In Derelicta Castellum
Chapter 3
Buffy the Slayer
"Why does it smell like a Happy Meal in here?" Buffy asked, her nose wrinkling as the pungent odor of old, greasy french fries and chicken nuggets hit her.
"It is not that bad!" Detective Decker exclaimed. With a sharp jerk of the wheel, her little car turned onto a road that led to the motel she and Lucifer would be staying at. The sharp turn and speed at which the detective took it caused Buffy to grasp the door handle tight.
"Oh, I agree," Lucifer drawled. The Devil shook his head. "A motel… do you honestly-"
"I don't have the time for your prissy attitude, Lucifer."
"Prissy!?"
"Ha," Buffy grinned. Lucifer glared at her over his shoulder, but Buffy's smile only widened. "The Devil likes his luxury too much, hm?"
Lucifer's jaw worked back and forth. "Why don't you spend several eons in Hell and tell me how badly you'd want to give up a little comfort?"
Buffy shrugged. "If what all the vamps say is true, I'm on my way there anyway. So, I'll get to experience that at some point. I'd prefer not to go early though."
"Well, if that's the case, then you'd do well to listen-"
"Oh for God's sake!" Detective Decker cried. "Stop bickering already!"
"Don't use my father's name like that. It's unsettling," Lucifer grumbled.
Detective Decker rolled her eyes. "I swear, the Happy Meal smell actually fits given I have two children in the car right now."
"Hey!" Both Lucifer and Buffy exclaimed together.
Detective Decker's car rumbled to a stop at the stoplight before the town's little, cheap motel. Buffy had seen the place several times. Unsavory bits of Sunnydale preferred staying here. That fact alone made Buffy question why an LAPD cop would want to stay there. Unless their pay is that bad?
Scratch that. Buffy knew the pay had to be less than adequate. For one, Detective Decker was staying in a rather seedy motel instead of the local Holiday Inn. Two: she drove around in a car that rattled every time it came to a complete stop. And, three: she wore a jacket that was clearly a knock-off. It was a well-made knock-off, but still not the real deal. Although, Buffy couldn't blame her for that. She would have done the same thing since a real jacket like that would have cost several hundred dollars.
The more I'm around Detective Decker the more I'm beginning to like her. She realized.
The car pulled into the motel and settled around the back of the dumpy place. Detective Decker turned her car off with a rattle and creak, unbuckled, and spun around in her seat to look at Buffy.
"Listen, you must stick close to me and-"
Buffy rolled her eyes, cutting off the "I'm the adult, you're just a kid" speech. "I'm the Slayer, Detective," She said. "If anything bad wants to hurt us, your gun is not going to help much."
Lucifer nodded. "Wise words."
"Now, if you have a rocket launcher, that might be a different story," Buffy continued, making Detective Decker's eyes widen and Lucifer stiffen in his seat.
"A rocket launcher?" Detective Decker croaked.
Lucifer twisted in his seat, a thrilled gleam in his dark gaze. "What did you do?" He asked.
Buffy shrugged. "Nothing impressive, and given you're a cop, that's probably all I should say."
"Probably for the best, yeah," Detective Decker nodded.
"Oh, I wanted to hear about this," Lucifer muttered with a disappointed shake of his head. "It would have made a great story to tell Maze."
"Who would have told it to Trixie, and that's the last thing I need Trixie hearing," Detective Decker huffed.
"Maze?" Buffy asked.
"Torture demon, very sexy," Lucifer answered. Detective Decker smacked his shoulder, almost causing a laugh to spout from Buffy's lips. "I'm not wrong!"
Decker clenched her jaw and shoved her car door open. "You're in a mood tonight."
"Of course I am!" Lucifer also started to step out of the car. Buffy followed his and Detective Decker's lead. "I'm about to stay in a bloody motel."
"That descriptor might fit in a few hours if your plan doesn't work," Buffy remarked as she followed them towards room number thirteen. Already a wonderful sign of how her night was probably going to go. She was staying in unlucky room number thirteen.
