As a reminder, everything that has happened with Ariel goes well with what happens in canon. The serum Briar used is the same expected to have knocked out Lucifer and make him weak enough to send him to hell as well as the fact that demonic knives (and evangelical weapons) have canonically been proved to leave lasting marks. It is also shown that angels do have a hard enough time against demons - not just the multiple fights with Mazikeen, but the fact that the demons held their own against the angels in the final season as well. Everything I write is based on and is reasonable with canon, with the exception of some changes I make and mention such as everyone (angels and demons) being stronger to make more sense in the Twilight canon and Charlie not being fully mortal.
The only thing that I need to correct is that Ariel's scars are going to be permeant (as that brief mention was written before Michael made an appearance in canon).
CAPTIVE
Ariel's joy of being reunited with Carlisle lingers against her lips and makes her overly aware of the blank space on her ring finger; how much she wants their relationship to be present and well-known again creates a sense of deep want in her heart. After being apart from him, she realizes just how hard that is. She's not sure that she could stand being apart like that again.
But the reunion is hard to enjoy when she has to drag the unconscious demon's body back to her house. She still isn't thrilled over the idea of Carlisle being present, but all things considered, she has to admit that he was right. That they should have been doing this together from the beginning. As dangerous as it is, them being separated only makes things worse. Which is the only reason she agrees to the rest of the coven being present.
"They don't look so tough," Emmett immediately comments as he circles around the bound demon.
Despite Yana being tightly bound and still unconscious, Ariel still feels her nerves rise when Emmett gets too close. As if she expects the demon to break free in a moment's notice. The demonic knives are carefully placed somewhere safe and out of reach and at the very least, the vampiric presence will help if the demon wakes up before her brothers get here. She knows she did a good job holding her own, but the less chance of the demon escaping the better.
"It ripped your father's arm off," Ariel's voice is dry.
Emmett scoffs, making a comment on how he's the strongest anyway that leaves Carlisle only dryly amused. Ariel stays close to her fiance's side, her arms wrapped around herself while Carlisle wraps his around her. She is still covered in dried blood, but at the very least, Carlisle's arm is reattached and looks good as new. She's not sure what would have happened if Yana had used the knife instead; no, she knows what would have happened, she just hates to think about it. Not to mention how hard it would be to explain to the locals.
"Not exactly what I pictured," Rosalie's voice is curious, but laced with judgement. She makes a show of plugging her nose, "But it smells worse than I imagined."
No one disagrees with the sentiment, with many nodding their heads. Even Ariel has to admit that the smell of the demon is putrid, but she can't imagine how strong the scent of the rotting, dead flesh is for the vampires. Jasper seems the most bothered by the demon's presence, however, sticking as close to Alice as possible, his eyes fixated strongly on the demon.
"A demon's hardly intimidating when they're unconscious," Ariel raises a brow, "Besides, that human face is only a disguise."
"I can feel the hatred," Jasper's voice is soft, but it cuts through the room easily, "Even when it's unconscious, it radiates such pure hatred and evil. It's worse than the hunger of the newborns and even the Volturi. I've never felt anything like it."
Alice comforts her mate as best as she can, rubbing his arms softly and cooing in his ears. They all can only imagine how difficult it is for the emphatic man; Ariel knows just how evil demons can be, Mazikeen being the only exception to the rotten evil that's in their cores. To actually feel what they feel would be something else entirely and certainly not something that anyone who, by all definitions, is (or used to be) mortal should feel.
Ariel's eyes soften in sympathy, but she lacks to find the words to comfort him. Instead, she lets out a deep sigh, leaning against Carlisle as he tightens his grip around her. A heavy silence starts to weigh down the room as the vampires still take in the presence of a new enemy. Edward's brows are heavily furrowed with the thoughts of his family, but any attempts to try to reach the demon's mind are unsuccessful. As if noticing the intense look he gives their captive, Ariel speaks up.
"I wouldn't even try it, Edward. Anything in a mind like that would destroy yours. There are some things in this world that are just better left alone."
Edward's lips thin and tighten, but he takes Ariel's advice and seems to back off from trying. The solemn undertone of her words cutting through each of them, giving them a harsh reminder of the situation. Edward glances over to Jasper, his thoughts still reaching through sharply, filled with nothing but him trying to fight off the feeling of hatred. Alice notices, giving Edward a curt nod as she escorts Jasper outside to hunt in hopes of it helping him fend off the emotions.
It doesn't take long after they leave that they can hear a solid flap of wings from outside. Ariel perks up as she spots Amenadiel and Lucifer, giving them a tired, relieved smile.
"It took you two long enough."
"We had a little bit of a hurdle to take care of before we came by," Amenadiel offers a vague explanation, but Ariel knows that questioning it now will get them nowhere.
