Atropa heard the soothing voice. It wrapped around her ears and lulled her racing heart. The teen clenched her teeth and her fists, she wanted revenge. “I want them to burn. I want it to be slow and suffering. I want them to feel every ounce of pain they’ve caused me,” she looked into the red eyes, “I want them to get a taste of Hell before going back.”
A catlike grin was once again plastered on the pale face. Lilith looked at the two mortals, who had terror dancing in their eyes. She pulled out her lighter and flicked it to life. Its fire surrounded her hand in a glowing warmth. She looked to Atropa for approval. The girl nodded eagerly.
Lilith set everything ablaze.
Chapter XIV: Dad
Lilith carried the teen on her back. She held the plush legs and moved down the sidewalk and through the town. The rain had once again stopped, an earthy smell lingered in the air. Only the sound of her footsteps broke the silence. All the lights were off, except the street lamps overhead, their little banners fluttering in the breeze. Everyone was asleep. The world was asleep. Her world was asleep and on her back. She felt Atropa’s heartbeat and smiled. The simple rhythm brought her very being to life.
A voice echoed from the darkness and interrupted the wonderful melody, “What the fuck have you done?”
Lilith stopped in her tracks. She looked back at the figure, who was emerging from the alleyway, “And here I thought you were dead. What do you want, Castella? Atropa’s asleep right now, so she can’t make you puke out your guts again.” If it was one thing Lilith hated, it was cherubs.
“I want to know what the hell you’re doing?” the blonde pointed toward the blaze the demon had set. She the turned her finger toward the sleeping figure. Glaring, she asked, “and why do you have that?”
“Stay out of it Cast, you’re just a babe. You have no idea what you’re messing with,” Lilith warned.
“I may be young, but I’m not a fool,” Castella clenched her fist. “I don’t know why you and those imps came here. All I know that ever since she’s been here, things have gone to hell!” Castella seethed, “I want to know who the hell you are and who the fuck she is!” Castella pulled out her blade, “I’m not afraid to kill you, or her.”
Lilith saw the puny dagger and began to laugh. She looked at the cherub, who was visibly shaking. “You’re still young, so I won’t kill you. You’re still foolish, so I won’t hold it against you. Just know this,” Lilith took a step closer, making the cherub take a step back. “I am far older than I appear. I came from the very clay that shapes this world. I was here long before you. I’ve seen more than you could ever comprehend. I’ve seen the face of Satan and the fury of God. I hold the most powerful entity known to man on my back! I am the mother of darkness. I am the protector of the light bearer's child. I am the knight of hell.”
Castella’s dagger began to waver in her hand. The demon continued to advance. Her back hit a brick wall. “What…who?”
“I do not fear your blade, nor your name,” the demon showed the quivering blonde her fangs. “You need to learn to respect your elders and you’re rulers,” Lilith growled, “You are in front of royalty, kneel.”
Castella froze. She’d never felt an actual demon’s power before. Atropa’s gaze paled in comparison. The stories paled in comparison. Sure, others had described it, but feeling the real thing was earth shattering. The weight of it was suffocating. It hurt, it stung, and it was terrifying. The angel’s knees knocked, and she fell on the sidewalk, no longer able to take the force. This couldn’t have been an ordinary power, and this sure as hell wasn’t an ordinary demon. After a minute, she gasped as the pressure was released. Air finally flooded her lungs and her limbs steadied. She coughed violently, blood filling her mouth and splattering on the pavement below. Tears flooded her eyes and distorted her vision. Castella tried to speak, but her voice came out shaken and broken, “Y-you’re a…a-”
Lilith silenced her, “Stay out of my way, cherub. Your God is the one who planned this, not us.” She turned and continued to walk, calming again when she listened to Atropa’s steady heartbeat.
Castella gripped at the cement below her. Her manicured nails chipping from the force. She’d never met a fallen. What did she mean by… Castella shook her head, she needed to warn everyone. Hopefully someone would listen to her. The angel jumped up and flew down the block. A shit storm was coming and they weren’t ready.
