by Lisa Oliver
“It suits you.” Lucifer treated it carefully, placing it on Stefan’s head at just the right angle. “Do you think your father would’ve approved of me?”
“You did make a scarab with your own hands.” Stefan grinned. “My dad didn’t understand about magic, and he was at his happiest when he was pottering in his workshop. He used to say that he could tell a lot about a man from the way he handled tools. He had a lot of respect for people who worked with their hands.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to meet him,” Lucifer said gravely, his hands resting on Stefan’s shoulders briefly. “Are you ready to go? I’ve made reservations at Goldies.”
Stefan swallowed hard. “Don’t you need to make a booking like two months in advance to get into that place?” He’d heard of it, of course. Anyone in town knew of the exclusive Goldies, run by an ex-madam and reported to be the place to be seen in town. Stefan also remembered seeing countless pictures of Lucifer in the society pages, coming or going from the restaurant with someone beautiful on his arm. “I’m just as happy with a pizza.”
“Goldie always has a table ready for me at a moment’s notice.” Taking his arm, Lucifer led him from the room, down the long hallway, down even longer stairs and out the front door. A gleaming black mustang with its custom red upholstery sat waiting in the driveway. Stefan used to dream of being taken somewhere special in Lucifer’s car with its personalized plates “MAGIC1”. Now he was busy trying to unravel the bundle of nerves causing havoc in his belly.
Lucifer did everything right. He held the door open for Stefan, waiting until he was safely seated before closing it again, taking care not to slam it. He was helpful with Stefan’s seatbelt, and waited until he was sure Stefan was secured, before starting the engine. But as the car eased down the long driveway, Stefan felt as if he was being driven to his doom, instead of a fun night out.
“Is Goldies a special place for you?” He asked as Lucifer turned onto the road and sped up. The first stars were starting to appear in the night sky, and while the air held a chill, there were no rain clouds in sight.
“I like the food.” Lucifer glanced over and winked. “They give you huge portions and the chef is incredible. If you’ve got a specific order, just ask and he’ll make it for you personally.”
Stefan picked at the bottom of his waistcoat. “You know I’ve never been one of the world’s beautiful people, don’t you?”
“You look stunning.” Lucifer winked at him as he expertly handled his car.
“Thank you.” Stefan tried again. “I used to see a lot of pictures of you in the society pages, going in and out of Goldies, before we met. You usually had a big-name celebrity on your arm.”
“They liked being seen with me because I’m considered the bad boy among magic users, but I’ve got an old family name which makes me partially respectable.” Lucifer grinned. “You don’t have to be jealous, sweetheart. I promise I only have eyes for you.”
“Thank you,” Stefan said again, quietly fuming. Are you really that thick? I’m not a celebrity. I’ll be lucky if they let me in the bloody door. The de Marco name was also an old one, but it wasn’t associated with money or power. Stefan’s father had been a watchmaker, just like his father and grandfather before him. When his father dated his mom, their special treat involved a quiet dinner at a local Italian restaurant. Stefan had been deadly serious when he mentioned pizza. I’m not a Goldies type person.
Only one thing stopped Stefan from pushing the point and that was the smile on Lucifer’s handsome face. Since he’d woken up from his own long sleep, Lucifer had seemed genuinely happy, taking the time to share a long bath with Stefan, laughing and sharing stories about what it was like growing up in the Fireborn mansion. Later they’d curled up on the bed, in front of a roaring fire, chatting about books they’d both read and playing a spirited game of scrabble. It was a side of Lucifer Stefan hadn’t seen, and the man had been so excited as they got ready for their date.
The car pulled to a stop, and as Stefan noticed the bright neon lights of Goldies lighting up the pavement, he knew his chance to say anything was lost. Lucifer got out, leaving the car running as he came around to open Stefan’s door. Swallowing the lump in his throat, Stefan took the hand offered, keeping his head low as Lucifer gave instructions to the valet for his car. The flash of cameras was hard to ignore, making Stefan glad for his hat.
“Head up, babe.” Lucifer tucked Stefan’s hand into the crook of his elbow. “Smile for the cameras, they have a living to make.”
