CHAPTER 5
Chloe remains frozen as she sees the Temptress walk towards the Devil, too stunned to react. "Of course, this had to happen..." her mind screams at her. It was going too well to remain this way. But the little voice in her head is swiftly replaced by a very angry and green one. "Who the fuck does she think she is!" She almost voices as she follows Lilith's slender fingers travel along the nape of Lucifer's neck, then down his jacket until she reaches his belt. Despite Chloe's antagony for this woman, she almost can't resist the pull. She feels drawn to her, fascinated. She shakes her head to break the moment. "So that's what others feel around him all the time." She adds to herself. Lucifer's voice finishes to bring her back to reality.
"Lilith." He starts "What? How? When?" He clears his throat. "I mean, how come you're here?"
She remains close to him. "That might not be a story for everyone to hear, Dear." She looks at Chloe. "You know how fragile Humans can get when faced with something a bit out of their league" She smiles. "And I'd rather avoid any Antichrist crisis just yet."
"The Detective knows about my celestial nature, and anything you say to me, she can hear."
"Most importantly, this Detective would like to know if you're the one responsible for killing all these people and why." Chloe adds.
"Who cares about these petty beings. Their poor unfortunate souls must be somewhere in Hell I'm sure." She focuses her attention back to Lucifer. "They were merely means to an end."
"What end?" Chloe asks.
"Well to get the attention of my Devil, naturally." She laughs. "They were rejects anyway. They would have died sooner or later, as all you mortal creatures do. I did you a favour if you ask me." Lilith explains.
"I don't recall asking."
"Although I'm surprised you're still here." She continues, dismissing Chloe's comment. "So far, none have lived to tell the tale once they saw who he truly was."
Chloe pushes down her jealousy and instincts which tell her to run away as she feels the power and wickedness from Lilith settle in her brain. Instead, she takes a step closer to Lucifer. He immediately encircles her waist, keeping her by his side, but slightly behind her in case of a problem.
"The Detective - I mean Chloe - is very special indeed."
Lilith laughs. "So the rumour was true!" She says. "The Devil has fallen once more, and this time a mere creature not even worth washing his feet." She brings her hand back to his cheek. "Lucky for her, I'm not here for you, but Maze."
"What do you want with Maze?" His voice barely above a hiss.
"I figured it was time I visited my daughter. After all, you're the one responsible for this separation."
"What do you want with her?" He repeats. "You need another sacrificial lamb to achieve your latest end goal?"
"Luci, Luci... " She replies. "This was ages ago, and Maze is hardly a lamb. Besides, I've matured since, and learnt from my mistakes." She smiles. "God, you really know how to hold a grudge, don't you?"
"We'll see about this." He answers, protective.
"I wasn't asking." She simply says. She walks past Lucifer and Chloe. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have some catching up to do."
Chloe grabs her arm. "Wait! We're not done yet."
Lilith spins around. "You dare to touch me, Human!"
Before Chloe replies, Lucifer steps between the two women, knowing Lilith wouldn't think twice before she hurt Chloe. "I thought you said you had some catching up to do, Lilith."
"I'll see you around, Luci." She simply says.
The Devil takes a deep breath as he watches the demoness walkout. This meant nothing good for the future. He turns back to Chloe.
"We should go."
"Is that all you're going to say to me?" She manages to get a hold of his arm before he exits.
He turns around, his repressed anger explodes like a pressure cooker and he takes his frustration on the one - although the wrong person - in front of him. "What do you want me to say?"
Chloe replies - her tone and anger equal to his - her frustration now set free as well. "Don't you dare snap at me!" She instantly says. "I'm not the one with the ex coming back from the dead!"
"So that's what it is to you? Jealousy over one of my old lover?"
"And how do you expect me to react to this?" She replies her tone now bitter. "Two people have already died because of your ex, just to get your attention and just for old times sake. Not to mention I'm withdrawing evidence from a murder investigation, which could potentially cost me my freedom AND my job!" Lucifer remains silent. "And yes, I'm jealous, because, despite her claim that she wants nothing from you, her body language suggest otherwise, as does yours by the way!" She finishes. "But that's not the main topic of the issue." He remains silent, not sure what to say. "I have a right to know what's going on if I'm to put my career and potentially my life on the line for you." She pauses to give him a chance to reply. "So?"
"You wouldn't understand." He simply says.
