Belial didn’t say anything at first. Instead, he just stared at Lucifer. The Morningstar quickly got the impression that his loyal bodyguard had a very different idea in mind for how to deal with the situation.
“Do you…disagree?” asked Lucifer.
“Don’t you think there’s something else we should focus on first?” asked Belial.
“Like what?”
“It’s dangerous for you to go after them in your current state. The priority should be restoring your powers,” said Belial.
“It would definitely be ideal, but we can’t wait around for that,” said Mara. “Probably won’t take long before they realize they can’t do anything with the Morningstar’s phone. And at that point, they’ll probably toss it and head off into hiding. Wasting precious lead time to research a way for Lucifer to restore his powers—”
Belial cut her off, holding up his hand. “Hold on, what are you saying? What needs to be researched?”
Mara blinked a few times. “How to restore his powers. So far, we don’t know what can be done—”
“Yes, we do,” said Belial. “Lucifer’s powers are tied to Hell. What we need to do is return there and then he can be restored. Who told you—”
Belial stopped himself and looked at Lucifer. He let out a huff. “Of course, now I see.”
Lucifer narrowed his eyes at his companion. “Is there something you want to say?”
Belial shook his head and began walking from the living room back to the foyer. “I should go. I have work to do.”
“Somehow I doubt that Odysseus Black is sending you out on a job in the afternoon,” said Lucifer, walking after the demon. “If there’s something you want to say to me, then you may as well just say it.”
Belial was standing by the front door in the foyer. He stopped and turned around. “I have no desire to speak my mind.”
“Isn’t that what we fought for in the first place? Isn’t that why we rebelled? For the freedom to speak our minds?” asked Lucifer.
Belial had the door open and was about to walk through it when Lucifer called him out. He sighed and slammed the door shut, then turned to face the being he had once called his lord and master.
“Are you certain you wish to hear my words?” he asked.
Lucifer stood tall, raising his chin up to look the taller demon directly in the eyes. “I live my life according to my values, Belial. Speak freely.”
“Very well.” Belial folded his arms over his chest and stared down at Lucifer. “You’re a coward.”
A quick shake of his head signaled how taken aback Lucifer was by the response. “I beg your pardon?”
Mara stepped closer to Belial. “You’re out of line, demon. This is the Morningstar you’re talking to! The only one who had the courage to stand up to the Divine Choir!”
“All the more reason why I myself feel just how deep that accusation stings,” said Belial. “But Lucifer asked for my honest opinion. Or would he rather I keep quiet unless it’s in support of him?”
Lucifer’s teeth were gritted behind his lips. His fingers tightened, threatening to curl into fists. But he calmed himself and stretched out his hands. His jaw loosened and he spoke.
“No, Mara. I believe I stand for freedom, and so I need to actually live up to that promise,” he said. “Belial has every right to his opinion, just as I have every right to disagree with him.”
“Shall we examine the evidence?” asked Belial. “You know what you need to do in order to restore your powers. And this incident has shown that you are vulnerable. Others are already aware of your situation. In time, the people who know the truth will simply increase. It won’t be long before enemies are banging down your door.”
Mara sighed and looked down. It took her a few moments before she turned her gaze to Lucifer. “I hate to take sides against you, but Belial does make a convincing argument. These two were just the beginning. Destroying them won’t make a bit of difference—more will still come.”
Lucifer turned his back on the pair. “All I ever wanted was the freedom to satisfy my curiosity. To discover new things about the universe and about our nature. All I wanted to do was to learn. But at every turn, I’ve been denied that chance. I was convinced to become the leader of a revolt. I was coerced into sitting on the throne of Hell. Even after my abdication, I was dragged back into these old conflicts to capture the Cocytus escapees.
“But now? My responsibility for all that is gone. I’m just a human and the only responsibility I have is to myself.” Lucifer turned and faced the pair once again. “And yet, I still find others trying to push me back. To deny me the only thing I’ve ever truly wanted.”