She was not a fan of Lucifer's plan. It sounded insane to her, and downright dangerous. Normally, such things would not have concerned her too much. Buffy was no stranger to downright insane, deadly plans that could end up working or end in a terrible death. She was pretty sure she nearly caused Giles to have a heart attack once a week with her idea of a good plan. But, the plan the Devil concocted made her beyond uneasy.
It was a simple plan, but one that had so many things that could go wrong. Buffy was going to act as bait. Since she was the Slayer, that meant she was, in the words of Lucifer: "a bright, shining, bloody beacon for every demon in Sunnydale". She would especially attract a demon as strong-willed and terrible as Indomitus. But, in order to do so, she would have to be away from her friends, Detective Decker, and Lucifer for a short period of time.
The demon that inhabited Angel was a clever monster, apparently. While it acted savage and terrible, it was also intelligent. It would not force Angel to attack Buffy if it knew Lucifer was nearby. The demon, Indomitus, knew that fighting the Devil was an impossible task for it, both due to inane, supernatural rules, and hierarchy, and also because Lucifer was the actual Devil, the King of Hell.
Buffy shook her head as Detective Decker unlocked the motel room door. I'm still having a hard time wrapping my brain around that one.
But, wrap her head around it she must. It's not like the charming man was lying to her. He showed her his true face, after all.
A shiver ran up Buffy's spine as she recalled that terrible moment that occurred only a couple of hours ago. Seeing the Devil in his true, terrible form was more than enough to make her feel terrified. That was a difficult thing to achieve given her current occupation as the Slayer of Sunnydale. A part of her could understand why Indomitus would approach with caution, after seeing that.
She entered the room before Lucifer and squeezed her eyes shut, shoving the memory from her thoughts and refocusing herself on the task at hand.
When you open your eyes, do what Giles taught you. She swallowed hard, a long breath slipping from her lips. Locate possible entrances first. If there is any way a demon can get in they will use it.
Her eyes flicked open. Entrances; there were two main ones, as far as she could tell: the door behind her, and the window beside the door. As for any hidden points of entry, Buffy did not see any. Apparently, seedy motels were perfect places to make a final stand. One way in, but, only one way out. Her only exits were the same door and window.
I'm bait in the trap… Buffy swallowed hard and tried to take a deep breath. Her chest tightened as she inhaled. Bait in the trap.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?"
She spun around as she asked that question, hoping to hear Lucifer's smarmy reply and Detective Decker's stern voice scolding him and also reassuring her. But, they were gone. The door was still open, but neither Lucifer nor Detective Decker was anywhere to be found.
Buffy's throat tightened. Her stomach twisted inside of her, and her hands started to tremble at her sides. She walked to the door with tentative steps and peeked out, hoping to spot Detective Decker and Lucifer outside, keeping watch.
They weren't there. There was nothing except an empty parking lot and the motel's flickering, neon sign advertising free cable and hot showers- things that should have made the motel room feel comfortable and inviting. But, the opportunity to relax in the shower then watch a movie or two did little to calm Buffy's nerves.
She gulped, stepped back into her room, and shut the door with a soft click. Now she regretted following Lucifer's plan because this plan did not involve her friends. They didn't even know she was here. Giles, Xander, and Willow were probably rushing all over town looking for her, hoping she wasn't lying dead in some ditch along the side of the road.
The worry will be worth it though. Buffy thought, trying to reassure herself. Angel needs help. If I'm here, Lucifer won't outright kill him… I hope.
Yet, doubts crept into her mind. Who was she to tell the Devil what to do? She may be the Slayer, but she was still just a little sack of meat to the King of Hell. Lucifer could flick his wrist and end her life without a thought. That realization on its own drove her insane.
She was at the complete mercy of the King of Demons and a detective he happened to like. What was she thinking coming here with them? This had to be one of the stupidest decisions she had ever made!
"Oh, I'm going to get an earful from Giles later," Buffy muttered to herself.
