Wayward Daughters Book 2: "Darker side of the Moon"

Chapter Two

The playground was unusually quiet for a cool autumn afternoon, but it didn't bother Lucifer at all. He could use some quiet after all the ringing in his ears the last few months. There was one un-suspecting family there with him, unaware they were in the presence of their new God. He watched as the parents chased their little one around the playground and as she escaped to the playground where they were too big to follow, they chased each other instead, letting the laughter ripple through the breeze making him smile a little. It was nice to see such un-abashed happiness. Too bad it wouldn't last....he thought to himself as he turned his gaze up to the child on the playground.

"Nice day for a stroll in the park I suppose, or are you stalking again?" an accented voice breaks through the breeze.

"Crowley...."Lucifer smiled and turned to face him "Nice of you to drop in."

"We need to talk." Crowley said as he turned to face Lucifer so that they were nearly inches from each other.

"I have come into possession of something I am sure you will find quite intriguing."

"Well by all means...." Lucifer said as he moved his hand palm up as though giving permission for him to speak.

This made Crowley seethe quietly under his proper attitude he was so accustomed to. " A couple of my grunts came across something you and I both have a common interest in... something that has been haunting us both since the day we put them down."

Lucifer sat forward, his face intent on what Crowley was saying. "You found them?" He asked already knowing the answer.

Crowley smiled putting his arm across the back of the bench. "Hiding out at mum and dad's old place...."

"Of course...." Lucifer said. Then how was it possible that he was cracking at the seams if the Winchester boys were still out of the game, none of this made any sense. "I must say, I'm a little surprised you even told me you had them...." Lucifer said sitting back in his seat.

"Call it a good show of faith..." Crowley said.

Lucifer thought for a minute, knowing nothing was ever that easy with this back roads deal making demon, "But it's never that simple with you, is it?" Lucifer countered.

Crowley smiled as he looked out at the playground "I want to make a deal."

Lucifer turned and faced back towards the playground, leaves crunching under his boots. He smiled knowing that Crowley had him right where he wanted him....desperate for safety and answers.

"I will hand over baby Winchester's soul to you, but big brother stays with me....We have a few issues to work out." Crowley said simply.

Lucifer smiled. "I get one, you get one and we call it even? What makes you think I will take this deal? I could just end you right here and go and take them both for myself.

Crowley nodded. "I knew you'd say that, and since you are well accustomed to the bells and whistle of hell, I made sure to put their souls in a place you would never even think to look..... You could "end" me.... but then you would never find the peace of mind you are looking for with them safely under foot. At least this way it's insurance that we can't use them against each other, Your end needs both the Winchesters, and mine guarantees both of them hot and heavy on my trail....."

Lucifer sat back and looked at the family at the playground. The laughter, their happiness suddenly disgusted him. He hated that Crowley had something over him..... Crowley was but a spoiled rat in a position of royalty that he didn't deserve....Lucifer concentrated on the little girl on the playground and tilted his head to the right just slightly.