Heart Of Stone

Chapter Three

SERA'S POV
I walk to a Heavenly beach and look around for who I came to see. I see her on a lounge chair looking so peaceful I almost hated to disturb her. "Your majesty, you asked to meet with me."
"Greetings High Seraphim. I need to talk to you about some recent... matters due to Hell."
"I figured as much. We've needed to have this conversation for quite some time."
"So we have. I'm assuming the young Seraphim still has no idea?"
"No your highness, she has no clue of what he truly is... no one up here does."
The Queen of Hell gives me a quick nod as she appears to be reaching for something to say.
"They'll have to find out sooner or later. Like it or not, Charlie's hotel works."
I stiffen knowing she's right. "I know Lilith, but you realize this is extremely dangerous for the people of Heaven, letting Sinners into our home."
"The whole point of the hotel, High Seraph, is that those Sinners have repented for their sins. They aren't the people they used to be. We just have to trust that they stay that way. I mean clearly Pentious passed devine judgement, otherwise he would not have come here after his death."
I maintain my composure as I look Lilith in her eyes. "I understand where you're coming from... however, nothing stops them from returning to their old ways."
Lilith sighed heavily then. I know I might be pushing her but the idea of redemption just seems utterly insane to me. There are many reasons I have yet to tell Emily about any of this. I know she longs so dearly for redemption to be possible. But I can't bare to see her suffer the same fate as Lucifer if her views were to be found out. I can't lose her...

"Fine, we will just have to agree to disagree Sera. But I believe in my daughter's cause, and I will do whatever it takes to keep her, her father, and my people safe from any harm that Heaven may wish to bring upon them."
I watch The Mother of Demons stand and walk off into the sunset until she is visible no more.
I sigh and sit down on the sand staring out over the calm water that borders the beach. I notice how truly tranquil this place is. Looking out over the water makes me feel like I have nothing overly stressful on my mind. I've been keeping Emily far away from Sir Pentious, the redeemed snake sinner, ever since I learned he was one of the Hazbin Hotel's patients. It's for her own safety that she learns nothing about what Hell has achieved. Everyone up here believes that Sir Pentious is just a normal Angel. Only I know what he truly is. And I plan to keep it that way. No one in either Heaven nor Hell will learn the truth.

EMILY'S POV
I wander around Heaven trying to clear my head after the events of my dinner with Sera a few hours ago. It's getting really late and I know I should try to get some sleep, but my mind won't quiet down enough for me to do so. Why did I think it was a good idea to try to open up about my feelings to her? Why did I think she would have actually listened to me instead of jumping into all the logistics of loving a woman in Heaven? I used to be able to talk to her about anything... why can't I do so now?
Deep down, I know the answer to my questions is quite clear. All of the things I used to do with her happened before I learned that she was hiding things from me. I know the exterminations are just the surface of what she's keeping from me. And you know what? It freaking hurts. I thought I could trust her. I thought I could tell her everything... I thought she told me everything.
Just as I feel my hurt turning to rage I slam into someone which sends me stumbling back. I would have fallen if it weren't for a pair of strong arms to catch me. "Oooh gosh, I'm so sorry I wasn't- Lute!" I gasp when I notice who had stopped my fall.
"Easy their Seraphim, are you alright?" Her tone wasn't harsh but it was definitely guarded.
"I... yes, yes I'm fine. Thank you for catching me. I'm sorry I bumped into you. I guess I was just lost in my own world. That happens a lot." I look down realizing I'm rambling.
"It's perfectly fine Emily. I understand." I feel my heart skip a beat at how she says my name. She's never used my actual name before, only my title.
"How are you Lute?" I make myself look into her eyes.
"I'm fine. You?"
"I'm ok..."
"Are you? You just seemed distracted."
"A lot on my mind I guess..." I don't want to go into all the crap with Sera to her, I doubt she'd even care.
"I understand. A lot has been going on up here since Adam... the last extermination."
I nod quietly while keeping eye contact.
"So what are you doing out here so late?" She asks.
"I could ask the same to you," I chuckle, "But anyways, I couldn't sleep and taking a walk usually helps quiet my thoughts."
I see a genuine look of understanding in her eyes. "I get it, you know? The mind is a strange thing."
"It truly is."
"Sometimes you just want to continue to dwell on something you shouldn't."
"Even though dwelling on it does nothing to benefit you." I say this and realize how true it feels. I feel a sense of understanding from the angel in front of me that not even Sera has made me feel.
"Yeah... are you sure nothing's wrong? It's unlike you to think so... candid."
"It's Sera. Something's off with her. It's been this way since the court hearing when Charlie and Vaggie came up here." I see a hint of anger in her eyes at the mention of Vaggie for some reason.
"I've noticed that as well Seraphim."
"You have?"
"Yes, she seems much more distant, at least more than usual."
"Exactly. She's hiding something from me. Again..."
"I'm sorry to hear that Emily, I know how much you care for her." The sincerity was clear in her face and voice.
"It's not your fault Lute. I'm sorry I dumped all of that on you."
"It's alright. Sometimes talking to someone helps us process things we can't on our own."
"I guess you're right."
"I know I am." Lute smiles at me, like actually smiles. I can't help but smile back at her while trying to ignore the butterflies in my stomach.
I don't care what Sera says. If liking a girl is "against Heaven's rules" then so be it! I guess I'm breaking those rules. Because during this time with so much uncertainty in my life, the one thing I know for sure is that this beautiful lieutenant standing in front of me is making me feel things I've never felt for anyone else. She is giving me a sense of understanding and compassion I had no idea that I needed. And I hope one day I can do the same for her in return.