“I would wish nothing more than for you to have your heart’s desire,” said Belial. “But what good is pursuing that desire if you’re destroyed before you can enjoy it?”
“That’s a possibility,” said Lucifer. “You’re right, Belial. I could very well be killed tomorrow. If not by Shem and Ham, then maybe by someone else—a more-skilled hunter, a demon wanting to make a name for themselves, an angel. Or I might just slip in the shower and break my neck. But if I die, at least I’ll go out pursuing the life I wanted. And that’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make.”
“I don’t know if you realize what you’re saying,” said Mara.
“Of course I know, Mara. No need to patronize me,” said Lucifer. “I’m tired of being some pawn on a cosmic chessboard. If I have to throw down my life to escape that cycle, then that’s what I’ll do.”
He folded his arms in defiance and stared the two demons down. “Now the two of you have a choice. Either you can accept my decision and help me find these two assholes, or you can get the hell out of my house. What’s your choice?”
Mara and Belial exchanged glances with each other as a means of silent communication. Neither spoke for several minutes, weighing the choice Lucifer had thrown at their feet. Mara was the one to speak first.
“I’ll side with the Morningstar,” she said. “Always.”
Lucifer nodded in her direction. “Thank you, Mara.” He then looked to Belial. “And you?”
Belial lowered his arms to the side. He met Lucifer’s gaze with his own, but he didn’t open his mouth to speak. Rather than engage further, Belial simply turned his back and walked out the front door without a single word.
6
After Belial left without a word, Lucifer began the process of tracking down his would-be assassins. Just as expected, they weren’t clever enough to realize that the GPS in his phone could be tracked and all Lucifer had to do to find it was log in through the internet and the location was displayed easily on a map.
“They’re at a motel outside the city,” said Lucifer as he slid his chair back from the desk where the laptop rested. “Whatever organization they’re with, it looks like they don’t spring for the best accommodations.”
Mara came up behind him and looked at the monitor from over his shoulder. “Or maybe they’re operating without sanction.”
“Could be,” said Lucifer. “They did mention something about impressing their father.”
“How should we proceed?” asked Mara. “Do you want me to kill them or simply maim them?”
“Neither, I’m going with you,” said Lucifer. “I want to find out what exactly they know and how they know it.”
“But without your powers, are you sure you want to put yourself in danger?”
“Before, they caught me unawares and without backup. But now, I have you and the element of surprise on my side. I’m fairly confident you can take care of them both. Just remember to leave them alive so I can still question them.”
“Understood. So shall we go?” she asked.
Lucifer stood from the desk and stepped beside her. “You have the location pinpointed?”
She gave a nod. “Within a reasonable amount of distance.”
Mara’s eyes began to crackle and light started pouring forth from her back. Wings made of energy emerged and once the
y reached their full span, they became leathery, bat-like flesh. The demonic wings enveloped both her and Lucifer and then started glowing as they did before. The light flashed and they were gone, only to re-materialize on the shoulder of an expressway offramp.
Mara unfurled her wings and they receded into her back. Lucifer took the first steps forward. Just past the ramp off the side of the road was a budget motel advertising free cable and wifi included with the rooms.
“All we know is that they’re somewhere in here,” said Lucifer. “We’ll have to check with the front desk to get their room.”
“Should we torture the information out?” asked Mara.
Lucifer gave her a disgusted look. “Not everything requires torture, Mara. Sometimes, you can get the information you need just by asking for it in the right way.”
He started walking towards the motel entrance. Mara shrugged and said, “Sure, but where’s the fun in that?”
She jogged to catch up to his side. The two of them walked across the parking lot, which was mostly empty, and went to the glass door with RECEPTION stamped across the front. Lucifer opened the door and walked in, Mara right behind him.