She took a seat on the edge of the bed. The mattress groaned beneath her. A spring popped, which startled her enough to cause her to flinch. Her throat bobbed and a hoarse chuckle tumbled from her throat.
It's just Angel. You're just bait to attract Angel.
Except, she wasn't trying to attract Angel. Angel wasn't home right now. Indomtius hijacked his body and returned him to the monster he had been centuries ago. He wouldn't hesitate to kill her once he arrived.
Would she have to kill him? No, that would not happen. Angel was still there, somewhere inside of that body. His soul was probably screaming, trying to get to the surface again as Indomitus committed atrocities. She knew that had to be the case.
What Buffy didn't know was if Lucifer understood that. He was the Devil, the punisher of the vile and damned. Would he see Indomitus in Angel's body and destroy him, sending Angel to the afterlife in the process too? Would he dust him entirely, killing her friend forever?
God, she hoped not. Thinking about that made her feel sick. There had to be another solution than that, but she couldn't think of one.
During moments like this, she wished she had Giles nearby to ask for advice. Of course, his advice would probably be to work with Lucifer to take down Angel. After all, Lucifer knows Angel better than she ever could. He would know how to stop him.
But, she couldn't do that. Call it pride, call it fear, call it whatever, but Buffy did not want Lucifer dealing with this mess at all. She never asked for him to show up, and she always planned on fixing this problem as soon as she could find a solution. She always planned on getting Angel's soul back to his body again.
She never wanted to work with the enigmatic Devil in the process. A Devil who may or may not work against her in the end.
All of this worrying is making me sick. Buffy ran a hand over her gut as her stomach continued to twist and churn.
"Just be ready for him, Buffy," She whispered, turning towards the bathroom. A good bathroom break might help her calm down. Yeah, she just had a nervous stomach right now. "Gotta be ready."
"Ready?"
Buffy froze. A cold wind blew in from the outside. When did the door open, and how did she not notice? A small, sinister snicker drifted on the wind into her ears, making every muscle in her body clench. Slowly, Buffy turned around to face the vampire standing in her doorway. A vampire she thought Lucifer scared off.
"Poor, poor Slayer," Drusilla muttered. She stepped further into the room. "Nothing but cheese for the mouse."
Buffy swallowed hard. "This is a trap, yeah. But um… not for you, so-"
Drusilla put a finger to her lips, then muttered something Buffy could not understand. Was it another language? Probably, but she wasn't going to bother deciphering it.
Her blood ran cold when Drusilla's rose-colored lips parted into a wide, delighted smile. Another cold wind shot into the room. Goosebumps formed on Buffy's skin as a terrible sensation of danger and dread hit her.
Drusilla's eyes lit up, and she licked her lips. "Daddy's home."
Buffy's eyes widened as someone stepped behind Drusilla. The door clicked closed behind both Vampires. She locked eyes with a familiar gaze- one that made her heart hammer in her chest and ache with sadness.
"Angel…"
Detective Chloe Decker
This had to be one of Lucifer's most insane ideas yet, and Chloe was still wondering why she was going along with it. Buffy Summers may be the Slayer, someone capable of destroying demons and vampires. But, she was also a teenager. A young girl who should be more focused on high school problems and boys, not fighting for her life.
This entire situation not only put Chloe on edge, but it also made her feel a little sad. It made her think of Trixie, and how she would feel if her daughter was in Buffy's shoes. She wondered if Buffy's parents were even aware of what she was. If they were, then they must be amazingly supportive. If they weren't, then Chloe did question how much they actually paid attention to her. She wouldn't let Trixie fight demons like Maze without knowing about it, at the very least.
Trixie will never do something like this period. Chloe shifted in her seat, crossing her right foot over her left as she leaned her seat back. If I have it my way, she'll go to college and get a job that doesn't involve guns, criminals, murder, or demons.