"Of course." She laughs, out of nervousness. "I need to report this in a way that won't make you look like the murderer and me like a rotten cop." She replies, her features now completely closed off.
"Fine," Lucifer replies. "I'll be at Lux." He says, as she turns her back to him and heads towards the outside of the pawnshop.
Lux - Early in the morning
Lucifer barely slept after Chloe left and now paced in his living room, and he dials the same number for the tenth time.
"You've reached Doctor Martin's office. I'm currently in a session or unable to take your call. Please leave a message with your name and number and I'll get back to you as soon as I can."
"This won't do at all!" Lucifer grumbles and he hangs up once more. He grabs his car keys and heads. If the Doctor refused to take his calls, he would ask her in person.
After less time than needed to reach her office, he quickly parks in front of the building, ignoring the numerous name-callings as he does so and heads for her office. He doesn't even bother to knock. Linda's assistant tries to stop him but a single look from Lucifer dissuades him to stand in the way of the Devil. As the door opens, the assistant still excuses himself in a small voice.
"I'm so sorry Doctor. I tried to stop him, but…"
"It's okay, Josh." Linda says, fully aware of Lucifer's charisma on others. She turns to the Devil. "What part of the "leave a message because I have a patient" don't you understand, Lucifer?"
Lucifer is a bit taken aback by her reaction, as it wasn't the first time he burst in the middle of a session before without any issue.
"So you knew I was calling." He starts. But Linda doesn't bulge from her refusal. "I have an emergency." He says as if it was reason enough.
"And I'm in a session," Linda says, firm. "Take a seat and I'll see you after the end of the appointment."
Lucifer has no choice but to agree. "Fine." He pouts.
Linda's practice - 15 minutes later
After his 15 minutes wait time - which felt like forever to him - Linda's previous patient finally comes out of her office. Lucifer immediately stands up and walks in.
"Of course, why don't you come in, Lucifer." Lindas says sarcastically. She closes the door behind her and sits opposite him. "So what's this emergency?"
"Are you alright, Doctor?" He starts. "Your earlier reaction earlier was very unusual and this sarcastic tone is a bit out of character for you." He finishes.
Linda takes a deep breath to stop any unwanted comment to escape her mouth. Lucifer, despite being, well Lucifer, was still her friend. "I'm fine." She says. "I'm just having some personal issues at the moment, that's all."
"So you too, then." He replies.
"Yes, my husband - and a soon-to-be ex-husband - has somehow found his way back into my life and things got a little complicated, and you have a tendency to believe you're my only patient which is starting to impact my reputation with other patients and…" Lucifer clears his throat and he fondles with his ring, impatient and clearly uncomfortable with the situation and Linda's confession. She stops, aware she overstepped her boundaries as a psychiatrist. "But anyway, what's the matter, Lucifer?"
"Back to me then." He says. "Just so you know, I can recommend a very good therapist, who isn't you, I mean."
Linda rolls her eyes. Of course, he had to point out the focus drifted away from him. She was very fond of Lucifer, but he could be so infuriating sometimes. "What seems to be the issue?"
"The Detective is acting all crazy again." He simply says.
She bites back the "What have you again now?". Instead, she goes for a neutral reply.
"What makes you say that?"
"We have this weird case that came up and that we've been working on recently. Someone decided to frame me for two murders. Although it wasn't me who did it, of course."
"Of course." Linda repeats.
"The Detective and Miss Richards were able to prove my obvious innocence for the murder of the first body."
"Miss Richards?"
"Yes, my lawyer." He says. "But then this new corpse showed up and implicated me once again. And all because of a simple piece of paper, so I suggested to the Detective that Maze could make this insignificant piece of evidence disappear, but her stubbornness to follow due process as she says made everything more complicated."
"Right, HER stubbornness and not disregard for the law." Linda counters.
He takes out his flask and pours some in a glass from the table. "That's not the point."
"Alright. Go on then."
"We went to the place to look at the body and then Lilith appeared." He puts the flask back in place. "She orchestrated it all only to get my attention." He finishes, still not believing the whole situation.
"Lilith?" Linda repeats. "As in first-wife-of-Adam-and-straight-out-of-the-Old-Testament Lilith?" She asks.
"Exactly." He replies, surprised she would know this. "You've been brushing up on you religious knowledge, I see. I'm impressed, Doctor."
"Well, yes, I have. After all, you're the Devil, so I figured some of it had to be true." She smiles.
"Indeed." He says.
