Fallen Angel

Chapter 25.1

After leaving Gabriël in the woods, certain that his wing was healed and he could make his way back to the Vale, Lucifer returned to the Circles. He found Grigori and Katheryn Howard outside his chambers, talking most amicably. It seemed an unlikely friendship, but Lucifer had seen stranger things happen.
The Howard girl's report was brief. She'd been welcomed back into Borgia's bed, as Lucifer had known she would be. He further instructed her to rekindle the spark and remind the Italian warmonger who and what he truly was. It was time Borgia was put back into play, but Lucifer would let him make the first move.
His conversation with the former advisor and confidant to the Romanovs was less brief and far more complicated. Grigori was asking questions — questions he shouldn't be asking about things he shouldn't even know. Lucifer believed he had appeased him with the promise that all would be made clear, but he had the impression the man would try to find the answers himself. He sincerely hoped Grigori wouldn't force his hand.
As soon as the Russian left, Lucifer received a note from Morpheus, asking him to come urgently, as something had happened with Joan. He didn't dare waste another second and made his way to the Dream Realm. The Lord of Dreams waited at the palace steps and briefly recounted the incident with Bathory, and Joan losing consciousness again not long after.

"Where is the Fallen Angel now?" asked Lucifer.

"Taking a walk in the garden, I believe."

"Take me to her."

Morpheus led him back down the steps. As they walked, Lucifer saw Countess Bathory standing on a balcony. He pinched his lips. Perhaps he shouldn't have put her in charge of Joan's safety. The witch's powers could never match his, but they were formidable, nonetheless. If she did something that caused a miscarriage... Everything would have been for nought.
Lucifer sped up when Joan came into view. He wasn't amused when he saw who she was with, but as long as the maidservant couldn't reveal her true identity, he saw no harm in it. Joan halted her stroll when she noticed Lucifer approaching. She opened her mouth to greet him, but gasped when Lucifer took her hands and pulled her aside. 

"I heard what happened. Are you all right?"

"Y-Yes, I'm fine," said Joan, visibly surprised by his concern.

Morpheus cleared his throat. Lucifer threw him an annoyed look, making him cringe in place.

"We will, um... leave you to speak in peace." He quickly gestured for his maidservant to follow.

"One moment, Kyrios."

With a swift motion, Lucifer drew a knife from his waistcoat and reached for the young woman's golden hair. She froze when he cut a lock off and wrapped it around the knife before putting it back in his waistcoat.

"Now you may go." Lucifer dismissed the pair with a wave of his hand.

As the two left, the Devil returned his full attention to Joan. She frowned at him and asked, "What was that about?" 

"Nothing you need to worry about. We need to focus on the matter at hand — your little tiff with the Countess? Were you hurt?"

"No," Joan mumbled and lowered her gaze.

Lucifer narrowed his eyes at her. Why was she being so meek? This wasn't like her at all.

"Joan, what is it?"

She nibbled her lip, briefly glimpsing up at him through her lashes.

"I cannot help if you don't speak to me," insisted Lucifer.

"I don't like that woman," she finally said.

"We've discussed this, Joan. Bathory is here for your well-being."