* * *
Atropa stirred awake. She rubbed her violet eyes and tried to move into a new position but stopped. Where was she? Atropa sat up fully and looked around. A single nightlight was in the corner. The walls were black with band posters and a wardrobe on the other side, there was nothing else. Atropa stood and saw some clothes were under the nightlight. It was a baggy hoodie and sweatpants. She slipped them on. Voices could be heard beyond the door. She opened it and slid out into the hallway, hearing the conversation clearly now.
“What are we going to do?” Erin asked. He was pacing back and forth. They knew this day would come, but they didn’t think it would be this soon. Granted it had been a couple centuries, but it still felt too soon!
“Calm down. Lilith knows what she’s doing, she always does.” Darren rested his chin on his folded hands, “For now, we wait.” He saw his stressed twin and frowned. “You worry too much,” Darren patted the cushion beside him, “Sit. Pacing around isn’t going to help you get anywhere.”
Erin sat beside his brother, “I remember how scary it was…when we were reborn.”
Darren sighed, “I know, but she isn’t like us, she’s special.”
“Special how?” Atropa asked, coming around the corner.
Erin jumped up, “Atropa!” He ran to the other and gave the teen a hug, “I’m so sorry. Lilith told us about your parents and the fire and we-”
“Erin, I’m fine,” Atropa hugged the boy back, “Thank you for worrying.” Her eyes landed on Darren. “Where’s Lilith?” she asked, looking around the large room in awe.
The blond stayed silent, his eyes connecting with his twin. ‘Should we tell her?” he thought.
Erin glared at him, “Yes!” he answered aloud. The boy took Atropa’s hands, “Come on, we’ll show you where she is. She’s having a talk with Lucifer.”
“Lucifer?” Atropa said in disbelief. “He’s…here?”
Darren stood and moved to stand beside the teen, “Yeah, he’s here. I guess you should call him dad.” The imp rubbed his arm nervously. He was talking to royalty after all. “Come on, we’ll take you to them.”
Atropa nodded. They walked through the halls of the mansion. She nibbled on her thumbnail in worry. ‘Dad,’ she thought, ‘I’m about to meet my dad.’
* * *
“So you’ve told her?” Lucifer asked, leaning against the wall. To say he was surprised would be an understatement. He didn’t expect the demon to go through with it.
Lilith’s head was hung but she gave a slight nod, “Yeah, she knows.” The demon rubbed her face, “She seems to be embracing it though. She unleashed the beast on those two bastards.” Lilith smiled at the memory.
Lucifer chuckled, “That’s my girl.” When the laughter died, and the smiles faded, a strange silence fell over the two.
“Lucifer, I don’t think she’ll be able to make the sacrifice,” Lilith admitted.
“Are you willing to?” he asked.
“Of course!” Lilith confirmed. “I’d do anything for her, I just don’t know if she’ll be able to find it in herself to-”
“Lilith,” a voice called, making the two in the room fall silent once again.
Darren knocked on the door three times before opening it a crack, his blue eye peeking in. “Atropa’s awake,” he said when he saw the demons’ glares.
Lucifer stiffened at the name.
Atropa pushed past Darren and went into the room. She saw Lilith on the bed, who was stunned. “Did you think I was dead?” she asked sarcastically. Atropa moved to stand before her, giving her a gentle kiss.
“No, I just didn’t think you’d be up so soon. I’m glad you are,” Lilith whispered as they pulled apart.
“Well, that’s touching,” Lucifer said, gaining the attention of the teen. The look of wonder in her eyes made his heart melt. He glared at the twins, who were still in the doorway. “Leave us!” he commanded. He smiled when the imps scrambled down the hall. Lucifer then turned to Lilith and gestured toward the door, “You too.”
The demon growled but obeyed nonetheless. Lilith saw the anxiety in Atropa’s violet eyes, “You’ll be fine, he’s your dad. I’ll be in my room if you need me.” She gave the teen’s hand a reassuring squeeze before leaving, closing the door behind her.
When the room was cleared, Lucifer spoke again. He looked the teen over. “You’ve grown,” he commented. An awkward silence fell on the two. Lucifer walked toward her. His hand rubbed the side of Atropa’s soft face, “Humans grow so fast. I can never stop marveling at that. You’ve gotten so beautiful too, I-” Lucifer stopped, his hand shaking a bit. It had been so long since he last saw her.