"Isn't she also the one you had a long-term relationship with? I mean before Eve and during your first days in Hell? Also, isn't she the one who helped create Maze?"
"She is." He answers. "How do you know about all this? Although I'm the one who helped Lilith create Maze, not the other way." He feels the need to correct.
"The other night we had a girls' night out and Maze told me about her childhood in Hell."
"I see." He acknowledges. "But just to be clear, Lilith and I never had that so-called relationship together. We were just enjoying each other's company on a physical level, neither did I with Eve by the way."
"Maybe, but she still an ex of yours, who is supernatural and with whom you have a pretty long history."
"Yes, but…"
"Let me guess…" Linda cuts him off and continues without waiting for his answer. "Chloe got angry at you after Lilith pulled a number on you and you decided to not tell her anything."
"I told her about Lilith existence before she met her."
"Right." She says. "And I take it Lilith has the same appetite for all things carnal as yours?"
He smirks. "Well she was a fallen being under my ruling, so yes, we had our fun together in the beginning, then it took a less than pleasant turn." He stops. "But I didn't reply to her advances." He adds, almost proud of himself.
"Did you push her away clearly?"
"Not exactly, but…"
"Lucifer." She starts as if she were talking to a child. "Knowing about an ex, and seeing one's ex showing up all of a sudden in real life are two different things." He looks puzzled. "Especially when the relationship is new and when the two people concerned are very attractive and daring immortal beings."
"But I have no intention of rekindling anything with Lilith." He looks at Linda. "And I gave my word to the Detective about this. And also there's a reason why I banished her in the first place."
"Have you told Chloe this?"
"Well not in those words, but I'm sure she knows it." He smiles. "And my word is my bond, Doctor. You of all people should know this."
"I know it, and I'm sure Chloe does as well." She leans forward. "But sometimes, especially at the first steps of a relationship, you need to reassure the other." He doesn't reply. "Chloe feels threatened by both Lilith and the situation." She finally spells out.
"Okay." He replies. "And how do I make her feel not threatened anymore?"
"Tell her what you told me, and what's going on over a good meal where you can talk and be alone, not disturbed by other outer elements, such as admirers or people requesting favour."
"Dinner at the penthouse it is then." He replies. "Thank you, Doctor."
"You're welcome, Lucifer." Lucifer starts to leave. "And remember next time you need to see me urgently, please wait outside and respect the privacy of my other patients."
"Noted." He says.
"But do let me know how it went though."
"Will do, Doctor." He opens the door. "Have a good day."
"You too, Lucifer.".
LAPD Precinct - A bit after lunchtime
Lucifer has first tried Chloe's house phone but to no avail. When he can't get on her cell either he decides to drive to the precinct to convince her in person to meet with him later at the penthouse. He arranger for Maze to look after Trixie, so Chloe would have no excuse to escape. He heads for her desk as soon as he gets to her floor but doesn't see her at her usual place. He checks a few rooms afterwards, but still no Detective - or at least his Detective - in sight. He finally decides to ask Dan for a bit of help. He puts his brightest smile on and walks toward the demoted detective on the other end of the bullpen.
"Hello, Detective Douche."
Dan doesn't even bother to look up from his papers.
"Daniel? Dan?" Still no reply. "You do know the other person needs to actually be hidden if you want to play hide and seek? I can see you and you know I'm here." Dan remains silent. "Well don't say I didn't warn you." He huffs as he picks a ballpen from his desk and starts to play with the in/out switch of it.
After a couple of minutes, Dan finally cracks and acknowledges Lucifer.
"What, asshole?" He snaps.
"Well Hello to you too Sir Douche." Before Dan can say anything else, Lucifer continues. "I was wondering if you knew where the Detective was and why my calls keep hitting her voice mail?"
"Because you're an ass?"
"Very funny, Douche." He replies. "Looks like your improv' classes finally paid off. He picks the pen again and his thumb hovers over the switch. "I didn't see Miss Lopez either."
"If I tell you where they are, will you just get the fuck out of my face?"
"I'd be happy to."
"Chloe and Ella went near a trail behind the Hollywood Sign to investigate the body of a hiker. They both have bad cell reception."
"And you're not worried?"
"A whole squad of law enforcement is with them, so no I'm not worried."
"Right." He says. "But none of them combined are a match for Lilith." He finishes, almost inaudible.
"What?"