Unwilling to be pictured like a deer caught in headlights, Stefan tried to remember the expressions of people he’d seen photographed with Lucifer before. Unfortunately, looking down his nose at anyone wasn’t something Stefan excelled at, so he aimed for something more neutral.
Lucifer, on the other hand, was positively beaming as he greeted a sharp collared host just inside the door. “Roger, is my table ready?”
“Of course, Mr. Fireborn. It’s always a delight to serve you.” Roger picked up a bunch of menus. “If you and your date for the evening…”
“Mate not date, Roger.” Lucifer said proudly. “I’d like you to meet Stefan de Marco, my anchor and fated one.”
“Mr. de Marco.” Roger’s quick up and down left Stefan feeling he’d been found lacking in some way. “Your hat can be left with the cloakroom staff.”
“He’ll keep it with him.” Lucifer patted Stefan’s hand. “It’s special – a magic thing – I’m sure you understand.”
“Indeed.” Roger’s smile was forced, although Stefan seemed to be the only one who noticed. “If you’d like to come this way.”
Their progress across the room was slow, not because of Roger, but because it seemed Lucifer was on a first name basis with almost all the other diners. By the time Lucifer was holding out his chair for him at the table, Stefan’s head was swimming with the number of names and new faces he’d been introduced to, including Lucifer’s boss, Ben.
“It’s great here, isn’t it?” Lucifer sat across from him, taking the menus Roger offered. “I’ve always loved the friendly atmosphere this place has.”
Taking the menu shoved in his face, Stefan just nodded. The truth was, while everyone was happy to see Lucifer, most of them barely gave Stefan a second glance. Lucifer’s boss was positively dismissive, as if because he was an anchor, he should be sitting in the kitchen. Putting the menu on the table, Stefan took his hat off, placing it carefully on the seat beside him. At least I won’t have to worry about anyone sitting next to me. Picking up his menu again, Stefan tried to concentrate on the pages of options offered. With luck they’ll feed me before they kick me out.
/~/~/~/~/
Lucifer was in his element. Spending most of his working life in some of the worst dives the world had to offer, he loved coming to Goldies where the service was always prompt and respectful, the food was amazing, and he could always guarantee to meet acquaintances – magic and non-magic alike. The paparazzi at the doorway always gave his dates a thrill at being noticed – being seen with him was always a boost to someone’s social standing.
He glanced over at Stefan who was studying the menu like he’d have to take a test on it. “Tell me what you’d like to eat,” he suggested, plucking the menu out of Stefan’s hand and setting it aside. “As I said, the chef is very flexible.”
“I don’t know what half the things on the menu are.” Stefan seemed a bit overawed by the experience and Lucifer did his best to set him at ease.
“You’ll get used to it,” he smiled happily. “When I’m not busy on a case I come here a couple of times a week. It’s nice being out and about, catching up with decent people instead of chasing criminals for a change. I can order for you if you like.”
“A pasta meal would be fine, thank you,” Stefan said quietly, “and maybe a bottle of water?”
“You can have your water, but we’ll also be having a bottle of champagne. This is our celebration, you and I – we finished a
case, and we’re mated.” Lucifer caught sight of the waitress approaching. “Ah, Melissa, how are you this fine evening?”
“Just fine, Mr. Fireborn, sir.” Melissa bounced on her toes. “You must have finished another big case then, if you’re back dining with us again.” She paused and looked at Stefan, a slight furrow in her smooth forehead. “Are you new in town, sir? I’m sorry, I don’t recognize you.”
“Most people don’t.” Stefan’s smile seemed tight. “It’s okay. I’m not anyone famous. I’ve been in town most of my life, but I was born in the trades sector.”
“You’re one of the most famous anchors in the country,” Lucifer defended hotly. “Melissa, this is Stefan de Marco, my anchor and my fated one. You’ll be seeing a lot of us in here from now on.”
“Congratulations, Mr. Fireborn,” Melissa said quickly. “I read about how important it is for someone like you to have a stable anchor. Madam would have a fit if you blew up her pride and joy zapping your magic all over the place. And oh, it’s very sweet of you, taking your anchor out to dinner in a place like ours. You’re such a nice man. They don’t have anything like Goldies in the trade sector.”
