Chapter 29

Lucifer's POV

Three Days Later

During these past few days, Catalina had been running herself ragged. Convincing her to sit down and eat, let alone sleep was practically impossible, so to have her in bed for a full eight hours was a fucking dream come true. Until I heard the noise from the kitchen. Ever so quietly I grabbed the dagger on my nightstand and slowly got out of the bed and made my way downstairs.

You have got to be kidding me.

"How are you feeling?" I asked Gabriel.

He jumped a little bit and took a step back from the counter,

"I feel fine, I just needed something to eat," he said as he reached up to grab a bowl from the cabinet,

"Here let me get-"

"I can pour my own damn bowl of cereal." Gabriel hissed at me and I laughed as I took the seat across from him.

"Catalina still asleep?" he asked as he poured the cereal in.

I nodded,

"Good. Damn, girl hasn't left my side in days, let alone get an appropriate amount of sleep."

"She was worried about you Gabriel."

"She's always worried about me. She seems to worry about everyone except herself these days," he replied.

These past few days Catalina had been fussing quite a bit over Gabriel. She had insisted on checking on him at least three to four times an hour and had insisted she help him do everything and anything. Gabriel had drawn the line when she had offered to help him bathe. I had drawn the line when she had nearly passed out making Gabriel a sandwich.

"So I am learning," I smirked back at him.

"So if you don't mind me asking,"

Gabriel said before taking a bite of his cereal.

"What's the plan for you two?"

"Catalina wants to stay until you are healed completely and feeling better."

I agreed with her. We would not leave him here defenseless and injured, unable to help himself. Gabriel was still recovering and that meant he was still a little weaker than normal.

" I have healed Lucifer, one hundred percent."

More like ninety-five percent.

"I am aware brother."

But Catalina would not believe it until she saw it with her own two eyes. I had tried convincing her yesterday that Gabriel was healed and I had very quickly learned that she needed to see it to believe it and Gabriel did not pass the little test she gave him.

"So why are you two still here?" Gabriel asked,

"Where she goes, I go and if she wishes to stay then we stay."

"Did you ask the big question yet?"

I shook my head,

"No, I haven't."

Gabriel looked at me with a puzzled look on his face,

"Why?"

"Do you think she would be happy there? With me? In Hell?"

We had discussed it very briefly a few days ago, but we hadn't come to an agreement. Catalina said she needed a few days to think and I would give her as much time as she needed. This would be a big change for her. Most people don't particularly dream of living in Hell but Catalina wasn't most people. I knew from what she had told me from her childhood that she had an idea of what Hell would be like. She expected screaming and torture and cries of agony at every turn. She expected a nightmare, not a home.

Gabriel smirked at me,

"Not what I was asking about but I think she would be happy anywhere with you."

"What about you?" I asked

Gabriel shrugged,

"What about me?"

"Where will you go?"

Gabriel paused for a moment, his eyes shifting back and forth, contemplating his next words,

"I haven't really thought about it."

"Do you want to return home?" I asked him,

" I'm sure everyone would be thrilled to see you."

"Not until Micheal is caught and I can be sure Catalina is safe."

Fair enough.

"Then come with us."

We turned around and saw Catalina standing at the bottom of the staircase. Dressed in one of my shirts that looked enormous on her, her hair was pushed to the side and damn me but she was twirling that one stubborn piece of her again. She looked adorable.

Catalina walked over and laid her hand on top of Gabriel's,

"Come with us."

Gabriel looked at Catalina and then at me,

"It is your choice brother but you will always be welcome in our home."

Catalina smiled as she glanced back at me,

"Our home. I like the sound of that."

As do I my MorningStar.

Gabriel rolled his eyes, a slight smile tugged on his lips,

"Fine, I'll go with you two, on the condition that the walls are sound-proof and everyone agrees to have clothes on at all times."

Catalina laughed as I answered him,

"I'll be sure to make those accommodations for you."

