Chapter 28

Catalina's POV

The familiar warmth of the fire spread all over my skin again. But it was different this time. It was more intense. As if I had walked straight into a fire pit. I looked down and Gabriel's eyes were closed, his breathing shallow as his brother Raphael stared right at me.

What the fuck is he looking at!

Briefly Raphael's gaze changed and he looked behind me,

Turning my head I saw Lucifer surrounded by dark shadows. I could see pained, twisted faces and eyes that held no life or light within them.

Holy Fuck!

The lock. The lock had been opened.

"Heal him now!" I yelled at Raphael.

Raphael nodded,

"Help him up."

I lifted Gabriel as Raphael worked on healing Gabriel's back,

Micheal's sword went through his back and chest and the hole left in his body was horrendous.

Gabriel winced at the pain and I leaned over to see the hole in Gabriel's chest begin to slowly close.

He's gonna be okay.

I turned back to see Lucifer standing in front of Micheal, the darkness that surrounded him slithering around as they made their way up Micheal's body and wrapped around his throat. Cutting him as they slowly made their way up his body, Leaving fresh trails of blood slowly leaking out of him. The sight was exquisite.

"Lucifer!" I yelled as I ran over to him.

His eyes were pitch black. There was no sign of the man I had come to know and love.

He's in there somewhere. He's gonna be okay! I can reach him.

"LUCIFER!"

I yelled again as I reached out, grabbing his hand and interlocking our fingers together.

"Not now Catalina." His voice was filled with anger and hate as he spoke. He'd kill him. He'd kill him here and now but we couldn't. Lucifer was right, Killing him here wouldn't help us. If anything it would damn us. For now, we needed Micheal alive. Just for a little while longer.

"The others have to know Lucifer first, You need to stop."

Nothing. Lucifer's hand began to shake as if he was fighting with himself about what to do. Micheal's screams were feeding him into it, but my voice was talking him out of it. I just had to reach him so I did the only thing I could think of and pulled him to me and gently kissed his lips. Letting him feel every inch of love that I felt for him. His lips were so soft and warm. I could feel him easing into me, his muscles releasing their tension, his breathing leveling out as his arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me closer.

I pulled away at the sound of Micheal crashing to the ground. He lay there unconscious as the shadows still gripped him, holding him in place. Lucifer glanced down at me and his eyes returned to the soft dark brown they once were, as I slid my hand to cup his cheek and he closed his eyes, settling into my hand.

"Soon. We'll kill him soon enough, we just have to be patient."

Gabriel groaned and Lucifer opened his eyes, clutching my hand and leading us back to Gabriel,

"Is he healed?" Lucifer asked Raphael.

Raphael nodded "Yes but he will need rest."

"I'll take him, You deal with Micheal and your brothers," I said, releasing Lucifer's hand and kneeling to help Gabriel up.

Lucifer deserved to deal with Micheal.

Micheal had hurt Lucifer more than anyone and he deserved to be the person to deal with him. To make things right.

"Raphael and I will take care of Micheal."

Everyone turned to see Forseti standing before Micheal.

"Where the fuck have you been?" Gabriel asked as he struggled to stand, leaning against the kitchen island for support.

Forseti shrugged,

"I took it upon myself to show the rest of your brothers what happened. I showed them what Micheal's memories were and Lucifer's memories and then showed them my memories from his confession tonight. Raphael will serve as a witness but your brothers are waiting to hear what he has to say and to properly deal with Micheal, so Lucifer if you could be so kind as to release Micheal from your shadow choke hold I'd be more than happy to take him."

Smart Move!

Lucifer stared at Forseti for just a moment more before the shadows surrounding Micheal's throat disappeared. Forseti leaned down to grab Micheal, her fingers just barely grazing his shoulder, before anyone could react Micheal flung Forseti across the room, her back hitting the stone fireplace, as Micheal rushed out the door, spread his wings, and took off into the sky. Lucifer was the first to react as he took a step toward the door to follow after Micheal but hesitated for a quick second, and glanced back at Gabriel. I tugged on his hand, those dark brown eyes peering down at me,

"Go after him. I'll stay with Gabriel."

Lucifer nodded and within seconds he was gone.

* * *

Lucifer's POV

"MICHEAL!" I screamed out into the open field a few miles out from the house. Micheal had taken to the sky but was too weak to continue. I followed him as he dropped down and he was somewhere here in the area. I couldn't kill him yet but I could injure him more making him unable to recover until the time came and it would be by either mine or Catalina's hand. No one else. His death was ours to claim.

A sudden force of wind knocked me to the ground. I turned to find Micheal standing over me, clutching his chest as the hole slowly started to repair itself. His free hand gripped the handle of his sword as he plunged down. I rolled over, missing the blow by a few mere inches. Micheal plunged the sword into the ground, anger rose in his face as he realized he missed. Micheal pulled the sword free from the ground and began making his way towards me. I opened my palm, my own sword manifesting in my hand as I charged at him. Our swords hit each other, causing a wave of energy to erupt around us. Micheal was the first to pull back as he swung his sword, aiming for my head. I ducked low as his sword swung over my head. I brought up my sword aiming for his chest, the tip barely touching him before the sound of our weapons clashing together echoed out around us as he blocked my move. Both of us pushed closer, putting all of our weight into trying to knock the other down.

"You won't win this one brother," Micheal laughed as blood dripped out of his mouth and down his chin. Fury and anger filled me as I pushed harder, backing him up against a tree.

