates can change, and that's exactly what was going to happen. I was going to keep Catalina safe, changing her fate.

Cain's Daughter.

I was honestly surprised that I hadn't noticed the similarities between them. Catalina looked nothing like the man who raised her or her brothers, yet I hadn't seen Cain in centuries and I had honestly forgotten what the man looked like. I had just assumed her mother's genes were more prominent in her.

I carried the tray of items to Lucifer's old room and placed it on top of the dresser.

"I made your favorite sandwich, got you some chips and a brownie with a can of your favorite soda."

She didn't move.

"I'll check on you in a little bit."

Slowly I made my way back towards the door.

This is for your own good Catalina.

I hated seeing her like this. I hated seeing her hurt but this was the only way to keep her safe. Hopefully, in time she would see that this was just to help her. That this is what needed to be done.

In a few days, everything will go back to normal.

* * *

6 Days Later

It had been six days and Catalina still hadn't left Lucifer's room. She started eating and drinking at least but it was very very little.

"Catalina, you have to get out of this bed."

Silence.

"I told you what he was like, I tried to warn you and I'm sorry but you are not hurting anyone but yourself by just laying here."

I know it sounded harsh but it was true. I figured if I could rile her up, some of that spark might have come back. She wasn't hurting anyone but herself lying in this bed. Lucifer certainly wasn't hurting and I was almost positive he had probably returned to his ways of sex and solitude. Proving my point that he had no real feelings towards Catalina.

Say something! Anything!

Silence.

"Did you know?" Her first words in days

"Know what?"

"That Cain was my biological father?"

I shook my head,

"No, No I didn't know."

She went silent again as her eyes moved back to glance at the window. The weather had utterly sucked since we've been back. Nothing but dark clouds and heavy rain. I couldn't help but think how the weather outside reflected how she was probably feeling on the inside. Heavy dark clouds during the day, and dangerous lightning storms at night.

"What did you say to him?"

"Catalina I-"

"What did you say to him?"

"We spoke about a decision that he had to make."

"Decision about what?"

"A decision that only he could make. Do not worry about it."

Catalina went silent once more.

"Everything is going to be okay. I promise you everything will be okay."

I stood up, tucking the thick, heavy blanket back around her before making my way to the door. As I went to close it, I heard her faint whisper,

"That's what Lucifer said too."

* * *

2 Weeks Later

I heard a door slowly creek open and heard tiny, almost hesitant footsteps.

Shit.

I got off the couch and turned around in time to see Catalina standing in the entryway to the hallway. I met her halfway as she spoke,

"I'm going to go change and then I'll meet you outside for training."

She moved to walk past me but I reached out and gently grabbed her wrist,

Play your cards right Gabriel. Don't fuck this up.

"You should shower first, you kinda stink."

Oh, what the hell did I say that for?!

She smirked, not her usual smirk though. This one was different. Colder. She turned and headed towards her room.

She's like a damn ghost.

Even though she had smirked at me, it wasn't her. Some part of her wasn't healed yet and was still lost. As if she had burned away the part of herself that made her unique.

She's trying though and I can be here to help her find that spark again.

* * *

"You're still a little rusty but still doing better than before." I chuckled and continued,

"Maybe you'll beat me."

She had improved over the last few months with Lucifer helping her but today, today was different. She hadn't spoken at all and when we sparred she was different. When she was on the offensive it was like she was giving into every vengeful and hateful thought she had. Unyielding. A volatile force to be reckoned with. Yet when she was on the defense, it was as if she didn't care if she went down. She hadn't even tried to dodge some of my moves.

"Lucifer and I had a deal in the beginning."

I clenched my jaw. The last thing I wanted was to talk about him. Especially around her.

"Do we really need to talk about him right now?"

Catalina ignored my comment and continued,

"Lucifer might be gone but I want the same deal from you. Training for information."

I opened my mouth to object but Catalina cut me off,

"Look I know something happened between you two and I want to know what."

"Catalina I am your friend and all I am doing is protecting you."

She squared her shoulder as her gaze locked on mine, the slight orange peering through,

"Lucifer was my friend too."

Don't say that.

"Lucifer told me about the vision from the Fates about how I have Hellfire."

Catalina glanced at me again,

"I know you and Lucifer are hiding something from me."

Before I could even respond, To try and get her to understand, he appeared.

Impeccable fucking timing.

* * *

Catalina's POV

Gabriel didn't even have time to answer me as the tall male with large white wings dropped from the sky. His eyes were as silver as the dagger in my hand. His skin was pale as if he had never seen the sun, and his silver hair matched his eyes paired together with the sharp angles of his face. A masterpiece come to life. He was utterly terrifying yet beautiful all at once.

"Who the hell are you?"

"Catalina, this is my brother, Micheal," Gabriel said as he slightly inched closer to me as Micheal approached us.

