Chapter Text
Lucifer and Michael were currently in their Father’s quarters.
He’d asked to meet with them after they’d explained the situation with Samael to the Host.
Most of Lucifer’s siblings were currently wandering around Heaven aimlessly, trying to come to terms with what they’d been told.
Many Angels winced. They could imagine what it must have felt like to be told that Samael was well and truly dead.
Camael leaned forward and squeezed Samael tightly.
The Twins turned as one when the door opened and their Father stepped in. He smiled at them both.
“What did you need to discuss with us?” Michael asked.
“I wanted to discuss something to do with the unworthy soul currently residing in Heaven.” Their Father told them and the Twins glanced at each other.
“What about him?” Lucifer asked wearily.
“I want to be sure that there aren’t more.” He answered.
Lucifer blinked in surprise. He wanted to say it was about damn time, but, just this once, he decided to keep his thoughts to himself.
“Samael keeping his thoughts to himself? Will wonders never cease?” Jophiel asked teasingly.
Samael twisted in his seat to stick his tongue out at her.
Jophiel grinned impishly at him.
Although, judging by the amused upward twitch of his Father’s lips, the Deity had heard him regardless.
“How do you suggest we do that?” Lucifer asked. This was something he’d wanted to do for thousands of years.
“I think the best way to start would be to reevaluate the souls.” His Father answered.
Lucifer blinked again. “All of them?” He asked.
“Yes.” His Father answered. “I cannot think of another way that we could discern who deserves to be here and who doesn’t.”
“And what about the souls that don’t belong in Hell?” Lucifer asked quietly, almost hopefully.
Hamaliel frowned. “Why would any of the damned souls not belong in Hell?” He asked confused.
Samael sent him a deadpan look. “If someone can feel no guilt for something they did, wouldn’t it make sense that somebody can feel guilt over something they didn’t do?”
Hamaliel still looked confused. “But why would they feel guilty for something they didn’t do?” He asked. “It doesn’t make any sense.”
God smiled. “We can reevaluate those as well. I think it’s high time we change the system.”
Lucifer smiled. That was good. Then he frowned. “How will we evaluate the souls in Hell?” He asked. “I can’t go back there, not now that Light is once again a part of me.” He said.
His Father nodded. “We can bring the souls up from Hell one by one. If they deserved their damnation, we will send them back. If not, they will stay here in the Silver City until we can set up an afterlife for them.”
“Won’t our siblings protest?” Lucifer asked. “I got the impression that they didn’t think very highly of humanity as a whole. Wouldn’t allowing damned souls into the Silver City cause problems?”
“Our siblings’ aversion is mostly due to the fact that there are so many damned souls.” Michael said. “The majority of us merely cannot stand the taint on their souls. It is why we have no trouble communicating with the blessed souls that reside in Heaven.”
Lucifer nodded. That made sense, he supposed.
“Another thing I wanted to speak to you about is that the exorcist’s soul has gone missing. I wanted-“ His next words died on His lips as both of His Sons gained identically innocent expressions that simply didn’t suit either of them.
Raphael grinned. “You two haven’t changed a bit.” She laughed. “You only wear those looks when you know you’ve done something wrong.”
Samael leaned closer to Michael. Should we tell her that we mainly wore that look just to mess with everybody’s heads. I can’t remember the last time we actually used it to get away with anything.
Michael glanced at him. Don’t you dare ruin this for me. He said, though he was trying very hard to suppress his grin.
God looked from one to the other. “What happened?” He asked.
Lucifer’s face darkened and both his eyes burned red. “He came at Michael with a celestial blade.” The Devil growled. “No doubt he mistook him for me.”
Michael frowned at the half-truth and Lucifer knew that his Twin was telling their Father the rest of the story in his head.
Michael turned to Samael. “Why didn’t you just tell Him that he attacked you too?” He asked.
Samael shrugged. “It’s not important.” He said, then yelped when Camael smacked him on the back of the head.
“What was that for?” He demanded, turning to his older sister.
“I’m going to do that every time you say something stupid from now on.” She said sternly. “When somebody attacks you, you tell someone about it, you hear?”
Samael made a face at her and she raised her hand threateningly. “Fine.” He grumbled, still rubbing the back of his head.
He turned away in annoyance, but Michael saw him hide a small, happy smile as he faced the book.
“Where is he now?” Their Father demanded furiously.
Michael smirked and snapped his fingers. The man appeared from the shadows, whimpering.
Lucifer looked over his unconscious form. “Oh dear, if he’s still unconscious perhaps I hit him too hard.” He said casually.
“Didn’t hit him hard enough, more like.” Samael grumbled.
Gabriel sent him a sidelong look. “You know, your violent tendencies are starting to concern me.” She said.
Samael glowered at her. “He started it.” He said petulantly, before he smiled sweetly. “I’m just finishing it.”
Michael chuckled darkly.
God stared down at the soul’s prone form with contempt. “We will begin with him.” He said.
He turned to Lucifer, who looked suddenly scared. He put a hand on His Son’s shoulder. “You don’t have to be present if you don’t want to.” He said gently.
Reevaluating a soul often required a viewing of their memories and God knew that that would include watching what had happened to Samael.
Samael went pale. Did that mean he’d have to read about what happened?
Michael, sensing Samael’s unease, quickly wrapped an arm around him.
He also knew that Lucifer was aware of this.
The Devil took a deep breath and shook his head. “I want to be there.” He said. “I need to know that he gets what’s coming to him.” It was the only way he’d be able to sleep at night while he was here.
What’s wrong? Michael asked.
I was afraid. Lucifer said. I could have stopped him, but I was too scared to try. Their magic would never have been able to hold me if I hadn’t let them.
Michael went to put an arm around him. No one will think any less of you. He assured his Twin. How old were you?
Still seventeen I think, mentally at least. I’m fairly sure that by then I’d been in Hell for a few millennia. I didn’t really have anything to judge time by. Lucifer answered.
God’s eyes widened. It started that early? He asked alarmed.
Lucifer sighed. Back then most of my visits ended in exorcisms. Only when humanity started progressing and I outlawed possession did the exorcisms become less frequent. I also leaked false information to the humans, so exorcisms became more of a joke than anything else. This is honestly the first exorcism I’ve experienced in eight visits. He said.
Raphael frowned. It said something about how bad Hell must have been for Samael if he would rather continuously subject himself to these exorcisms than stay in Hell full-time.
His Father closed his eyes. Clearly He hadn’t been paying nearly enough attention to His Son.
That would end today.
“Very well.” He said. “Shall we begin today or wait until tomorrow?”
Lucifer finally seemed to relax at being able to choose for himself.
Michael felt Samael sag against his side, but whether it was from relief at the confirmation of his own Free Will or something else, he couldn’t tell.
“Today. I want to get this done as soon as possible.” He said.
God nodded. Then he frowned. “While we’re on the topic, I still need to think about when we should deal with the priests who started all of this.”