"I am not powerless any longer Micheal." I inched closer, my face mere inches from his,

"I will kill you." I seethed as I pressed my sword against his. The silver gleam of his sword slowly faded as the darkness from mine began to taint his.

"Not before I kill her." A bloody smile reigned on his face as he spoke the words.

"NO!" I screamed at him as I withdrew my sword, delivering a heavy punch to his face, his sword falling from his hand. I gripped him by the collar of his shirt, bringing his face close to mine,

"Enjoy her while you can Lucifer, your time is almost up."

His vile words iced over the heat of my blood. My grip on him tightened as I pulled him closer. A slight movement behind him caught my eye. A person with a wave of dark ebony hair and olive skin. Bright orange eyes stared back at me.

Catalina.

She was here. Anger burned brightly as she focused on Micheal's back. Holding her dagger tightly in her hand. I watched as she pulled her arm back and threw her dagger. Hitting her target. Micheal screamed in pain as the dagger dug into his lower back. A savage bloody smile reigned on her face as I dropped Micheal to the ground, my eyes focused completely on her as she made her way over to him. Micheal groaned as Catalina knelt beside him, taking the bloody dagger out of his back, and wiping the blood off on his shirt.

She sheathed her dagger before taking a fistful of Micheal's hair and began beating his head into the cold hard dirt over and over again. Her smile got brighter each time Micheal's head connected to the ground.

Catalina gripped his neck, pulling him closer to her face, glaring into his swollen black and blue eyes,

"You stupid, evil bitch," Micheal spat at her but she didn't back down.

"Oh, you have no idea just how evil I can be." A wicked smile danced across her face as a ring of reds, oranges, and gold began to circle Micheal's neck. Micheal began screaming as the blaze of light began to get brighter and brighter. I should pull her away, get her far from him but I wanted her to have this moment. For her to feel the power she could wield. Micheal would learn soon enough that she was not just some weak, mortal girl but she was mine. She was to be the Queen of Hell and he had royally pissed her off.

Micheal reached over, grasping Catalina's wrist, rolling her over until she was pinned beneath him. The light around Micheal's neck began to fade as Catalina's grip on him faded and he began to wrap his hands around her throat.

"GET THE HELL OFF OF HER!" I screamed at him as I barreled towards him, my body connecting with his as I knocked him off of her. Micheal flew back, hitting the base of a tree a few feet away. His once-white wings were stained with blood as his wings slumped against him as if he was too weak to hold them up any longer.

"Are you alright?" I asked Catalina as I bent down to help her stand. Catalina took my hand in hers as I gripped her forearm and pulled her up.

"I'm fine we need to-" A force knocked into her, knocking her a good ten feet away from me. Her head bounced against a tree as she crumbled to the ground. I turned my head to see Micheal standing, his hand outstretched as he glared at her, a cunning smile across his lips. A distraction. He used her as a distraction. Knowing I wouldn't leave her like that, he used her to make his getaway.

"Tick Tok Lucifer." Micheal laughed as his large wings spread and he once again took off. I couldn't go after him. Not while Catalina lay there, unconscious and bloody. I turned back to her, gathering her in my arms as I shook her. A slight groan left her body as her eyes struggled to open.

"Lucifer?" Her voice was soft and groggy as she spoke.

"What are you doing out here?" I asked her as I pulled her into my lap.

"I couldn't let you go after him alone he could've hurt you."

And he could've hurt you even more than he already has!

A part of me was touched. This mortal, human girl had followed us. Was ready to go against an Arch Angel, for me. Because she loved me. She loved me and she was willing to fight for me. However, another part of me wanted to take her somewhere far away where Micheal couldn't reach her. I gripped her tighter as I began to stand. I needed to get her home. To get her back to safety.

"Come on let's get you home."

I held her tightly as she wrapped her arms around my neck and I stood up. Clutching her close to my chest as I spread my wings and took to the sky. Catalina kept her eyes closed as the wind rustled through her hair. It didn't take us long to arrive back at the house.

"Where is he?" Gabriel asked as Catalina and I landed on the porch and walked through the door.

"We lost him," I said as Catalina ran over to Gabriel, attempting to help him stand. Carefully she wrapped her arm around his waist, holding him steady as he attempted to take a step forward. Catalina clutched him tight, holding him back.

"We need to find Micheal now!" Gabriel hissed as he tried to maneuver around her,

"You need to rest."

"I'll rest after he's caught!"

Gabriel hissed as he tried to take another step towards the door,

"Gabriel you are no help to anyone if you injure yourself even more!" Catalina yelled,

Gabriel stared back at her, his eyes slightly widening,

"What are you staring at?"

"Your eyes." He hissed again as he hunched over, clutching the wound in his chest.

"What about them?"

Catalina glanced at me. A mixture of worry and curiosity shone brightly.

"Why are your eyes still orange?" I asked her.

Before I could answer a familiar voice from across the room answered.

"That is because the Lock is open, and she can fully access her gift."

We all turned around to see a tall pale woman with dark silver hair that reached to her waist which was identical to her large silver eyes standing in the middle of the room.

* * *

Lilith.

Without even thinking I rushed over and pulled her close and hugged her as tight as I could as she hugged me back.

I could feel her smile against my chest,

"It's good to see you too, Lucifer."

I pulled back,

"How are- how are you here?" I asked, still not believing that she was here, standing in front of me after so many years.

Lilith smiled as she dropped her hands down from my back,

"The Lock was opened, not only are we now able to walk freely, but we were able to find and contact you."