“Why me?” Atropa asked, “Don’t you have more children?” She rubbed her cheek against the demon’s strong hand, “Why didn’t you ever visit me?”
Lucifer chuckled, “One question at a time.” He sat on the bed and patted the space beside him, “Sit down, and I will explain.”
Atropa sat quickly, attention solely focused on him.
Lucifer smiled at that. “You are something else,” he whispered.
“But why?” Atropa asked again. “I know you must have other children, so why am I going to rule? Why can’t Lilith or one of the others do it? Who’s my mom, is she really human?”
Lucifer sighed, “Yes. You were born by a human, not a jackal like most people fucking think. I still don’t know where they got that. Anyway, your mother was in a cult that worshiped me, she had you.”
“What happened to her?” Atropa asked, excited that she might meet her.
Lucifer frowned at the hope in the violet eyes, “She was killed.” He saw a streak of pain go through the teen’s heart. Lucifer took her hand, “It was a quick death, if that makes you feel better.”
Atropa smiled at this till another thought occurred. “Why did those people have me? Didn’t you want me?”
Lucifer was shocked by the question, “Of course I wanted you! Those bastards took you from her. I can only come to Earth a number of times. It didn’t help that every place they moved to was crawling with angels. You ran them out of enough towns to where Ravenblack was their last safe haven. Little did they know I have a base here…” He looked off toward the door, “I tried to send Lilith, to help your becoming.”
Atropa furrowed her brow. She repeated, “My becoming?”
Lucifer didn’t elaborate, “As for why I chose you, the answer is simple, God instructed it.”
Atropa tensed, “God? He…he told you to choose me?”
“Yes,” Lucifer said, “Not you specifically but they said ‘Your first child, born on Earth, shall rule when my reign falls’.” He looked at the stunned girl, “You were the first, and only.”
He took her hand, voice solemn as he said, “I’m sorry I wasn’t there when you were growing. I wish I could turn back time, but that is one power out of my reach.” Lucifer smiled, “I remember the first time I held you. You were absolutely fearless, even in my presence. Your hair was just like your mother’s, a fiery red, and you had those cute little spots on your cheeks. You cooed at me and wrapped your hand around my finger. You were so small and fragile, I was afraid I’d break you.”
Atropa gave him a shy smile. She rested her head on the devil’s shoulder, “Can I call you dad?” she asked.
Lucifer nodded and hugged the teen. It was the first time he’d ever hugged one of his fully grown creations. “Yes,” he answered, adding, “I would like that very much.”
Atropa began to cry, “Thank you.” She gripped at the man holding her, “Thank you, dad.” She never knew parental love felt so good.
Chapter XV: The Stroke of Midnight
Lilith began to pace around the room, she missed her love, even though it had only been a half hour. The demon finally fell onto the bed in exhaustion. “God dammit,” she whispered.
“That’s blasphemous,” Atropa teased as she slipped into the room. She hopped onto the bed next to the demon. “Are you alright?” she asked, moving closer to kiss Lilith’s cheek, “You know, Lucifer’s not such a bad guy. He’s really nice, at least to me.”
Lilith smiled at this. She was glad the two got along. Lilith turned to rest on her side. “Ready for bed?” she asked.
Atropa nodded. She stood up and slipped off the baggy hoodie and pants. Atropa shook out her hair and turned around to see Lilith’s gaze locked on her. She shivered under the carnal stare. “Why are you looking at me like that?” the teen asked.
Lilith bit her lip. “You, you should sleep in here tonight. I’ll go to the couch.” She stood and tried to leave without looking at the teen. Her face was already feeling warm.
“No,” Atropa interjected. She caught the demon’s wrist. “Stay,” she begged and pulled Lilith toward the bed, “Stay with me.” Atropa slipped onto the mattress, kneeling. “Come here,” she urged, tugging lightly at the taller female.
Lilith went without resistance. She sat in front of her. “Atropa,” she warned, “you don’t know what you’re playing with.”