The passenger seat groaned as Lucifer adjusted in his seat as well. He crossed his leg over his knee as he stared out of the windshield, across the street, gaze focused on the motel room they left Buffy in. A deep breath went in and out of his lungs. Was he nervous too?
"I can't," Lucifer shook his head. "I'm going to have to throw this suit out when I get home." Chloe closed her eyes, exasperated. "No amount of dry-cleaning in the world is going to get the smell of french fries out of the fabric."
"You're the Devil," Chloe droned, shaking her head as she returned her attention to keeping watch. Why did she expect Lucifer to show some sympathy for Buffy again? "I'm sure you have plenty of other suits."
"Yes, I do, but that's not the point, detective." Lucifer huffed and glanced at the Rolex on his wrist. "I'm going to have to face down Indomitus while smelling like this. By my father's wretched name, I can already hear the insults."
Chloe arched an eyebrow. "You tolerate your demons insulting you?"
"No," Lucifer sniffed, "but they're impulsive little shits still. I mean, have you met Mazikeen?"
Chloe bobbed her head. "Fair."
Chloe drew in a deep breath. She despised stakeouts and playing bodyguard. They were both the most boring and most tense jobs she could do as a cop. Most of the time, nothing happened. When nothing happened, she got tired. That was dangerous because if she closed her eyes for even a split second, something could happen to the person she was supposed to be watching.
And, when something did happen, Chloe had to act fast. She had to reach the criminal before the criminal could harm her charge. Or, in this case, she had to somehow move faster than vampires to help Buffy. Thankfully, she had Lucifer here to help, but she was still anxious.
"I really don't like this," She muttered.
"I know," Lucifer said, stunning Chloe with his candor. "But, this is the only thing I could think of that would lure Indomitus out."
"If her parents find out-"
"They won't."
"If Buffy gets hurt at all-"
Lucifer glanced at Chloe, causing her to trail off. "She won't," Lucifer drew in a deep breath. "As much as the Daughters of Senaya and I have been at odds over the years, I do recognize their importance. Without them, demons would run rampant through the Hellmouth. They help keep a delicate balance in place."
"Which causes you fewer headaches," Chloe nodded.
"Precisely, detective." Lucifer returned his attention to the motel. "Don't worry. We will see any demons approaching the hotel before they can harm Buffy."
Right as he said that, room thirteen's door flew off its hinges and Buffy went flying through the air with it. The teenager landed hard in the parking lot outside of the room, the door splintering around her, pieces scattering across the asphalt. Both Chloe and Lucifer froze, unsure of what just happened.
Two people emerged from the hotel room. The first was Drusilla, her face contorted into her almost serpent-esque, vampiric mask. Her white dress fluttered in the chilly breeze around her as a giddy smile creased her lips.
Stepping out of the shadows behind her was a man, tall and broad-shouldered. Short, brown hair crowned his head, and his face was also warped into a monstrous mask with fangs. He wore simple, blue jeans, a black shirt, and a leather jacket. If it wasn't for the vampire's face, he would have easily passed for an everyday joe who visited the gym often. His fists were clenched at his sides as he stomped towards Buffy, who was busy scrambling to her feet, a sharp shard of wood clenched in her bleeding right hand.
"Lucifer!" Chloe snapped.
He didn't move. Chloe uttered a curse.
"Detective, don't get involved yet," Lucifer warned.
"A girl is about to die. I'm getting involved," Chloe retorted as she shoved her door open.
"Detect- Chloe, wait! There's might be more and-"
She slammed the driver-side door shut, silencing Lucifer. Immediately, she drew her sidearm and raced across the empty street towards the motel parking lot. Neither vampire seemed to notice her as she rushed to Buffy.
Swallowing whatever fear she had, Chloe aimed her pistol, her steps slowing as she steadied herself to aim.
"Police!" She barked.
Drusilla's gaze whipped to her, but the male's remained on Buffy as he continued stalking towards the Slayer. Buffy, to her credit, did not quiver in fear. She got to her feet, wiped blood from her mouth with her sleeve, and gritted her teeth.
