AN: Here is another chapter. I'm dedicating it to ACharmedLover as a thank you for his help with the chapter.

A KING UNDER YOUR CONTROL

One of the numerous faceless and nameless demon guards dragged him through the massive black iron doors into a round stone room. A massive fire in the center surrounded by polished obsidian lit the room. The walls were covered in furs and skins of creatures Zach did not recognize. The room lacked any form of furniture, save for a white marble throne. His escort threw him down on the ground in front of the throne. His bare skin burned against the icy black floor.

"Now, now, we do not treat guests like that," admonished Lucifer from the throne.

Zach shut his eyes as his usher erupted in blinding flames.

"Arise, Zachary," commanded Lucifer in a sultry tone.

Zach bit his tongue and remained prostrate where he had landed. He heard clothes rustle and the soft thumps of footsteps. A smooth but powerful hand took hold of his left shoulder and lifted him up. Zach blinked and met the cold electric blue eyes of his captor. Lucifer set him gently on his feet. Zach started to breathe out when the short fallen angel backhanded him across the face. The strike nearly snapped his neck, and he fell back to the floor. The metallic taste of blood filled his mouth.

Lucifer crossed his arms and tapped his toe impatiently. "Arise, Zachary."

Zach crawled onto his hands and knees, hissing. Every move caused more of his skin to ripped off. He spat out a mouthful of blood and watched it turn to red ice the moment it touched the floor. Ice crystals formed in every puff of breath. Zach pushed himself to his knees and defiantly glared up at Lucifer.

"You won't break me."

Lucifer grinned, revealing perfectly straight teeth. His eyes returned to their human green-brown. "What makes you think I am trying to break you, Zachary?"

Zach stood up, fully aware the ragged remains of his underwear did little to cover him up. "Why else keep me alive?"

Lucifer cocked his head to one side. "A curious question. Most people would simply be happy that they are alive. Do you not wish to be? That is a dilemma many of my subjects would happily rectify."

Zach balled his hands into tight fists. "Where's Matt?"

Lucifer started to circle the witch, running his eyes up and down the naked, bruised, and battered body. "I would not concern yourself with the wellbeing of your cousin. We must first discover your place in the world."

Zach twisted to keep the predatory angel in his sights. "Where is he?"

Lucifer sighed dramatically and snapped his finger. A glass bowl, filled with a dark yet luminescent liquid, rose out of thin air and floated over to the two men. It came to rest in the center of the two. Lucifer pulled out a vial of pale yellow powder from one of his navy suit's jacket pockets. He sprinkled the contents on top of the liquid. The surface shimmered briefly before turning into an inverted image of a small boy lying on the rough ground. Thick metal chains bound him to the wall. The imaged zoomed in and Zach recognized the face at once despite the horribly swollen right eye and missing left ear.

"You bastard!" yelled Zach and forgetting everything took a swing at Lucifer.

Lucifer easily stopped his fist with his hand. The evil Power tightened his grip on the witch's fist. Several pops echoed through the room over the crackling of the fire. Zach screamed in agony. Lucifer let go, and instinctually Zach cradled the destroyed hand against his chest. The twisted and mangled stump had already started to swell and turn a bitter purple.

Lucifer dismissed the bowel and continued his circling. "I can be a very reasonable man, Zachary. I truly detest inflicting pain when it is not warranted, but I will not hesitate to crush those who oppose my will."

Zach, tears running down his cheeks, took a deep breath. "Go fuck yourself."

Lucifer chuckled in his rich warm voice. "Unfortunately even I cannot gift myself with such envious skills. Perhaps, I'll take you up on the offer on another date. For now, let us return to the reason you are here."

Lightheadedness swept over Zach. The pain, hunger, and thirst were getting to be too much.

Lucifer waved his hand and a small table shimmered into the room laden down with platters of fruits, cheeses, and sliced meats. A variety of soft drinks and other colorful beverages took up a smaller section of the table. A simple wooden stool appeared next to Zach.

"Eat. Drink. I will summon a healer to see to your hand. Healing is a power our Creator saw fit to only grant to my more obedient brethren," said Lucifer kindly.

Zach eyed the food, and his stomach grumbled.

Lucifer picked up a rosy red apple and took a bite out of it. "I have not poisoned the food. I think we can both agree if I wanted you dead, you would be."

"I'm not hungry," said Zach through gritted teeth.

Lucifer heaved a sigh. "A blatant lie. There is nothing to be gained by being valiant, Zachary. You will need your strength and resolve in the coming days. There is a lot I wish to discuss with you, but you will be poor company if all you can hear is your own gnawing stomach."

A woman in a dark crimson cloak flamed into the room next to Lucifer. She bowed low. "You summoned me, my lord," she said in a high singsong voice.

Lucifer patted the petite demon on the shoulder as she straightened her back. "Agnodice, we have had a bit of a misunderstanding. See what you can do for our guest."

The demon approached Zach who shrank back. Agnodice rolled her glowing red eyes and caught hold of him with feline grace and speed. She grabbed his wrist and ignored his grunts of complaint as she pulled the injured hand toward her. With no mercy or compassion, she took hold on one misshapen finger and snapped it back into place. Zach shrieked and tried to free his hand, but she tightened her grip. Lucifer returned to his throne and watched the display with little interest. After correcting the fingers, she laid the hand on the table and started on the metacarpals.

"Will it be a full recovery?" queried Lucifer nonchalantly.

Agnodice flipped the hand over and examined it. "Most of the damage was dislocation. I counted only two fractures and one ruptured tendon. It will be tender for a few days, but yes, he should recover most of its function."

Lucifer clapped his hands once. "Excellent. Your payment is waiting for you outside. I made it clear, per your previous request, that the boys are to be unharmed."

Agnodice bowed low. "You are most generous, sire."

Lucifer waved her out of the room. He sat down on his throne. "Are we still not hungry?"

