The cab driver talked the entire ride. He was trying to convince me that going to Lux was not a good idea. It was difficult to get in. He didn't realize that I had the ultimate connection to the owner.
We finally arrived. A line of scantily clad patrons wrapped around the building. I paid the driver and got out of the cab. I stood there for a moment looking at the crowd. Then I looked towards the entrance. Several bouncers stood there letting a few people in or out. I took a deep sigh and headed towards them.
A large bald black guy looked me up and down as I approached. He held a clipboard and wore a headset. His eyes narrowed as I drew closer. He folded his arms when I stopped in front of him. "Name?" His deep voice broke through over the noise of the crowd.
"Persephone."
He glanced at the clipboard. "Not on the list. Back of the line." He pointed.
I looked behind me. Sighing. I hated using my gifts. But this was a time that called for them. I focused all of my attention on the man. "Are you sure?"
In my mind I said "Of course, Go on in."
"Of course. Go on in." He stepped aside and removed the velvet rope. He shook his head as I sauntered by.
The music pulsed against the wall. I entered the main room. Barely dressed women gyrated against poles all over. Young men in suits were hitting up on the ladies. Waitresses with trays full of colored drinks milled about. I headed down a flight of stairs. I could feel the eyes of the bartender on me.
She was beautiful. Her skin a lovely shade of tan. Long black hair fell down around her round face. Her black eyes bore holes in my face. She wore a leather bodice with leather pants. It was a familiar face. One I hadn't seen in a long time. I tried to remember her name. I stopped at the bar. "Can I help you?" Her voice was sharp. Her arms were folded across her chest.
"I'm looking for Mr. Morningstar." I said to her.
She scoffed. "Who isn't." She started to walk away.
I moved down the bar after her. "Mazikeen, is it?"
She turned quickly when I said her name. Her black eyes again glaring at me. But she didn't say a word.
"Now are you going to tell me where Mr. Morningstar is?" I stared back in her eyes.
"Who wants to know?"
I met her eyes and felt as they flashed fire. "Persephone Morningstar."
"I'll go find him." She said and walked away from the bar. I stood there looking around the club. I felt out of place. I wasn't dressed in the latest fashion. Everyone here looked to be in their early twenties. I was almost thirty-four. I took a few steps away from the bar. I glanced over as the bouncer from the front door approached me with another one.
"Miss, you are going to have to come with me." He said brusquely. He reached for my arm which I dodged.
"Why?" I said smugly.
"I wasn't supposed to let you in."
"Well, that's not my fault now is it?"
The other guys stepped forward. He was taller than the other. He could pass for a WWE wrestler. "Now just come peacefully." He tried to reason with me.
I shook my head. "No." And I held my ground. The black bouncer made to grab my arm again. Swiftly I grabbed his wrist and twisted and he cried out as twisted it behind his back. He fell to his knees. The other one started towards me.
"What the hell is going on here?" I heard a smooth British accent behind me. I turned to look at him. He stood over six foot tall. His black eyes glaring at the bouncers. He wore a well-tailored black suit. Just like the one I had seen when I first met him.
I looked up at him. I dropped the guy's wrist. "Hi, Dad." The bouncers both looked shocked.
"Persephone." He said with a bit of surprise. I felt as his gaze looked me over.
The Caucasian bouncer looked at him. "Mr. Morningstar, she tricked him into letting her in." He gestured to his colleague on the floor.
My father smiled and looked at me. "Oh Persephone did you trick my bouncers into letting you in."
I smiled and shrugged. "Maybe."
He chuckled. "Naughty girl." He sighed and looked at his employees. "She can stay. Now go bak to work."
"But.."
"Go." His voice held authority. The black guy got to his feet and they both glared at me as they walked away. I turned to my father. He smiled at me and held out his arms to hug me. It was warm hug. The smell of cigarettes and whiskey permeated over cologne.
"I'm sorry Dad. I didn't mean to cause trouble."
He shook his head. "Don't worry about. Come let me look at you." He picked up my hand and looked me over. He then lead me towards a table. His gaze rested on my stomach. "My dear you are putting on some weight."
I laughed as we sat down. Mazikeen appeared with drinks. I could smell the alcohol in them so I didn't touch mine. My father picked up his and took a sip. "I'm not fat." I laughed again and patted my stomach. "Congratulations. You are going ot be a grandfather."
He scoffed. I couldn't tell if he was happy or disgusted or a little of both. Mazikeen threw back her head and laughed. "Grandpa Lucifer." He looked up at the demon. She just kept laughing.
"You can go now Maze." He waved her off. She kept laughing as she walked away. We sat in silence for a moment. I moved my head a little to music. His dark eyes rearding me. "So to what do I owe this visit?"
My throat felt scratchy. I really wanted something to drink but I didn't dare touch the alcoholic concoction sitting on the table. I shifted in the seat. The baby was really moving around making it uncomfortable. "A little angel told me you were here."
He nodded. "What else did he tell you?"
"Oh that you abandoned Hell. He wanted me to come here and convince you to return home."
He laughed. "That's not happening." He finished his drink and snapped his fingers towards the bar.
"I didn't think so." My earlier nerves melted away as I sat in his presence. "Truth be told I came because I missed you."
"You missed your daddy." His voice was little mocking. I punched his shoulder.
"Yes." It was the truth. "I'm sorry I didn't come sooner. But I didn't know you had left Hell." I guess it made sense. He usually responded to my prayers while in Hell. It also explained why my invitation to my wedding had been returned. "I hate how we left things."
He shrugged. Mazikeen arrived with another drink for him. He picked it up and took a long sip. "How did we leave things?"
"Well, you know. You were mad about my career choice. Don't you remember."
"I wasn't mad." He took another sip of his drink. "Anyways, it waters under the bridge." He smiled and looked at me. For the Devil, his smile was warm and friendly. "You look good. Happy."
"I am. You would like my husband." I pulled out my phone and scrolled through pictures. I held it up so my father could see a photo of Bryan.
"Is he a model?"
I laughed and shook my head. "No he is just a detective like me." I looked at the picture of my husband wearing a tank top. His well-muscled arms folded across his molded chest. He didn't look like a cop.
A woman walked up to us. She was wearing a very tight small dress. My father watched her every movement. I had to admit she was very attractive. She couldn't have been more than eighteen. "Excuse me Persephone. I have some things to take care of." He gestured to Mazikeen. "Take her upstairs." I stood up and hugged him before he walked away after the young woman.
I followed Mazikeen up the stairs and to an elevator. We stood in silence for a few moments. "So, how do you like living in Los Angeles?"
The demon turned her gaze to me. "It sucks." The elevator dinged and we got in. The ride up was more awkward silence. When it opened again an ornate penthouse spread out before us. Italian marble throughout. The glow of the city could be seen out the large windows. I spied a hot tub on the balcony. "Make yourself at home." Said Mazikeen.
I nodded. I tried to say something but she had already left the room. I sat down on one of the couches. Fatigue quickly took hold. Before long I was out cold asleep.