Lucifer thought for a moment. “Maybe we should wait until after we’ve Reevaluated all the souls. It’s going to take some time to set up Hellloops for any unworthy souls that might have made it to Heaven. We could send them to the cells and then set up their punishments alongside the priests’. The same goes for the souls that don’t belong in Hell. We should probably try to find some temporary residence for them in the Silver City.” He said.
God nodded thoughtfully. “I’ll ask some of your siblings to set up a place for the souls to stay until we can activate their afterlives.” He decided. He looked back at His Sons. “Why don’t you two head off to the courtroom while I call your siblings together?”
By the end of the passage several of the Angels’ jaws had hit the ground.
Samael noticed the looks he was getting and frowned. “What?” He asked confused.
“You and Dad are cooperating.” Nathanel said with the air of someone witnessing a miracle.
Samael made a face. “Whatever.” He said, turning back to the book.
It’s not like I liked fighting with Him. He thought annoyed.
A moment later, Michael had pulled him back into his side and Samael realised his Twin had heard his thoughts again.
He sighed wearily and leaned his head against Michael’s shoulder.
The Twins nodded and left the room, leaving the exorcist’s soul in their Father’s office.
They walked to the courtroom in silence. It was located in the centre of the Silver City, perfectly accessible for the entire Host, whether they decided to walk or fly there.
Its existence was mainly a precaution in case it became necessary.
It hadn’t been used in all the time that Lucifer had lived in Heaven, or after, he didn’t think. Not even when he Fell.
The Devil had a feeling that was about to change.
Are you sure you want to be present for this? Michael asked. I can tell how much he scares you. The fear you feel at the mere sight of him is great.
I need to be sure that he gets what he deserves. Lucifer said, closing his eyes for a moment.
I don’t understand why he scares me so much. Lucifer admitted. I know he can’t hurt me anymore. Yet every time I see him I feel like any second I’ll be back under his knife.
Fear isn’t always rational. Michael told him. Many mortals fear things without any apparent reason. Your fear is not without reason. You were young, unused to humanity’s treatment of you and you were hurt in one of the worst ways imaginable. You have every right to be afraid of him. I only wish you didn’t need to be. I wish I had been there to stop it. His Twin said.
You couldn’t have known. Lucifer said softly.
I should have. I should have known that you needed me. Michael answered, cursing himself for not being there.
Michael glanced over at Samael, who by now had wrapped his own arms around Michael and was listening to the book with his eyes closed.
I’m sorry. Michael said quietly.
Samael cracked one eye open to look at him. I don’t need an apology. He said. I need you to tell me you’ll never ignore me again.
Michael smiled and started carding his fingers through his Twin’s hair. “I promise.” He said out loud.
Samael smiled. “Promise what?” He asked cheekily.
Michael scoffed and flicked the back of his head. “Idiot.” He said fondly.
Lucifer put a hand on his shoulder as they reached the courthouse.
They entered and went to stand on the opposite end of the room, where the judge’s stand would normally be. Instead of a judge’s stand, however, there was a raised platform that arched around in a crescent shape.
There were no seats.
Judgement never took too long in Heaven. Lucifer knew this even though there had never been a court meeting in Heaven before.
The Twins took their places almost at the centre of the platform, the furthest from the door. They left a place free between them.
In a quick summary, this was how Judgement worked:
Remiel frowned. “Why do we need a summary? We know how it works.”
“I don’t!” Naomi spoke up. “I wanna know how it works!”
Lucifer and Michael would stand on either side of Raguel. Judgement and Punishment on either side of Justice. Raguel was in charge of leading the court proceedings, as he had the ability to see and process a soul’s entire life in a matter of seconds. He would ensure that a person always received a fair trial. Michael would pass the verdict of whether the person in question was innocent or guilty and Lucifer would sentence the guilty to a punishment that fit the crime.
The rest of their siblings were there as witnesses and their Father stood behind Lucifer, Michael and Raguel. He was there simply to observe the proceedings.
“Oohhh.” Naomi said with the air of someone who’d just been enlightened about an enrapturing topic.
Samael looked over at her and smiled. He’d missed her constant excitement.
As one, both Twins unfurled their wings.
“Uhh…Mi-Michael…” Lucifer said uncertainly, his voice hitching slightly on the first syllable of his Twin’s name.
Michael turned to him and his wings dipped in shock as he stared at Lucifer’s pure white wings.
Samael raised his head slightly from Michael’s shoulder, a mildly concerned look on his face.
Because, they weren’t pure white any longer.
Michael frowned, looking between Samael and the book in confusion. “What other colour would they be?” He asked bewildered.
Samael, meanwhile, had crossed his fingers and was muttering, “don’t be red, don’t be red, don’t be red,” under his breath very fast.
There were glowing red strands woven into every feather,
“Dammit!” Samael yelled, throwing his hands up.
Several of his siblings gave him weird looks.
giving them a slightly reddish hue and mingling with the bright white light that surrounded them.
Lucifer stared at his wings in awe. “They look like my devil eyes.” He breathed.
Michael reached out slightly and ran his hands over the feathers, they felt as they always did except for the heat that radiated from the red strands. “Hellfire.” He muttered.
Lucifer blinked. “Makes sense, I suppose. Hellfire or Fire in general is a combination of both my Dominions.”
Michael frowned. “I thought Fire is Light.”
“How much Light do you know of that’s red?” Lucifer asked. “Red is the colour of Will. I created Hellfire because it was the only form of Light that I could call upon in Hell. Haven’t you ever wondered why Fire is the only form of Light that spreads once it has been lit? It cannot be contained easily and the longer it burns, the bigger it gets, the hotter it becomes, the farther it spreads. It’s a perfect representation of Will if you ask me.” He finished bitterly.
Samael scowled. “I hate you.” He said quietly, imagining he was speaking to his Will.
Michael glanced down at him and frowned. Do you think that maybe that’s part of the problem? He asked silently.
Samael frowned. What? He asked.
That you’re rejecting Will. Michael responded. You’re not even pretending you want to learn to control it.
Samael frowned. Of course I want to.
Michael shook his head. No, you only want to learn because you need to. If it were up to you you’d never have to deal with it again.
Samael lifted his head to gape at him. You’re telling me this entire problem is because Will is mad at me? He asked disbelievingly.
Michael shrugged. You are its container. He said reasonably. I think I’d be pretty mad too if I’d been locked up for no apparent reason and the person who’s been keeping me locked up says they hate me for trying to get out.
Samael considered that as he lowered his head back on Michael’s shoulder, his expression thoughtful.
“It is the only form in which I have complete control over Will, but it’s destructive and frankly extremely dangerous, as you saw earlier.” The Devil finished.
“Is that how it feels before you have an outburst?” Michael asked carefully. “Like fire?”
Lucifer looked down at his hands. “It feels like I’m being burned from the inside out.” He said quietly, shuddering at all the memories he had of burning, both from the outside in and from the inside out. He really couldn’t figure out which was more painful.
Samael shuddered and brought his hand up to his face, where he’d been burned by the demons.
Michael put his arms around him in comfort.
