Caught in the Fire

Chapter XXXV: Come Hell or High Water

"Come Hell or high water, I'm bringing you home."

Michael was in the penthouse elevator, heading to the nightclub. He'd managed to overhear Chloe's words, and knowing that she was on his side again was of great comfort to him. He'd almost lost her support after Amenadiel turned her against him by using a plethora of half-truths that he'd thoroughly embraced over the eons. Convincing Chloe of the truth had been a monumental task, but in the end, she understood that there was more to him than Amenadiel had led her to believe.

In the end, she believed in his redemption. She believed in him. Truly, she was special, and not just because she was a gift from God.

They were both sacrificing Heaven to save his brother, but they both knew that Lucifer was worth it. The only obstacles that remained were the demons who wanted their king restored and that Lieutenant who wanted revenge against him. He'd never seen her before in his life, so what could she possibly want revenge for? He had a feeling that he'd find out what she wanted from him very soon. But be it demons or an agent of vengeance, nothing would stand between him and his brother.

A nightclub full of dancing crowds bathed in the overhead lights greeted him when he stepped out of the elevator. He approached the balcony and leaned on the railing, watching the proceedings. Men and women, some of whom looked inebriated, happily greeted whom they believed to be their host, and he gave them his best Luciferian smile. He knew his brother would love this. What he wouldn't give to see his brother home, enjoying his beloved nightclub once more.

He was surprised to see Mazikeen at the bar, seemingly waiting for him, and he couldn't help feeling happy that she was there. She did save him from bloodthirsty demons and got him back to Earth. Squeezing through the dancing crowds, he went down to join her. "I did not expect to see you back so soon," he commented as he grabbed a seat next to her, "not after the things Amenadiel said about you."

"Hey, it doesn't matter," Mazikeen waved that thought away, "I wasn't going to let Amenadiel drive me away, too." She reached over the counter to grab a bottle of liquor. "You want a drink?"

"No alcohol, please." He shuddered, remembering the taste of Vodka on his lips. "I had enough with that Vodka that you practically forced down my throat last night."

"Lightweight," she teased him, earning a bright smile from him. She reached over the counter again, grabbed a can of soda, and then set it in front of him. "Here's your soda, you baby," she teased him some more, and he couldn't help rolling his eyes, but the smile never left his face. "So, where's everyone? I'm seeing a distinct lack of angels around here."

"I imagine that Amenadiel returned to Heaven to get them." He opened the can the way he'd seen Lucifer do and took a drink. The taste of soda reminded him of the last time he had drinks with Lucifer. How he wished they could tease each other over drinks again, but the void in his heart from Lucifer's absence reminded him of why he was doing all this. "Have you news of Lilith?"

"Oh, yeah. I found The Bitch." She scoffed. "I spent the day tracking her down. She's staying at some dump in Reno. Apparently, she makes a living singing there, and she's not shy about telling humans all about Adam and her life in the Garden of Eden. I haven't seen her yet. Kinda a long drive, you know."

"That is good news. She may hold the key to undoing Ms. Decker's immortality. I can fly you there after I am finished recruiting my siblings."

"Who are we getting?"

"Azrael, Raphael, Jophiel, Zadkiel, and Gabriel," Michael listed, "Fewer than I hoped for, fewer still if any of them decide not to aid us in our quest. I worry that Raphael, our healer, will not want to join us. He has insisted on remaining neutral since the rebellion."