“No, I suppose they don’t.” Lucifer felt a curl of anxiety start to form in his gut. “Can you take our order please? Stefan will have the Pasta alla Norcina with truffles and I’ll have the same. We’ll share a basket of garlic bread, and a bottle of the Krug Clos du Mesnil ’95, thank you. Oh, and an additional bottle of water for Stefan if you wouldn’t mind.”
“Of course, Mr. Fireborn, I won’t be long.” Melissa bounced away with a swish of her long black skirt and a flounce of her equally long blond hair.
Lucifer looked over to see Stefan was studying an art piece on the wall. “Melissa didn’t mean to be rude. I hope you won’t let her comments spoil our evening.”
“Why would it? I’m not ashamed of where I was raised.” Stefan’s stormy eyes were in direct contrast to his forced smile. “There are some quite wonderful restaurants in the trade sector open to everyone, if you bother to look. My father used to treat my mother at this wonderful little mom and pop Italian restaurant. There were only four tables, and the owner, Mr. Russo, considered all his customers to be part of his family. I only ever went there once, but Mr. Russo already knew everything about me, from chatting with my father. I always knew when my mom and dad had a good time on their date – he used to sing, really loudly all the way home.”
“That does sound lovely. Probably a lot more intimate than here.” Lucifer looked around, seeing the expensive artwork and the discreetly placed table with a fresh eye. Goldies was huge by Greenford standards, with over two hundred seating capacity and every table was booked out every night. “I’ve been coming here since I was ten, originally with my parents, but then it made sense to keep coming once I was an adult.”
“We’ve had different upbringings,” Stefan said quietly. “It doesn’t make either way wrong, just different.”
Melissa’s arrival meant Lucifer didn’t have to answer, but when he noticed she’d only brought one glass for the champagne, clearly not expecting him to share the bottle with his mate, even though he’d been specific that was the case, Lucifer’s anxiety grew. Things weren’t much better when the food arrived – Stefan’s portion was miniscule compared to Lucifer’s heaped plate. Lucifer tried to get it taken back, but Stefan waved Melissa away, picking up his fork and taking a mouthful.
What the fuck is going on? Lucifer dug into his own meal, keen to get it eaten and take his mate somewhere else. He was just scraping his plate clean, when a shadow crossed the table, causing him to look up. “Ben,” he smiled at his boss. “How’s your evening going?”
“Good. Good.” Ben flicked a glance at Stefan who had just finished his meal. “Could I speak to you privately for a moment?”
“If you’ll excuse me.” Stefan got up and picked up his hat. “I need to use the men’s room. Gentlemen.” With a nod of his head, he disappeared in the direction of the facilities.
Ben quickly took Stefan’s seat. “What are you doing, Lucifer?”
“Having dinner. Am I meant to be doing something else?”
“Madam sent a message to my table. She’s very upset with you, bringing your anchor here. She wanted me to speak to you about it discreetly.”
“Excuse me?” Lucifer couldn’t work out what he’d done wrong. Every date he’d ever had was at Goldies. “I used to bring Darwin here all the time.”
“Yes, but he’s a Fireborn.” Ben leaned across the table. “Apparently, all the kitchen staff can talk about is how your anchor comes from the trade district. That’s two strikes against you. Customers are complaining, wondering what the heck you are playing at, bringing him to such a genteel establishment.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Suddenly Melissa’s behavior was making sense. “Stefan’s my mate. He’s got as much right here as I have. We’re as good as married.”
“Not according to Madam’s rules. You’re welcome any time and always will be. You’re a Fireborn, and you know she always hosts the area’s finest families at a moment’s notice. Your so-called mate comes from the trade sector and he’s an anchor. Both things that Madam forbids in her establishment. I’m telling you, as your boss and your friend, stick to your celebrity dates when you come here and leave Stefan at home next time you’re hungry.”
“Like hell I will!” Lucifer slammed his napkin on the table, standing up fast enough his chair tipped and fell with a clatter. Silence fell over the room as everyone looked to see who was making a fuss. “There’s not a family here I haven’t helped, including Madam’s,” Lucifer snarled. “Help I could only offer because of the anchor by my side. Hell’s teeth, man, without my anchor, I’m nothing, and you’re all treating him like he’s a second-class citizen. I expected better from you Ben.”