With the lock in place, very few of my people could walk freely in the world but no one would be able to track me or find me or even contact me. We were cut off from each other. Until now.

They're free.

"But how did-"

Lilith's eyes glanced behind me, nodding towards my brother leaning up against the island.

Gabriel.

He hadn't wanted us to heal him until he bled out.

"To open the lock and let you be able to go home, you had to find someone that loved you and you loved them. Pure love, Not coerced, Not forced. Pure love."

That's what Gabriel had told me what the key was to unlocking the gate.

"The blood of that person is what would open the lock. Not just a drop but all of it, all of their blood."

I loved my brother and my brother loved me. Gabriel broke the lock.

"Where—where are the others?"

"Home," Lilith replied,

"We didn't want to bombard you all at once."

I pulled her in for another embrace. I couldn't believe it.

Lilith was here. The lock was opened. My friends were free. I could go home.

Home.

Lilith pulled back,

"Go help your brother."

"Meet back here in an hour then?"

She nodded her head at me,

"Of course. It Seems we both have very interesting stories to tell." Her gaze lingered on Catalina.

I smirked at her,

"Indeed we do."

We had a lot to discuss. But not right now. Right now I needed to focus on Gabriel, making sure he healed properly and making sure Catalina was okay. The time for reunions would come later.

I walked back to Gabriel and Catalina. Looping Gabriel's arm around my neck and helping Catalina carry him upstairs to his room. Carefully we laid Gabriel down on his bed as he closed his eyes and Catalina took the seat next to him on the bed,

"Can someone please remind me how the fuck he's not dead?"

I moved to stand beside her,

"We don't need blood to keep going, all we need is our essence, our grace. Think of our grace as our blood, If we lose that we die. Losing blood is just a slight yet painful inconvenience."

Blood for us was nothing. Losing our grace, our essence is a death sentence.

"So he'll be okay?" Catalina asked as she brushed a single strand of hair out of Gabriel's face.

I smiled down at her,

"He'll be as good as new once he has fully rested."

Catalina chuckled,

"Good."

We sat there for a few moments of silence. Everyone seemed to be watching Gabriel as he took deep, heavy breaths. Watching him, knowing he still breathed, still lived, seemed to calm us. He was okay and seeing his chest rise and fall eased the pain in us. Forseti chimed in after a moment of silence,

"I'm afraid I have to get back but will one of you let me know when he wakes up?" A slight hesitation in her voice. As if leaving was the absolute last thing she wanted to do. I nodded my head,

"Of course, Thank you Forseti. For everything."

She nodded her head and spared Gabriel a glance before walking out of the room.

I turned my head to see Raphael standing by the door.

"I'll be right back," I said to Catalina and gently kissed the top of her head before meeting Raphael in the hallway.

The only reason you are alive Raphael is because you helped Gabriel.

Gently I closed the door behind me as Raphael spoke,

"Lilith is alive."

It wasn't a question but I nodded my head anyway.

"It seems we have been wrong about you for quite a while."

Damn Right.

Raphael continued,

"I can not speak for the others but I am sorry Lucifer."

"You are not the one who sent me into exile."

"But I sat back while the order was given and for that I am sorry."

I didn't know how to respond to him. Raphael was not behind my exile. He did not plot with Micheal or even know about Micheal's plan but he was right. He sat back and let it happen. He and the others let Micheal and our father send me into exile without questioning it.

"How far out were you able to track Micheal?"

"He was heading West, I would continue the search that way."

Raphael nodded,

"I will find Micheal, You stay here and help Gabriel and your friend heal."

"Catalina," I said, staring into his blue eyes,

"Her name is Catalina."

"Well then, help Gabriel and Catalina heal, I will send word when Micheal is caught."

"Thank you Raphael."

He nodded as he made his way past me towards the staircase,

"You care very deeply about the girl don't you?"

My posture stiffened as I responded,

"Raphael I have not spoken to you for centuries so forgive me if I am less than forthcoming about the details of my life and the people in them."

"Watch over her Lucifer, Protect her and keep her safe. She's going to need you in the upcoming days."

"What are you saying, Raphael?" I asked, taking a small step forward.

"I am saying that Micheal will not take this lying down, he will come after you and now he knows that you have one weakness."

I didn't regret it. Yes, Micheal now knew Gabriel and I's one soft spot. But I knew we'd both rather die than let Micheal or anyone else harm her.

"Take care brother, I'll report back when Micheal is found."

"I have a favor to ask of you, Raphael."

"What do you need?"

"I need you to find someone for me."

Raphael shook his head,

"Who do I need to find?"

"Cain."

Raphael's eyes widened in shock.

"Why do we need to find-"

"Catalina is his daughter."

"Cain has a daughter?"

I nodded my head. Raphael was one of the very few people who would even remember what Cain looked like. Finding him shouldn't be too difficult of a task.

"I will do whatever I can to find him."

"Thank you Raphael."

Raphael nodded as he rushed down the staircase and I turned back into the bedroom.

Catalina was still sitting beside Gabriel but she had placed a damp washcloth on his forehead and was wiping the blood off of his chest. Seeing her sitting there, tending to my brother. You would think nothing was wrong. As if moments ago Micheal hadn't threatened her life and toyed with her as if she was nothing.

How is she able to sit here so calmly?

As if sensing me, she turned around and those big beautiful orange eyes landed on mine,

"Is everything okay?" She whispered

"Yes. Raphael just left to go look for Micheal."

And your father.

I walked towards her and sat beside her, taking the damp bloody washcloth out of her hands and holding hers,

"Do you think we'll find him?" She asked.