Lucifer leaned into his Twin’s touch and breathed out in relief as Dark and Power came around him, soothing the aches of his still healing injuries.
They stayed that way for a little while longer until the first of their siblings arrived.
“Holy shit!” The outburst had both Twins looking around.
Azrael was standing in the entrance of the courthouse and staring at the Twins. More specifically, at Lucifer’s new wings.
She came up to them and looked the wings over. “They’re so cool!” She exclaimed excitedly.
She looked giddy and was bouncing on her heels. Lucifer rolled his eyes, realising what she wanted.
He wrapped one of his wings around her and pulled her closer. Azrael started happily playing with his feathers. Being the youngest of the Angels, she’d never matured quite as much as the rest of her siblings. She still enjoyed the childish things in life.
Lucifer could honestly say he was similar, though for very different reasons.
Linda had once told him that she thought he acted like a teenager at times. Apparently, his emotional maturity was more on par with that of an adolescent.
Well, Hell wasn’t exactly known for its emotional growth, so he supposed that wasn’t all that surprising.
One by one, the rest of his siblings trickled in. Each and every one of them had something or other to say about his wings.
Once their Father had arrived, they took their positions and waited for it to begin.
“Before we start,” Azrael said, once she’d taken her own position not far from the Twins. “I was wondering what we’re supposed to call you now.” She said to Lucifer. “I mean, do you want to go by Lucifer or Samael or a different name entirely?” She asked.
Lucifer thought it over. “I don’t know. I still feel like Lucifer, but I also feel more like Samael than I have in eons.” He said slowly.
“Well then why not go by both?” Seraquiel suggested, leaning forward to look at him. “Don’t mortals have this thing where they have two primary names? What do you call them?”
“Middle names?” Lucifer asked.
Seraquiel nodded.
“Archangel and Devil alike.” Michael said smiling.
Lucifer smiled slightly. “I like that.” He said quietly.
“But which name do we call you then?” Amenadiel asked.
Lucifer shrugged. “Whichever you desire.” He said.
He hesitated. “Just…don’t expect me to be Samael.” He added.
Naomi suddenly stood up and crawled into Samael’s lap.
Samael looked down at her, startled.
She looked up at him with her big brown eyes. “Are you still Sammy?” She asked tearfully.
Samael smiled at her. “Yeah.” He said softly. “I’m still Sammy.”
Naomi grinned happily and hugged him tightly.
His siblings nodded.
“Why are we here, anyway?” Cassiel asked.
Lucifer looked at his Father startled. “You didn’t tell them?” He asked.
The Deity shook His head. “I would prefer it if the mortal survived until the end of this meeting.” He said dryly.
“Fat chance.” Ramiel muttered.
“It has come to My attention that there is an unworthy soul in Heaven.” He continued and His Children all looked to Him in shock.
“We will be reevaluating all the souls in Heaven to ensure that there aren’t more.” He said. “We will also be reevaluating all the souls in Hell.”
Lucifer spoke up then. “Just to be clear, there are souls in Hell who have done revolting things, so I don’t think anyone should be forced to watch their memories if they don’t want to.” He looked to his Father who nodded, looking serious.
“Those of you who do not wish to see what the souls in Hell have done may leave when the time comes.” The Deity said.
“We will start with the soul of which I am already aware that he is unworthy.” God turned to Lucifer, whose hands had begun to shake. “Michael, if you wouldn’t mind switching places.” He said and Michael immediately lit up.
The Sword of God came to stand between Lucifer and Raguel, staying slightly behind them so his wings had room. Lucifer relaxed almost immediately at his Twin’s presence.
Several Angels exchanged concerned looks.
Then God snapped His fingers and a mortal soul appeared in the centre of the half circle of Angels, looking around in confusion.
Michael and Uriel growled at the man. Michael put a hand on Lucifer’s shoulder when he felt him start to shake, his white wings twitching in agitation despite his best efforts to keep them still.
Samael had started to shake as well. He didn’t want to hear about this. He hated those exorcists almost as much as he hated the demons.
Sensing his Twin’s rising panic, Michael started carding his fingers through Samael’s hair.
In the meantime, Naomi had tightened her arms around her favourite uncle and Camael had leaned forward to rest a hand on her little brother’s shoulder.
God looked down at the mortal of whom His Morningstar was so afraid.
“Do you know where you are, mortal?” Raguel asked.
The man, looking stunned at being in the presence of so many Angels, shook his head.
“You are here for a Reevaluation. We have come to find that there is an unworthy soul in Heaven. We are evaluating everyone to ensure there aren’t more.” Raguel said neutrally. He wasn’t sure what this mortal had done to be deemed unworthy by his Father, but it would be fastest not to let the soul know he was the soul in question. Raguel knew that mortals tended to fight when confronted with their own misdeeds.
“Only if they know they’re wrong.” Samael muttered, thinking of the demons and their tendency to brag about what they’d done.
Lucifer’s anxiety and Michael’s rage, however, painted a picture that Raguel did not like.
“State your name.” Raguel said.
“Phillip.” The soul said nervously. “Father Phillip.”
A priest then. Interesting.
“How long have you been in Heaven for?” Raguel asked.
“I-I’m not sure. I think it’s been a couple million years.” He said nervously.
Several of Raguel’s siblings shifted their wings, surprise rippling through the bonds of the Host.
Raguel noticed Lucifer ease up beside him and had to hide a wince. He could hardly imagine being separated from the Host for as long as Lucifer had been. Feeling the Host Bonds now, after they’d been severed for so long had to be like coming up for air.
He didn’t think he’d ever forgive himself for that. Raguel knew that, logically, it had been their Father’s decision to banish Samael, but it was Raguel’s job to ensure that everyone received a fair punishment.
Lucifer’s had been anything but.
It honestly made him doubt his position as the Angel of Justice. How could he expect to Judge the humans fairly if he’d failed his own brother?
Samael looked up from Michael’s shoulder and craned his neck to look at Raguel, who was sitting on Michael’s other side.
Samael reached over to take his hand and squeezed.
Raguel chuckled at his little brother’s antics and squeezed back.
He focused back on the mortal soul. “Have you ever undertaken any…wicked activities?” Raguel asked.
“No.” The soul said.
Beside him Lucifer tensed. Raguel glanced at him questioningly.
“No lie.” Lucifer said, and Raguel was concerned to note that his younger brother sounded close to tears.
There was a chorus of growls and shouts at the human’s declaration.
Michael surged forward, but Lucifer spread his wings, keeping him away from the soul.
“Gah!” Samael yelled. “Stop being weak!”
Several Angels stared at him in consternation.
Samael barely noticed as he glared at the book. “Stop protecting him!” He yelled, tears gathering in his eyes.
Michael blinked, before he softened. “Sam,” he said softly, pulling his Twin into a proper hug. “It’s okay. Just because he’s going easy on him, doesn’t mean he believes you deserved it.”
Samael shuddered and buried his face in Michael’s chest.
“Michael.” Raguel said. “Control yourself.”
Michael glared at Raguel. “Don’t tell me what to do.” He said petulantly.
