Danika

✢ FIVE ✢

The Underworld's gates remained open but with stronger ranks guarding it so no one escaped nor entered. Lucifer had just returned and stood in his bedroom to change clothes, before returning to Earth to watch over Danika. He was in a hurry but couldn't rush changing his clothes without looking worse than he did. Before he left, Estrella was preparing Danika for school. She didn't know Lucifer would be watching over Danika while in classes and Lucifer didn't feel the need to let her know.

"Brother?" Abaddon called from the door, then he knocked.

Lucifer sighed, debating to stay quiet. No one knew he had returned, which meant Abaddon didn't know he was here. Staying silent would make a quick get-away, but perhaps he should see him for a moment so he wouldn't panic. Lucifer waved his hand and the door opened, while he pulled on a long sleeve black shirt, something that went well with his dark outfit. Abaddon seemed surprised he was here.

"What?"

Abaddon stepped into the room, closing the door behind him for privacy.

"Did... did you meet her?"

"Her, as in my daughter?" Lucifer asked with a tone. "yes. I met her. She's perfect."

Abaddon grinned, he was happy for his brother. He knew leaving her after she was born took a horrible toll on Lucifer and knowing that they were reunited was bittersweet.

"What is she like?"

Lucifer sat down on the bed to tie the shoelaces on his combat boots.

"Smart. Shy. She doesn't know who I am nor what I am, nor does she know what she is nor what she did. She looks so much like Estrella," Lucifer paused. "but they already know I'm with them. They showed up last night in her room, didn't do any harm but I would assume they were there to see if I was."

"Father's not going to be pleased with that," Abaddon sighed then put his hands on his hips like a concerned mother. "are you going back?"

"Of course I am, what kind of question is that? Danika needs protection and I am the only one that can provide that."

"Brother, I have to disagree with you. If Father knows you're around her, perhaps the solution is to stay here so she is safe."

Lucifer glared at his brother with anger in his eyes. He couldn't believe Abaddon was suggesting he stayed away from his daughter knowing that it wasn't the logical thing to do. Nothing would keep him away from Danika now. He finished getting his outfit together then turned towards the wall, muttering underneath his breath to open the door to Earth.

"Brother, can we talk about this?"

But Lucifer had already disregarded Abaddon's concerns and stepped through the portal to appear behind a white building. The sun was shining bright overhead and he could see a playground surrounded by a chain-link fence; the swing sets, slides, monkey-bars, and other entertaining toys were occupied by children of all different sizes and skin colors. But his daughter stood out of the crowd, perhaps because he could sense her easily or maybe because of her appearance. The sun made her hair shine, the paleness of her skin stood out, and he could see her hazel eyes from a mile away. Estrella's eyes. She sat on a swing, he noticed none of the children paid her any attention, and the teachers that watched over them didn't seem to care that she was alone. The bell from the building rang loudly and the teachers opened the doors, calling the children inside, and Danika seemed hesitant to move. Lucifer reacted without thinking and appeared in front of the fence a foot away from Danika. He whistled for her attention, and she lifted her head towards him. She sat there momentarily before remembering his face. She looked at the teachers then got up, hurrying to the fence.