Veiled in Shadows and Brimstone

4

🗝️one month later 🗝️

Charlie sat at her desk in her private office at the Hazbin Hotel, going over some paperwork for the upcoming event at the hotel. She was now three months into her fourth pregnancy with quintuplets, and her husband Alastor, the overprotective radio demon, was hovering nearby, as usual." Charlie, you really need to rest," Alastor said, his voice tinged with concern. "You're carrying five babies this time, it's not like the other pregnancies with Lilly, the twins, and the triplets." Charlie looked up from her work and smiled at her husband. "I'm fine, Al. I've done this three times already, remember? I know what I'm doing." Alastor sighed, running a hand through his black tipped red hair. "I know, darling. But this time it's different. It's not just one or two or three babies, it's five. You need to take it easy." Before Charlie could respond, there was a knock on the door. Angel, the flamboyant adult film star turned hotel employee, poked his head in. "Hey, bosses. There's someone in the foyer asking to see you. And Husk has your six fawns behind the bar." Charlie and Alastor shared a look before getting up from their desks and making their way to the foyer. When they arrived, they saw a figure standing there that sent a chill down Charlie's spine.

It was an angel.

But not just any angel.

It was Adam.

The same angel that she thought Niffty had killed ten years ago during the War for Hell's souls against the angelic Exorcists on Extermination Day. Charlie backed away, her hand clutching her throat as memories of her fight with Adam flooded back. She remembered his hand around her throat, squeezing the life out of her until her father Lucifer had intervened and saved her. And now he was standing before her, looking for redemption. "I-I thought you were dead. I saw Niffty stab you in the chest from behind," Charlie whispered, her voice barely above a whisper. Adam nodded, his expression solemn. "I should have been. But I survived, thanks to the mercy of the Almighty. And now I'm here to make amends for the sins I committed during the war." Alastor stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. "And what makes you think we'll just forgive you for what you did, angel?"Adam bowed his head. "I don't expect forgiveness. All I ask is for the chance to redeem myself, to make up for the lives I destroyed during the war. I know I can never undo the harm I caused, but I want to try." Charlie felt a surge of conflicting emotions. Anger, fear, sadness, and a tiny spark of hope. Could Adam truly be seeking redemption? Could he really change his ways and become a better angel? Or is it a trick? She turned to Alastor, searching his eyes for guidance. He nodded, his expression unreadable. "Very well, Adam," Charlie said, her voice firm. "You can stay here at the hotel. But know this, you will be watched closely. Razzle and Snazzle will be with you at all times. Day and Night. If you step out of line even once, there will be consequences. "Adam nodded, a flicker of gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I promise you won't regret this." With that, Charlie summoned Razzle and Snazzle and told them to guard Adam at all times. Before she and Alastor went back to their office. Once inside, the blonde demoness let her facade crumble as she began to shake with fear causing her husband's ears to lay flat against his head and pull her into his chest, and wrapp his arms around her protectively. "What's wrong, my love?" he asked, concern lacing his voice. Tears welled up in Charlie's eyes as she looked up at her husband, her voice trembling. "How am I supposed to free your soul from Roo while protecting our 6 fawns, give birth in 6 months to our 5 little ones, and watch everyone's backs with Adam here, claiming he wants redemption?" she whispered, her voice filled with worry. Alastor's heart ached at the fear in her eyes. He lifted her into his arms and shadow walked them upstairs to their bedroom, laying her gently on their bed. Sitting on the edge, he brushed her blonde hair away from her face, his touch gentle and reassuring. "You don't have to worry, my love. I will handle things for tonight. Just rest and try to sleep," he said softly. Charlie nodded, exhaustion weighing heavily on her. As she closed her eyes, her dreams were plagued by memories of Adam's hand squeezing her throat during her fight with the former Exorcist leader. The nightmares haunted her sleep, leaving her restless and drained when she woke up the next day.