" We will. Micheal will slip up and we'll be there to catch him."

"And Gabriel will really be okay?"

I smiled at her and placed a hand on her cheek,

"Yes, my Morningstar he will be okay."

I reached out and grabbed both of Catalina's hands, pulled her up off the bed, and gently placed a kiss on her lips.

Fuck I love her.

Looking at her, the red marks around her neck became more prominent.

"Gabriel will be asleep for a while, let's get you cleaned up."

"But he still has blood on-"

I kissed her again,

"Catalina, he will be fine, just please let me take care of you."

She nodded her head as I took her hand and led her to our room and into the bathroom.

I lifted her up and gently placed her on the counter, standing in between her legs. I went to place my hands on her thighs but she caught my wrists and held them tightly.

I'll kill him very slowly for you.

I looked into those orange eyes and saw slight fear and anger growing,

"I am so sorry for what he did Catalina."

He put his hands on her and I couldn't stop it. I couldn't help her. I couldn't do anything. She dropped my wrists and placed my hands on her thighs, closing her eyes as she leaned into my touch.

"Promise me something?" She asked, her voice so low and soft,

"Anything."

"Before I kill him, I want you to make him suffer."

Gladly.

I smiled down at her,

"Of course my Morningstar."

She smiled back at me,

"Now let's fix you up."

I reached out to touch her neck but hesitated for a brief moment remembering how she just reacted,

"I have to touch your neck to heal you, is that okay?"

She nodded her head and I gently touched the bright red ring around her neck,

"This won't hurt but you might feel a slight tingle."

She closed her eyes as I focused on her neck, washing away the dark stain Micheal had left upon her. Within a few seconds, a familiar feeling coursed through me as a small white light wrapped around her neck, covering Micheal's handprint.

She winced,

"Just a few more seconds my Morningstar."

I watched as the handprint slowly started to fade away to nothing. Leaving untouched, perfect olive skin behind. I leaned in and planted a kiss on her neck,

"All better," I whispered.

Her gentle eyes met mine,

"Do you think Micheal will retaliate?" Her voice was hesitant as if she already knew the answer but was too afraid to ask.

"Unfortunately I think so but I promise you right now he won't get within ten feet of you."

I'd make sure of it. Micheal was never going to get close enough to put his hands on her ever again.

"And what about you?" She asked,

"What about me?"

"If it's your job to keep me safe then it's my job to keep you safe."

"Catalina I-"

She reached over and took my face in her soft delicate little hands and pulled me closer,

"No. No one gets to harm you. Not ever again."

I smiled at her.

"Protective of me are you?"

A bright smile escaped her lips as pulled me closer to her,

"I'm always protective over what's mine." She said before she pressed her lips against mine. Her essence surrounded me as her familiar scent of vanilla and lavender engulfed us and I indulged in the sweetness of her lips. She was mine and I was hers and I would fight for her as fiercely as she had fought for me.

"Very well, my Morningstar."

It was an interesting feeling. To know that someone wanted me safe. That someone wanted to keep me safe but it was also terrifying. To know that if I did not return home one day she would not only be heartbroken but angry and I pitied the person who would have to deal with her rage. But that wouldn't happen. I would not allow anyone to take me from her and nothing and no one would ever stop me from returning to her.

"Come with me, There are some people I'd like you to meet," I said as I brushed that stubborn piece of hair out of her face.

Catalina fumbled a little bit as she spoke,

"I should probably freshen up and change and fix myself up."

"You look perfect exactly as you are." I leaned down and kissed her forehead.

I gently picked her back up and carried her down the stairs where my family was waiting.

I took a deep breath as I gently placed Catalina down and took her hand. Slowly we approached the four familiar faces I hadn't seen in centuries. They looked at me and then at Catalina and as one, dropped to one knee and bowed.

* * *

Catalina's POV

I stared at the four strangers as they knelt and bowed their heads to Lucifer.

"You all know damn well you don't have to do that," Lucifer smirked as he said it and I could see the slight glassiness in his eyes. He hadn't seen these people- his family, in centuries, and now here they were. In front of him.

The tall woman from earlier stood up first and the rest followed.

Lucifer squeezed my hand and I looked up at him,

"Catalina this is my family," He pointed to the man on the far left,

"That is Azazel,"

The man known as Azazel stood tall and proud, his medium-length dark brown hair grazing just an inch below his shoulder, he also had pale white skin that emphasized the pinkness of his scars that decorated his body, and muscular build and incredibly high and chiseled cheekbones. His eyes however were terrifying dark blood red.

Azazel bowed deeply to me as Lucifer pointed to the second extremely tall male, who had his long ebony hair in tiny braids that went to his chest. Two large horns that came to a very sharp point with milk chocolate skin and eyes that were bright ruby red.

"This is Malphas,"

Malphas, like Azazel, also bowed deeply as Lucifer pointed to a tanned-skinned, short female whose dark brown wavy hair reached just past her waist. Her eyes were kind of like mine but she had more red than orange, Like Malphas she had two large black horns but hers curled back around her head.

"This is Abaddon,"

Abaddon, like the previous two, also bowed deeply as Lucifer pointed to the last person,

"And this is-"

"Lilith," I whispered.

Lilith smiled back at me,

"My my, you have grown up so much."

"She is the reason you have Hellfire," Lucifer whispered to me,

"How-"

There was a slight smile in Lilith's eyes as she spoke,

"Lucifer gave me control over Hellfire to protect myself from Adam, I simply transferred the power over to you."

