Revolution

Chapter 11: Love

Honestly, at that point she didn't even care that she was barefoot, defenceless and running down streets that were peppered with sleepy soldiers. She didn't even think about the consequences of being caught, or what she would do if she was attacked. All she needed were answers, and only one person could give them to her.

Althea slid into a dark corner just as two soldiers walked past, their backs slouched and their yawns tickling the air. She had one hand covering her mouth and the other was placed on her thumping heart, she was afraid that it might burst and give her away. Once she was sure that the coast was clear, she quietly knocked on Zeb's door and waited for him to answer it. Luckily, he opened the door and pulled her in just as the voices of nearing soldiers reached her ears. He closed the door behind her and wordlessly walked to the back of the room, pulling up a trap door and walking in.

Althea had no choice but to follow.

There was a candle already lit and propped on top of a table inside the small room. The light smiled ominously at her. Althea brought the book out from behind her back and slammed it against the table to get his attention, but he didn't look startled, if anything he seemed pleased.

"You have the same last name as Lucifer. Who is an angel." She pointed out, though it sounded more like a question than a statement. There was no way that this was just a crazy coincidence.

"It took you long enough," he scolded before scratching his beard thoughtfully. "Yes, his blood runs in my veins. It's a secret the Morningstars have carried throughout the centuries." His tone made it sound like breeding with angels was the most natural and obvious thing in the world. She didn't even know angels existed up until now. Althea gripped onto the table to balance herself. Zeb continued, "When Lucifer lost his wings, he walked the earth with poison etched into his heart, until--"

"Until he fell in love," she finished, but even as she said it, it just didn't seem right. How could someone destroy heaven one day and find love the next? It didn't make any sense to her.

"Yes. Love is a mortal emotion, but Lucifer lost himself in her," he stared straight into the flame, "Love will make you forget your sins, forget the blood on your hands, and the weapons you have pointed. Love makes you forget that you aren't worth any of it."

"What was her name?" Despite herself, Althea felt a little jealous of the woman who had captured Lucifer's heart. She didn't think true love actually existed. Finding it was one in a million.

"Clarissa Cohen. That woman was extraordinary, she was kind, patient and determined. She never gave up on him and loved him even though she knew he wasn't human." Zeb flipped the book to the last page and stared at the drawing, "Their time together was short."

"What happened?"

"Once angels fall from heaven, they become demons. When she gave birth to his child, it tore down her body and aged her twice as fast. She grew old, and he didn't." He closed the book.

"Because he was still immortal." Althea realised.

"Obviously," Zeb grumbled, "Lucifer could sense she was dying and crawled back to the gates of heaven on his hands and knees and begged them to let her live. But inferior beings couldn't pass the holy gates, so he had no choice but to watched his wife slowly shrivel away." He paused for a moment and recollected his thoughts, "Then when her soul slipped out, Lucifer pierced his own heart because couldn't bear to see a world without her in it."

"But she would have gone to heaven," Althea took in a sharp breath as it slowly dawned on her, "and he is in--" The words caught in her throat.

Zeb nodded. "For all eternity."

"Why did you give me the book?" She inquired, but she had a gut feeling that it wasn't something she wanted to hear.

"I think you know," Zeb offered, lifting the candle and holding it closer to her. "Lucifer had golden eyes as well."