"You're early, you weren't supposed to be here until tomorrow."

Micheal chuckled, his voice deep as he answered,

"Arriving unexpectedly makes for a more elaborate entrance and I do aim to impress."

Early? Early for what?

"Early for what?" I asked as I switched my gaze over to Gabriel.

"From now on Micheal will be taking over your training."

Excuse me!

I glanced at Micheal and surveyed him. He was built just as Gabriel was but he wasn't as built as Lucifer. He was also shorter by at least two inches.

"No thanks."

"My brother has told me much about you,"

Great.

"He mentioned that you're good when it comes to wielding a dagger but I could teach you how to actually win in a fight without it. I could turn you into the perfect soldier."

Cocky Bastard.

I crossed my arms as I repeated myself,

"Like I said before, no thanks."

Micheal slowly inched closer to me, his silver eyes hardening as he looked at me.

"I'm afraid I wasn't asking for permission."

"I'd rather stick both daggers in my eyes than train with you."

He smirked at me, as he looked me up and down.

"Gabriel had mentioned how.. impudent you are."

I'm sure he did.

"Whatever, I'm done with this conversation, I would say it was nice to meet you but frankly it was a waste of my time."

I went to move past him but Micheal grabbed my wrist, spun me around, and pulled me back so my back was against his chest and the press of cold metal against my throat.

"You have a lot to learn my dear. Try to remember that I have been alive for eons and you have only been alive for two decades."

I struggled against him as Micheal gently pushed the blade against my neck a little more.

"I am faster, stronger and better. In reality, I am the perfect warrior and if Gabriel wasn't around it would be very easy for me to slit your throat, so I suggest you do not piss me off."

Fucking Prick.

"That's enough Micheal." Gabriel finally stepped in and after a few seconds, Micheal released me.

Fuck this shit!

I turned and headed back towards the house.

"Be ready tomorrow morning at seven," Micheal shouted.

Screw you asshole.

I hated him. I hated Gabriel for bringing him here. I hated Lucifer for not being here. I hated all of them.

* * *

Gabriel's POV

"I apologize for how she acted, She has not been herself these past few weeks."

Micheal finally turned back towards me,

"You were right brother, she is quite the brat but I can handle her."

Micheal glanced back at the door as the sound of Catalina slamming the door reached us.

"Did you really find it necessary to put your blade against her throat?"

Of course, I had thought it was a bit excessive and it took everything in me to stay put when he did but Micheal had his methods and they worked. Plus he hadn't harmed her.

"Did you see the slight fear in her eyes when she realized what happened?"

Of course, I did.

That orange hue in her eyes had slowly begun to rise to the surface but within seconds it was gone.

I nodded my head,

"And you're positive she has Hellfire?"

"Yes Micheal, the Fates confirmed it."

"And they confirmed she is the daughter of Cain?"

I nodded back at him.

"How interesting."

Micheal paused for a moment, staring at the pathway Catalina had walked back to the house as if he was convinced he could summon her back just by looking, and then glared back at me,

"Now we need to know who exactly gave her that gift."

"The vision was clouded, the person who gave her the gift was covered in shadows but all we know is the person was female."

"And Lucifer did not recognize her voice?"

"If he did then his acting skills seem to have gotten better because he didn't seem to recognize the voice."

Knowing the person who gave Catalina her gift was female didn't help much but it eliminated a good amount of suspects from Micheal's list.

"I expect better behavior from her tomorrow Gabriel." I nodded at him as Micheal launched himself into the sky and was gone within seconds.

How the fuck am I gonna get her to behave tomorrow?

I was sure they would eventually get along. If Catalina could fucking have a bond with Lucifer then she should be able to get along with Micheal just fine. All they needed was a little time to get to know each other better.

The feeling of my phone vibrating in my pocket startled me, I expected to see a text about how much of an ass Micheal was from Catalina.

Meet me @ Diablos in 20 minutes. It's urgent

Lucifer

Part of me just wanted to delete the damn message and carry on but as I stared at the text I could tell something was up.

Be there in ten.

* * *

Why am I doing this?

I had made it to Diablos five minutes ago and was waiting on the outside patio for Lucifer. It was fucking freezing and if he didn't show in the next few minutes I was leaving and going back home.

"Gabriel, thanks for coming." Lucifer's voice sounded from behind me. I glanced back and watched as he made his way over to where I was seated.

"What do you want Lucifer?"

He smirked as he took the seat in front of me,

"Good to see you too brother."

"Again what do you want?"

Lucifer remained silent for a moment.

"I wanted to see how you and Catalina were doing."

"We're fine now if we're done here-"

"Sit your ass down, Gabriel!"

Lucifer's voice rang out. His voice was loud enough that the people at the surrounding tables had turned their heads towards us. Yet Lucifer's eyes were strictly on me. Slowly I lowered myself back into my chair.