Zach, still cradling his hand, kicked the leg of the table hard enough to break it. Before the food or drinks could hit the floor, they vanished along with the table. The stool transformed into an iron chair with a collection of spikes running up and down the backrest. Lucifer flicked his finger, and Zach flew back into the chair. Thick metal chains sprang out of the ground and latched onto his wrists and ankles. The spikes broke his skin, and he felt thick sticky blood dribble down his back.

"Perhaps, you will need to be broken," growled Lucifer.

Zach returned the growl.

Lucifer rose up out of the throne. He strode over to the defenseless boy and bent down to be eye level. "I would admire your courage if it were not so foolish. You have seen my power. You witnessed the ease I can strip you pathetic mortals of your valued life, and I will let you in on a terrible secret. If I kill you, you do not get an afterlife. I devour your soul and use its energy to take the life of someone you hold dear. You would do well not to piss me off."

Zach spat in the demon's face.

Lucifer drew back his fist and slammed it into Zach's stomach. His hand turned into thick long talons. "Look at these."

Zach glared at him.

Lucifer held up his talons. "I took the life of your uncle's lover with this hand. Shall I do the same for you?"

Zach swallowed.

"Precious Rebecca is not as safe as you might think," said Lucifer rising back to his full height. "Your family's protections are not so great, not without the Power of Three."

"The Charmed Ones are still alive," hissed Zach.

Lucifer threw back his head and laughed. "Your grandmother and her two wrinkly sisters are nothing more than pesky flies I have yet to bother squashing. As for your father and uncle—well, they tried once, and yet here I am. Then there is the circle you are a part of. I highly doubt the one free member is in any shape to be casting a lighting spell let alone designing a web of wards strong enough to stop me. Like I said, the Power of Three is destroyed, and, without it, your family is no different than the billions of other mortals in this world."

Zach felt the sucking void of despair sinking into his soul, but he refused to let it show on his face. He stared at Lucifer defiantly. "Do your worst."

"Shall I summon young Matthew? I am feeling a bit peckish. How does fresh heart sound to you?" challenged Lucifer.

Zach paled. He had no doubt Lucifer would cut out Matt's heart right in front of him. Unlike the rest of his family and friends, Matt was well within the reach of the brown haired Power. He had to play for time without endangering his cousin.

"Why not cut out my heart?"

Lucifer chuckled. "You, my pet, are destined for far great things than being an unsatisfactory menu item. I have better plans for you. Eventually, you will bend to my will and listen to my advice. I can be very patient. Let us compromise for today. You will eat and drink something, and I will release you to your quarters for the remainder of the day. We can discuss things tomorrow."

Lucifer re-conjured the table of food and drink. Zach's stomach betrayed him and grumbled in response to the enticing smell. His chains fell away, and Lucifer stepped aside. Gingerly the teen stood up, feeling the sharp spikes of pain as his numerous wounds stretched with his movement. He felt lightheaded from the loss of blood and lack of energy. He needed sustenance if he was going to survive. A little bit of food and some orange juice would not kill him.

"Fine, but you're not to harm Matt either."

Lucifer rolled his eyes. "Matthew's fate is in his own hands. Eat and drink. I will tell the help to prepare your room. Shall I have some entertainment waiting for you as well?"

Zach frowned. "No. No, thank you."

Lucifer shrugged. "The girls will be very disappointed, but perhaps it is wise to take it easy. You are very weak."

Lucifer stepped and suddenly vanished, leaving Zach alone in the room. He picked out a plate of cheese and meats along with a cup of orange juice. Shivering he carried his meal over to the roaring fire. No sooner had he reached the fire than a comfortable armchair sprung out of the ground. He sat down and closed his eyes for a moment. Exhaustion rolled over him. He had no idea how long he had been imprisoned by Lucifer. He could only hope his family was safe and thinking of a way to rescue him. He did not want them to put themselves in danger for him, but he did not see another way he was escaping from this place. He took a bite of meat and sighed. The taste of real food was almost orgasmic.

Lucifer returned some time later followed by two demons. These were not the same breed as his usual guards. One was a muscular dark-skinned man with a nasty scar over his right eye. A birthmark in the shape of a bird outlined his bulging neck muscles. The other was a pale female with long blonde hair tied in a tight ponytail. She too had an avian birthmark but on her exposed shoulder.

"This is Hank and Camilla. They will escort you to your quarters. I would not bother getting to know them. They will not be your usual company. Unfortunately, she appears to have taken on a different assignment for a few days. Are you done eating?"

Zach sat up and studied the two Phoenix assassins. "Isn't babysitting beneath the skills of a Phoenix?"

Hank grunted and cracked his knuckles threateningly.

Camilla merely smiled. "We do as our lord commands."

Lucifer clapped his hand on Hanks massive shoulder. "I told you he had a mouth on him. Take him to his room, and do try to not kill him on the way. I will be by tomorrow at seven to take you to breakfast. I have heard of a wonderful little café in the city I think we should try. Try and be ready on time."

Hank grabbed hold of Zach by the arm and pulled him to his feet. He unceremoniously shoved the witch out in front of him and kicked him when Zach did not start walking. Hobbling slightly Zach started in the direction of the door. Camilla quickly took up point and led the way down a long corridor and then up an even longer flight of stairs. They arrived at the end of the stairs. A massive oak door lacking any form of handle blocked their path.

"Open it," growled Hank.

Zach reached out and touched the door. It sprang open of its own accord. He stepped into the room, and the door slammed shut, blocking the progress of his two guards. One of them, Hank Zach guessed, pounded on the door, but he ignored them. He took in the room. It was exactly like his own at the Manor down to the messy desk and framed photographs. He opened the closet and found it filled with clothes. Some were clothes he recognized, but there were also a dozen different suits and two different tuxedos. He also noticed that the dressed down part of his closet was mostly made up of more classy outfits. All of his shoes were dress shoes besides for a single set of black running shoes.