"Nothing." He puts the pen back on Dan's desk. "Any ideas when they should be back?"
"Around five or six depending on the traffic." He looks at Lucifer. "Are we done?"
"We are." He starts to leave.
"You're welcome, asshole." Dan adds under his breath.
"And a good day to you too, Sir Douche."
Once he reaches Chloe's desk he sits behind it and weighs his options. He wasn't going to wait and waste almost a whole afternoon. He finally decides to grab a Post-it note to convey his message.
"Meet me at 8 at the penthouse. Maze has Trixie. Devil Emoji."
He then puts the note away in her locked drawer where she keeps her weapon and rounds, away from prying hands such as Dan's, hoping Chloe would agree to meet him later.
A few hours later - Lux Penthouse
The devil was putting the final touches to his dinner table and his outfit when he hears the characteristic noise of his elevator door.
"I'll be out in a minute, Darling. Just make yourself at home." He says from his bedroom as he finishes to put the final touch to his outfit. "I'm glad you decided to show up early…" He stops as he sees the person in his living room isn't Chloe, but someone he wasn't exactly keen on having over at this very moment. His face closes. "How did you get up here?"
"Really, that's your first question?"
"What do you want, Lilith?" He replies, dismissive.
"To answer your first question, you're not the only one who can turn anything on, Darling." She chuckles. "Although this human technology and electronics are a bit tricky. I almost regret the old lock and key."
"What do you want?" He repeats.
"A pretty big question, don't you think, Luci?" She laughs and walks further into the penthouse. "Don't you think asking what don't I desire would be more suited?"
"Lilith…" He says, his patience running thin.
"You know what?" She says as she drops her coat on the couch, revealing a deep red dress which highlights every curve of her body perfectly. It's almost as if the dress was made on her. She then proceeds to sit down as if she owned the place. "I don't get it. I mean you could be a God amongst these mortal beings. Those who don't follow you willingly would fear you to no end and with the ability to draw out their deepest desires, you could literally have anything. Who knows maybe even beat your Daddy at his little game." She shrugs and looks at Lucifer, her eyes taking him in. "And yet you choose to mingle with the commoners and be almost as weak as they are. Why?"
"Not everyone is as bitter as you are when it comes to them. And some even earned my respect over the years."
She laughs. "Right. Remind me for how long you've been holding a grudge against Daddy for kicking you out of the house? My count might be off by a few centuries."
He balls his hands and takes a deep breath. "What do you want?" He asks for the third time.
"Very well." She gives in. "For starters, I want to see my daughter." She walks over to him and finds his skin very easily. She comes close to his ear. "Then who knows, maybe we can reminisce about the old days when you weren't this concerned about humanity's well being and take over the world." She bites a patch of skin right below his ear. "If your little Detective pet agrees, of course. I would hate to see any harm come to her lovely person, Love." She adds, her endearment term rolling out of her tongue with a perfect replica of his accent. She smiles. "Hello there, I didn't know we had an audience." She says as she sees Chloe. "It looks like your pet has arrived, Luci. I'll leave you two alone but this was fun and we should definitely do this again soon. I guess I'll see you around." She finishes before she grabs her coat and heads for the exit. "Human." Her disdain barely concealed as she passes Chloe.
Lucifer turns around, not sure just about how much Chloe saw or heard. Her face confirms she has seen way more than she should have. She seems to be disconnected from the moment as hurt, anger and jealousy battle for dominance in her brain. This was even obvious for the Devil, as her rage almost formed a red glow around her. He takes a step towards and chooses the "ignore-the-last-ten-minutes-ever-happened" option.
"Evening Detec… Chloe." He greets her, usual grin in place. "I'm very happy you decided to come."
"Right now I'm not sure I should have." She replies, her tone neutral. "I hate to have disturbed your little before-evening." She adds, bitter and way too calm to Lucifer's liking.
"You weren't disturbing anything, I assure you." He simply says. "And what you saw is very misleading. Nothing happened." She doesn't answer but rolls her eyes. Lucifer takes this as a sign to continue. "I was simply getting ready with the dinner and my outfit when she arrived and I thought it was you so I figured why get dressed when we both know it wasn't going to stay on for long."
"You are unbelievable." She says.
"Thank…"
"Not meant as a compliment!" She quickly says. "We fight the day before because you refuse to talk to me about any of this and because I come over for dinner, you just assume sex is going to make this magically go away?"