"Oh - Yana, Yana, Yana," Lucifer immediately heads toward the captive, his eyes sharp with a gleam of a red, "Look at what's become of you. You used to have such promise, a unique hatred that could have been used but now you are just -"
He lifts up their chin, inspecting them closely. The demon looks worse for wear after their fight, covered in injuries and blood, but Ariel knows that she didn't quite kill the demon and send it back just yet. As tempted as she is. But whatever it is that Lucifer is looking for, he doesn't seem to find it, tsk'ing before dropping their chin, their head dropping with dead weight.
"-Absolutely pathetic."
He straightens out the collar of his suit jacket as he turns to Ariel, his expression immediately shifting to something more inviting. Ariel briefly leaves Carlisle to greet her brother as he reaches for her, Lucifer placing his hands on his shoulders.
"And you - look at you," Lucifer makes a face as he looks her over, "Let's have a celebration after you get cleaned up, shall we?"
Ariel snorts at the comment, knowing that her brother doesn't mean anything harsh by it, even as he wipes his hands off after touching her.
"A celebration?" Amenadiel questions, raising a brow as he looks evenly at Ariel, "I thought that you weren't supposed to confront her on your own. We had no idea how many demons would be with her."
"It's just her," Ariel crosses her arms tightly, "And I can handle a demon. But considering the circumstances, I thought it'd be best to bring her back."
"Smart choice, demons like Yana usually gain a following pretty quick," Lucifer muses, "I asked around a bit and it seems like she was a part of Dromos' plan a while back with Charlie, but ultimately, there was a disagreement. Looks like she got away before we brought in Dromos and his followers, but I doubt that she left empty handed.'
Lucifer shook his head, "Still can't believe that there are demons out there who prefer you to me. No offense sister, but you hardly have the fininse needed for the job."
Ariel doesn't disagree, simply making a face as Carlisle quickly reaches for her to bring her back to him. She hates to admit that despite Lucifer's reservations, if the offer had been made a few years ago, she would have seen exactly where the demons were coming from. Even now, with her reputation, she can see their logic. She hates that even after years of bettering herself, that the reputation lingers. She glances at her brother as he tries to wake up the demon; a sad understanding gleams in her eyes.
"Come on, wakey, wakey," Lucifer pats Yana's face, in a not very gentle manner, "You have some questions that we need answered before I decide your punishment little Yana."
Amenadiel sighs deeply, but opts not to comment as he sticks to the background as much as possible. He notices that the other Cullens still keep a decent length away from him, staying as close to Ariel and Carlisle as possible as the demon stirs. If it was any other situation, he would have smiled. The fact that his little sister has managed to finally find someplace where she can belong. More so, that she can finally have a chance at finding happiness with her own family. Having Charlie and Linda, he knows just how much of a gift that can be and how much that they were all robbed of it in Heaven. Even if it is with vampires.
Yana finally stirs, eyes creaking open before being visibly distraught to see Lucifer's face inches away from hers.
"Hello little demon," Lucifer's grin is ferocious, "You know, I am getting quite tired of these schemes to upthrone me. Especially since all of you seem to go right for the wrong types of people in order to do it."
Yana manages to stand their ground, meeting Lucifer's eyes evenly. "We wouldn't have to do it if you didn't get all fucking soft on us. Really, fraternizing with humans, what's next? Another little halfbreed? A tiny little half devil running around? Disgusting."
"Oh you may not like it, but I am the one in charge," Lucifer's eyes are shadowed with a dangerous gleam, "And I will gladly remind you of why when I decide what to do for your punishment. Have to send a message to the others, you know? Something worse than just ending you."
Amenadial takes an uneasy step forward, prepared to step in as he notices the looks passing between the Cullens. Lucifer is starting to push the limits of what is comfortable in the current company and Amenadiel can't help but worry if he will go overboard with whatever it is that he is planning before they get the answers that they need. Before he can step in, Lucifer takes a step back, with an almost disappointing sigh.
"But it seems we need some answers before we can get to that. How many followers have you acquired, Yana?"
Yana doesn't want to answer, staying frustratingly quiet as Lucifer looms nearby. Ariel takes a step forward, a sharpness to her eyes as a feral yellow tint shadows them. Her anger toward the demon is not forgotten, only more contained and reigned in. She can't say she is against anything that they may have to do to get answers.
"If you need a hand -" Ariel starts to offer, eying Yana almost hungrily with a sick sense of revenge.
Lucifer, however, waves the offer off, "Oh no, you've been doing so well and I'd hate for your new family to see what you can do to those who cross you."
Ariel takes a step back as Carlisle whispers into her ear. She doesn't miss the concerned relief in his eyes that she won't be joining in whatever is about to take place and she has to admit that she's surprised by the consideration that her little brother is showing. You really have grown a lot these past few years, she muses, accepting to be placed on the back burner for now. As much as she wants to rip the demon to shreds, it is Lucifer's domain.
"As tempting at it is," Lucifer continues, "I believe I can torture the answers out of little Yana myself or better yet, we can give a quick call to Mazikeen. She's been itching to try out her new knives."
Yana twitches and Lucifer's grin grows as he immediately proceeds to take out his phone.
"Mazikeen it is then."
