Chapter 41: Lana

I don't know how long I've slept when I wake up with a headache and stiff neck. My bladder is full and my stomach is empty, so it may have been several hours.

Once I freshen up in the bathroom, I realize what the familiar sensations nibbling at the edges of my consciousness are. The Fallen – my Fallen, my mentors. They're here.

In a sense of déjà vu, I find myself running towards the throne room again. Raised voices greet me, just like they did yesterday, only now there are several voices trying to talk over each other, and they're all familiar to me.

I don't slow down as I run straight towards the blonde and blue-eyed fallen angel in drab gray robes and hug him, my arms wrapping around his waist.

"Child," Daniel says and he sounds so much like a worried parent. "Are you alright?" he asks when I look up into the familiar kind eyes.

I nod and step back, realizing we're at the center of everyone's attention. "I'm fine," I reply, and turn towards Maalik. "I'm not gonna hug you, have to mind your blood pressure, old man."

But Maalik doesn't smile at my joke. Looking around, I can see Kevin, with Naamah's hand on his shoulder, as if she's holding him back. Ramel is positioned behind Maalik, arms crossed, a scowl on his face. Sariel is standing near the throne, beautiful face still ravaged by grief, but he at least cleaned himself since I saw him last.

And of course, on that throne sits Ashtaroth. He's looking at me with an expression so indifferent, I would have rather seen the anger from yesterday. "Why are you all here?" I ask, not looking away from the archdemon, but addressing my mentors.

I'm willing his expression to change when Daniel clears his throat. "We are here on behalf of the Council. Regarding the murder of humans at the Great Duke's command."

I sigh at Ash, even though he's looking right through me. It was all too hasty, and now there's trouble with Heaven.

Maalik doesn't miss my reaction or lack thereof. "You knew?" he asks cautiously and I nod at him solemnly.

"They tortured and killed a child. And a friend." My voice is harsh but not defensive. "I'm not going to mourn them. I just wish I could have questioned them first." I'm tempted to throw the archdemon still sitting quietly a glare, but it's painful to keep looking at him. His acting like I don't exist is painful enough, but he's also doing it in front of my friends. Like any tenderness between us was just a dirty secret.

"Hmm." Maalik steps closer to me, his dark skin gilded by the many candles in the throne room. "And do you also know that once Belias was done, Aim was sent to kill every single person related to that family? One hundred and eighteen humans."

I feel the blood drain from my face. I slowly turn towards the throne, my head spinning. Ashtaroth seems to almost be waiting for my outrage, anticipating it. "Why?" I ask softly.

He's still for a moment, then smiles in a way I haven't seen since our first encounter. "If someone in your family were to be ripped apart by a demon, would you not kill any of its kind you came across?" He speaks in a mocking tone that somehow manages to still be icy cold.

I shake my head in disbelief. "It's not the same! These were innocent people, they did nothing to you!"

That dreadful smile is still on his face as he crosses an ankle over a knee. He's sprawled on the throne like nothing of consequence is happening. "Could the same not be said for most demons? Would you be equally affronted if I killed a hundred of my own kind?"

My mouth falls open and it takes me a second to form my reply in the face of his ridiculous question. The Fallen are silently observing our volley. Even Kevin and Naamah are standing completely still, their eyes wide open. "You're comparing demons, some that spawn with an ingrained instinct to rip into any living creature they come across, to people? Humans aren't born good or evil, they have souls."

His eyes flash, but then he smirks and I have a feeling he manipulated this conversation to go exactly as he wants it to. "Can one not love without having a soul? Angels do not have souls. Father does not have one. Even the Watcher whose apron strings you cling to is soulless."

I flush at the insult and take a step back. Sariel is frowning at his father with what looks like disappointment. "That's not what I meant," I snap. "What is this conversation really about, Ashtaroth?"

Any hint of animation wipes from his face. "Nothing. There is nothing for it to be about."

I can feel myself trembling at the implication of his words. Nothing . Daniel steps closer and nods at Maalik who smoothly breaks the silence in the room. "As I was saying before you joined us, Lana." There's a steadying quality in those golden snake eyes that I really appreciate right now. "The Council has decreed that any Purgatory warrior held here by the Great Duke is to be released. "

My eyes instinctively snap towards the archdemon who shrugs leisurely, his smile not reaching his calm amber eyes. "They were always free to leave at any time."

I clench my jaw. Bastard. Either he's putting on one hell of a performance or I'm the most gullible person in both Hell and on Earth. I look away from him before my mask slips. Catching Sariel's eyes, I nod at him in farewell, then turn on my heel, not waiting for the others.

My breaths increase in volume, the air sawing in and out through my clenched throat. I want to scream and rip at the flesh of my chest until I can pull my lungs out and stop feeling like I'm drowning. I pick up the pace, but Maalik reaches me, his long legs eating up the distance. "Do you need anything from here?" he asks.

"No," I reply, my voice as dead as Sariel's was last night. "There is nothing."