Perched on the edge of the couch, Lucifer idly twirled his cane as he listened to Charlie preach about rehabilitation benefits to the wayward souls. Her big yellow eyes were full of passion as she led the group through another trust exercise. A soft smile found its way to his face as love filled his heart. But as he began to think deeper, his smile faltered. Lilith had always been against the rehabilitation of sinners.

In the early days following their banishment to this pit of sin, Lucifer had believed in humans' ability to choose right from wrong. He had been convinced that goodness always triumphed over evil and that humans, when given the choice, would choose the path of God. But he had been sorely mistaken. Thousands of years passed, and that hope began to die in his chest. Watching the pits of Hell fill to the brink with sinners, day after day, led Lucifer down a path of despair. Humans, when given the choice, would almost always choose the path of least resistance.

And Lilith, she had used this human weakness to her advantage. Her voice and songs infiltrated the ears of every sinner brought down to Hell. Humans were more of a commodity to her than a group of human souls. They had furthered her music career and followed her to the ends of the earth, worshiping at her feet. Lucifer had allowed it, mainly because he hadn't seen the error of her ways then. Humans had disparaged his gift of free will, using it to commit heinous acts of murder and depravity. If they wanted to give themselves over to the throes of obsession, who was he to stop it?

But Lucifer's icy heart began to melt as he watched Angel Dust embrace Nifty in a genuine hug. He knew that human souls had the capacity to grow and change, but for the longest time, he had lost the ability to believe it. For Charlie's sake, though, he supported her dreams, knowing that if anyone could do it, she could. Charlie's unwavering optimism was a beacon of hope in the darkness of Hell. Watching her joyfully cheer on the hotel's residents brought tears to his eyes. Wiping them away, the pride that swept through him was immeasurable until something dawned on him. One of their small group was missing.

Counting the heads in the circle, Lucifer noted that the hotel's newest member was nowhere to be seen. That ungrateful sinner! At a hellish hour, Charlie had bounded into his room, Vaggie half asleep in the doorway, and begged him to help cook the girl a welcome breakfast. Her large eyes had been wide with excitement, and in his half-asleep state, he had fallen prey to them; he couldn't say no to his little girl. He'd never been able to.

Then, he saw the look of vague disinterest on the girl's face at breakfast, and it enraged him. Why bother staying at the hotel if she wasn't even going to try? Lucifer had seen Charlie's look of hurt at Venus' apathy, and it had only stoked the fire of his anger. Now, she didn't even have the decency to attend the group activities.

But there was that other nagging feeling in the back of his head—that feeling of familiarity, the longing to get to know her, that feeling of connection when he'd looked into her eyes. Something about her, about her soul, felt familiar like she was a part of him. But that doesn't even make sense. Lucifer had never felt that way toward anyone but Lilith, let alone toward a sinner. The thought annoyed him further.

Lucifer could feel the blood boiling in his veins as his horns slid out of his skull, his anger getting the best of him. Tail whipping around his legs, it had a mind of his own as it swished back and forth. Taking deep breaths to calm himself before he made a spectacle, he caught the eye of the Radio Demon.

Red eyes met his own and narrowed, Alastor's smile turning smug at the look of hatred on Lucifer's face. Alastor dissipated into thin air, the dark shadow of his reappearing at Lucifer's side before the man himself. Whispering so that they could only hear, Alastor's radio voice turned low: "It seems that you've finally noticed Venus is not here. Hmmm? Oh my, what are you going to tell Charlie? It will be such a letdown for her."

Lucifer curled his lip in response, a low growl in his throat. "Keep them busy. I don't want Charlie upset. She hasn't noticed yet," Lucifer said, eyes on his happy daughter.

Radio static met his ears as Alastor chuckled, "Of course, your Highness! I would never want Charlie to see her newest project is nowhere to be found. But…I saw her slip out the front door just after breakfast."

Lucifer's eyes burned, the sclera's red, "And you're just telling me this now?"

Alastor hummed in response before dissolving again and reappearing behind Charlie's shoulder, a nonchalant smile on his face. Lucifer growled low in his throat, enough for the man to hear, but the only response was a twitch of Alastor's ears.

Rolling his eyes, he stood and brushed off his coat, ridding himself of the slimy energy left behind by the Hotelier. Straightening his shoulders, he backed away, careful not to be noticed, before he headed to the dining room. Tail still swishing around his legs, his anger was palpable.

Eyes scanning the floor, he found nothing but the corpses of dead bugs and crumbs left behind. Nifty, what a marvelous housekeeper. Snapping his fingers, the room was spotless in seconds, and he huffed into the silent room.

He wanted to believe that Venus had just gotten cold feet, but after ten thousand years of disappointment, it was hard to shake the intuitive feeling in his soul. Finally, spotting a piece of blue metal on the rug that his magic had somehow missed, he felt that anger stoke his soul again. Fire shooting from his nose, Lucifer went up in a puff of smoke, transporting himself to the center of Pentagram City, where he would no doubt find her.