The bookshelf also had added elements to it on closer inspection. Along with the set of Harry Potter books and barely used schoolbooks, there were books on rituals and magic. A section underneath the window was laid out like a ceremonial area along with an ancient trunk to the side. He opened it up to find it filled with potion ingredients and other artifacts necessary for magical rituals. He looked out the window and was surprised to see San Francisco landed out before him. It was not the San Francisco he remembered. There were buildings missing and smoking rising into the night sky, but it was still his home. Exhaustion stemmed any further thought of exploration. He collapsed onto his bed and was out like a light before his head hit the pillow.

In the morning, he found an additional door next to the one he knew led to the staircase. This door opened into a bathroom he thought the king of England might feel comfortable in. The countertops were pure white marble and the fixtures gold. The shower had more nozzles in it than entirely necessary, but it made for a very interesting experience. He was pulling on the most casual outfit he could find in his closet when someone knocked on the door. For a moment, he thought about making Lucifer wait, but the image of Matt flashed in his mind.

Lucifer greeted him with a smile. "I hope you found everything to your liking. My minions were tasked with making the room as homely as possible."

Zach spotted Hank and Camilla standing on the stairs behind Lucifer. "Was Hank involved?"

"No, Hank's skills lie outside interior decorating. Are you ready?"

Zach turned around, showing off his outfit of an old and misshapen t-shirt and the most ripped pair of jeans he owned. "What do you think?"

Lucifer snapped his fingers and the shit regained its former form. A few of the rips in the jeans repaired themselves, leaving behind only those rips made for a fashion statement. The Power nodded his approval. "I would prefer if you wore one of your suits when we go out in public, but I will accept baby steps. At least you are not still in your pajamas. Shall we?"

Zach looked down at Lucifer's extended hand. "You want me to touch that?"

Lucifer rolled his eyes. "A small inconvenience. I take no pleasure in having to touch you. If you wish I can have Hank shimmer you."

Zach took Lucifer's hand. The Power grinned in triumph, and the two flamed out. They reappeared in the middle of a street in the city. Lucifer pulled Zach out of the way of a speeding car before blowing the car up with a fire ball. People all around them screamed and ran for their lives. Lucifer ignored them and casually strolled onto the pavement and toward a small café. Zach followed behind him careful to not meet anyone's gaze. They entered the café and were seated by a shaking teenaged girl.

"What is your favorite breakfast meal? I have found that this new body has a craving for Denver omelets and black coffee. In the past, I enjoyed quiches or even lox and bagels. There is a lot that mortals lack, but they are artists when it comes to food," said Lucifer conversationally.

Zach licked his cracked lips. "Er—pancakes. I like my grandmother's pancakes."

Lucifer bobbed his head. "We will have to see if we can find a place that comes close to Piper Halliwell's pancakes then."

"Ar—are you—you ready?"

Lucifer smiled. "I'll have the seafood omelet and a cup of your strongest coffee, madam. Zachary?"

Zach checked the menu. "OJ and the country scramble with bacon."

"Sourdough ok for the toast?"

"Perfect," said Lucifer still grinning.

Zach nodded. The waitress dashed away from their table. "She's terrified. Why'd we come here?"

Lucifer shrugged again. "I thought you would enjoy a few moments off the island. As for our waitress, she has nothing to fear. I do not kill for sport or fun. There is no pleasure to be gained in the death of an innocent."

"You made me kill Michael," growled Zach.

"A necessary evil that I do regret. It was meant to be Peter's heart that powered the ritual, but Tiamat's foolishness put an end to that particular option. Michael was the next best option unless you wish it was Matthew."

Zach cowered at the thought of being the hand that killed Matt. "No, I don't wish it was Matt. I don't wish it was anyone."

Lucifer drummed his fingers against the tabletop. "My return was inevitable, Zachary. Your family saw to that. I simply tried to make the best out of a difficult situation. I gave you the chance to avenge beautiful Rebecca, but you did not take it. The ritual would have reached out for the most powerful heart without my direction. Losing you was not an option, so Michael became the required sacrifice."

"You could have used me. You should have used me!"

"Enough!" seethed Lucifer.

The room darkened for a brief moment. Zach's breath crystallized in front of him. The glass windows cracked and frosted instantly due to the abrupt change in temperature. Zach did not dare move for fear of further provoking the man across from him. The lights regained their normal power, and the temperature gradually returned to normal as Lucifer heaved a deep sigh.

"It is pointless reflecting over the mistakes of the past. Michael is dead by your hands."

"It wasn't me!" hissed Zach despite himself.

Lucifer gave him an unimpressed look. "You are the one with the memory of holding his still beating heart. You can recall the feeling of his thick, hot blood coating your hands. Think what you will, Zachary, but your family saw the truth. They saw what you did."

Zach shook his head violently as his stomach twisted itself into knots. He had dreamt about those precious few minutes over and over again. Every spare moment he had thoughts and doubts about his actions of that day plague his subconscious. His pallor faded as the truth of Lucifer's words sunk in. Those dreams were too real to not be true. He stared down at his hand and gagged. The smell and warmth of Michael's blood were as vivid to him as ever before.

"No! No. No, no—no…"

Lucifer reached across the table and patted his bare skin. "It will not help to dwell on it. Perhaps, in time, you will be able to make it up to your family. For the moment, our breakfast is coming. Let's not spoil the meal."

The waitress all but dropped the plates on the table in her attempt to leave as soon as she arrived. Lucifer ignored her, instead focusing on his omelet. Zach pushed his food off to the side, no longer capable of stomaching the idea of eating. He sat in silence and watched Lucifer devour his food before sitting back and enjoy his cup of coffee. The Power gave not hint of his true nature as he drank. Even though Zach knew who the man was he could not find anything to mark Lucifer as anything other than a young brown-haired man in a nice suit.