"Can't make any promises on the clothing part." Catalina cut in to say as Gabriel rolled his eyes again.

"Well, I guess I should start packing then."

Catalina perked up and began to make her way back to the staircase,

"Oh I can help-"

"I can pack my damn bags Catalina." Gabriel smiled at Catalina who had a bright, gleaming smile on her face as well.

Gabriel walked up and placed a kiss on top of Catalina's head, roughing up her hair as he began to walk toward his room.

"Be ready in twenty minutes!" I yelled out as he disappeared from the staircase.

As soon as Gabriel was out of sight my eyes locked on Catalina as she walked over and sat in my lap. Straddling me.

My arms instantly went around her waist,

"So you want to live with me? In Hell?"

"I want to be with you and if that means living in Hell then so be it," she responded as she ran her fingers through my hair. She hesitated for a brief moment before she continued,

"You and Gabriel are my family besides Cain. The only family I have. As long as I have you two by my side, I know I can handle anything."

I smiled at her confession. I wanted to tell her that she didn't need us to to able to do whatever she wished. That she could do anything, accomplish anything she wanted all on her own. But what she had referred to us as.

Family.

She saw us as a family.

"Then shall we pack our bags, my Queen."

Catalina smiled brightly as I picked her up and carried her to our room.

"Let's go home, my King."

Home.

We're going home.

* * *

Catalina's POV

Twenty minutes later Lucifer, Gabriel, and I were standing in the living room of the house. I gathered pretty much all of our clothes and other necessities but I also had to grab a few photos to take with me. Even though I knew we could always come back for them, it didn't feel right to just leave them here.

Lucifer stood between Gabriel and me as he gently grasped my hand,

"Are you ready?" he asked.

I took a final look around the house and thought of all the memories this place held. All the laughs Gabriel and I shared here together. The moment Lucifer said he loved me.

This place held so many memories and even though I knew I wasn't saying goodbye to this place forever, it was still a little sad to leave.

Looking back I saw Lucifer and Gabriel staring back at me,

"I'm ready," I said and squeezed Lucifer's hand. He nodded back at me before closing his eyes.

A black mist appeared before us and slowly consumed all three of us. I closed my eyes and felt a rush of cold air that was suddenly replaced by a rush of warmth as it brushed across my skin. It felt as if I had walked into a warm home after being outside in cold weather. It was comforting. Welcoming. I braced myself for the things I would see, the sounds I would hear, the smells that would surely overwhelm me. For a moment I heard nothing. It was quiet but the warm air still surrounded me.

"You can open your eyes now," Lucifer whispered to me.

I had ideas on what Hell would look like. Everyone painted the picture of eternal suffering, flames jutting out everywhere, screaming and crying, monsters and demons around every corner. I expected darkness. But when I opened my eyes, I was taken aback. We stood in front of a huge fully black two two-story Victorian-style house made of stone with tall glass windows accompanied by small familiar little white flowers hanging in the windows.

Moon Flowers.

It was beautiful. It wasn't scary or frightening. It was cozy and welcoming.

"Not what you expected it to be is it?"

Gabriel asked as he brushed past Lucifer and me.

I turned around to take in my surroundings. There were no fiery pits or sounds of pain and suffering. No groans of pain or endless screams. Instead, there was a beautiful night sky with millions of stars sparkling like fairy lights.

I looked below and saw lush green grass that sprawled over what seemed to be acres and acres of land. Lucifer slid his arm around my waist as I looked up at him,

"Welcome home my Morningstar."

He whispered against my lips just before placing a delicate soft kiss on mine as he led me up the wide, dark black stairs. Slowly the wide door opened, welcoming us inside.

Home.

* * *

Raphael's POV

"Any sign of him?" She asked again.

Four days with this woman in the woods was enough to drive anyone mad. The trail had gone cold days ago but I had a feeling he was still here.

"Not since the last time you asked," I answered. Slightly annoyed. Forseti asked that question multiple times these past few days and frankly, I was over it. I wanted Micheal found and paying for his crimes.