I shook my head at her,

"But why would you-"

"Because I made a promise that I would help as many as I could from going through what I did. That psychic was a friend of mine and she told me about the vision. She showed me what your life was going to be like, who you would become, and who you would meet."

She glanced over my shoulder at Lucifer,

"I did what I could do to protect our Queen."

I couldn't contain myself any longer as I let go of Lucifer's hand and rushed over and hugged Lilith.

"Thank you," I said to her as she wrapped her arms around me and hugged me back,

"If you hadn't done what you did, she would've killed me. I would be dead."

Lilith pulled back,

"I simply gave you the tools to survive and you did. You survived her and she did not break you."

Lilith released me as Lucifer walked up behind me and placed his hands on my hips.

"Are you ready to return home, your Majesty?" Malphas asked. His eyes harbored excitement as he spoke.

Lucifer looked at me for a brief moment before answering,

"Not yet, when Gabriel is fully healed we will return home."

Malphas nodded, a slight wave of disappointment washed over his face at Lucifer's answer.

Azazel looked at me and Lucifer, stepping forward,

"We will make sure everything is ready for when you return."

The female named Abaddon laughed as she laced her arm through Malphas's,

"I hope that means we get to have some kind of party."

Party?

Lucifer chuckled,

"You know I am not one for celebrations."

"But this time we have a reason to celebrate. You're finally coming home!"

"My homecoming is not a reason."

"It's not just your homecoming we would be celebrating Lucifer."

Lilith said as they all glanced at me.

Shit.

"We would be celebrating our Queen's homecoming as well," Azazel responded

"How did you all figure out about Catalina?"

Abaddon chuckled, as she nudged Lilith, Who in return rolled her eyes back at her.

"You think this one didn't run and tell every single person in Hell that you would finally find someone."

Lilith's lips tilted up in a slight smile as Abaddon continued,

"Hell's most eligible bachelor would finally be off the market." Lucifer smiled before he looked back at me and I could see the question lingering in his eyes, hope and a silent plea rested within that small gaze.

"We will leave you two to care for Gabriel, we shall see you both very soon," Lilith responded and the four of them bowed one final time before disappearing, a wall of shadows covering them until nothing and no one remained. Leaving Lucifer and me alone in the living room.

"When do you think Gabriel will fully recover?" I asked him.

I wouldn't just leave Gabriel as he was healing. He needed help. He was always there to help me when I needed him and I damn well was going to be here for him. Plus Micheal was still out there, I wasn't going to leave him alone while Micheal was still free, still able to attack when Gabriel was at his weakest.

"I'd say he'd start feeling better tomorrow and probably will fully recover in three days."

That quickly?

"So where do we go in three days?" I asked.

"Do you wish for us to stay here?"

"You're allowed to go home now." He should go home. He hadn't been home in centuries and should go. It's where he belonged and I guess in a way a part of myself belonged there as well.

Lucifer smiled and placed a hand on my cheek,

"Home is wherever you are Catalina." He spoke before gently placing a soft kiss on my lips.

* * *

Lucifer's POV

"Did you find him?" I asked Raphael as he landed beside me on the outdoor balcony adjacent to mine and Catalina's room. She had been up all night taking care of Gabriel, making sure he was still breathing and was comfortable. I tried multiple times throughout the evening and night to get her to rest but she insisted that she was fine. She finally decided to head to bed around four in the morning. It was currently seven and I knew it would be awhile before she woke. She needed the rest and so did I. Raphael apparently did not have the same idea, So before he could wake up Catalina I rushed my ass outside before he landed and possibly woke her up, putting us all in danger. Catalina hated being woken up when she wasn't ready. She would be…cranky, but even that was too simple a word for what she was like.

"I did, he'll be here around noon."

Five Hours.

Five hours and Catalina would finally get to meet her father. Five hours to prepare her for whatever might come. Five hours to figure out what to say.

"It wasn't insanely difficult to find him, even with his curse of wandering he still managed to stay relatively close to the area."

Interesting.

"Thank you Raphael."

"The daughter of Cain," Raphael smirked as he turned his gaze to Catalina,

Watch Yourself Brother.

"She looks just like him."

She does.

"Have you located Micheal yet?"

Raphael returned his gaze to me as he shook his head,

"Not yet but I will keep looking, I have scouts spread across the state looking for him."

Smart move.

With scouts spread out we could cover more ground twice as fast and possibly find Micheal quicker, yet it also put lives at risk. Micheal was volatile right now and he would kill anyone who got in his way.

"How is Gabriel?" Raphael asked,

"He's doing good, he should be good to go in a few days."

"And where will you three go?"

That is a very good question.

"Wherever she wants to go, if she wishes to stay then we will stay."

"You think that is wise given the situation?"

I thought about it for hours last night but I knew keeping Catalina closed off would drive her crazy, and I wouldn't do that to her. I wouldn't pack her away and treat her as if she were some fragile doll.

"I think it is wise to give her as much freedom as I can given the situation." I turned to face my brother, his gaze turned down as if he was holding back what he wanted to say,

"I am not some idiot that will lock her away for her own good. I will not turn her home into a prison."

"I am not saying you should lock her away Lucifer, I am simply saying given the situation it might be wise to keep her..hidden."

Now he was starting to piss me off.

"Let me make something clear brother,"

I moved to stand in front of him, forcing him to finally look at me,

"Catalina is more than capable of taking care of herself, she does not need to be hidden away like some defenseless maiden,"

I took a single step forward as Raphael took a step back,

"And if you get any ideas to try and prove your point, then trust me when I tell you I will delight in peeling the flesh off of your bones."