Lucifer stood up. "It is time we headed home. My demons do become rather destructive when they are bored. I think you may require a few more hours of rest and contemplation before we talk in earnest. I will leave you in your room."

Lucifer offered him a hand. Listlessly Zach took hold of the hand as they disappeared in a roar of flames. As he had said, Lucifer deposited Zach back in the replica of his room at the Manor before vanishing. Zach threw himself onto the unmade bed and curled into a ball. He needed to talk to his dad. Tears streamed down his cheeks through closed eyes as a restless sleep took him.

A month had passed since his first breakfast with Lucifer. Hank and Camilla were replaced by a rotation of demons, warlock, and witches loyal to the dark Power That Be. Even though he tried to let himself think of his predicament as a new normal, time eroded even the most stubborn mountain. He had developed a routine over the weeks of his captivity. Most days started early with a visit to the city for breakfast. Lucifer often accompanied him, but sometimes only his guards escorted him. After breakfast, he was sent to a massive library full of books and scrolls on forgotten magic and ancient mystics. Some days he would spend all day in the well-lit and comfortable room. Other days his readings were interrupted by Lucifer who would engage him in thought-provoking debates over good, evil, and the Grand Design. Rarely, he was allowed access to a computer or television. He used those opportunities to learn about what was going on in the outside world. Mainly he wanted to hear news about his family, but nothing was ever reported about the Halliwells.

Two days a week were devoted to physical and magical combat training. He initially fought the notion of training with demons, but Lucifer reminded him vividly of the consequences of angering the Power. An entire coven, which could trace its roots back to the Assyrian Empire, was eviscerated before him for his defiance. Forty powerful witches and warlocks died because of his decision. He never refused to train again. His sparring partners varied, depending on what skill he was supposed to be improving. The most consistent of his teachers was Isis.

Isis was one of the new not-demons in Lucifer's army. She called herself and her six brethren the Ennead after the pantheon of Egyptian gods and goddesses. He called them the Seconds to annoy them. Out of the seven Ennead, he found he could most easily tolerate his time around Isis. He had only seen her monstrous form once and then only for a moment. She preferred to appear as a tall human female with porcelain skin and short dark red hair. Her eyes remained a calculating gray no matter how much he aggravated her. When they were not sparring, she was always dressed in formal business attire.

Today, they were working on his control over elemental conjuring specifically fire. He preferred to use electricity when he resorted to using elements. The power felt more in tune with his personality. Fire was too hot and unpredictable. Electricity was cool and precise. He sat on the springy sparring mat with his legs crossed and hand outstretched.

"Mafdet ran into your uncle a few days ago," said Isis conversationally.

Zach did not rise to the bait; even though, he desperately wanted to hear about the encounter. He refocused his efforts. The sooner he completed his task; the sooner he could interrogate her. The log a few feet from his hand gave off a thin spiral of smoke. Isis laughed.

"You will have to do better than that, Zachary."

The log exploded in a massive ball of flames.

"Don't call me Zachary!" snapped Zach jumping to his feet.

Lucifer stood off in the distance. "Put out the flames before they burn down my house."

Zach flicked his hands and the flames froze. He glared at Isis and gestured with his finger. The frozen ball of flames sprang back to life and sped toward the powerful woman. A thin barrier of water extinguished the fire before it reached her. She pointed an accusatory finger at him.

"You may be Lucifer's pet, but even the most beloved of dogs must be disciplined. Pray he does not assign me to that task." Isis vanished in a puff of white smoke.

Lucifer chuckled and shook his head. "You should not test her patience. She may take your punishment too far without thinking."

Zach scoffed. "I could take her."

"You have never seen Isis use her full and ample range of powers. Just because you bested Montu in one sword fight does not mean you can afford to be cocky," warned Lucifer sagely.

"Why are you here? I thought you're taking care of something in Libya." Zach summoned a water bottle and downed half of it.

Lucifer licked his lips. "I was needed in the city. It seems your uncle is getting closer at figuring out a way onto my island."

The water bottle slipped out of his grip. His face paled. "You promised me…"

Again Lucifer rolled his green-brown eyes. "Your uncle is unharmed and will remain so provided he does not attack this island. I made a deal, and I stick to my deals. Any aggression to this island will be met with swift retribution. I told you this back when you begged for your family's lives."

Zach scoffed at the debridement. "I did not beg."

Smirking, Lucifer tossed Zach a leather covered book he produced from within his jacket. "That is the title we discussed at our previous meeting."

"And I told you I wasn't interested. Necromancy is black magic. I agreed to your training and not trying to escape every chance I get, but I won't practice black magic." Zach threw the book to the ground in defiance.

Lucifer arched an eyebrow. "Between the two of us there are few barriers left in the world. Mastery of necromancy will allow you to bring back your dearly departed."

"No magic can bring back the dead. Any attempt would only result in imitations of life. I've been over this with my dad."

"Your father was limited in his worldview. He chose a path that greatly diminished his potential. You still have those options available to you. Read the book. There is no harm in reading it. Knowledge never hurt anyone," said Lucifer silkily.

The book rose off the floor and floated back into Zach's crossed arms. The teen caught the book, even though his misgivings held resolute in his mind. Between his father, uncles, and aunt, if there were a way to bring back the dead they would have found it and used it. They had lost too many loved ones to not try.

"After all, your uncle was dead and is now alive."

Zach frowned. "Who says he's alive? Even you can't tell me for certain what he is."

Lucifer sighed. "My brother shields him from me. Whatever Uriel has planned for young Anakin, you can be assured it will not end pleasantly for the witch. My brother has a habit of using mortals and then disposing of them once their usefulness has run out. You want your family to live happily ever after? You need to train so that you can help me defeat Uriel."