Raguel raised an eyebrow. “Don’t act like a child throwing a tantrum.” He countered.
Samael snorted. “He isn’t the child, he’s the dad.”
Michael turned his glare on Samael. “Damn you.” He muttered.
Samael smiled sweetly. “Too late brother dearest, Dad beat you to it.”
Camael choked on a laugh.
Michael growled, and Lucifer must have said something else to him, because he stepped back.
He wrapped a wing around Lucifer protectively.
The next course of action was to watch the soul’s memories.
Samael tensed and Michael immediately held him tighter.
Angels typically had heightened senses, which meant that they could watch the memories a hundred thousand times faster than the actual speed and still comfortably see what was happening. The viewing should not take more than two minutes.
They watched most of the mortal’s life without incident. He was a pretty standard priest. He didn’t have much to be guilty about.
Until they were about halfway through the mortal’s lifespan.
The new memory started in a church basement and Lucifer flinched.
So did Samael.
Michael looked at him worriedly. “Do you need to leave?” He asked.
Samael shook his head, saying nothing.
That was the first sign Raguel got that something was about to go very wrong.
The second was when their Father raised His hand and Lucifer vanished. Father didn’t explain Himself, though Raguel caught the grateful look that Michael sent His way.
The Angel of Justice turned back to the mortal priest’s memories, his heart sinking slightly.
There were several more people standing in a circle, aside from the mortal currently lying unconscious in the middle of the courtroom, and in between them was…something. It looked pretty big, but Raguel couldn’t say what it was, because it was covered by a sheet.
Michael felt Samael start to tremble against his side and hurriedly wrapped his wings around him.
Once they were fully cocooned in the pitch black feathers, Michael pulled Samael fully onto his lap.
“It’s okay.” He said gently to his shaking Twin. “You’re going to be okay.”
Samael buried his face in Michael’s shoulder and tried to focus on his Twin’s presence instead of the words that the book was reading.
Phillip stepped forward and pulled the sheet off of whatever was underneath.
Raguel jerked back when a pair of pure white wings came into view.
They were nothing like he’d ever seen them before. They were matted, damaged, and the feathers stuck out at odd angles. The feathers looked more grey than white and the Light that usually emanated from them was faded.
This passage made everyone look at the ball of feathers that was Michael’s wings.
Samael’s wings did look a bit decrepit.
As Raphael listened to the book’s description of her baby brother, she made a decision. Samael was going to get a preening when this was all over and she wouldn’t take no for an answer.
The boy to whom the wings were attached looked even worse.
“Rude.” Came Samael’s muffled reply from within the cocoon of Michael’s wings.
Camael rolled her eyes. “It’s not rude if it’s the truth.” She shot back.
Samael must have had something to say to that, because a second later they could hear Michael laughing, his wings shaking with his laughter.
His hair was matted and filthy. Most of his skin was sickly pale, except for the burns that covered his entire body in patches.
He looked emaciated, his skin clung tightly to his bones. Even while they were closed, his eyes looked sunken and there were dark shadows underneath them that indicated severe sleep deprivation.
He had various other injuries as well, most of which looked infected.
Raguel heard a pained noise somewhere to his left and knew that it was Raphael.
Raguel wasn’t feeling much better himself.
He looked young, younger than Light. As a matter of fact, he didn’t look much older than when he’d first Fallen.
This wasn’t Lucifer, this was still Samael.
Raguel saw that there were shackles around his brother’s wrists and ankles. The wings on his back were bound by chains at the joints so they were forcefully folded together in what had to be the most painful way possible.
Samael whimpered under Michael’s wings, drawing his wings close to his body.
Michael gestured to his Twin’s wings. May I? He asked softly.
Samael paused, before hesitantly moving one of his wings towards him.
Michael reached out and started gently running his fingers through the worn plumage.
The feathers shivered at the near-foreign touch and Samael moaned as he let his forehead fall against Michael’s shoulder.
It was too reminiscent of the exorcism that had left Lucifer teetering on the edge of permanent destruction. Raguel didn’t like it.
One of the priests stepped back at the sight of him. “What is this?” He asked in shock.
He was young, in his early to mid-twenties maybe.
“What does it look like?” Phillip asked. “It’s the Devil.”
“He’s a child.” The other priest said, getting angry.
Samael frowned against Michael’s shoulder, trying to listen. He still had no idea what those men had said.
Up until now, everything they’d read had been in Enochian.
Now it was that weird language that Samael still didn’t quite understand.
Michael seemed to sense his frustration, because he stopped stroking Samael’s feathers for a moment.
Samael made a discontent noise and pushed his wing against Michael’s hand impatiently.
Michael smiled and continued his movements, silently asking, What’s up?
I can’t understand what they’re saying. Samael groused.
I can translate for you. Michael said.
Samael perked up. Thanks. He said gratefully.
Michael just smiled and continued brushing his wings.
“That is a diversion. Satan is attempting to gain our sympathy by taking a young form.” Phillip said annoyed.
Just then, there was a groan and Phillip turned back to Samael. The Fallen Angel had woken up.
His eyes were bloodshot and Raguel saw no trace of the laughter he was so used to hearing from him once upon a time. They were dull, weary and tired.
He looked around in confusion. He still looked so damn innocent. Nothing like he was now.
He tried to get up, only for the chains to keep him down. He tugged and pulled and struggled to break the chains, but nothing happened. He was stuck.
He looked around again and this time he seemed to notice that he wasn’t alone in the room.
“You’re not demons.” He said. “Who are you?”
“It is attempting to cast a spell on us!” One of the priests yelled.
Michael growled at how the mortals objectified his Twin.
Monsters.
Raguel almost growled at hearing these people refer to his little brother in such a way.
Though he couldn’t really blame them for thinking that Samael was placing a spell on them. He wasn’t speaking any language known to man.
He was speaking Enochian, the Angels’ Mother Tongue.
“What are you saying?” Samael asked, still sounding so confused. “I don’t know what you’re saying.”
Raguel could hear the beginnings of panic in his voice.
“Let us begin.” Phillip said, pulling out a knife with a golden blade. A celestial weapon.
Samael whimpered and Michael held him tighter.
Michael growled and suddenly, Raguel understood.
This was an exorcism. One of the first, by the looks of it.
“No!” The young priest yelled. “I will not aid you in killing a child!”
Samael stilled and slowly lifted his head to stare in the direction of the book. “That’s what he said?” He asked quietly.
Michael looked up at him and tilted his head. “Yes.” He said simply, recognising that his Twin needed a moment of silence.
Phillip sighed. “Very well then.” He said coolly. He gestured to the other priests.
They nodded and three of them stepped forward.
Two grabbed the younger man by the arms, while the last pulled out his own knife and rammed it into the young priest’s stomach.
Samael flinched and Michael pulled him back down to rest his head against his shoulder.
Samael was shaking again. “They killed him because he defended me.” He said quietly.
Michael shook his head. “No, they killed him because he was a decent person and they’re not. They mistook his kindness for treason and killed him before he could report them.”