"Well, Linda said I needed to reassure you on my..." He pauses to find another word than commitment "involvement in this, so I figured a nice dinner and a night of devilish delights would be the perfect way to achieve what…"
"I don't doubt your involvement in all this." She says. "What I want right now if for you to trust me enough to share whatever is going on with you and in your head." Lucifer looks back at Chloe, ill-at-ease. Talking wasn't his strong suit. "What was Lilith doing here?"
"Nothing of importance. She simply dropped by to say hello."
"Clearly." She replies, sarcastic as she waits for Lucifer's answer. When none comes, she speaks again. "So you're not going to tell me anything?"
"Well since nothing of note happened, I'm not sure what you expect me to say here, Detective." He replies, fully aware his answer was borderline with a straight lie.
"Right." Chloe says. "Enjoy your dinner, Lucifer. I'll call you when I have a new case."
"Detective wait." He catches up to her. "Chloe, please." But it's too late, the door already closes and he knows that no matter his strength or speed, he can't stop her from leaving. He grabs a glass, pours whiskey to the top and downs it in one go. He smiles as he feels the alcohol in his veins, the proximity of the Detective enhancing the effect of his drink, if only for a second. He groans as the effect wears off and smashes the glass on the other side of the room. He takes his phone and sends a text to Linda.
"Great advice, Doctor. The Detective just left even more pissed than before!"
A minute later the phone rings and Linda's face appears on his screen. She doesn't bother to say Hello.
"What happened?"
"She left."
"Before that I meant. Tell me what happened."
"Well, I almost dressed and dinner was all set when Lilith decided it was a good moment to show up right before the Detective arrived."
"Did Chloe see her?"
"Yes."
"Then what?"
"Lilith left and despite my very insistent confirmation I cared about our thing, she left."
"What happened in-between?"
"She went on some tirade about how I don't trust her enough to tell her the truth." He stops. "And you and I both know, I don't lie."
"But you don't always tell the truth either, Lucifer." She remarks. "So I take it you still haven't told her about Lilith."
"She doesn't need to know about her."
"She does, Lucifer." Linda confirms, her tone kind but firm.
"But…"
"Do you trust her?"
"Of course. How could you think that I …"
"Then you need to tell her what you know."
"But none of it is certain for now."
"It doesn't matter." She pauses. "Do you remember the only time Maze kept you in the dark about one of her plans?"
"Of course, I was beyond mad. We didn't talk for months until she finally made it up to me."
"Now apply this to your situation with Chloe."
"Both are very different. It's for her own protection."
She exhales. " You remember Maze thought she was doing it for your own protection against something you couldn't see."
"Well it's not the same. He contradicts Linda.
"Lucifer, just tell her about all this."
"Are you sure?"
"Trust me, I'm the Doctor." She says and Lucifer chuckles. "More seriously, Chloe needs to know you trust her enough to tell her about what's on your mind and that you trust her to have your back if necessary." She hears some ruffling on the other side of the line. "Maybe not tonight. Give her some space."
"Oh, Okay." The Devil says as he drops his jacket on the chair. "What if…"
"No excuse, Lucifer." Linda stops. "Or is the Devil scared of a little talk?" She teases him. But before he can reply, she continues. "Just talk to her tomorrow and be fully honest with her."
"If you insist." He agrees. "Good night Doctor and thanks for calling."
"You're welcome. Keep me posted."
The next morning - Outside of Chloe's condo
Lucifer arrives bright and early to talk to the Detective - as bright and early as the Devil could do anyway. He stops right before he opens the door, Linda's reaction still in his head the last time he barged in her office. He decides to go against his instinct and knocks instead. He looks surprised when Trixie opens the door.
"Hi, Lucifer!"
"Didn't your mother tell you no to open the door, without first asking who's on the other side?" He first says. When she keeps staring, he continues. "Good morning, Small Human."
Trixie smiles as she sees his puzzlement. "Mom isn't here at the moment. And Maze left not long ago."
"I see." He takes a step inside the house. "Who brings you to school then?"
"Toby's mom."
"Do I know this Toby?"
"Very funny, Lucifer." She says as she readies her backpack, although not fully convinced it was indeed a joke. She pauses. "Is Mom alright?"
"Why would you say that?"
"Well, the lady that came earlier this morning kinda scared me."
"The lady? Dark hair, tall, looking like female me?"
"Yeah."
"Have you told anyone about her?"
