Lucifer spent the next several hours making sure that Chloe and Trixie got everything they needed. Hot showers, food, and clean sheets had both mother and daughter asleep quickly. Lucifer sat next to the bed, and watched them. It had been too close. Another moment and the fire would have taken them. Anger shimmered through his veins at the thought. He punched in Michael's number on his cellphone and waited.

Michael felt the phone in his pocket buzz. He stopped his slow investigation of Ella's mouth and shifted just enough to fish the phone out of his pocket. He adjusted his hold on Ella to sit up on the couch and check the screen. He gave her a small smile, "It's Lucifer."

She nodded, "Tell him I know."

Michael answered his phone, "Hello, brother."

Ella heard Lucifer's angry voice, "Where are you?"

Michael sat up straighter, "I'm at Ella's apartment. She said to tell you she knows."

Lucifer gave a deep sigh, "Maybe we should just put up a billboard." He set the issue aside and got back to his main concern, "Look we don't have time for that now. Chloe and Trixie were lured into a building this afternoon and nearly burned to death. I believe one of our siblings is trying to hurt them. Or if its not a sibling, then the problems in Hell are much bigger than we thought."

"Are they all right?"

"Yes. I got to them in time. They are safe."

Michael slumped in relief. "All right. I'll get back to Hell immediately and see if I can learn anything. He disconnected the call and turned to Ella. "I have to go."

"Okay. I think I need time to process anyway." She gave him a lighthearted smile that didn't reach her eyes, "Please be careful."

Michael gave her a quick kiss, "I will. Believe me when I say that I want to get things resolved so that I can come back to you." He left quickly.

Ella closed her door, put her back against it and slid down to the floor. She closed her eyes and concentrated on her friendly 'ghost'. "Rae-rae?"

Azrael appeared in the living room and gave her friend a huge smile, "Hey, Ella. How's it going? You don't normally call me."

Ella gave her a stern look, "You've got some 'splaining to do' girl friend… or should I say Angel friend."

Azrael shrugged, "Ghost, angel, hey it's still me." She sat down near Ella, "So how'd you find out?"

"Michael told me."

Azrael pumped her fist in excitement, "Yes! You two finally met."

Ella tried to look stern, "Yes, we met. He's wonderful. But you, my friend, are in big trouble. You've lied to me all these years. Why were you even at that car wreck?"

"Well, see I'm the angel of death… and you kind of…"

Ella face went white as chalk. "I died?"

Azrael, moved closer, offering what comfort she could, "Just for a second. But I saw your soul and I knew that you had a part to play with Lucifer and Michael, and well, with me. So I fixed you."

Rae-rae cocked her head to the side and smiled happily, "Congratulations. You're a miracle."

Ella dropped her head between her knees and took a few deep breaths, "Oh boy. I need a drink."

Rae-rae gave her an affirmative nod, "Sounds like a plan. But I've got to go. Dead people are waiting, you know… Smell you later!"

Ella leaned over to curl into a ball on the floor. "Bye, Rae-Rae. Come see me in a few weeks, when my head stops exploding."

While Ella struggled with information overload, Michael made his way to the Council Chambers in Hell. He found two of his demons, Maccut and Elzienne in deep conversation. They stopped talking as soon as he approached.

"Lord Michael, do you need something?" Maccut lowered his eyes in respect as he waited for an answer.

Elzienne tipped her head in respect, but kept her eyes locked on him, her gaze full of interest.

Michael stood tall, his strong chin held high, his mouth a line of impatience – looking exactly as a commanding angel should. He got directly to the point, knowing that demons expected arrogance and thrived on orders, "Report."

The barked word made Elzienne smile, "Kennet and Camion should be here shortly. Allatia is patrolling the western plain. This morning, I found one fool of a demon on the palace wall. The idiot had managed to climb to the ledge halfway up before he realized he couldn't gain entrance. He admitted he was attempting to kill you, so as you ordered, I gave him a choice between a cell or death. He chose death."

Maccut nodded, "It's been fairly quiet. I think your claim to the throne has been accepted.

Michael looked down his nose at the demon, "Fine. But I am not pleased that an enemy got so close." His mouth tightened, "Maccut check the perimeter again. Now."

The demon pulled his broadsword in anticipation, "Yes, my lord." He gave Elzienne a look of pity as he departed.

She dropped her eyes, "My lord Michael, I've failed you."

He gave her a merciless look, "Yes." He stepped closer, "Redeem yourself by telling me the truth."

She stared into the green depths of his gaze, "You are beautiful. I will fight for you, bind myself to your rule…"

Michael stopped her, embarrassed by her words. She was loyal. The rest he ignored. "So you know nothing of a traitor inside the palace?"

