He had already finished the salami when the trap door's hinges started to make a noise and the nurse appeared. Lucifer Morningstar was torn between punishing her right on the spot or let her leave. She would probably not return tonight, but his desire to give her the well-deserved retribution was stronger.

"Hello nurse!" he spoke after she had closed the entrance to the cellar. "Remember me?"

He stretched his angel wings and their glow entranced the elder woman who came nearer.

"You are an angel!" She sighed and tried to touch the white feathers.

"Tell me nurse, what do you desire most?"

"I want to touch your wings! They are beautiful!" she panted enthusiastically.

"Well, well. You may, but first you have to tell me who is down there and what they want with Chloe."

"Yes, yes, just let me touch them."

He raised one eyebrow. "So?"

"Two men from my congregation are downstairs, they will come shortly and bring her something to drink. They don't want anything from her anymore. It was a misunderstanding."

"Is that so?" The fallen archangel grinned and let his mind poking go. The nurse reached for the wings and padded them with utmost delight, losing herself in their sight, a stupid smirk drawn on her face. 'Funny how celestial wings cause more damage to the human brain than the other ones', he thought. He plucked one and handed it to the woman before he made them disappear again. She was getting completely absorbed by it and he couldn't care less. He took another Hungarian salami from the pantry and waited until a man, he had never seen before, showed up.

"Mildred! What are you still doing here? What do you have there?"

She only giggled, showed him the glowing feather and he, too, was immediately spellbound by it. Lucifer didn't even have to move a finger and passed them like a shadow.

Downstairs, the cellar had a moldy stench and not the usual wine cellar smell, it was far too cold and humid. Perhaps the place had been a former dungeon or even an oubliette; the low ceilings with the arches and pillars made from massive blocks, iron bars and gates certainly gave that impression. People could be held here for ages without anybody noticing. He followed the pounding of Chloe's heart, which was very close to the slower beat belonging to a man. Now Lucifer could make out words. She was trying to convince her gaoler to let her go. Calm and deliberate as always. And like every time Lucifer was proud of her professional attitude, rarely showing fear or distress. The man on the other hand was nervous, probably torn by the notion he had imprisoned an innocent, but Chloe talked him down, like she often did when people tried to take justice or revenge into their own hands. The former angel approached without being noticed by the older man and Chloe was trained enough to not look him in the eye but keeping the man busy.

"Mr. Kinley, please be reasonable. You made a mistake and I won't hold it against you if you let me go instantly." The man shook his head.

Lucifer Morningstar inhaled deeply, and a growl escaped him. Another Kinley! And as stubborn as the other one!

That sound was enough to make the Scot turn around and draw a cutlass, holding it towards Lucifer's handsome face.

"What is it with Brits and hunting knives?"

"I knew you would come, infernal creature! It doesn't matter if you're actually the Devil or not, but you're responsible for my brother's death and you will pay for that." Kinley declared.

"I most certainly am not!" Lucifer Morningstar replied with a deeply offended voice, slicing another piece of salami. "It was his own making." He put a piece into his mouth.

"Really? Are you eating in front of me without sharing?" Chloe pretended to be annoyed, already suspecting a distraction.

"If this Kinley would let me approach, I could, but you see, he's quite adamant for me to stay away."

"Ah, and one single man is enough to keep you away from me? You're quite the husband!" She gesticulated with her right.

"Well, what do you expect me to do? Grow some horns and tail, so he is happy? I already told you, I don't have any! People got it all wrong." He lifted his hands as if in defeat, his knife in one and the food in the other and took two steps towards Chloe.

"Don't make me responsible for the misconceptions of others." Chloe huffed.

Kinley backed slightly off, surprised by the martial quarrel and let Lucifer approach the gate with the ancient lock. Chloe took the opportunity to take both items from him so he could do his magic with the lock behind his back while keeping the Scotsman and his cutlass busy.

"Tell me, Mr. Kinley. You wouldn't attack an unarmed man, would you?" Lucifer stared into the man's eyes while trying to open the gate without a suspicious noise. "I just want my consort save and sound. Is making me pay for something I didn't do, and your brother brought on him all by himself really all that you desire? What do you truly desire?"

Kinley stared back at him and stuttered: "I, I, I …"

"Yes?" Lucifer raised an eyebrow, keeping his eyes locked with the dead priest's brother. "Please do go on."

"I want the Devil to leave Earth!" He tried to stab the man in front of him, but Lucifer Morningstar was faster and disarmed Kinley on the floor while Chloe left her cell unharmed. She took a rope from a hook and cuffed the man with it.

"I am sorry to disappoint you, but I have just recently returned, and I can't leave my family behind again." He answered matter-of-factly, smiling at his precious human. "Chloe, dearest, what's the police's number?"

xxxxx

Hisham observed the couple sitting in the back of his car and looking happily at each other. This had been his busiest weekend since working on the countryside and everything was apparently connected to them, or rather to the husband. One assassination attempt, arson, kidnapping, two people in need of a mental institution, an arrest and a hospitalization. He wondered if it would continue for as long as they were in town.

"When are you leaving?"

"Hopefully Tuesday, if you take our statement tomorrow." The wife answered him, not taking her eyes off her husband.