Looked down at Samael and started carding one hand through his hair. “You were never to blame for their own choices.”
Samael shifted his head to look at him. “Do you think he’d have done it if I’d looked older?” He asked quietly.
Michael hesitated. “I’m not sure.” He replied and Samael closed his eyes wearily.
The Angels watched as the young man crumbled to the ground, clutching his midsection. It didn’t take long before he gave one last twitch, and went still.
Phillip turned back to Samael. “Now look what you made me do.”
At this, Samael went rigid. “I didn’t make him do anything.” He whispered to himself and Michael stilled when he realised that Samael was trying to convince himself.
“I d-didn’t mean to.” Samael whimpered.
“You didn’t.” Michael said gently.
Samael shook his head. “Maybe I did.” He muttered to himself. “I-I can’t always tell.”
“You didn’t.” Michael repeated more strongly this time. “That man killed the priest because he hated that he was talking back to him and he had the Power to make him stop. It’s not your fault.”
Samael looked up at him, tears streaming down his face. “Thank you.” He said so quietly Michael barely heard him.
The Angel of Darkness buried his face in Samael’s hair. “Don’t thank me for something I should have told you ages ago.” He muttered back.
Samael stared at the man’s corpse with wide, terrified eyes. “Why did you do that?” He asked, horrified. “He didn’t do anything!”
“I thought humans were supposed to be better than the demons.” Samael said quietly. “But right then, I really couldn’t tell the difference.” He shuddered. “I thought—I thought they’d found me. It terrified me.”
Michael continued to stroke his Twin’s wing, but now he shifted his own a little closer to Samael.
“It’s starting to itch.” Was all he said when Samael looked up at him.
The Fallen Angel smiled and hesitantly reached out to run his own fingers through his Twin’s feathers.
Michael smiled as well and turned his attention back to the book. It was clear that Samael desperately needed the distraction.
“Oh Sammy.” Seraquiel whispered.
Seeing her older brother, who looked so much younger than all of them, look so scared was heartbreaking.
When one of the priests started towards Samael, knife raised, Azrael blurted out “I don’t want to watch this!” There were tears already running down her face and she was hyperventilating.
God raised His hand and a second later, she was gone.
The other Angels turned back to the memory. They had to watch it all. They needed to know the extent of the damage, lest the punishment be too light.
That did not make it any less difficult to stand there and watch as these mortals mutilated their brother, it did not stop them from flinching at the sound of metal cutting into his skin, it did not make Samael’s screams any less haunting.
It did not ease the bile that clawed its way up their throats when Samael started screaming his siblings’ names, begging them to come and help him.
Camael flinched and buried her head in her hands.
They hadn’t heard him. None of them had heard him call for help.
Why hadn’t they heard him?
Had they just not listened? Was that really all it took to miss something like this? Was it really that easy?
It lasted for hours, the priests hacking away at Samael while the Lightbringer screamed in pain. Raguel couldn’t figure out how he and his siblings hadn’t found out about this. Churches were holy ground and no holy ground should ever be tainted by angelic blood.
He would definitely have to speak to his Father about this, and possibly even take a look around this church, if it was still standing. He almost shuddered at the thought.
With that plan in mind, Raguel turned his attention back to the memories, just as the door of the church basement burst open.
The priests whipped around to find a demon standing in the doorway. Half her face was rotted but the other half looked surprisingly human.
She looked no older than ten.
Samael perked up at the description. “Mazikeen.” He said wistfully.
Michael glanced over at him. “You really care about that demon, don’t you?” He asked.
Samael smiled his first real smile since the chapter started. “She’s the best.”
Michael hummed. “I wonder why Balance didn’t bring her here with us.” He said.
Samael tilted his head. “Probably thought it was too risky. Angels and demons don’t mix well after all.”
Michael frowned. “Do you want her to be here?” He asked.
“Yes.” Samael said without hesitation.
Michael nodded and made a note to ask Balance to bring the little she-demon here.
She took one look at Samael’s bleeding body and her face contorted with a rage very similar to what Raguel was feeling now.
It was a rage one could only feel in the face of an injured sibling.
Samael beamed at that. He hadn’t been completely conscious when this had happened, so he hadn’t realised just how angry she’d been on his behalf.
He still had trouble understanding sometimes why anyone would care so deeply for him.
She screamed with fury and ran at the priest closest to her.
She fought- she fought like a celestial, Raguel realised.
The way she cut down the priests, one after another was very reminiscent to how Samael used to fight.
At this, Michael looked up. “You trained her?” He asked Samael.
The Angel nodded. “It was an exchange of sorts.” He said sheepishly. “She taught me how to survive in Hell and I taught her how to fight like an Angel.”
Only once all the others were dead did the demon make her way towards Phillip, twirling her curved blades.
She made a series of growling noises, but didn’t attack. She waited a few moments, then growled again.
“What are you doing?” Phillip asked quietly, confused.
The demon girl blinked. She looked from him to Samael and then back again.
Then she lunged at the mortal.
And still she didn’t kill him. Instead she pulled the knife out of his hand and dragged him over to where Samael lay, barely stirring.
She pushed the priest to his knees and grabbed one of Samael’s arms and, far more gently than Raguel would ever have thought possible of a demon, she pulled it to herself. She pointed to the shackle on the Angel’s wrist.
No, Raguel realised with shock, not the shackle. She was pointing to the keyhole.
Camael raised her eyebrows. There was something off about this demon.
Killing should have been her first instinct, and yet here she was, thinking, planning, rationalising. Things no soulless being should be capable of.
She growled again.
“You…want to know where the key is?” The priest asked, finally catching on.
The demon narrowed her eyes and cocked her head.
“I’ll never tell you.” The priest said, shaking his head.
The demon growled again and pointed back to the keyhole, more aggressively now.
The priest shook his head again and the demon snarled before her face split into a wicked grin.
She twirled one of her knives and the priest backed up in fear.
Then the demon pounced and the projection went black.
Nobody said a word.
Then, almost as one, they turned to the soul before them.
No lie. Raguel remembered Lucifer saying. Raguel had asked the mortal if he’d ever done anything undeserving of Heaven and the man had truly believed that he’d done nothing wrong.
Michael growled under his breath at the reminder.
Samael leaned his head against his Twin’s shoulder to calm him.
Even now, the soul looked confused in the face of their rage.
Raguel growled, his neutral mask falling away. He would make absolutely sure he knew what he was being punished for.
———————————————
When Lucifer reappeared in the courtroom, right beside Michael, the first thing he did was hug his Twin tightly, because Michael looked ready to go on a rampage.
One wrong move would set him off.
He looked around, but the exorcist soul was nowhere to be seen.
“Where’d he go?” Lucifer asked.
Michael smirked in a pleased kind of way and sent Lucifer a memory of just what had happened to the soul.
Lucifer couldn’t quite suppress a shiver. He’d never seen his siblings look so angry.
“You destroyed him?” Lucifer asked surprised.
In the safety of Michael’s wings Samael finally relaxed, like the knowledge that the soul would be gone in the future was a weight that had been lifted off his shoulders.