"No, but…"
"Don't tell anyone about this visit, especially not your mother or Maze."
"Why?"
"Just trust me."
"Okay." She finally agrees. "Are You and Mom okay?"
"Why would you ask this?"
"She didn't say anything yet but I know you two are now together and last night Maze was supposed to look after me because she was with you, but when Mom came home, she was very angry and sad. And Maze kept saying she ought to kick your stupid ass until you reached the Silver City." Lucifer chooses not to reply for now. Trixie puts her hands on her hips. "You make her very happy when you're not being dumb and all, and I like you, so you better not flunk this up and fix it!"
He looks surprised, not sure how to react after just being scolded by a child. He rearranges his clothes. "You have my word. I'll do my best to not flunk this up, Urchin."
"Good, because remember Maze and I know where you live." Trixie finishes, a smile on her face.
"Whatever you say. Have a good day, Child."
He exits and gets in his car, on his way to the precinct.
LAPD Precinct - Main Bullpen - Around 11'
Lucifer makes a beeline for Chloe's desk before she notices him and avoids him with some stupid excuse.
"Good morning, Detective."
She looks up but doesn't reply. However, her eyes say plenty about her current state of mind.
"Do you have a minute to spare."
"Not really. I'm working on a pretty big case."
"Can I help?"
"Not really." She says.
"Then can we talk?"
She exhales loudly. "I don't know, are you ready to be completely honest?" She asks, expecting his fake-hurt reply at her insinuation he could be a liar.
"Yes." He replies.
Chloe quickly hides her surprise. "Lucifer, this isn't a game to me."
"Neither is it to me, I assure you."
"Fine." She agrees. "I think one of the interrogation room is free."
Lucifer feels a weight he didn't know he had lifted as she stands up and heads for the interrogation room. "After you." He takes a breath, getting ready to share all of his turmoil with Chloe.
As soon as the door closes behind him, Chloe crosses her arms on his chest, her body language clear. The Devil looks back, clearly out of his territory, and utterly unsure where to start. He keeps his hands in his pocket to hide, as much as possible, his uneasiness.
"Do you want to take a seat, Detective?"
Chloe takes pity on him and softens her features. She uncrosses her arm as she realizes backing him into a corner might not be the greatest idea, but then the flash of Lilith at his place and how she felt hits her and she closes off once again.
"Well don't mind if I do." Lucifer says, stalling.
"Lucifer…" Chloe warns him.
"Alright, alright." He replies. "No need to be in such a hurry."
"I"m not." She defends herself. "You're the one who wanted to talk straight away."
"Indeed." He says. "Because if I don't do it now, I might never do so." he adds in his head. "So what do you want to know about Lilith?"
"What do you have to say about her, apart from the fact that nothing happened, which I believe is true, so no need to convince me."
"Oh?" He says, surprised. "Well, as you know, Lilith and I had…"
"What is she doing here?" She asks, not really motivated to hear in more details about his past history with the demoness.
"I'm not entirely sure."
"Then what do you think of it?"
"Not much so far. She told me she was here to reconnect with Maze, but I won't let her."
"Why?"
He thinks for a minute telling Chloe about Lilith's surprise visit to her house but decides against it. "It's complicated."
Chloe sits on the table near him. "Lucifer," She starts. "Have I given you any reason to make you doubt me?"
"Not that I can think of."
"I have accepted you're the actual Devil and I still haven't run away, despite all that happens the last days."
"Indeed you haven't." He replies, a smile on his face. "But there's a big difference between knowing who I am and having a detailed history of what I did while I ruled over Hell."
"You're not this person anymore." She replies.
"That's just it. What if I still am." He pauses. "I feel no guilt for what I did back in Hell." He adds, not sure about where this confession came from.
"You didn't know Humanity as much as you do now. Everyone has a past, and the Devil is no exception to this." She faintly smiles. "You're not who you were when you first came to Earth. And I know you couldn't be that same person anymore." When he doesn't reply, she puts her hand on his. "Just trust me." He smiles. "So why do you not want Maze to see Lilith. She can take care of herself."
"The relationship between Maze and Lilith is complicated and very toxic." He starts. "Whereas I never considered Maze as family, but as a servant of mine with great potential…"
"A servant?" Chloe asks, a bit shocked.