She raised her chin, stunned by her foolish admission. She came out of Michael's thrall without knowing power had been used on her, "No. I have not heard anything of a traitor among us."

"You may go. Say nothing to the others."

She turned away, her eyes bleak, as she left the room, "Of course, Michael."

He allowed himself to relax marginally. Running Hell was draining. It darkened his spirit and called to his worst instincts. He felt himself slipping into savagery and marveled that Lucifer had survived for so long as the King of this realm without losing himself completely. His higher self wished that Elzienne's admission could have been treated with kindness and care, but here, such things were dangerous.

He turned to go, just as Camion stepped into the room. "My lord. I didn't expect you."

Michael studied the demon carefully, "Camion, you were here when Lucifer ruled, weren't you?"

"Yes. I've served for many centuries."

Tendrals of power surrounded Camion as Michael continued to watch, "Have you seen other angels here besides Lucifer and myself?"

Camion nodded, his eyes unfocused. "Yes.

Michael moved closer, hoping for information that would stop the attacks on Chloe and Trixie, "Who? Who have you seen?"

Camion shook his head, fighting the control but answered, "The warrior angel, Amenadiel. I saw him several times after Lucifer left."

Michael gave a disappointed sigh, "No one since I've been coming?"

The demon growled, "No."

Michael released him, and stalked out of the room. "Your silence is expected. I'm going to bed."

Once in his room, Michael paced for a while. Impatient, but tired, he lay on his back, restless in his candle-lit bedroom. So far his interrogation of the demons wasn't helpful. He didn't have any answers for Lucifer. He set the problem aside, knowing he needed to sleep, but his thoughts just circled around to the fact that he had revealed his true self to Ella. He wondered how she would feel about him after the shock wore off. He also wondered about the kiss they shared. He knew about sex, but prior to visiting Los Angeles, desire was a foreign concept. His education started when he kissed Chloe months ago. It hadn't been right with her, but since kissing Ella, his body seemed driven to experience more. He found it confusing, but at the same time, exciting to remember the feel of her lips on his, her soft body against his chest, and her hands seeking to know him. He sat up, and pushed the sheet down to his hips. His skin felt too prickly to cover. He adjusted the pillows so he could lean against the luxurious upholstered headboard. He closed his eyes, as he tried to calm his emotions. His thoughts were interrupted when he felt a presence near his bed.

A soft, female voice came from the shadows, "It's all right, Michael."

He recognized the voice, "Allatia, what is it?"

"A small matter, my lord." Her sultry voice became even more so as she stepped into the candlelight.

Michael pushed himself upright, staring as she came into the light. Her hair was unbound; rich, red waves falling over her bare shoulders. Her body was on full display under the shear green wrap she wore.

She smiled, "You've proven your ability to take what you want and control the kingdom." She walked toward him, eyes focused on his sculpted chest. "Perhaps you see something else you want to take?" She sat next to him on his bed, and leaned in to kiss his mouth.

He turned away, so that her lips barely grazed his cheek.

Un-fazed, she kissed her way down the column of his neck, biting gently at his collarbone, while one hand brushed his chest, teasing.

Michael grabbed her upper arms and moved her away. "I am not available for such entertainment. I am not Lucifer. I do not share his views on desire."

Allatia stood up and bowed her head slightly, "I am sorry my lord. I should not have assumed." She made sure to give him plenty of time to appreciate the sight of her body before she raised her eyes to meet his, "Sex here is a physical release; similar to the satisfaction you might get from a good day of battle training. And no desire is denied. I find both pain and pleasure arousing. You have only to ask."

She shrugged her shoulder, the movement drawing his attention to the rise and fall of her breasts against the sheer material covering her. "The offer is always open, should you choose to accept it." She left the bedroom as silently as she entered, leaving Michael to stare after her in confused lust.

He lay back on the bed, while the image of her filled his mind's eye. His body was more affected than he wanted to admit. Yet it wasn't Allatia he craved. He lay awake for hours, aching for Ella.

The next morning, Michael left Hell. He should have gone straight to Lucifer but a sleepless night sent him to Ella's apartment instead. He tapped on her door, "Ella, please let me in."

When the door opened, his heart went into overdrive. She smiled in greeting and he felt the world tilt. She was exactly what he wanted. Her hair was up in a messy knot. Her slender legs were on full display in a colorful Star Wars t-shirt that barely covered her bottom. With a groan, he took her into his arms and kissed her wildly. "Please tell me this is all right. I need you."

Ella searched his face as she touched her fingers to her well-kissed lips. She trailed her hands up his chest, "Oh, yes. Definitely okay." She led him to her bedroom, tugging off her top, "I'm usually more the 'take things slow' type, but right now, I need you too."

They made love in her tiny bed.