"Hands on your head and get on your knees!" Chloe ordered.
Drusilla tilted her head and bared her fangs like she was giving Chloe a bloodthirsty, amused grin. A giggle spilled from her lips, making Chloe's hair stand on end. She muttered something unintelligible. Again, Chloe barked her commands.
"On the ground, now!" She flicked her pistol towards the man nearing Buffy. "You as well! Hands on your head! And-"
"Drusilla," The man said, "you and Theresa can take care of that one. Enjoy yourselves."
Chloe's mind screeched to a halt. Theresa? As in, Theresa Klusmeyer? Impossible! She's supposed to be in the morgue.
The impossible happened as a hard fist slammed into Chloe's back. Chloe stumbled forward, barreling into Drusilla. Drusilla hissed as she grabbed at Chloe, fangs bared as she focused on the detective's neck.
Chloe's gun burst to life, firing round after round at Drusilla. The bullets tore into her dress, and Chloe did see brief flashes of pain cross Drusilla's face, but beyond that, they had no effect.
Two more loud bangs filled the air, then Chloe's gun clicked.
Empty.
A lump formed in her throat as she stared right into the hungry eyes of a real-life vampire. Drusilla reached out with one hand, grasped Chloe by the throat, and squeezed. Chloe's eyes bulged as her lungs struggled for air. Drusilla muttered some more, then Chloe heard some giddy chuckling behind her.
"I do wonder what human blood tastes like," Theresa Klusmeyer said as she came within Chloe's view. Theresa tilted her head and grinned a wolfish smile at Chloe. "Father never explained the taste. He only ever said that it was intoxicating." She giggled again. "I wonder if Police Officers are particularly scrumptious."
Theresa's face warped, and she lunged for Chloe's throat. Chloe squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for an end that never came. When no pain flooded her, she cracked an eye open.
Theresa's mouth was open, jaw gaping as she looked at something behind Chloe. Drusilla turned pale as a ghost, her indecipherable muttering now barely audible over her breathing. The guy, who Chloe now assumed was the one Buffy called Angel, froze a step away from Buffy.
"Indomitus!" Lucifer called, causing relief to flood through Chloe. "I wouldn't take one. more. step."
A low growl emanated from Angel, or Indomitus, or… Chloe shook her head. She couldn't keep all the names straight. The guy with Drusilla and Theresa spun on his heel. He glared hatefully at Lucifer as the Devil strutted beside Chloe, a serious expression over his usually mischievous face.
"Lucifer," Indomitus gave the Devil a mocking bow. "Your majesty-"
"Oh don't give me that, we both know saying such a thing feels like swallowing poison for you," Lucifer drawled, stepping around Chloe over to Theresa. "Darling, put the detective down, or else I'll put you down."
Theresa swallowed hard. "F-father," She called to Indomitus. "Who is this man?"
Indomitus sneered at her. "Find out on your own."
Theresa took that as a command because she immediately lashed out with a fist at Lucifer. Effortlessly, Lucifer caught her strike. His grip tightened around her wrist as the dark gleam in his eyes transformed into the Devil's hellfire.
"Oh, you should not have done that," He growled.
Lucifer's fist shot out faster than Chloe could blink. His knuckles collided with Theresa's jaw, sending the vampire spinning away and allowing Lucifer to immediately move on to Drusilla. All of the pressure on Chloe's throat went away as Drusilla let her go so she could focus on the Devil.
Unlike Theresa, Drusilla seemingly knew how dangerous Lucifer was. She didn't attack Lucifer. She didn't raise her hands for a fight. She backed up rapidly, feet scrambling atop the blacktop towards Indomitus, as if she was looking for him to come to her defense. Quiet murmuring and whimpering spilled from her lips when she reached Indomitus and clawed at his arm.
Indomitus shook Drusilla from his arm and stepped towards Lucifer. Lucifer stopped his march a couple of steps away, his eyes still burning with wrath. Behind Indomitus, Buffy's chest heaved up and down. She gripped the stake in her hand tight as she waited to see what would happen next.
