Kneel

Case 13

  Locking my door, I sighed while pocketing my keys. Turning on my heel, I jolted when I nearly ran face-first into someone's chest. Raising my eyebrows while looking up, I saw a familiar face, but I couldn't quite place it.

  "Can I help you?" I questioned while taking a step back. The man was tall, attractive, as broad as a barn, and smelt pretty good to boot. His expression was serious, however, he didn't seem to have any dangerous intent.

  "Misha, right?" His voice was deep, and it finally clicked why he was familiar.

  "Amenadiel. How did you.... You know what, never mind. Lucifer probably told you." I sighed while crossing my arms. "Yeah, I'm Misha."

  "I was wanting to talk to you. About Lucifer."

  "Is something wrong?" My brows furrowed.

  "No, nothing's wrong. I came by to see if you were willing to talk about my brother."

  "So, you're trying to check up on him without actually talking to him?"

  "Yes." Pausing, I then checked the time and half-shrugged.

  "All right, sure." Unlocking my door and walking back inside, I let Amenadiel enter. "Do you have a specific concern?"

  "Actually, I do." He sat down on the couch, and I sat on the edge of the coffee table. "My brother....let it slip that he thought you might be divine, and I wanted to know how he got that idea in his head."

  "Oh, right." Sighing, I ran my hand through my hair. "I know he's seeing Linda about his shit, but I think he might have started projecting it. Don't get me wrong, I understand how hard it can be to have your 'reality' challenged."

  "How do you mean?"

  "Lucifer has gotten hurt since he started working with Chloe and I. Getting shot at, knocked out, burnt. The injuries are bringing into question his belief that he is the devil." Amenadiel looked like he wanted to say something but didn't. "He seems to be blaming me for these injuries, claiming I'm an angel and that's how he's getting hurt." I waved my hand, and the man maintained his serious expression.

  "Are you?"

  "What?"

  "Are you an angel?"

  "You're kidding, right?" I scoffed.

  "So you're not?"

  "Of course not. What, do you want to check my back, too? Lucifer already did. I don't have any wings." Morningstar hopped up onto the back of the couch and eyed the stranger closely while sniffing the air. "And believe me, I didn't do anything to make him think I was either. Remember me explaining how he demonizes me?"

  "I remember." Amenadiel nodded while glancing at the cat before looking at me. "Is there anything that could make him think you're....different?" I paused, unconsciously touching the brand on my side. I didn't really know this man well, but if he was trying to help Lucifer in the way Linda was, it might be better to let him know.

  "There....There might be."

  "What is it?" Hesitating, I swallowed and rubbed my hands against my pants.

  "So, I'm not sure if Lucifer told you or not, but we recently had a case involving a group of devil worshippers."

  "I'm aware."

  "Well, I come from something similar." Clearing my throat, I briefly glanced at the ground. "When I was a kid, I was orphaned, and the system left me with who they thought were a good family. They were really nice at first....they usually are....but they turned out to not be who they pretended to be. They were part of a cult that worshipped Gremory, and I was indoctrinated into it. It wasn't until years later that I found out something was wrong. Lucifer found out about all of that, and it was in the papers. If anything, it'd be that that could make him think...."