He noticed Stefan standing to one side, his head tilted slightly, playing with the rim of his hat that was still in his hands. He was watching, waiting, and Lucifer realized Stefan knew his presence would be an issue in the restaurant from the moment Lucifer told him where they were going. Fuck. Now his questions in the car make sense.
“My mate is proud of his upbringing in the trades sector.” Lucifer turned to face the room. “His father was a master clockmaker, as was his father’s father and his father’s grandfather before that. Stefan has one of the highest magical scores I’ve ever seen or heard of. He is, by far, the most powerful anchor in the country, and for some reason, the Fates saw fit to pair him with me. I will always be grateful to them, and to him for accepting me.
“But this man is so much more than gorgeous looks and high magic test scores.” Lucifer kept looking around, making sure he caught the eye of everyone looking in his direction and it was everyone. “When I got shot on our first case, he was the one who got me to safety and cared for me. He claimed me while a magical being was sucking the lifeforce out of me, risking his own life as he said the words, determined that I would live. When we came face to face with one of the most horrific monsters I’ve ever seen in my lifetime, Stefan faced it with me, giving me access to his magic, showing me how that monster could be beaten. It’s because of anchors like him you can all sleep easier in your beds at night – or you used to be able to.”
Lucifer scowled at some of the people he used to call friend. “Thanks to this insult, the next time you need your cousin’s curse lifted, George, you can find someone else. Or you, Peter. Had any hauntings in that old barn you call a house lately? Better hope you don’t get any more. As for you, Sheryl, don’t go bothering me the next time you’re worried about your brother. If he summons a demon again the damn thing can eat him.”
Straightening his spine, Lucifer continued, his voice ringing around the room. “I’ll take the Fireborn money out of the local bank, I will sell all my business interests here in town, call in all the loans I’ve made, including to Madam,” he yelled towards the back of the room where he knew the woman herself would be listening
to every word. “The next time someone carves magical runes into an unsuspecting corpse, Ben here can handle it. Oh wait, he can’t because he has no magic whatsoever – he has a business degree. Let him spreadsheet his way out of that shit and keep you safe. I don’t care how he does it, but just know it won’t have anything to do with me. It won’t be a Fireborn. Centuries this family has protected this town and your livelihoods, but not anymore. I will never forget this blatant insulting behavior as long as I live.”
“And one last thing,” Lucifer chuckled darkly as he saw some of his friend’s faces turn red and others were looking decidedly worried. “Just be thankful my mate’s not touching me right now, or I’d curse you all to itching powder for the next fucking week. Stefan, my love, did you have anything you wanted to say before we leave this piece of shit place?”
“My only comment would be that the pasta was too salty, the truffles weren’t fresh, and my water bottle was warm instead of chilled the way I prefer it.” Stefan came over, looping his hand through Lucifer’s arm, and slapping his hat on his head. “Seriously darling, if that’s the sort of service you get here, we need to find a better class of establishment.”
“Or start one of our own.” Lucifer chuckled, loving his mate all the more in that moment. Stefan was showing more class than anyone else in the room. “Come on, babe, let’s go find dessert.” Escorting Stefan outside, his grin widened as he saw the paparazzi crowd had gotten bigger.
“Mr. Fireborn, Mr. de Marco, can you tell us what happened in there?”
“Why was Mr. de Marco not allowed to eat at Goldies?”
“Was the food really terrible?”
“Is Mr. de Marco really your mate?”
Lucifer waved his free hand at Stefan. “Mr. de Marco is one of the strongest, if not the strongest magical anchor this town has ever seen. You can check his scores if you don’t believe me; he outranks everyone. And despite all the good works I have done in this town, for some reason this restaurant is steeped in archaic values that consider anchors to be second class citizens. Madam does not consider Mr. de Marco a suitable person to eat here. So, from now on, I don’t consider her establishment worth dining at either. Likewise, I will be tendering my resignation as lead Steward in Greenford in the morning, effective immediately.”