"Slayer," Lucifer nodded towards Theresa, who was slowly picking herself up off the ground, "go grant that one some mercy. If you don't, then I'll have to do something, and mercy is not part of my repertoire." He gestured at Indomitus and Drusilla. "I'll handle these two."
Chloe quickly reloaded her sidearm and kept it aimed at Theresa. Meanwhile, Buffy gave Lucifer a hesitant look before tiptoeing her way towards Theresa.
Theresa hissed, bared her fangs, and growled at Buffy. Buffy flinched, while Chloe kept her finger on the trigger, ready to fire.
"How do you take it down?" Chloe asked Buffy.
"Stake through the heart," Buffy replied.
"I'm assuming that's not easy?"
Buffy shrugged. "Depends on how stupid the vampire is. Given Theresa attacked the Devil, I'm going to say this one is very dumb."
"Do you need a distraction?"
"It'd help," Buffy admitted.
Chloe didn't need any further prompting. She opened fire, rounds rocketing through the air towards Theresa. Theresa yelped and hissed as one bullet after another tore into her, knocking her off balance. It was just enough of a distraction for Buffy to slip in close.
The Slayer planted her fist beneath Theresa's jaw- a vicious uppercut that sent the vampire reeling. She followed through with a sharp punch to the gut, knocking Theresa further back and dazing her further. Finally, Buffy reared back with her stake and shoved it as hard as she could through Theresa's chest.
The vampire shuddered once, eyes widening in shock and horror. Her vampiric mask evaporated, replaced with an all too human look of fear and pain. She glared for a second at Buffy, uttered a small sound of agony, before collapsing to the ground and dissolving into dust.
Buffy uttered a gasp as she stepped back from the dust blowing away with the cool, night breeze. Chloe moved alongside the teenager, her pistol still ready to fire in case any trickery occurred.
"Is it gone?" Chloe asked.
Buffy gave her an exhausted nod. "Yeah, Theresa's definitely gone now."
Chloe glanced at Buffy and noticed the sad expression on her face. She must've known Theresa before all this happened. It could not have been easy to put her down the way she did. Chloe was tempted to talk with her about it, but that would have to wait. There were bigger Vampires to dust.
The Detective and the Slayer turned their attention to Lucifer, Drusilla, and Indomitus. All three remained where they were, glaring at each other, none moving against the other. Chloe saw Buffy shifted her weight nervously from one foot to the other.
"What's going on?" She asked Chloe.
"Lucifer is the devil. They aren't allowed to attack him."
Buffy blinked. "S-so, what are they doing then? Why isn't Lucifer attacking them?"
Chloe furrowed her brow. That was a good question. "I'm not sure."
In the blink of an eye, Lucifer's body transformed. He still wore his sharp suit, but the Devil's mask was gone, replaced with his true face. His scarred, torched head tilted as he eyed both Drusilla and Indomitus.
"Detective," The Devil said, voice making the very air shudder and causing Chloe's knees to knock with fear. "Buffy is tired. She needs to go home now."
Buffy blinked beside Chloe. "Wh-what? No, I'm not tired, I-"
The Devil glanced over his shoulder. It was a look that made Buffy's limbs lose all their strength. She shivered and slumped forward. Chloe reached out and caught her. As the detective held the teenager up, she holstered her pistol.
"Don't take too long, Lucifer."
"Wait!" Buffy cried before Chloe could drag her away. Buffy gave Lucifer a pleading look. "What are you going to do to him?"
Lucifer tilted his head, as if that was an odd question to ask. Chloe had a good feeling about what Lucifer wanted to do. But what Lucifer wanted was not always what he did.
"Remember tonight, Daughter of Senaya."
With that, he turned his head and returned his focus to the vampires. Neither Chloe nor Buffy knew what that meant, but both knew they were also powerless to stop Lucifer from doing whatever he planned on doing. Chloe could feel the strained reluctance within Buffy as she pulled the girl away from the motel towards her car.