"She was created to serve me." He simply says. "But I agree our relationship has evolved into something along the lines of friendship over the years." He pauses. "As I was saying, she had potential and she rose quickly amongst the other demons, surpassing even the best ones. However, Lilith did all she could to make Maze understand she was like a mother to her, and since she took part in her creation, she kinda was." He takes a break and looks at the table. "But Lilith was never one to accept disobedience lightly. The more Maze climbed the ladder of power, the more my respect for her grew until I considered her as my right-hand general. Maze was the only one allowed in the private section of my Palace in Hell."
"Your Palace?"
"Well you don't expect a king to simply stand on his throne and not be worshipped, now do you?" He says, with the slightest hint of nostalgia. "Anyway, as her position requested, I gifted her a specific blade made of a metal that could kill even an archangel. When Lilith learned about this, she soon realised Maze could be useful to her in another way."
"How?"
"Maze slowly started to replace Lilith in many ways, she was smarter, stronger and followed my orders to the letter. It didn't take me long to ask Lilith to step back. She didn't take it well and figured that if she couldn't rule as Queen, she would rule as King in place of the current one." He shifts his position on the chair. "So she made sure Maze was her favourite of all, ensuring both her loyalty and the removal of any support from her peers at the same time. She completely isolated her from the rest of the pack, and once this was done, she asked her the unthinkable."
"Which was?"
"To use my gift to end my life and offer the throne to her."
"And did she…" She stops before the end.
"No. Instead she warned me about Lilith's intention." He stops as he realises he asked the same thing of Maze Lilith did when he ordered her to kill Amenadiel after her betrayal. The sting of guilt hits him. "And Lilith didn't take too well."
"What happened?"
"She burnt Maze's face for days until the burn was so deep, Maze couldn't heal anymore." He says, his rage barely concealed as he recalls the moment Maze came to him after days of accepting her punishment. "After this, I granted her the ability to glamour her injuries away so she wouldn't be reminded of what Lilith did to her each time she saw a mirror, because she simply respected the oath she took to be loyal to me and protect me."
"Maze never mentioned this." Chloe says as the news sinks in. "Why would she ever want to see her again after all this?"
"For the same reason, she defended her as I wanted to obliviate her after her failed assassination attempt."
"What happened after this?"
"I made the mistake of listening to Maze and was lenient. I decided to let this one slide and imprisoned her for a few decades, thinking it would be enough."
"But she tried again?"
"Indeed." He closes his fists. "She allied with one of my higher demons to overthrow me, pushing Maze first hand in the fire once again." He takes a breath, his skin almost crimson. "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, well let's just say she didn't stay near long enough to hear the rest of the saying." Pain and anger cross his features. "What I did after this incident was pure cruelty. I had to show them all what challenging me would cost them. The torture I inflicted on those responsible had to exemplary. And yet I feel no guilt over this." He finishes.
"What happened to Lilith?"
"I first locked her in custom-made Hell, but when she didn't break, I simply changed her prison for another with nothing but blackness."
"So what now?"
"I don't know." He replies honestly. "At first, I thought she would try to get her revenge on me, but it doesn't seem to be the case. So I have no idea what her plan is, and that's truly terrifying." He finally says.
Chloe forgets where they are, taken aback by his reaction. She thought nothing could scare the Devil. She does the only thing she can think of to comfort him and brings his lips to hers. All the tension and pain of the previous days dissipate into the kiss and soon what started as innocent escalates to more than PG. When the door opens, they both look at the intruder out of breath.
"Look, Guys, as much as I dig you two together, and the hotness of it." Ella says with a wink. "I need the room for actual police use." She laughs.
"Of course." Lucifer replies, caught off-guard. "Bye Miss Lopez."
Both exit the room, the tension still palpable. Lucifer looks back at Chloe, pupils almost black, partly from the arousal, and partly from the relief she was still there.
"Do you wanna come over later?"
"I can't tonight." She says. "I haven't spent a lot of time with Trixie recently, and with all that's going on…"
"I understand." He replies. "The Spawn comes first."
"But you could come over for dinner and stay for the night?" She asks, unsure about the Devil's reaction. Lucifer's smile widens. "After all, she knows about us, but I still haven't made the official introductions." She winks.
"I'd be delighted. I'll bring the wine. We both know what you have won't do at all ." He jokes.
"See you at 7 then."
"See you, Chloe."
Next chapter will most probably contain a bit of smut here and then XD. And a bit more action as the final part of the plot unfolds ;).
Thanks again for all the likes, kudos, comments and all 3.