Sensing this, Michael finally unfurled his wings from the cocoon he’d created around them both.
Samael made a dissatisfied noise, but stopped when Michael continued brushing his fingers against his feathers.
“Of course.” Michael said frowning. “Why wouldn’t we?”
Lucifer shrugged. “It was a long time ago.” He muttered.
“And he’s never once regretted it.” Michael growled.
“Well, to be fair, he probably thought he’d done everything right, considering he made it to Heaven.” Lucifer said and Michael cringed.
That was on them, Michael knew that. He still deserved to be eradicated, though.
He’d knowingly attacked a celestial on two occasions and mortally wounded one. The sentence had been fair for him and satisfying for the Angels. Michael only wished he’d suffered more.
“Shall we start with the next soul?” Father asked.
The majority of Lucifer’s siblings agreed.
Lucifer couldn’t help the anxiety that clawed at him, trying to pull him under.
He felt Michael’s soothing Darkness wrap around him and eased into it. What’s wrong? He asked.
Nothing, it’s just…I’ve made a lot of friends in my time on Earth. They didn’t always make the best decisions, but they were good people. They deserved a happy afterlife. Lucifer answered heavily.
And you’re afraid that they didn’t get one. Michael finished for him.
Lucifer nodded. It’s why I never go into the cells. In the past, I’ve always been able to hope that they made it to Heaven, even if that wasn’t likely. Now, I’m finally going to find out. I just don’t know if I’m ready to know. The Devil said.
Michael put a hand on his shoulder. Look at it this way. The sooner we finish this, the sooner we can get some of those people out of Hell. He said reassuringly.
Lucifer smiled at him.
God summoned the next soul and Lucifer was surprised to see that he recognised this one as well.
“Rose Davis.” He said pleasantly, feeling a little relieved.
Samael tilted his head. “The Decker woman mentioned her.” He said contemplatively. “When she was talking herself into poisoning me.” He made a face. “Something about her death being my fault.”
Michael growled.
The girl looked at him, confused. “Do I know you?” She asked.
“No.” Lucifer answered. “No, I don’t suppose you do.”
That just seemed to confuse her even more.
“I’m sorry, why am I here?” She asked, looking around in confusion.
“You are here because there was an unworthy soul in Heaven and we have decided to Reevaluate every soul to ensure that there aren’t more.” Raguel answered.
“Oh, okay.” Rose answered.
“Your name is Rose Davis?” Raguel asked, glancing at Lucifer.
“Yes.” The girl said nervously.
“How long have you been in Heaven?” He asked.
“Um, I’d say about thirty years. I think. My dad should have come by now though, I think, so I’m not sure.” Rose answered anxiously.
“Thirty years is about right. Time moves about ten times slower in Heaven than on Earth.” Lucifer told her.
Rose relaxed slightly. She was a little surprised. She’d thought that Angels would be much more…suppressive. But the one with the red and white wings seemed nice enough.
Phanuel narrowed his eyes at the book. “Why would she think that?” He asked confused.
Hamaliel shrugged, but Samael cocked his head. “To be fair, you can get a bit…intense.” He said reasonably.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Amenadiel asked indignantly.
Samael sent him a deadpan look. “Have you heard yourself rant?” He asked rhetorically.
So she’d only been dead for three years on Earth. That explained why her dad hadn’t joined her yet.
“Have you ever done anything…undeserving of Heaven?” The Angel in the middle asked. He was tan, with deep brown hair and dark ocean-blue eyes. His voice was completely neutral.
“Uhh…define undeserving.” She said evasively. She had become a satanist behind her father’s back after all.
“What’s a satanist?” Azrael asked confused. It sounded similar to what the priest had called Samael earlier.
Was satanist another word for exorcist?
“If you need to ask, then there is something. If you wouldn’t mind telling us.” The blue-eyed Angel said.
“Um, I’m a satanist.” She said wincing slightly.
An Angel that looked exactly like the one with the two coloured wings, except that his wings were black, blinked. “A what now?” He asked confused.
Rose looked around at them all. “A satanist. We’re a community that, well…”
“Yes.” The Angel with the black wings prompted.
“We’re a community that worships Lucifer.”
Samael blinked once, twice, then a third time. “I have my own religion?” He asked dumbstruck. “That has to be against the rules.”
Michael looked at him weirdly. “Since when do you care about the rules?” He asked confused.
Samael threw his hands up in frustration. “I don’t want a religion. Dad’s religion is already enough trouble!”
She said hurriedly, wanting to get it out. No doubt they were going to be really mad.
To her surprise the Angels…laughed.
Rose stared at them in shock. Why were they laughing?
“Are you telling me that Samael has his own religion?” An Angel with the wings of a falcon laughed. “No wonder his ego is so bloated!” She descended into laughter once more.
Rose stared at her in shock.
“Yes, laugh it up Remi. For your information, I don’t want a bloody religion!” The Angel with the two coloured wings snapped at her.
Rose turned to him slowly. “Hang on. You’re-“
“Lucifer Morningstar, at your service.” The Angel said.
Rose gaped. “You don’t look like the Devil.” Was the first thing that came out of her mouth.
The Angel, Lucifer (holy fuck) smirked. “I’m sorry, would you have preferred something more like this?” He asked and immediately his skin seemed to burn away to reveal a hellish, burned, red visage and his eyes turned a burning red. His eyes seemed to burn deep into her soul, pulling at all the things she wished she could forget and dragging them to the surface.
And then his face was back to normal and Rose snapped out of it.
“Yeah.” She said dazed. “That’s more like it.” Hey, she was a satanist. She knew what she was getting herself into and she barely regretted any of it.
“But, why are you all acting so nice to each other?” She asked, looking at the Angels.
“You see, one thing that you mortals always seem to forget in your need to blame the Devil for all your sins is that, despite everything, he is family.” An Angel with emerald eyes and iridescent wings told her gently.
“Can we get on with the reevaluation now?” The Angel with dark blue eyes asked.
“Sure.” Lucifer said and it was clear by the look the first Angel sent him that he hadn’t expected a response.
———————————————
By the end of the day they had gotten through several hundreds of souls. It would take a while to get through all of them, but they could do it.
The Host left the room and spread out, intermingling.
Remiel didn’t know where she was going, all she knew was that she had to get as far away from the courtroom as possible.
She could still hear Samael’s screams inside her head.
It was her fault.
Samael blinked and glanced up at Remiel confused.
She’d given Enochian Magic to the humans.
The worst thing was that, for once, it hadn’t been a slight against her brother. Her Father had instructed her to give something to humanity to make hunting easier.
She’d wanted them to be able to kill things like demons or Hellbeasts, since they’d already proven that they could leave Hell.
The thought that humanity would dare to use those chains on a celestial had never even crossed her mind.
Remiel landed in a forest. Heaven had hundreds of different types of forests. Some were tropical, some were coniferous, others were deciduous.
The forest she’d landed in was of the latter kind. It was dense, with barely any sunlight reaching the forest floor.