Atropa smiled, “I’m not as innocent as you think. I’ve been on the Internet, you know.” She laid down, pulling Lilith to be on top of her. “I want you, and I trust you.” Atropa ran her fingers along Lilith’s arms, letting her nails catch skin.
The demon smiled. “I love you,” she whispered. Lilith slipped off her t-shirt before diving back down to kiss the teen below her. The girl below her tasted of apples and ashes. A fiery beauty with a soul to match. Lilith pressed kisses against the tan neck, trailing down to one of the teen’s arms. She was happy to see the scars that once littered the flesh were gone. Now she could replace them with marks of love and devotion. A wave of possessiveness washed over her. Lilith slipped between the girl’s thighs, taking and holding the tan wrists together. “Meus es tu,” she growled against the soft lips before attacking them again.
The teen raised an eyebrow at the words but didn’t want to break away to question them. Lilith’s lips were starting a fire that blazed through her very core. It was Atropa’s first experience with pleasure, and she prayed it wouldn’t be her last. She battled and surrendered, won and lost, it was a spine tingling experience. Atropa pulled back to take in a deep breath. Her lungs felt like they were on fire. “What does that mean?” she asked, panting and dazed.
Lilith licked her lips, “It means you are mine.” The demon’s scarlet eyes shined in the darkness. Her hands began to roam, and pull, and twist at the smaller body beneath her. Her sensitive ears picked up each hushed gasp and low whimper. The demon descended on the tanned skin, leaving kiss after kiss.
Atropa sucked in a shaky breath. Her fingers twisted in ebony hair as her toes curled and caught the sheets. No words were spoken as limbs tangled and tongues clashed. The mattress dipped and the old bed frame groaned. Bites and scratches were made by clawing hands and sharpened teeth. The air became warm and filled with harmonizing voices. The moon’s glow casted the pair in a heavenly light.
For that night, they were one.
* * *
Sunshine slipped through the black curtains. Lilith was the first to stir awake. She was greeted with a beauty beside her. Atropa was still dreaming, her long black hair covering parts of her perfect face. Lilith swiped away some of the ebony strands and placed a kiss on the pink cheek.
Atropa smiled at the contact. Her violet eyes opened slowly. “Good morning,” she whispered. Atropa propped herself up on an elbow. “What time’s it?” she asked groggily.
“Close to 10, I think.” Lilith sat up, stretching her back, audible pops going down her spine. She rolled he
r shoulders and got off the bed, the sheets slipping away.
Atropa bit her nail. Lilith was beautiful. In any form she took, the demon was breathtaking. The teen saw the dark hickeys that lined the marble neck. She then saw the scratches and bites that littered the pale flesh. Atropa was glad the marks hadn’t faded in the night. They proved Lilith was hers.
The demon looked over her shoulder. “Take a picture, I know you want to,” Lilith teased.
Atropa ducked her head into the pillows. Embarrassment ripped her to shreds. She gave a muffled ‘I’m sorry’, while trying to smother herself in the linens.
Lilith happily sighed. She slipped on a sports bra and underwear before crawling back into the bed. “Hey, don’t hide. I was just messing with you,” Lilith moved black tresses back and kissed the teen’s temple.
Atropa giggled, peeking upward. A thought had been racing through her mind since her mother and father died. She decided now would be the time to voice it. “Hey Lilith,” she said to get the demon’s attention. When she had it Atropa blurted out, “I want to dye my hair.”
Lilith raised an eyebrow. “Why?” she asked, leaning against the headboard. The demon liked the black locks on the girl. The hair reminded her of the night sky surrounding a gleaming moon, not to mention it was cute.
Atropa pouted at the question. She sat up before explaining, “I hate it. They made me dye it so many times, I-I guess I just want it back to how it was.” She looked at her slightly curled strand, “Dad confirmed that it used to be red, and so was my real mom’s.” The teen got up and dressed in the large hoodie from last night, “Could we, please?”
Lilith smiled, she couldn’t say no to those pleading eyes. “Yeah, I’ll get some dye. You stay here,” Lilith said, pulling on some jeans and a shirt.
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