A man sat behind the desk, his back to the entrance. He was reclined in the chair, his feet propped up on a back counter and watching a small TV. Lucifer stepped up to the front counter and rang the bell. The man was startled by the sound and nearly fell out of the chair. He spun the chair around to face the two surprise guests. His face was lined with wrinkles and he had a beard that was pure white.
“Sorry, didn’t hear you come in,” he said. “What can I do you for? You folks need a room?”
“As a matter of fact, no,” said Lucifer. “We’re actually here about two of your guests. One is tall and broad. The other is shorter and thin. They’re brothers, both seem sort of clueless.”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you anything about our guests,” he said. “We guarantee privacy and discretion.”
Lucifer gave a glance around the front office. “Yes, I’m sure some of your guests would have an appreciation for that. But I don’t think you quite grasp the severity of the situation. You see, these two gentlemen are dangerous individuals and I don’t think you want to get mixed up with them.”
“Listen, Mister, I can appreciate your need to find these two. But unless you show me a badge and a warrant, then there’s nothin’ I can do for you.”
Lucifer sighed. “I’d like to give you the opportunity to reconsider.”
The manager just shook his head. “Sorry, but I can’t budge on this. Discretion is our policy.”
“Very well, just remember that I gave you the opportunity.” Lucifer stepped away and glanced at Mara. “He’s all yours.”
The demon smiled as she stepped forward, her eyes beginning to burn like hot coals. The manager backed away from the front counter, but Mara jumped onto its surface. She reached out and grabbed him by his throat and raised his feet off the ground as if he weighed less than nothing. Her fiery eyes stared into his and he felt his pants beginning to dampen.
Mara threw him over the counter and right through the glass door. She hopped off the counter and stepped through the broken glass. The manager crawled on the pavement, the broken shards cutting into his skin as he did. He wasn’t able to get very far before Mara picked him up by the scruff of his neck and threw him against the wall.
Before he could recover, she grabbed his throat and lifted him up, pressing him against the building. She flexed her free hand and a flaming dagger materialized in it, which she brought up to his face. Slowly, she waved the blade in front of him, his eyes wide and following the fiery trail as it went back and forth.
“Do you know how hellfire works, old man?” she asked. “You see, it’s not like regular fire. That just burns your flesh. Those wounds can heal. But hellfire? Oh, that’s a different story. You see, a hellfire blade, it doesn’t just burn your skin—it sears your very soul. And it’s a scar that will never fade. The memory of the pain it inflicts will remain vivid in your nightmares for eternity.”
Lucifer peered through the broken door. “You heard what she said, friend. Are you sure you’re willing to go through all that just to protect these boys?”
“Okay, okay!” he pleaded. “I’ll tell you anythin’ you wanna know, just please call this psycho-bitch off!”
“Is that any way to talk to a lady?” asked Mara.
“I’m sorry! I’m just so scared, please, just put me down…Jesus Christ, I’ve got grandkids!”
“Mara, I think he’s had enough,” said Lucifer.
Mara gave Lucifer an incredulous look. “Really? Already?”
Lucifer nodded. Mara pouted, but released her grip and the manager fell to the ground. With a closing of her fist, Mara extinguished the hellfire dagger and then she stepped back to make room for Lucifer. He knelt down in front of the manager.
“So, you’re willing to help us now?” he asked.
The manager gave repeated nods. Lucifer helped him to his feet and back into the office. The manager gingerly moved back behind the counter to check the computer records.
“By the way, I’m sorry about the door,” said Lucifer. “Mara can get a little…overenthusiastic.”
The manager didn’t even acknowledge Lucifer’s apology, just focused on his computer. “We had two guys like you described book a room last night. It’s a double…room 19.”
“There, now that wasn’t so hard, was it?” asked Lucifer with a smile.
“If you’re gonna kill them, could you…maybe do it somewhere else?” asked the manager.
Lucifer bowed. “You have my word.” He stepped outside the office and met up with Mara once more. “That was a bit over-the-top, don’t you think?”