Once Chloe managed to get Buffy into her car, Buffy slumped forward in the passenger seat, her hands raking through her blonde hair. Chloe quickly got into the driver's seat, started the car, and sped off down the road.
When they reached Main Street, Buffy finally spoke, her voice cracking when she opened her mouth.
"Is he going to kill Angel?"
Chloe pursed her lips. She didn't know for certain, but she did know one thing: if Lucifer planned on killing someone, then he would revel in it. He would have made sure everyone nearby knew that he was about to send someone straight to Hell. He didn't do that with Indomitus or Drusilla. He was strangely muted for the entire encounter.
"I don't know," Chloe answered, honestly. "But… Lucifer would've been a lot more jubilant if that was his plan. Just trust him, okay? He knows how to handle this sort of thing. You don't have to worry about it now."
A small spark of hope entered Buffy's eyes. "So, Angel might be okay?"
Chloe gave Buffy a surprised look. She really cared about him. The demon slayer cared for a vampire? Lucifer probably would have scoffed at such a notion. Hell, she almost laughed at it too, but here was the story right in front of her. So, instead of laughing, she gently rubbed Buffy's shoulder, then focused on the road.
"Which way is your home?"
Buffy swallowed hard and pointed out the way. Without another word, Chloe took her home.
Lucifer Morningstar
Mortals and their infernal emotions, sometimes they drove Lucifer mad.
Under any other circumstances, he would have done what he pleased with the two monsters in front of him. Throw them into a pit of despair where the moans of the damned could torment them for all eternity? Sounded pleasant to him. Have them pulled apart by demons then rebuilt every day for eons on end? Certainly a fitting punishment for creatures that pulled apart lives so callously. Throw them into a lake of fire?
That's more Father's schtick than mine. He thought as he glared at the vampires Indomitus and Drusilla.
Lucifer watched Detective Decker drive Buffy Summers away from the motel out of the corner of his eyes. He waited a moment longer in case he needed to spring into action. Lucifer still was not sure if Indomitus brought more minions along to help him tonight. While he doubted any Vampire or Demon in Sunnydale would dare to attack him, he knew they had no qualms about harming Detective Decker or Buffy Summers.
But, as they drove safely away, he relaxed a little, but still maintained his true form. In moments like this, he enjoyed revealing his true face. He loved relishing in the terror the sight of the Devil instilled in mortals and demons alike. While neither Drusilla nor Indomitus quailed before him, they did inch backward when he took another powerful step in their direction.
A dark chuckle rumbled from his throat.
"Oh it has been some time, hasn't it, Indomitus?"
Indomitus's throat bobbed. "It has, Lucifer. I did not realize you were still traipsing around Earth."
"Traipse? I don't traipse. I stroll," Lucifer took another step towards them. This time, Drusilla scrambled back a couple of feet, her chest rising and falling as more fear gripped her. She muttered under her breath words that Lucifer barely hear. When he did hear them, he gave her a sinister grin. "Yes, sweetheart, you thought you were in hell already but really you're just in a hell of this monster's making." He finished, gesturing at Indomitus.
Indomitus snorted. "Is that disgust I hear, Lucifer? Since when is the Devil disappointed in his demons wreaking havoc on the mortal plane?"
"Oh, I normally don't care," Lucifer replied. "However, when it affects my personal business, I tend to care quite a lot. For that matter, I care even more when one of my demons has the nerve to attack a very good friend of mine in Detective Decker while she's doing her job."
A sneering laugh left Indomitus's lips. "You've grown soft."
Lucifer's eyes glowed like hot coals. "To you, maybe. To me, I've gotten stronger. It's amazing how much power one can obtain by fighting for something and someone. Do you want to have a taste?"
Now Indomitus ducked his gaze. Lucifer nodded. "So you aren't as stupid as I was beginning to believe. Pity, it's been some time since I had to put one of my children in their place and enjoyed it at the same time. Can't do that with Mazikeen. She likes the pain."