Zach chewed on the inside of his cheek. It still did not feel right siding with Lucifer, but everything he heard and read about Uriel made the Angel of Death sound terrible. He was ruthless and cared nothing for the mortal world. He acted as a force of nature, taking no side and in doing so left destruction in his wake. He and Lucifer would never see eye to eye on many things, but he had enough doubts about Uriel to at least pay attention to Lucifer's plans for the other Power.

"You need to shower and dress presentably. I have a long-overdue introduction to perform. I believe you will want to not look like a washed up sick puppy." Lucifer said leading the way out of the training chamber.

Zach jogged to catch up and fell in step just behind the slightly shorter man. He could not pinpoint when he had grown taller than Lucifer, but it was a testament to the passage of time. A coldness settled in his heart. He had never imagined he would be held captive for so long. Initially, he had been sure his father would mount a successful rescue mission the moment he was able to. He was not sure what the lack of a rescue meant. From what he could gather from small tidbits of conversations he had eavesdropped on his father and uncle were no longer in captivity. His family was no longer in the city. The obvious choice for the Halliwells to regroup was his mother's family's homestead.

"Are we meeting the person here?" asked Zach as a roundabout way to find out if the person was magical or not. Lucifer did not allow mortals to set foot on the island even his allies.

Lucifer nodded. "In the throne room. She will have a report to give of her adventures. I require an explanation for her tardiness."

Zach felt sorry for the demon. Lucifer's tone suggested nothing pleasant would come out of the meeting. He had accidentally stumbled into one of the many prison centers under the island a few days ago. The sights and horrors he witnessed were forever burned into his mind. One demon, in particular, stood out, Rahab was strung up from giant meat hooks. She was completely naked and strips of her skin were flayed away revealing the muscle underneath. Her screams echoed inside him as he thought about the experience. As civilized as Lucifer acted around him, the Power That Be still had a cruel and malicious side.

Lucifer paused at a crossroads. Zach stopped shorted nearly crashing into the man. The corridor to the right lit by blazing torches led to the obsidian throne room. The one to the left meandered back up to the staircase separating his room from the rest of the demonic headquarters.

"I still have things to get in order. The nations in Africa are proving to be more unruly than anticipated. It is always easier to corrupt the Western world. I expect you by my side in one hour."

Zach made a rude gesture with his finger and turned his back on Lucifer. He did not wait for Lucifer's reaction. The walk to his room would take at least ten minutes. Along the way, he dodged out of the way of a colony of stone-faced demons. Each muscular demon dragged a massive stone behind it. At the end of the parade strode the bird-faced Montu carrying a barbed whip. He acknowledged Zach with a subtle bob of his head as he cracked the whip hitting one of the smaller demons on her exposed back. Brown colored blood dribbled out of the long angry-looking mark left behind by the weapon.

"Hurry up you peons! I don't have all day. Apep needs the ritual chamber complete by tonight."

Zach shook his head and continued on his way. He could not afford to have sympathy for the demons. They were demons. If they were not working as slaves on the island, they would be out in the world terrorizing mortals. Still the very human part of him did not like it when any sentient creature was treated as little more than a workhorse. Hell, he did not like it when a horse was treated like a workhorse. He reached his room by rote, his mind busy with deeper thoughts.

Lucifer had clearly been in his room. A pair of his best black jeans was laid out on his bed alongside a plain undershirt and red collared shirt. Two pairs of shoes sat at the base of his bed with a message scrawled in floating orange letters: "your choice". He chuckled and picked up the pair of shiny black dress shoes. Collecting the rest of his clothing, he locked himself in the bathroom. The warm lights sprang to life at his entrance, allowing him to study himself in the mirror.

The months changed him. He had always been on the paler side, but his infrequent exposure to the sun gave him an almost sickly complexion. He had bags under his dull blue eyes. He had not been sleeping well. The constant fear for his family ate at him. The constant physical training meant he kept his physique. He thought he could possibly beat Matt for the one with the more defined six-pack. The thought of Matt brought him up short, and he swallowed hard.

"You should not dawdle. The master is not known for his patience," said a disembodied voice.

Zach waved his hand. His reflection rippled and reformed into the ghostly figure of a scrawny young man. "Lucifer can wait. I need a shower, Percy."

The figure nervously ruffled his sparse blond hair. "My name is not Percy."

"Well, I'm not calling you that ridiculously long name that just sounds like a sick dog coughing. It's Percy or nothing," said Zach, turning on the shower.

"I'll leave you to your thoughts."

"You do that."

Zach climbed into the shower. The figure in the mirror was an enchantment. Lucifer's way of keeping an eye on him while he was in his room. He had discovered a few days into his captivity no demon could enter his room without his permission. He had not given his permission to any of them. Even Lucifer appeared to be in pain when he entered. Something in the wards did not like dark magic. Percy appeared to him after about a week to inform him he was running late. He had nearly blown up half the island in fright. He had worked out the purpose of the enchantment when Lucifer had brought up Rebecca one day. He had been talking to himself about his girlfriend that morning in the bathroom. After that, he was careful to not say anything aloud.

He showered and dressed leisurely, sensing Lucifer had plans for the night. He may pay for his insolence, but it would not be at this meeting. Percy appeared once more to hurry him up, but Zach ignored him and his metaphysical friend left in a huff. He contemplated remaining in his room and forcing Lucifer to fetch him, but he decided it was a step too far. He could not afford to anger Lucifer too much, or he risked the safety of his family. He set off for the throne room, meeting no one on his way. The corridors were unusually quiet and solemn. He reached the entrance to the room and found it barred shut with a harpy and tattooed warlock standing guard.

"He is expecting me," said Zach forcefully when the harpy shoved him back.

"You are to wait, young witch," croaked the warlock, eye glinting.

Zach balled his hands into fists. "He did not want me to be late."

The harpy lazily sharpened her talons against one another. "Too late for that. The meeting already began Now, you must wait for it to conclude."