“Was it?” asked Mara.
“Just a skosh,” said Lucifer. He walked down the row of rooms, counting past the numbers until they came to room 19. “Ah, here we are. Now remember, I do need them both alive.”
Mara nodded and stepped up to the door. She swung her leg up and kicked it, breaking through the wood and rendering the lock useless. Inside, Shem fell off one of the twin beds and looked at the demon with fear.
“What the hell was that noise?” Ham emerged from the bathroom wearing nothing but a towel, shaving cream lathered over his face. Once he saw what had happened, he shouted, “Oh shit!”
“The Morningstar requests an audience,” said Mara.
Shem scurried under the bed, and Mara bent over. She took hold of the frame and flipped the bed over onto its twin, then saw Shem lying on the ground with a revolver clutched in both hands. He pulled the trigger and the gun went off, striking Mara in her shoulder. She gritted her teeth at the pain she felt—an unusual amount of pain for a typical bullet-wound. But she noticed the engravings on the gun’s barrel, meaning the weapon was one designed to ward off supernatural beings.
Ham charged forward and slammed into Mara. Taken by surprise and slightly weakened from Shem’s gun, Mara was knocked off her feet and back out the door. Ham was on top of her and his fists managed to strike her face a few times. But Mara quickly recovered and Ham’s fist stopped in mid-strike, mere inches from her face. He struggled against Mara’s telekinetic hold on his fist, but slowly his arm changed direction. And when Mara released her hold, Ham ended up punching himself right in the face.
With a flick of her fingers, Mara’s telekinesis threw Ham off her. He landed on his ass just outside the door. Mara walked up to him and grabbed him by both ears, then slammed his head against the wall. Ham groaned and grunted with each strike, but he managed to hold on to consciousness.
That was until Mara drove her knee right into his face. She released her grip and Ham slumped to the ground, his face bruised and bloody and his eyes shut.
Mara stepped back inside the room, but had to duck out almost immediately once Shem fired another shot. She sighed and looked down at her hand. With her powers slightly weakened from that first shot, it took a little bit more effort fo
r her to summon hellfire. But once she did, it appeared in the form of a small shotgun.
She turned into the room and immediately raised the gun, then fired it. The flaming hellfire shell exploded from the barrel and struck Shem right in the chest. The force of impact threw his rail-thin body against the wall and when he landed, it was face-down. Unconscious, just like his brother.
Mara picked up Shem and threw him over her shoulder. She exited the room and bent down to take hold of Ham’s foot, then started dragging him behind her as she walked to meet up with Lucifer again.
“Taken care of,” she said.
“Good, now just let me grab my phone and then we can get out of here.” Lucifer casually strolled past the splintered door with his hands in his pockets. He looked at the spot where Shem’s bed had been, but saw nothing on the ground there. Lucifer peeked under the twin beds that rested upon each other, still seeing nothing.
He went to the dresser and started opening drawers. One of them held a small collection of guns, knives, holy water, and other weapons. It seemed what Lucifer had found in their van was far from the extent of their arsenal. But also amidst the weapons was his phone. He picked it up, turned on the screen to ensure it was indeed his, and once he was satisfied, put it in his inner breast pocket.
“Everything settled?” asked Mara when Lucifer emerged to rejoin her.
Lucifer nodded. “Yes, I’ve got the phone. But the question is where should we take these two?”
“There’s a basement in Lust. Asmodeus used to use it for just such an occasion,” said Mara.
“Seems appropriate. Very well, then let’s go there and find out just how these two little fail-sons stumbled on their information.”
Lucifer glanced past Mara when he noticed the manager emerge from the front office to see what had happened. He looked at the room in horror, and then turned his attention to Lucifer and Mara.
“Don’t worry!” said Lucifer as he waved. “They’re still alive and we’ll be getting out of your hair now.”
Lucifer Damned (Morningstar Book 3) Page 4