This place was teeming with life. She could smell the animals’ scents on the wind, hear every breath they took, feel their every movement through the ground.
“Mind if I join in?” Remiel jumped.
She whipped around, spear in hand, only to come face to face with the one person she was trying to avoid.
“Well this is a warm welcome.” Lucifer drawled, smirking as he pushed the tip of her spear out of his face.
“Lucifer? What are you-?” Remiel cut herself off as his first question registered in her mind. “You want to Hunt with me?” She asked. Lucifer nodded. “You want to Hunt with me?” She repeated. She eyed his designer suit doubtfully.
Lucifer grinned. “Come now Remy, you should never judge a book by its cover.” He said.
She glanced at him. “Fine. Just don’t get in my way.” She growled.
“You have my word.” Lucifer answered.
“Do you even have a weapon?” Remiel asked.
“Mm, no actually I don’t.” Lucifer said unbothered.
“You’re gonna get mauled.” Remiel deadpanned.
“Come on, give me a chance.” Lucifer said.
The Angel of the Hunt sighed. “Alright, but I’m not babysitting you.”
Lucifer grinned smugly.
Remiel glared at him and turned around. Then she took off into the air. She really hated it when people made fun of her domain.
Samael frowned. “I’m not making fun of her.” He said indignantly.
She flew through the air on silent wings, looking for anything she could slay.
When she saw a doe grazing in a clear patch of forest, Remiel grinned. With a speed only she was known for, she descended on the oblivious creature, revelling in the way her spear sunk into it like it was made of butter. She made sure to kill it fast, so it didn’t have to suffer. That was every hunter’s code.
She wondered for a moment how Lucifer was doing.
She smirked. If he thought he could go blundering around the forest without giving her a significant amount of blackmail, he was sorely mistaken.
Samael snorted. Oh, Remi was in for one Hell of a surprise.
She took to the air again and looked all around for her older brother.
She found him walking through a thick clump of trees. He hadn’t even bothered to fly.
Remiel leaned forward in anticipation.
Samael clearly had no idea what he was doing. She would take great pleasure in taking him down a notch.
She landed near him, completely silent and followed him from a distance.
It was as she watched him advance through the thicket that she had her first doubts. There was something almost predatory in the way he moved, just as silently as she did, despite his inadequate clothing.
She heard the sound of hooves hitting rock up ahead and wondered if Lucifer had heard it too.
Apparently he had, because he stiffened and crouched.
Now Remiel was really interested to see what would happen. It seemed as though Lucifer really did know what he was doing.
She watched as her brother pounced on what she now realised was a stag. Lucifer slammed into it and grabbed it by the back of the neck.
Remiel heard a loud crack as the creature’s spine snapped under the celestial’s strength and it went limp in his grip.
Remiel stared in disbelief.
“You know it’s rude to stalk people.” Lucifer said, still with his back turned to her.
Remiel blinked and came out from where she was hiding. “I didn’t think you knew what you were doing.” She said looking at the motionless form of the stag.
“Were you worried?” Lucifer asked turning to her, smirking.
Remiel snorted. “No I wanted blackmail.” She said. “Guess I won’t be getting any.” She added. She looked at Lucifer very closely then. There was something almost…feral in his eyes.
Samael pursed his lips. He hated that there was a part of him that still acted like the animal the demons had turned him into.
Michael seemed to sense his Twin’s unease, because he wrapped one arm around him tightly.
“When did you become a Hunter?” She asked. She suspected it was sometime while he was in Hell, though she hadn’t thought it would be necessary to become one. Not for him anyway. He was one of the two strongest Archangels ever to be created, after all.
Samael shifted in his seat. He knew he was weak, he didn’t need to be reminded of his own shortcomings.
The smile slid off Lucifer’s face. “I didn’t.” He said.
Remiel glanced back at the stag. “I seriously doubt that.” She deadpanned.
Lucifer also glanced at it. “I didn’t mean it like that.” He said.
“Then what?” Remiel asked. She could tell that this was leading on to something. She just couldn’t figure out what.
Lucifer sighed. “Hunters have moral codes.” He said, still looking at the stag. “I didn’t.”
Remiel frowned. “Why are you really here?” She asked.
Lucifer raised an eyebrow. “I want to spend time with my little sister.” He said.
“Okay, what else?” Remiel asked.
“I wanted to apologise.” He answered and Remiel tensed.
So did the Remiel in the room. She shot a quick glance at Samael to find him resting his head once again on Michael’s shoulder.
She thought he looked rather tired.
“What for?” She asked.
“Everything.” Lucifer said. “For what happened during the Rebellion, to start with.” He told her.
“That wasn’t your fault.” She said decisively, because it really, really wasn’t.
“Just because I never intended to hurt anyone, doesn’t mean it wasn’t my fault.” Lucifer muttered. “It doesn’t mean I’m not to blame.”
“Why did you leave me?” Remiel asked, getting to the point.
Lucifer flinched. “I’m-“
“I don’t care for an apology, I want to know why.” She cut him off, the beginnings of anger stirring within her. She knew that Lucifer couldn’t lie. He would have to answer her honestly.
Lucifer took a deep breath. “I couldn’t risk my life for someone who might leave me to die the second they were free.” He said.
Remiel clenched her fists and several of their siblings started muttering amongst themselves.
Under any other circumstances, Remiel might have screamed in his face for such an answer and flown away, but there was something about the way he said it, almost mechanically. He spoke like he’d rehearsed that answer in the mirror.
Remiel narrowed her eyes at him. “What’s the real<\em> reason?” She asked shrewdly.
Lucifer shifted. “I wasn’t in the best state of mind at the time.” He replied.
“That’s not what I asked.” Remiel growled.
Her brother sighed. “Retribution.”
Remiel blinked. Of all the things she’d expected him to say, this was not one of them.
What on Earth could she have done to personally offend him to the point where he’d leave her to die?
He said finally. “I wanted you to pay for a perceived slight against me.”
I thought she knew about the baby. Samael thought to Michael, who stilled in his attempt to smooth out a dislocated feather on Samael’s wing. I thought she’d let my baby die.
Michael took a deep breath and resumed his movements. What made you think that? He asked neutrally.
She knew about the other Nephillim before they were even born. Why didn’t she know about this one? Samael answered quietly.
Michael took another steadying breath. Do you seriously believe she’d let a child die to—what, teach you a lesson? He asked tightly.
Samael’s shoulders hunched. No. He said, his shoulders shaking. I just needed somebody to blame.
Remiel stared at him. “What slight?” She demanded angrily.
Lucifer stared at his hands. “There was no slight.” He said quietly. “There was no need for punishment. I think I just wanted someone to pay.”
Michael’s shoulders slumped as Lucifer repeated Samael’s earlier words almost exactly.
“Oh, you think<\em>?!” Remiel said shrilly, towering over him.
Lucifer looked up at her, a little annoyed. “I was mad with pain Remi, I wasn’t thinking straight.”
“Is that supposed to make it better?!” Remiel yelled.
