Caught in the Fire

Chapter XXXV: Who Is It

A nightclub full of dancing crowds bathed in the overhead lights greeted Michael when he stepped out of the elevator. He approached the balcony and leaned on the railing, watching the humans happily dancing and drinking the night away. At least a few of them cheerfully greeted whom they believed to be their host, and he gave them his best Luciferian smile. What he wouldn't give to see his brother home, enjoying his beloved nightclub once more.

He caught sight of Mazikeen sitting at the bar, waving him over, and he couldn't help eagerly squeezing through the dancing crowds 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 way Amenadiel treated you. You did not deserve that, Mazikeen."

"Hey, it doesn't matter," Mazikeen waved that thought away, "I wasn't going to let him 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 set it down 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.

"Are you here to help me recruit my siblings? They should be here soon unless Amenadiel is trying to turn them against me as well..."

"No, I just thought you'd like to know that I have news of The Bitch."

"You speak of Lilith?"

"Like I said. The Bitch." She scoffed, then downed another shot. "I learned she's staying at some dump in Reno. Apparently, she makes a living singing there, and she's always telling humans all about Adam and her life in the Garden of Eden. I haven't seen her yet, though. Kinda a long drive."

"That is good news. We can talk to her when this is over." He opened the can the way Lucifer taught him and proceeded to take a sip. 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. "Hopefully, Lilith holds the key to undoing Ms. Decker's incoming immortality."

"Does that mean that Decker finally agreed to help Lucifer?"

***

Chloe stood on the penthouse balcony, holding her bullet necklace, looking out into the city. She'd just made the most important decision of her life—to become immortal in order to give Lucifer that second chance at life that he deserved. Maybe they'd eventually find a way to reverse her immortality. Or maybe she'd never see Heaven. But she knew in her heart that some causes were worth sacrificing Heaven for.

While Michael assembled his army down at the nightclub, she'd work on tracking down this informant from the Sinnerman Network who was out for revenge against Lucifer and Michael. Michael believed it was the new lieutenant, but there just was nothing concrete tying her to Pierce, the Sinnerman Network, or even Michael. And 'your Honor, she triggered Michael's mojo' wasn't going to get anyone convicted.

As she was gathering her things, she heard the sound of air being displaced over the balcony. "Forget something, Michael?" she asked with a smile, and when she turned to look, it wasn't Michael who was waiting for her, and the smile transformed into a frown. "Amenadiel."

"Hey, Chloe." Amenadiel walked toward her, putting away his wings, looking around as if verifying that they were alone. Knowing him, he probably thought she was with Michael. What nefarious thing was Michael up to this time, she sarcastically wondered? Getting her favorite coffee? The horror. "I came to check on you before I go deal with Michael again. Are you joining the gathering of angels, or...?"