"I know Micheal is here."

Shit…

"What is he doing here Gabriel?"

How the fuck did he know I had something to do with it?

I remained silent and I could see the irritation in Lucifer's eyes as he spoke again,

"You owe me that much at least after making me leave Catalina."

"I didn't make you do shit! You chose to leave. That was your decision and what Micheal is doing here is none of your concern."

I was right. I didn't make him do anything. He made a choice, his own decision. And the whereabouts and plans of Micheal did not concern him.

"Oh, I think it is. Micheal has not been here for eons and now all of a sudden when the vision of Catalina and I is revealed, and you force my hand to stay away from her, Micheal finally decides to make an appearance?"

We should've played the timing better.

"I am not stupid and if Micheal or anyone harms Catalina then I'll-"

"You'll do what Lucifer? She doesn't even want you around."

It was a lie and one I hoped he believed. A ping of hurt was in Lucifer's eyes but it quickly passed as they darkened when he looked at me,

"I will defend my own and I will not be responsible for the casualties that come along with it." The voice of the Prince of Darkness,

"She does not belong to you Lucifer she-"

"Let me make one thing clear, She might not be mine, but I am hers whether she knows it or not and I will defend her against anything or anyone that seeks to harm her. Even my own flesh and blood."

As would I brother.

"You know damn well I would never allow anyone to harm her."

"I trust you won't harm her Gabriel but I do not trust Micheal and you need to make sure he stays away from her."

It's a little late for that.

Lucifer began to stand up,

"Why do you even care?"

Lucifer looked at me. All that rage and anger from earlier was gone and now? Now longing and sadness were resting within them.

"It's complicated." His voice was low and soft as if it had pained him to say it.

"Of course it is," I smirked, attempting to get some kind of reaction out of him. When he finally turned to me, I could still see the hurt and sadness lingering in his eyes but I could also tell he was trying his best to hold back,

"It doesn't matter anymore, just keep her safe."

"Always."

Within seconds Lucifer was up and was halfway down the block. His head was hanging low as he brushed past people in his way. He honestly looked like a lost little puppy. Part of me felt awful for it. Seeing him like this was not a good feeling. I had seen him lash out in anger and level cities, I had seen him overpower men that towered over him, I've seen him laugh and smile but I had never seen him cry or be upset.

He'll get over it.

* * *

Catalina's POV

Everything was dark. I couldn't see anything let alone my hands in front of my face. There was so much screaming. Men, Women, and children. Everyone was just screaming and screaming. I crouched down on the ground, covering my ears. The screaming was getting louder and louder. Then it stopped. Everything went quiet. I took a deep breath.

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

I removed my hands from my ears but there was something on my hands. They were wet and sticky. Whatever was on them was thick and warm. I ignited a small ember in between my hands to bring in some light.

I peered down at my hands.

Blood. So much blood. It was everywhere. There was so much of it. A small trail of it started leaking down my arms.

A sound of wings fluttering snapped me out of it, as I looked up I saw the tall dark man standing a few feet away from me.

Drip

Drip

Drip

I glanced down in the direction of the noise. The dark man held a sword that was covered in blood.

Drip

Drip

Drip

A terrifying smile danced across the dark man's face as he raised the bloody sword and extended a hand towards me.

* * *

I woke up and took a minute to realize where I was.

You're fine. You're at Gabriel's place and there is no blood on you. It was just a bad dream. Again.

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

I made my way out of my bed and into the kitchen. Having one drink usually calmed me down.

Fucking hell that sucked.

It had been a while since I'd had a nightmare as graphic as that one. Over the years I've noticed they tended to get worse as I got older but it was always the same, a dark void filled with endless screams of mercy. The blood and the voice of the dark figure however were new additions. Usually, the dark figure just stood in the background. Never moving, never speaking but always watching.

Normally I'd rather have any type of alcohol but that tended to make the nightmares come back so I settled on water. I chugged the glass of water in ten seconds flat and made my way to the sink but out of the corner of my eye, I could've sworn I saw something move on the balcony.

Just take a deep breath. It's just nerves from the nightmare.

"I have to be going crazy," I said to myself as I grabbed a water bottle out of the fridge and headed back to my room. I placed the water bottle on the nightstand and made my way to my desk and winded up the little music box. Music usually helped me fall asleep. Especially after a nightmare. Well to be fair any sound would help, sometimes I would have the television on all night if I couldn't find my music box. I just needed some kind of sound to distract myself.

The soft sound of music filled my room and I already felt more relaxed as I made my way back to my bed and pulled the covers up and let the gentle sounds lull me to sleep.

Everything is going to be okay.

Lucifer's words had become the new mantra that I would say to myself over and over again. They were just words but saying them every day was like having a piece of him with me. A piece that I wasn't sure if I would ever be ready to let go.