That earned a dry, strained laugh from Indomitus. "Mazikeen... how's that little one doing?"
"Splendidly," Lucifer glanced behind Indomitus to Drusilla. "Tell your pet to run along home now. You and I can finish our discussion alone."
A longing entered Drusilla's gaze. She understood what was about to happen, and she did not want to go. Lucifer gave her a smug smirk while Indomitus uttered a heavy breath.
With a nod of his head, Indomitus ordered her to leave. Drusilla sniffled, stepped past Indomitus, cast a sidelong glare at Lucifer, then strode away.
"Oh, and if I hear about her going after Detective Decker or Buffy Summers then she'll be next!" Lucifer exclaimed, making Drusilla falter in her steps. "Who's that one you're running around with now, again? Spike, right? Go back to him. I'm sure he's worried sick about you."
Drusilla's pale face nodded one more time, then she ran off, disappearing into the night. Once she was gone, Lucifer returned his attention to Indomitus.
"I'm sure you know what this means," The Devil began. "There's a spot in hell with your name on it."
Indomitus scowled. "It's a little warm down there."
Lucifer scoffed. "Yet you chose Southern California to come back at? Clearly, heat doesn't bother you."
A snarl left Indomitus's lips. He flexed his fists, tempted to attack, but unable to. "Am I taking this body with me?"
Lucifer uttered a sigh. "No, you will not. You will leave that body, go back to Hell, and do your job down there. If I find you up here again, I won't be as forgiving. Remember that."
At the very least, Indomitus was intelligent enough to do what he was told.
Liam O'Conner's body shuddered. Shadowy smoke billowed out of his form and raced away into the darkness. When Indomitus left completely, his body slumped to the blacktop, hitting the pavement with a hard thud.
Lucifer drew in a deep breath, replacing the human mask over his body once again. He stood over Angel as he adjusted his shirt and blazer cuffs, shaking his head.
"Can't believe I did that." He looked up at the moonlit night sky. "I suppose you're happy about all this. Me, being forgiving, merciful, and offering a soul redemption all in one night. You must be doing one hell of a jig up there, dad." Lucifer huffed. "That's all the good Samaritan I will be tonight." With a nudge of his food, he made sure Angel was merely unconscious, not dead, then nodded. "Enjoy sleeping on the blacktop, Angelus."
Without another word, the Devil walked away, his work done, and another case closed. As he walked away, a wistful smile cracked over his lips and he chuckled.
"Oh… Maze is going to love hearing about this one."
Buffy the Slayer
The next morning arrived, and another day of school came with it. The entire day, Buffy was bombarded by her worried friends, wondering what on earth happened to her after they raided Spike's hideout. She managed to bat their questions away with easy enough answers. The last thing she wanted to do was give them the specifics of what happened. She didn't want them turning on Angel when, or if, he came back.
Besides, she had enough to worry about. The entire day, Angel sat on her mind. Was he dead? Was he alive? Was he still possessed, and did the Devil trick her when he said he wanted to help? Detective Decker didn't believe that was the case. Surprisingly, Buffy believed her. The detective seemed like the type of person that didn't lie.
When the final bell for class rang, Buffy was one of the last to leave class. She made her way down the hall, backpack slung over one shoulder. When she reached the doors she sighed. No sign or word of Angel from anyone. Maybe the Devil got his due?
She pushed the school doors open. Bright sunlight hit her eyes. Through that sunlight, just beyond the boundaries of the school, she saw someone standing in the shadows- an angel that brought a smile to her lips.
Angel gave her a small smile, offered a friendly wave, before turning and walking away. That sight alone was enough to bring a broad smile to Buffy's lips.
Perhaps the Devil wasn't so evil after all.
And story! This was such a fun one to write, and I am very grateful to lipush for commissioning it. I hope you all enjoyed reading it just as much as I enjoyed writing it.
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