"Or I could just vanquish your sorry ass," snapped Zach.

The harpy laughed. "I'd make mincemeat of your pretty face before you even blinked."

The warlock shifted and bent her head to one side. "I'd not aggravate the man. Our master believes he is powerful."

"No witch is a match for me. The Charmed Ones tried to vanquish me and failed. What is one of their bastard offspring going to do?"

The warlock shrugged. "On your head be it."

Zach raised his hand out in front of him with fingers splayed. "Let me through," he commanded.

The harpy attacked. Zach sidestepped the punch and released the telekinetic blast. Something snapped, and the harpy screamed in anger and pain. Not waiting for her to recover, Zach flicked his wrists and blew her apart. He grinned in triumph, but it faltered. The black particles swarmed together and coalesced back in the form of the now furious harpy.

"Only black magic can kill a harpy queen."

The harpy froze in place becoming pale as a sheet. "My lord…"

Lucifer stepped out of the shadows, glaring at Zach. "When will you learn? There is no evil magic and good magic. There are shades of gray. The darker the gray, the more powerful usually."

Zach narrowed his eyes. "Is that why my father is considered the most powerful magical being to live?"

The harpy screeched in protest.

Lucifer snapped his fingers, and she clutched at her throat. Zach watch in horror as her skin turned black and rotted in a moment. Swallowing against his gag reflex, he tore his eyes away from the revolting sight. They settled instead on the warlock. Her tattoos glowed with blue flames.

"That is enough, Lefey. See that this mess gets cleaned up."

The warlock gave Zach a cocky grin and bowed low. "As you wish, milord."

Lucifer curled his finger. "Come, Zachary, you have kept our guest waiting long enough"

Zach carefully avoided the pile of putrid slime and bones as he followed Lucifer into the throne room. Little had changed in the room. A fire still roared in the corner. There were a few more magical items along the walls. A girl sat on the ledge of the throne's pedestal. She gave no indication of noticing their arrival; she continued to stare at three piles of ashes.

"The remains of those who failed me," said Lucifer simply.

The girl slowly turned her head to face them. She had the most captivating green eyes Zach could remember. Her honey brown hair was longer than the last time he had seen her, but Zach recognized her from the eyes. She was no longer dressed in the revealing leather outfits he came to associate with her kind. Instead, she wore skintight blue jeans and a loose black sleeveless top. She was also tanner than a few months ago.

"Zachary, meet Indra Evangeline Storm. Indra, you already know who this is." Lucifer made the introductions with a cheerful expression.

Indra sized Zach up. "Still doesn't look like much. You sure you want him to be your apprentice?"

Zach gritted his teeth. "Who says I want to be his apprentice?"

Lucifer raised a hand, forestalling the oncoming argument. "You can get acquainted on your own time. Indra will be your permanent bodyguard. I have already created a room adjoining your own."

"I don't need a bodyguard!"

Lucifer cracked his knuckles impatiently. "You just proved you need someone watching your back, Zachary. This is my final decision on the matter. Indra, your report, please. I have another engagement shortly."

Indra bowed her head, but Zach sensed she was mocking Lucifer with the display of respect. "I again apologize for the tardiness of my return. I know you wished for me to take on my new role earlier, but my absence couldn't be avoided. As you know, you sent my team and me on a mission to scout out the few remaining pockets of resistance in the Underworld and elsewhere. My companions reported on those events.

She glanced back at the piles of ash. A glint of anger burned in her green eyes.

"During the mission, I was separated from my team. I was tracking a particular warlock who has declared himself the new Source. He set up shop in Los Angeles. It took longer than I expected to infiltrate his ranks and dismantle his support. He will no longer be a concern, and there is a network in place for your takeover of the city."

"Most impressive, Indra. You have always performed above and beyond my expectations for you. Your delay has caused some difficulty, but if Los Angeles truly falls as easy as you say, all will be forgiven. I will have Mafdet meet with you to take over for you. What of the witch?" Lucifer eyes grew bright.

Indra shrugged. "He was able to stay constantly just out of my reach. It appears whatever was keeping him in San Francisco is no longer the case. He's set up shop just north of Los Angeles from what I could tell. He is not in the same league as the Halliwells, but he is dangerous. I'd take care of him as soon as possible."

Lucifer waved her suggestion aside. "He is of little consequence. I find his antics almost comical."

"It's your decision. I'm giving you my report."

"Anything else?" asked Lucifer, checking his watch.

Indra shook her head. "No, I think we've delayed you enough," she said cheekily.

Lucifer frowned. "Be careful, Indra, your performance buys you some leeway but not that much. I am still your master."

"My apologies."

"No matter, I do have to be off. Zachary can show you to your new living quarters," said Lucifer before vanishing.

Zach took a deep breath. "So…"

Indra cut him off with a shake of her head. "No, you don't speak. I've got to babysit you instead of being out there and doing something. You don't get to talk to me. Shut up, a show me to the rooms. Tomorrow, I'll talk to your former guards to find out your schedule. I'll be your shadow; nothing more."

Zach flexed his fingers and ground his teeth together. "What the hell is your problem?"

Indra flicked her hair over her shoulder. "Excuse me?"

"I didn't ask for bodyguards. I didn't ask to be stuck on this godforsaken island. I don't show Lucifer any reverence, why the fuck would I show his runt of a guard dog any?"

The air around Indra crackled with energy. "Don't think I won't kill you. You think your little pretend fights have prepared you to take me on? Dream on, buddy! I've taken down targets twice as big as you and far more accomplished in magic."

Zach twitched his head and sent her flying across the room. He was surprised to see her land on her feet albeit clumsily. She produced an athame and threw it at him. He blinked and turned the blade into a dozen daisies. A small wave of his fingers conjured two sets of heavy metal chains. They wrapped around her arms and pulled her to the floor. He walked over to her.

