Eden's First Daughter

Chapter Fifty-Seven

 As the four walked up the stairs, Ayin was impressed by the courthouse that stood before them in awe, the stoic building intimidating to the eye.

"Welcome to intake, the first stop for new arrivals in my humble domain," Lucifer said as they approached the front doors.

"It's been a week, is Erica Wagner still here?" Ayin asked skeptically.

"Reapers don't collect souls the moment someone dies," Lilith explained "Mortals experience what some might call 'limbo' for a little bit before they're dragged down here."

"Perfect timing, when I looked her up, she was almost through," Lucifer stated as they walked down the hall, nodding at the man at the front desk.

"Your Highness, we've been expecting you," he said respectfully as they approached "We withheld her from being transported, as you requested. She's in room four-thirteen."

"Thank you," Lucifer smiled curiously "Has she been assigned to a warden yet?"

"Um," the man said as he typed something into the computer "Erica Louise Wagner, District Four, to be under the care of Amara for eleven years."

"Beautiful, thank you," Lucifer nodded as they continued down the hall.

"Damn, she got Amara for that short of a sentence?" Lilith gasped "I knew she was bad, but,"

"Who's Amara?" Ayin asked curiously as they made their way to the elevators.

"Let's just say her reputation proceeds her," Lucifer smirked as he pushed the up button, and immediately, the door beside them opened. As they filed in, Lilith pushed the button for floor four, taking a step back and leaning on the thin rail against the wall.

"So... do you have a plan?" Samael asked, and Lilith nodded gently as she looked up at the caged light embedded in the ceiling.

"When we talk to Zach, it's about the Alliance as a whole. With Erica, it's what she knows about Augustus' current plans." Lilith stated confidently.

"Sounds good to me," Ayin agreed, and the elevator dinged as the doors opened, and they were met by a Lilim waiting on the other side.

"Oh," she said in surprise as she held a stack of files against her chest "I wasn't expecting to see you here,"

"Briony," Lilith smiled as they stepped out "How are you?"

"Busy as always," she sighed exhaustedly as she looked worriedly at Samael "Is everything okay? I've heard rumors about what's been going on topside."

"It's why we're here, actually," Samael stated as he held the elevator open for her and she scooted between them as she made her way inside.

"Sorry, I wish I could catch up, but I've gotta run this downstairs or Anton is gonna wring my neck," she said as she bumped the button with her knee "It was good seeing you, Mother!" she shouted as the door shut.

"I don't know why I forgot that the Lilim were your direct daughters too," Ayin said as they started to walk down the hall.

"Technically, they're genderfluid even though they usually seem more feminine than masculine," Samael explained.

"And you better get used to it, because we're going to be seeing quite a few more where we're headed tomorrow," Lucifer stated.

"This might be a weird question, but... how many times have you been pregnant?" Ayin asked, and Lilith's face turned red.

"Um..." Lilith mumbled in embarrassment "I... shut up." she laughed it off as they turned a corner, passing identical rooms that all had windows. Most appeared to be empty, but some seemed to be occupied by disheveled sinners being questioned by the intake staff. As they continued, they eventually made their way to room four hundred thirteen, and inside, sitting by herself was Dr. Erica Wagner. Under her eyes were dark circles, her short blonde hair was a mess, and she looked like she had been crying.