"Where do you think he would've gone?" She asked.

I have no idea.

Micheal did not know this place as well as Lucifer did so theoretically he should still be in the area.

"He's smart enough to know not to try to go home first or anywhere where I'll be able to sense him, So any holy place is off the table. My best guess is he's lying low somewhere or he's still in these woods somewhere."

Lying low would be his best option but I knew my brother. He'd slip up. Eventually and when he did, we'd be there. Ready.

"We'll find him." The small delicate female responded,

"Yes, we will."

We walked in silence for a few brief moments. I welcomed the silence. I could go through every possible idea and plan in my head without having to worry about her voice intruding on my thoughts. Silence was good for me. Silence helped me focus.

"Did you and your brothers have any idea about Micheal?"

No.

I stumbled over a large tree limb jutting up from the ground,

"Unfortunately not and I wish we had."

So many things could have been prevented. So many lives could have been altered.

"Do you think Lucifer will forgive you and your brothers?"

She has so many questions today.

"Perhaps, if this new woman of his can convince him."

"Catalina." She hissed

"I beg your pardon?"

She shook her head at me, visibly annoyed

"Her name is Catalina and you should be more respectful."

"My apologies," I nodded towards her as we continued in awkward silence for a few moments. It was a habit of mine. I never cared to learn anyone's name. Not after what happened. Learning their names implied that I cared, and I knew better than that.

"My brother does seem rather infatuated with her."

I spared a glance at Forseti and could see her pale cheeks turn a light shade of pink,

"Yes he is," she smirked up at me,

"Tell me, how much do you know about their relationship?"

I pushed a large branch out of the way and allowed Forseti to go ahead of me,

"I know that he loves her very much and she loves him."

Love. Such a strange thing it was.

"Let me guess, she fell first?"

She giggled,

"Nope, Lucifer did, way sooner than he probably ever will admit to anyone."

Interesting.

"Please elaborate." I nodded towards her, still keeping an eye out around us.

"Hey it's their business but between you and me," she stopped and motioned for me to come closer,

"I think he knew the moment he saw her. When he was telling me his version of his fall, Catalina had asked if he faked any feelings for her and he replied no. I saw his memories and very vividly he remembered the first time they met." she stopped and smiled,

"He was drawn to her. He didn't know why but he enjoyed being around her."

I bet he did.

"They waited a long time for each other, I just hope Micheal doesn't ruin that for them."

He won't, I'll make sure of it.

"Have you ever been in love?"

The question rolled out of me before I could stop it.

"No, but maybe one day I will get to experience it."

She glanced up at me,

"How about you?"

"What about me?"

"Have you ever been in love?"

"Once, A very long time ago."

I wouldn't think of her now. I spent so many years keeping those memories in the back of my mind and I wasn't going to bring them back now. Those memories wouldn't change anything.

"We should split up and cover more ground it'll be easier to track-"

"Please tell me you see that as well?"

Forseti asked as we both looked over and saw black smoke beginning to paint over the sky.

"Unfortunately."

I said as we began to rush towards the smoke. As we drew closer and closer I could feel the heat of a large burning fire, the clouds of smoke grew darker and darker making it almost impossible to see.

"What the fuck caused all this?" Forseti asked in between coughing fits,

I raised my hand and focused on clearing the smoke and putting the fire out to see what was before us.

"Oh shit."

She whispered, finally seeing what was before us. The house. Catalina's house. Burned to the ground.

"I don't sense anything so no one was hurt. The house must be empty." I said drawing closer to a patch in the grass in front of the burned home that was still on fire.

"Is that-"

"It is."

I glanced over at the words as they began to turn to ash on the ground.

"What does it say?"

"It's a declaration from Micheal."

She glanced up at me, panic and worry taking form in her eyes.

"A declaration for what?"

"War. Micheal wants to go to war."

I glanced back down at the phrase written in burning fire,

"Stipendia enim peccati mors."

For the wages of sin is death.