Heart Of Stone

Chapter Two

LUTE'S POV
I quickly walk to my bedroom and close the door. I look around the familiar space trying desperately to get peace of mind. I've never been one to be in touch with my emotions. I sit on my bed with Emily and Adam flooding my  thoughts.
Emily... sweet, kind, always happy somehow.  The only time I can ever remember seeing her remotely upset was after the court hearing when the Spawn of Lilith came to Heaven going on about some bullshit about redemption. In a way I kind of pitied Emily after that meeting. I know how much she looks up to Sera, so I can only imagine how hurt she was to learn what my army does. She was unusually quiet for days afterward, it was starting to worry me.
I look up again and glance around my room trying  to block out my mind. Why do I care what Emily's feeling? Why would I?  We are two totally different people. And anyway, I don't have the time for romance, especially not with another woman. I would be cast out of here faster than Lucifer himself if anyone ever found out what I was thinking about.
My mind wanders back to Adam once more. I wish it would stop doing that. I would never admit it to anyone, but thinking about him hurts. I know he wasn't the best person, but for Heaven's sake neither am I. But he was mine. I was his. He made me feel like I had a purpose. A reason to continue the training and bloodshed which has become my life. Seeing him be killed by that little cyclops bitch was the worst thing I've ever had to endure. He was all that I had... and now he's gone.
I snap back to reality with a twang of fear as I realize I'm crying. Shit, I can't be crying, not now. Wiping frantically at my eyes, I force myself to get my shit together.  What the Heavens was I thinking? I have to move on. I have to carry on his mission... our mission. No matter the circumstances I'm under, Hell will very soon regret taking Adam from me.
EMILY'S POV
I go to  meet up with Sera for dinner after I finish showing around the new arrivals. I walk to the small café that we usually go to and wait for her to arrive. The café is quiet and cozy. There's a small fireplace ablaze in the corner by Sera and I''s usual table. I find it strange that she's late. Usually I'm the late one. I try to ignore the uneasiness in my stomach.
The door to the café finally opens ten minutes later. Sera comes in and joins me at  our table. "I'm so sorry I'm late Emily, I had some duties to take care of." She sits down across from me looking a bit tired. There are bags starting to  form under her eyes.
"It's fine Sera," I try to hide the slight hurt I'm feeling. She could have at least texted me to let me know she'd be late. "What were you doing? You know I could have helped you. I finished with my work about an hour ago I would have had time." I try to not sound like I'm complaining but it is really bothering me that she said nothing at all.

"I know Em. It was just some of my High Seraphim duties, nothing you need to worry about." She smiles gently at me and I try to smile back. Something about what she was telling me felt... wrong. Was she lying?  Again?
"Okay... well, anyways, I gave at least fifteen new souls a tour of our beautiful home today!" I smile brightly trying to change the subject.

"That's great, Emmy. It's good to know that  we can depend on you to bring the joy this place needs.  I'm so proud of you."
I can't help but smile as I notice her usual tone returning to her voice. "Thank you, Sera!"
I look out the window by our table and notice Lute walking by. She looked...  sad. Had she been crying? I feel my heart squeeze at the thought of Lute being upset. I guess my eyes  catch on her for a moment longer than I realized.

"Em, what are you looking at?" Sera's voice snaps me out of my trance and I grapple for a response.
"N-nothing... I-I wasn't looking at anything." Crap. Great going Emily, that sounded so   convincing. She's totally going to believe that.
"You are such a horrible liar Emily."
"I know..." I look down guiltily.
"What caught your attention?"
"I just saw... someone I know." I mean, that's not a total lie.
"Oh... alright." Her voice sent another wave of unease through me.
I decided to take my chance. This conversation would have to happen sooner or later, and it lets me avoid having a different discussion  that I probably should have with her. "Sera?" I mentally kick myself for how  young and scared I sound.
"Yes Emily?"
"If you had someone you really, really, care about but know that it isn't a good idea to be with them, or...  you don't think they would care about you as much as you  do them, what would you do?"
"That depends, who is the person in question?"
I feel my heart starting to pound. I shut my eyes for a moment. "Lute?"
"You like a woman?" There's a sharp edge to her voice that makes me flinch back.
"I..."
"Emily, you know that is against the rules of Heaven. A woman can not, and I mean can not, be with another woman. We've talked about this before."
"I know Sera. We're not together. I just like her... I can't control who I like-"  The coldness in her eyes makes me trail off. "I'm sorry..." I say this after several uncomfortable beats of silence.
Sera just shakes her head. "As long as you don't act on your feelings, then that technically  does not break any rules." She stands and pushes in her chair. "Good night Emily." She strides out of the café leaving me with only my thoughts to dwell in.