I took another step forward as he stepped back. His back hit the glass of the balcony door,

"Do.You.Understand.Me?" I seethed as I inched my face closer to his,

"Lucifer I-"

"DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME!"

Raphael was silent and for a moment I thought he wouldn't answer, and that pissed me off even more,

"Yes, brother."

"Good," I said as I slowly backed away from him. Glancing over his shoulder I could see Catalina. Only she was no longer asleep in our bed, but she was awake and standing in the middle of the room, watching me. A hint of amusement and concern plagued her eyes as she took in the scene in front of her.

"Thank you for what you've done today brother but I believe it is time for you to go."

Raphael stiffened as he stepped forward towards the balcony ledge,

"Very well, I shall see everyone later." Without another word, he took off as I opened the door leading to our bedroom.

"Care to tell me what that was all about?" A slight smirk crossed her face as she walked over to me,

"Nothing you need to worry about," I said as I wrapped my arms around her waist.

Damn, she feels good.

"Keeping secrets from me now are you?"

"Never."

She snuggled in closer as I held her tighter. I never thought I would have this, let alone be able to do it. I never thought I would find someone who understood every single part of me. Never thought I would like the presence of another person. I never thought I would find her. She was everything. Of all the years I had spent on this planet, of all the people I had met, there was no one like her. No one intrigued me, angered me, aroused me, or piqued my curiosity quite like she did. She was the high I had spent eons chasing and now that I had her, I wasn't letting her go.

"I should probably check on Gabriel," Catalina whispered as she slowly began to pull herself out of my embrace.

"I'll check on him, you rest for a little while longer," I kissed the top of her head,

"Plus there's a surprise for you later."

I could feel her laugh vibrating across my chest,

"Does this surprise have anything to do with impressive wingspans?"

Oh, my little Morningstar.

Catalina glanced up at me as she pushed her chest against mine bringing her lips close to mine,

"Because I think I would like that surprise very much."

"Would you now?" I asked as my hand made its way to her neck, Catalina shook her head, biting her lip.

"Then why don't you be a good girl and get on your knees and show me exactly how much you would like it my Morningstar."

Those beautiful orange eyes darkened, full of lust as she sank to her knees before me.

"That's my good girl." I praised her as she lifted her hands and slowly pulled down my shorts. Her breath caught as she saw exactly how ready I was for her. Every morning was like this. The want. The need. It was endless. And she… Damn, she kept up. Her hunger, her lust, her need for me was endless. And I loved every moment of it.

"Open that pretty little mouth princess."

With a slight smirk on her face, Catalina opened and welcomed me into her mouth.

* * *

"Are you ready?"

"I'm ready!" Catalina called out as she exited the bathroom we shared. I didn't tell her much about the surprise, just to dress like she normally would and to relax and stay calm. However, after our little encounter earlier this morning, she was already more than relaxed. I reached out my hand and she instantly moved towards me, taking my hand and intertwining our fingers together.

"Just remember no matter what happens, I will be right beside you. Always." I leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"Now you're starting to scare me."

"You have nothing to be scared of. I promise."

Catalina nodded as she looked down at both of our hands. Gently I raised our hands and placed a kiss on her hand.

"Shall we, my Morningstar?"

"I'm ready."

Slowly I opened the door and led Catalina down the stairs and into the living room. Where Gabriel, Raphael, and Cain waited for us. Slowly we entered the living room and I could feel Catalina's hand tighten against mine as she took in the male before her.

Slowly Cain and Raphael stood. Raphael took a single step back as Cain took in the small female next to me.

"Hello sweet girl." His voice strained as if he couldn't get the right words out. A bittersweet smile tainted his lips as Catalina smiled,

"Hi, Dad."

* * *

Catalina's POV

"Hi, Dad," I said as I took in the man before me. He looked as if he was in his early thirties with long dark black hair that was pulled back in a bun, and beard to match, green eyes that were so similar to mine, full lips, muscular build. His high cheekbones and almond-shaped eyes gave him a demanding yet gentle presence.

My father.

Cain.

I ran to him. I pulled him as close as I could. This was my father. The man who went into a burning house to save me. His arms wrapped around me so tightly, as if he never wanted to let me go.

"I didn't want to leave you with her, I didn't but I knew if I stayed she would keep hurting you, and I know she did dammit, I knew I should have taken you with me that night. I am so sorry my sweet girl. I am so sorry for any pain you suffered at her hands."

"It's alright," I whispered against his chest,

"You do not have to lie to me, it is not alright." Slowly he pulled away from me as he held me at arm's length and took me in. A smile appeared on his face just as a single tear shed from his eye,

"You look as beautiful as the first day I saw you."

He pulled me in once again into his tight embrace. His chin rested on top of my head.

"Are you safe here? Are you well and taken care of?"

"I am." This time it was my turn to pull from his embrace,

"I am safe and well because of him." I turned and glanced at Lucifer. His eyes solely remained on me as I walked over and took his hand in mine, leading us back to my father.

"Dad this is-"

"Lucifer." He finished for me, and a moment of silence passed as he took Lucifer in. They were close in height but Lucifer had about three inches on him.

Please don't fight, please don't fight, please don't fight.

My father dipped his head slightly,

"My king."

"It is good to see you again Cain."

Cain glanced down at Lucifer and me. Our hands were still intertwined together.