"Just because I'm not willing to kill anything with a heartbeat doesn't make me powerless. I may not be an assassin, but I'm a Halliwell. I'm the son of the Twice Blessed. You would do well to remember that. Oh, and call me 'buddy' again, and I'll vanquish you."

Indra glared up at him with her green eyes. "I'll get you for this, Zachary!"

Zach balled his hands into fists and bent down. He dropped his voice to a deadly whisper. "Never call me Zachary. I can't get Lucifer to stop, but you I can. No one calls me Zachary, not ever. Understand?" He felt his eyes burning and turned his face away from her.

"Y—yes."

Zach released her with a dismissive wave of his hand. "I'll show you to our rooms. I have breakfast with Lucifer normally, but I don't know if that's still happening."

Indra rubbed her wrists. "I'm sure he'll let us know."

"Maybe." He offered her a helping hand, which she accepted. "Sorry, about the chains."

"And you were just beginning to impress me," mocked Indra.

"Why did you have that message?"

Indra shushed him. "Phoenixes work for whoever pays the most. My former—er—guardian took the job from some witch hunter."

"Sophie's dad."

Indra glared at him. "Stop talking, idiot."

Zach glanced around. "No demon enters this room without being invited in. We won't be overheard."

"Lu—I mean, my master can have the place charmed."

Zach pulled out the necklace he always wore. It was charmed to let his dad always find him, but he had re-enchanted it for a different purpose. "This negates any eavesdropping whether magical or otherwise. I'm not an idiot."

Indra stepped in closer to examine the necklace. Zach gulped, feeling his heart pick up its pace. "Weird, I've never heard of that being possible."

"It's a spell of my own invention. You spend months on end studying magic, and you learn stuff," said Zach nonchalantly.

Indra let go of the necklace and looked up into his eyes. His breath caught in his throat. She smiled. "You're blushing. Have you never been this close to a girl before?"

Zach growled. "Of course, I have! I have a girlfriend."

"Right, I read about that somewhere. Rebecca?"

Zach blinked, surprised. "Where'd you read that?"

Indra shrugged. "Rahab and Tiamat did their homework. There're scores of files on you and your family."

Zach's shoulders slumped. "So, the room?"

Indra nodded. "Yeah, the room."

Zach took the lead. Along the way, they did not speak. Zach found himself replaying the whole affair in his mind. He had acted annoyed with her as a way to disguise his initial recognition. Lucifer was very adept at reading minds. Her dismissal of him, though, angered him. He did not want her to think of his as a defenseless boy. Then when she had been so close to him he struggled to breathe. He shook his head. The thought was beyond absurd. He loved Rebecca. They reached the staircase and climbed up. Instead of meeting a single door at the top, there were now two. One door had scorch marks from a demon he had vanquished. He opened it.

"Night," he muttered and closed the door without waiting for a reply.

The week after the attack was intolerable for Zach. Lucifer went on a rampage, dragging him along to watch. He was thankful Matt was back with their families. Although, he was unsure how much longer his family would remain safe. It took every ounce of his persuasiveness to keep Lucifer from seeking revenge on his uncle and father. Whatever Anakin had done left Lucifer weak for a day. It took two dozen Source-level demons to replenish the Power's energy reserves. Zach found himself surrounded by demons or one of the Ennead at all times besides for the few short hours he was allowed to retreat to the sanctuary of his room. He would have gone insane if it was not for Eve, as Indra preferred to be called.

He found Eve to be a highly intelligent and sarcastic person. While in the presence of others, she conducted herself as a reluctant guard and emotionless but deadly warrior. Outside the view of prying eyes, she would laugh at his dark joke and lend a much-needed ear. The time since her arrival to the island by no means was pleasant, but he found himself for brief moments able to forget his captivity. He would even go so far as to call the young Phoenix witch a friend.

"You need to work on not letting your emotions dictate your actions during a fight," said Eve professional, dressing a particularly nasty cut on his forehead.

Zach hissed as she cleaned the wound with disinfectant. "I can self-heal, you know."

Eve pressed the piece of gauze roughly against his head and held it still. "It doesn't mean you should use it. Reliance on powers will handicap you. This isn't a world ignorant of magic anymore. Mortals have found ways to negate magic. Weren't you listening to a word Isis was shouting at you?"

"That bi—woman is always shouting something. Most of the time I put her on mute. She's a fanatic. It's completely pointless listening to her—uh, usually." Zach ducked out of her reach and healed his wound with a smirk.

Eve rolled her eyes. "Isis is Lucifer's second-in-command. You shouldn't ignore her. She is a threat."

Zach cocked one eyebrow. "A threat? Lucifer wants me to be his apprentice. She wouldn't dare go against his will."

Eve packed away the first aid kit and pulled her legs up to her chest. She rested her chin on her knees and stared at him with her hypnotic eyes. Zach blinked and looked away. He sighed. "Fine, whatever."

Eve smiled. "Do you not like my eye color or something?" she teased.

Zach blushed. "No, it's—er—there was a bug," he ended lamely.

She reached out and brushed his forearm with her fingertips. "It's ok if you find me hot, Zach. I won't beat you up."

"Like you could, and no, it's not ok. I've got a girlfriend," argued Zach.

Eve laughed softly and lay back on his bed. "And what would your girlfriend have to say about me lying in your bed?"

Zach's tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth. The bottom of Eve's dark blue shirt slid up, revealing the edges of her flawless navel. He shook his head slowly. "You—you're lying on my bed, not in it. A—aa—and I'm sitting on a chair!"

"She'll accept the difference? On—in, there's just one letter…"

Zach stood up in a huff. "Seriously, Eve, I'm—er—let's stop this."

Even shrugged, causing her shirt to rise up even more. "Up to you. I can get my rocks off later. Maybe, you can conjure a replica of the mysterious Rebecca to help your hand tonight."

Zach's blush deepened, and he scrunched up his face in indignation. "What the hell!"