Lucifer growled suddenly, his wings flaring out behind him. “No!” He yelled back. “I’m not trying to make it better<\em>. I can’t! I can’t fix it, and I can’t change it! You wanted to know why I left you and now you have your answer.”
“Then why do you keep trying to justify it?!” Remiel exclaimed.
“Because I want you to understand that I didn’t do it for revenge, or to get back at you for something you didn’t even do!” Lucifer replied agitated. “I want you to understand, because I don’t have a good reason for being an ass, and I don’t want to lose you again!<\em>”
Remiel blinked at him. “You thought you’d lose me because you didn’t have a reason for leaving me?” She asked bewildered.
Lucifer glared at her. “Don’t pretend like that incident isn’t the reason why the whole world hates me.” He said hotly.
Remiel flinched. “I didn’t think it would get this bad.” She mumbled.
Lucifer took a deep breath. “You could have just asked, you know.” He said softly. “All you had to do was come find me.”
Remiel wouldn’t meet his eyes. “I was afraid of what you’d say.” She replied evasively.
Lucifer narrowed his eyes at her. “So instead of giving me the benefit of the doubt, like a decent person, you assumed I had the worst intentions and took it upon yourself to tell the whole world what an evil older brother I am.” He said coldly.
Remiel crossed her arms defiantly and Lucifer sighed, not sure how to continue. What would Linda do? “How about a compromise?” He said finally. “I left you, you vilified me. Can we just admit we were both wrong and stop letting it get in our way?”
Remiel unfolded her arms, a hesitant expression on her face. “How about a deal instead?” She suggested.
Lucifer raised an eyebrow. “What kind of deal?” He asked interestedly.
His sister’s lips twitched. “I promise to let it go, if you swear you’ll never do it again and you promise to let it go, if I swear I’ll never spread rumours about you again.”
Lucifer tilted his head and considered her for a moment. “Sounds fair.” He said eventually and she relaxed as they both sat down on the grass.
“Aww, look at you using your words.” Ariel teased.
“Shut up.” Samael and Remiel said in sync.
Ariel put a hand over her chest in mock offence. “Ouch, rude.” She said, smirking.
They were silent for a while, before Lucifer spoke up suddenly.
“I went back, you know.” He said. “I went back to where I’d seen you.”
“I didn’t see you.” Remiel said, surprised. She’d made sure to stay in one place and make it easier for her siblings to find her when they came to get her as she knew they would.
“I arrived just in time to see Amenadiel, Zadkiel and Raguel leaving with you.” He said.
Remiel winced at how bitter he sounded.
She glanced back at the downed stag. “You want to keep going?” She asked, gesturing to it. “We’ve probably scared off anything within a five mile radius, so it might not be easy.”
Lucifer grinned at her. “I like a challenge.” He said. “Besides, it’s been a while since I had a good hunt.” He said with a slight growl in his voice that Remiel had never heard there before. It made a shiver run down her spine.
“Alright, but this time we’re Hunting from the air.” She said.
Lucifer blinked. “I don’t really know how to hunt with my wings.” he said, embarrassed.
“How come?” Remiel asked.
Lucifer shrugged. “There’s nothing white or even remotely light in Hell. My wings always stuck out like a sore thumb, so I made it a habit to hide them. It’s why I never had any trouble hiding them whenever I came to Earth.” He explained.
Remiel blinked. That…made a surprising amount of sense.
“Alright, then I’ll teach you.” She said.
Lucifer sent her a relieved grin.
Then he looked at her consideringly. “How would you like to meet Mazikeen?” He asked.
Samael perked up at the mention of his pseudo-daughter.
Remiel frowned. “You want me to meet your pet demon?” She asked scathingly.
Samael tensed at the word pet.
The demons had called him that.
Pet.
Beast.
Baby.
Samael shivered. “Don’t call her that!” He yelled at Remiel.
She glared at him and he glared back until Michael pulled him back.
Hey. He said quietly. What’s wrong?
Samael shuddered. They used to call me that. He whispered. The demons. I was their pet.
He shuddered again. I would never treat Maze like that. Remiel can’t say things like that!
He stared down at his hands. She wouldn’t if she had any idea what it was like to be someone’s pet.
You were never their pet, Sam. Michael said softly.
Samael gave a hollow laugh. They put a collar on me and tied me to a column like some misbehaving dog. He said dispassionately.
I would never do that to someone else. He said it almost desperately, like he was afraid Michael wouldn’t believe him.
Michael just rested his forehead against his Twin’s. I know. He said gently.
“She’s not a pet.” Lucifer growled.
Remiel blinked and Lucifer took a deep breath. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to snap.” He said. “I simply happen to be rather protective of her.”
“But seriously, I think if you could both get over your prejudices, you’d get along quite well.”Lucifer said.
Remiel crossed her arms. “I refuse.” She said, turning away slightly.
“She hunts damned souls for a living.” Lucifer said in a sing-song voice.
Remiel glared at him. “Shame on you for using my own domain against me.”
Lucifer raised an eyebrow and she rolled her eyes. “Very well, I will spend one hour with her and if by the end of that hour I haven’t killed her, I will consider getting to know her.”
The blinding smile Lucifer sent her almost made the nightmare that this was going to be worth it.
She had no doubt that there could be no way that she would ever get along with a filthy demon, but if it kept Lucifer from badgering her, she would do it.
———————————————
When Michael saw Remiel and Samael come back from wherever they’d gone, laughing together in a way that no one had seen them do since long before the Rebellion, the first thing he did was gape.
When Remiel flew away, Michael came up to Samael. “Are you okay?” He asked concerned.
Lucifer blinked. “Of course, why wouldn’t I be?” He asked.
“You were getting along with Remiel.” Michael stated, as if that explained everything.
Samael flicked Michael on the side of the head. “Idiot.” He said fondly.
Samael rolled his eyes. “It isn’t that far fetched.” He said.
“You left her in Hell to die alone.” Michael deadpanned, for once ignoring the way his Twin flinched. “And she’s responsible for the majority of rumours about you.” Michael finished.
“We’re working on fixing things.” Samael said. “Besides, it turns out we have a lot more in common nowadays than we ever did before the Rebellion.” He shrugged.
Michael remembered the feral look in Lucifer’s eyes in the face of the exorcist priest who’d made it to Heaven, (he didn’t think he’d ever get his Twin’s agonised screams out of his head) and winced. He could easily believe that.
Remiel narrowed her eyes at the book. “Are you calling me feral?” She asked Michael suspiciously.
Michael rolled his eyes at her, but didn’t answer.
“Father said that the next set of souls will be reevaluated in three hours.” Michael told him.
Lucifer nodded.
“What do you want to do in that time?” Michael asked.
“I want to speak to my humans and Maze.” Lucifer said. “I don’t think they’re entirely aware of what’s happened yet. I want to tell them.
Michael nodded and together they made their way to the afterlives, where the humans and demon were spending time with Charlotte.
The book closed, signalling the end of the chapter.
“I believe we should have another short break.” God said.
The Host immediately trickled out of the room.