"I see you've been doing more than keeping her safe." Cain spared Lucifer a cautious glance.

Please don't fight, please don't fight, please don't fight.

Lucifer squeezed my hand gently before he spoke,

"I have no Ill intentions regarding Catalina. She is the most important thing in my life and I will guard her life with my own."

He took a single step towards Cain, releasing my hand,

"Now Gabriel, Raphael, and I will leave for a few moments and give you two some time to speak privately if you would like."

Cain looked at me for a brief moment and then back to Lucifer,

"I would like that very much."

Lucifer nodded his head,

"Very well, we'll be just outside," he said before turning back to me and placing a small kiss on my cheek,

"I'll be right outside if you need me."

I nodded my head at him. Thankful that he would give me and my father a moment to just.. Talk. To speak without an audience. To share a private moment twenty-five years in the making.

Slowly, Lucifer, Gabriel, and Raphael headed towards the front door. Softly shutting it behind them. I could see their vague silhouettes from the window as they rushed down the stairs and stood outside. Far away enough not to hear anything but still close enough to keep an eye on things.

"We have a lot to talk about." My father said as he strode towards the kitchen, taking a seat at the island.

"Yes, we do." I followed him, taking the seat across from him. I didn't know exactly where to begin or how to start. I had so many questions running around in my head. So many questions that needed to be answered.

Would there be enough time to answer all my questions?

Did he even want to answer my questions?

Where the hell has he been all these years?

"I imagine you must have a ton of questions for me."

"I do."

"Where would you like to start?"

"From the beginning. Tell me everything."

* * *

Lucifer's POV

"They've been in there a long time," Gabriel said as he continued to pace back and forth across the front yard.

"They have years to catch up on and they each probably have a thousand questions they want to ask each other," I said as I leaned back against a tree, my gaze fully locked on the window, watching the two figures inside. Since we came outside they hadn't stopped speaking and I had hoped that it was a good sign. Catalina went twenty-five years thinking someone else was her father, and now she knew the truth.

She must have so many damn questions.

"It's been over thirty minutes-"

"And they have twenty-five years of history to cover." Raphael stepped closer to Gabriel, placing his hands on his shoulders and giving him a slight shake,

"She's fine Gabriel. Just give them some time to speak."

Gabriel seemed to visibly relax as he glanced back at the door and saw the two of them still speaking. Every so often Catalina would wipe her face, brushing away tears and that did something to me. I hated seeing her cry, I hated not being able to be there next to her, to comfort her. But this was something she needed to do alone. She needed the ability to speak and experience whatever feelings she had at that moment without worrying about having eyes on her.

"How does it feel?" Gabriel asked as he turned back to face Raphael and I,

"How does what feel?"

Gabriel smirked as he walked closer, stopping beside me and leaning up against the tree,

"To be dating Cain's daughter."

Dating.

What Catalina and I had was much more than just dating. She was mine, and I was hers. Fated from the beginning, together until the end.

"It is..an interesting feeling."

Raphael laughed as he approached us,

"Cain's going to make your life a living hell."

"I am his King."

Gabriel chuckled,

"And Catalina is his daughter. His only child and you are a man in his daughter's life. A very important man I might add."

This is ridiculous.

"You're both out of line so cut the shit."

Gabriel and Raphael laughed as they clasped my shoulders,

"Just cut the PDA around him, something tells me Cain isn't the type to be okay with it."

"I will do what I please! No one, not even Cain can stop-"

"You'd be surprised what I can stop, but for shit's sake why don't you indulge me on what it is you think I cannot stop."

You've got to be fucking kidding me.

I glanced up to see Catalina and Cain standing on the porch, facing us. Cain looked as if he was ready to rip my skin off yet Catalina, even though she had amusement in those tear-stained eyes, looked beautiful.

"It was nothing."

Cain nodded as Catalina practically jumped down the stairs and launched herself at me. I held her so damn tight I thought for sure I would crack a rib.

"If you have no objections I would like to speak to you Lucifer. Privately."

Of course he did.

"Very well." I started to follow him back into the house but Catalina grabbed my hand and pulled me back, placing a kiss on my lips.

"Good Luck."

* * *

"I wanted to thank you for reaching out and bringing Catalina and me together. I-I have missed her greatly."

"It was nothing. You two deserve to get to know each other after so many years apart."

"Indeed we do," He gestured to the open seat in front of him at the island in the kitchen.

Carefully I took the seat in front of him as he poured two drinks,

"I hear you and Gabriel are to thank for making sure she remained safe all these years."

"It was mainly Gabriel, he looked after her since she was a child, I only came into the picture about seven months ago."

Seven months. That was all it took for her to completely turn my world upside down. That was all it took for me to fall helplessly and endlessly in love with her.

"Yes, she mentioned that you helped her out of a relatively dark era."

"I did."

"She also mentioned that you two became quite close during that time."

"We have."

Cain slid a glass towards me, as he knocked his back. Finishing his within seconds.

"I'm going to make one thing clear to you. You might be my King, but she is my daughter. You hurt her and I will make sure you regret it."

I had to give it to him. The man had balls. He knew if I wanted to I could destroy him with a snap of my fingers. But he wasn't angry. He was just a father making sure his daughter was happy and loved.

"I would carve out my own heart and present it to her on a silver platter before I could ever hurt her."

"Good. She has been through enough pain in her life as it is, heartbreak is not something she should need to add to the list, but from what she has told me I don't believe I'll ever have to worry about that now will I?"

She told him about the vision.