Eve sat up and straightened her shirt. She playfully bit her lower lip, staring up at him. "The offer always stands. It'd just be one of the perks of the job. It doesn't have to mean anything. How do you know she isn't getting some from someone else?"

"Because she loves me! I love her…" The last part trailed off in a higher pitch. Zach closed his eyes. "She's with my friends and family. She's safe."

Eve stood up and walked over to him. "You're too good for her, Zach. You'll figure that out. When you do, look me up." She brushed past him and exited the room.

A confused and frustrated Zach threw himself onto his bed. Smothering his face into a pillow, he screamed at the top of his lungs. Girls, no matter the species, were insufferable. Turning, he caught his breath and spotted a piece of paper on the floor. He slipped off his bed and bent down to collect it. Carefully he unfurled the crumpled ball. On it in very neat and small block letters was written a question. He balled the paper back up and it burst into flames. He strode to the bedroom door, and it burst open of its own accord.

"EVE!" he yelled. His voice echoed around him.

She stepped out of the shadows, a frown on her face. "What? How? Zach…"

Zach cut her off with a glare. "What do you need to tell me about Rebecca? What are you hiding?" Tell me, NOW!"

The young witch trembled. "Z—za—z—Zach…"

Zach ignored her attempts at pleas. His eyes burned with suppressed anger and power. Small particles of dust and dirt swirled around his feet. His hair blew in a non-existent wind. "How did you know about Rebecca? What are you?"

Eve tried to meet his glare, but she was knocked to the floor by an invisible force. "Z—zz—Zach, pp-pp-please…"

Zach's knuckles grew white. "SPEAK!" He said the word in barely more than a whisper, but it reverberated with an unyielding power.

Eve's body went limp for a moment. When she righted herself there was something different about her face. It was void of any emotion or recognition. She started to speak in a hollow, distant voice. "Rebecca Starling was researched by my coven on orders from Lucifer. She was known to be a weak point for the Halliwells. Lucifer hoped to somehow exploit this weakness in his favor. After his resurrection, I was assigned to a team targeting a renegade witch along with other pockets of resistance."

Zach watched her eyes rolled back into her head.

"The witch was only a teenager, but he was resourceful and powerful. He used evil's natural distrust of others against us. He managed to slaughter most of my team before something changed. His focus shifted from killing demons to protecting someone—a—a girl. We found his weakness, but before we could exploit it he vanished along with the girl."

Zach brow furrowed. "What's this got to do with Rebecca?"

"Is it not obvious, Zachary?" whispered Lucifer.

Zach spun around, fire ball in hand. "Go away, Lucifer!"

Lucifer stepped aside, revealing two cloaked figures. "Take her to the infirmary. Give her a sleep potion and have Agnodice reform her memories. We need her to still trust Zachary."

The figure bowed and approached Eve who had stopped talking and slumped over, boneless as a wet fish. Zach blocked their progress with a determined expression on his face.

"She's not going anywhere, not until I hear what happened to Rebecca," he hissed.

Lucifer folded his arms. "I will not tolerate this insolence. Step aside. The mind magics you used have greatly harmed her. She has told you all you need to know."

Zach raised the fire ball.

Lucifer sighed and stretched out a single finger. Something struck Zach in the shoulder, spinning him around. He lost his balance and crashed to the ground. He tried to get up, but Lucifer somehow closed the distance between them in a blink of an eye. He kicked the downed witch in the stomach with enough force to throw him a few feet to the side. Zach landed on his back, choking for air. Lucifer stood on his hand and grounded it into the ground. Bones snapped. Zach screamed.

"Once she is finished with Indra, inform Agnodice she has another patient in the tower," said Lucifer dispassionately.

The cloaked figures shimmered away, taking the unconscious Eve with them. Lucifer bent down with most of his weight still squashing Zach's mangled hand. Zach groaned in agony. He licked his lips slowly and wrapped one hand around the teens jaw, forcing him to look at him. Eyes swirled with dangerous power.

"While I am impressed you would use such dark and deadly magic, I would prefer you directed such tactics toward my enemies." Lucifer tightened his grip.

"R—re…"

Lucifer breathed out in a huff. "Rebecca is shaking up with the witch, idiot. Indra told you. You were simply too thick to comprehend it. She cares so much for you that she fought your compulsion until it broke her. She knew the news would devastate you. You owe her an apology of sorts, should she survive."

Lucifer let go of him and looked at him with disgust. "I thought good was supposed to have compassion and mercy. I may be a monster, but even I know what is too far, Zachary. Compulsion is a terrible gift. Use it at your own peril."

Zach gulped against his warring emotions.

Lucifer dragged him back onto his feet. "Tonight's events will be re-written in Indra's mind. I want you to show her every kindness going forward. Show her that you understand the sacrifice she made for you. Prove to her that her feelings toward you are not one-sided. She would make an excellent consort."

"Why?"

Lucifer's eyes stilled, and he smiled vindictively. "Because Rebecca is one of the few connections you have to your former life, and I need to severe all of those connections. You will be my right-hand man, Zachary, but you do not need to be unhappy. You seem to need the love of another. I cannot allow your love for Rebecca to continue. Replace it with love for Indra."

Lucifer picked him up and shoved him into his room and closed the door. Zach collapsed on the spot. On the other side of the door, Isis appeared with a triumphant smirk.

"He is close," she purred.

Lucifer nodded, dusting off his jacket. "See that he is forced to use his compulsion power often. The more he gives into selfishness, the sooner he will try to resurrect his dear cousin. We will get to kill two pests with one failed witch." Lucifer faded away, with a glimmer of jubilation in his eyes.

AN: So what did you think? Leave a review and let me know how I'm doing.

I promise the next chapter will have more happy scenes in it. I know this chapter was fairly dark.

I want to thank you for reading and sticking with me. We're on this ride together.