Ash fell silently down onto the metropolis of doors. Many of the doors shook with the energy of the guilt-fueled dramas taking place within; throwing shafts of weak light into the perpetual darkness. Demons moved among the structures, playing their part in the torture. This was Hell.
Gloomy, grey clouds covered most of the sky, casting a pall over everything.
The only break in the cloud cover was a circular, swirling opening directly above the center of the kingdom. Through this opening a bit of light glowed from above, highlighting the sharp, chiseled bones of the man's handsome face.
Lucifer Morningstar sat comfortably under that light; his command absolute. The throne in which he sat, perched precariously above the vast plain, kept him visible to the entire kingdom. The long, narrow slats of metal that made up the towering base of the throne were impossible to scale. The razor-sharp edges of each piece would cut through anything, be it rope, wire, flesh, or claws. No demon could make the ten thousand foot climb. The throne could only be reached by flying.
It had been three days since Lucifer returned to Hell and the entire time he sat on his throne; making it known that the King was in residence. All good demons could look up and know he was there and ready to raise a strong hand to keep order. It was what they needed.
The throne was also what Lucifer needed, as it connected him to the entire structure of Hell. He would know immediately if any demon tried to cross the boundary to Earth. As long as he kept vigil, Chloe and all of his friends and family were safe.
Chloe… He fought hard to keep the smile from his face, but still one corner of his mouth quirked up. She loved him. Him. It was amazing. He wished so much that they could be together, but an angel had to rule Hell. And truth be told, he still didn't think he deserved her. He shook his head and sat up straighter.
It was for the best. She was mortal. She would find another to love.
He would never forget her.
He looked around him, taking in the grey, ash filled sky. Noting the stillness of the vast corridors of souls punishing themselves. All was running exactly as it should. He gave a sigh of relief.
Then he felt it. He jerked upright in his chair as an unprecedented warmth hit his solar plexus. The loved, feminine voice reached him next.
"Lucifer!"
He frowned in confusion and bent forward to search for the source of the sound. It couldn't be.
He saw a light on the eastern edge of the Kingdom, near the emergency portal he had installed in Lux. The light was swinging from side to side, as if someone without the necessary night vision was finding their way through the gloom, into the labyrinth of doors.
He stood up, his wings unfurling as his panicked eyes focused on the light.
Her voice called again, "Lucifer! Where are you?"
His face paled as he dove off his throne and soared toward the light.
Chloe was in Hell.