"She told you about-"

"About the vision? Yes. About how you two are fated to be? Yes, yes she did." Cain turned, grabbing a new bottle off the counter behind him,

"And how do you feel about that?"

Did I even want to know the answer to this question?

"I am conflicted about it. On the one hand, I am glad that she found someone who cares for her so deeply, yet on the other hand, she is my only child and you are… Well, you're you."

Dick.

"Are you ashamed that your daughter is with me?"

"No Lucifer I am not."

"Then what is your concern?"

"My concern is that she will become a target."

Now he had my attention,

"What happened here is not a secret, people are already talking. Micheal is outed and the gate is open and he is pissed. Let's not kid ourselves and pretend that he will not retaliate because he will and he knows your one weakness now. He knows exactly who he has to get his hands on to make you do whatever the hell he wants."

Catalina.

"I know you're a man of your word so I want you to make me a promise Lucifer."

"And what would that be?"

"Protect her. Keep her safe I don't care who you have to hurt or kill, you do whatever it takes to keep her safe."

"With my life."

Cain stared at me for a moment, as if he was hesitant to believe me,

"As long as I am alive I will protect her from anything and anyone who seeks to harm her. No one will hurt her. Not ever again."

Cain nodded before taking a few steps toward the island,

"Good. That's good but I still need you to answer one last question,"

I shrugged my shoulders,

"Anything,"

"Do you love my daughter?"

More than anything.

I couldn't just say yes. This man deserved to know the truth. The truth of how I felt and what Catalina meant to me.

"Catalina is my everything. She is the reason I wake in the morning and the reason I sleep soundly at night. She is the being that brings endless sweet dreams and the being that chases away my nightmares. She is my world, my life. My Morningstar."

Cain's head peaked up at that last word, but I wasn't done,

"I wish I could stand here and say that I love your daughter but I can't, because what I feel for Catalina goes beyond love. If she asked me to, I would go to war for her, I would level cities and crumble mountains if she wanted me to. But I would also give up everything just to have her."

I stood and made my way around the island until I was face to face with Cain,

"Make no mistake Cain, your daughter means everything to me, and anyone, and I do mean anyone, who seeks to harm her will meet their end at my hands, even my own flesh and blood. Is that clear enough for you?"

"Crystal."

"Good."

Cain and I stared at each other for just a moment longer. I understood why he asked, I understood why he was hesitant but he needed to understand that Catalina was not just a random fling for me, that this was not just a random relationship that I would toss to the side in a few weeks. This thing with Catalina was eternal and he needed to understand that.

Cain was the first one to move as he walked past me and to the door,

"Oh and Cain," I turned to face him,

"Yes, my King?"

"I'll let the disrespect slide this time because you are Catalina's father,"

I inched a few steps closer, letting the shadows slowly consume us. Trapping us in the darkness of tortured souls. The endless pleas of mercy echoing around us,

"But don't you ever forget who you are speaking to."

I inched closer, bringing my face closer to his,

"DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!"

I debated using the shadows to throw him across the room, but I knew Catalina wouldn't like that.

"Yes, my King."

"Good," I sneered at him

"Now you may leave."

* * *

Catalina's POV

"Well, that can't be good." I sighed as I took in the dark shadows that wrapped around Lucifer and my father. I knew Lucifer meant him no harm so in a way I wasn't too worried about it.

"Maybe we should-"

"Just give them a few minutes." I cut Gabriel off and wouldn't you know I was right. A few seconds passed and the shadows started to disappear, revealing Lucifer and my father face to face. Lucifer's eyes were no longer that dark brown color but instead were as beautiful and black as the night. Seeing him like that… It undid me. I won't lie it was hot when he got like that and I wondered what it would be like to have those shadows used for something more…fun. I didn't even have time to consider how they could be used before Lucifer and my father stepped out of the house, both making their way toward me. Cain reached me first as he pulled me into a tight embrace.

"You have my number now, if you need anything at all don't hesitate to reach out okay?" He whispered to me before placing a kiss on the top of my head. I nodded back,

"I will," I said as I held him a bit tighter. It was strange to have Cain in the picture. For so long I had seen only one person in his role, granted that person didn't seem very interested in that role while I was growing up, but it seemed that Cain wanted to be in that role now. I understood why he did what he did, why he left and he genuinely seemed to want to make up for all the lost time. So we agreed to take it day by day and see where that led us. Reluctantly, he released me, making his way over to Gabriel and taking him into an embrace as he whispered something to him as well. Whatever he said had Gabriel misty-eyed before he turned to Raphael and shook his hand. Cain had mentioned that Raphael had been the one to find him and bring him back here. Gabriel had been a little upset that he wasn't the one to be able to go and find him but he was still recovering and the last thing we needed was for him to delay the recovery. Finally, Cain turned towards Lucifer, for a moment I thought they would continue whatever they had started in the house and I was prepared to step in if need be, but I didn't have to. I watched as Cain extended his hand out to Lucifer. They both glared at each other, A certain primal dominance claiming both their eyes as they stared at each other. Lucifer reached out and accepted his hand. I could tell Lucifer gripped Cain's hand a little tighter than normal but I wasn't mad at it. Seeing that primal look in Lucifer's eyes, it was hot and I loved it.

Lucifer released Cain's hand and made his way over to me, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me close to him. I couldn't help but look up at him and smile. Lucifer looked down at me as a playful smirk danced across his face. His eyes twinkled like starlight as they met mine. I could see everything in those eyes. I could see a painful, torturous past, yet a future full of redemption that was worth fighting for.