Turning up his nose at the stench of death, he stepped over the numerous corpses of his people. With a swish of his hand, the remnants vanished, leaving the street clean once more. The eyes within the walls watched his eye movement, and he shivered, unused to being out in public.

Flashes of light could be seen in the corner of his eye, and whispers reached his ears.

"Look, it's the King!"

"Oh my Satan, it's Lucifer!"

"My…he's more handsome in person than I thought."

The last one made his leather boots halt as he turned to the voice. A bodacious imp with her son was busy snapping a picture, and Lucifer flashed her a quick smile before pulling up his collar and ducking into an alleyway. He'd need a better plan than this; he drew too much attention. And who knows where that infernal sinner even was? Probably regained her sense of depravity and couldn't help herself.

Snorting in derision, Lucifer snapped his fingers and watched as the world grew taller around him. Transformed into a mouse, Lucifer knew he wouldn't cover as much ground, but he'd at least be safe from prying eyes. Skittering out to the street, Lucifer scrunched up his nose again. The smell of decay was closer now. Almost gagging, he quickly covered ground, running up buildings and looking in, hoping for a glance of Venus.

Stopping into a few stores here and there, Lucifer talked with trustworthy shopkeepers, but none had seen her. Running out of patience, Lucifer reached the edge of town, turning up his nose at the lowlifes that hung around the area. Drunks throwing bottles and yelling obscenities exited the numerous bars that littered the strip.

The blue and pink lights from the bar signs reflected off the puddles as he did his best to avoid the commotion around him. Spotting the building he was looking for up ahead, Lucifer transformed himself into a cat. He easily slipped through the shop door as the bell rang behind him, narrowly avoiding the sinners who trampled through on their way out. Growling at them as they passed, he turned up his nose as they giggled down at him.

"Aw, who let a fluffy little thing like you in this place?" The sinners jeered as their laughter followed them down the street.

Rolling his eyes, Lucifer spotted the man he wanted to see. Transforming back into himself, the red magic swirled through his veins, leaving him the perfect picture of grace. The rest of the store was empty, save for the giant demon behind the glass counter.

"Ah, Luci! You big bad Devil!" The man said, his voice booming across the space. His large red hands waved him over. "What have I done to be graced with your presence? Another gift for the missus, eh?" He grinned jovially at him, cleaning down the display case before him.

Lucifer's cheeks reddened, "No, no, Luciano, nothing for the missus and I. We are…not together anymore."

Luciano's face fell, his black mustache drooping, "Oh no, Luci, you must come and tell me all about it sometime. I did not mean to offend you. I tend not to keep up with politics. It's a bit messy in this town," he gestured out the window at the spectacle of two drunk men fighting in the street.

Lucifer felt his mood dropping, the shame still coloring his face. Memories of Lilith tilted back, her mouth open in a moan of pleasure as he thrust in and out of her, a toy buzzing on her clit, bringing them both closer and closer to that precipice of pleasure…

Luciano cleared his throat, "So, Boss? What can I do you for?"

Lucifer snapped out of his reverie, his cheeks glowing red with embarrassment as he tried to not look at the shelf of monster dildos behind his friend's head. Pulling on his collar for air, Lucifer released the breath he'd been holding and cleared his head.

Pulling out his phone, Lucifer held up the group picture Charlie had taken of them all last night cuddled around the fireplace. Venus sat on the edge of the chaise lounge, her smile bright, her brown eyes alluring.

Handing his phone over to Luciano, Lucifer sighed, "Have you seen this redheaded sinner?" Pinching the bridge of his nose, he continued, "She's a guest at Charlie's hotel, I'm sure you've heard of it? Anyway, we all saw her this morning; Charlie and I cooked a big breakfast for her, and she just…disappeared afterward. I found this on the carpet." Lucifer pulled out the remnant of the glowing blue chain, watching as Luciano's eyes widened in shock.

"Aye, Boss? I haven't seen her, but that sure looks like a…." Luciano's thick fingers reached out for the piece of metal, "This here is a soul contract chain, is it not? It's definitely not like anything I sell here, Luci."

Lucifer frowned as his friend handed him back the piece of metal. A soul contract! Of course! It had been eons since Lucifer had dabbled in that kind of magic. Soul ownership held no interest for him since he ruled over the eternity of Hell anyway. The only kind of soul contract he'd made had been with Lilith as part of their BDSM fun. It had been a mere commodity in the bedroom. Not that their contract existed anymore…

"Hmmm, well, thanks anyway, my old friend. I'm sure I can track this easily enough," Lucifer said, hoping he came off as nonchalant.

Luciano looked at him with slanted eyes and shook his head, "Luci, it's not like it used to be. There's some depraved fucks out there; they put clauses in these contracts, making them impossible to crack or break. Well, I guess you'd know that. Hey! How come you don't know where she'd be? I remember you used to know everything about everyone!"

Lucifer felt sweat prickle his brow. The consequences of his years of depression were catching up to him. "Ah, well, sometimes these sinners slip through the cracks," he smiled awkwardly at his friend.

Luciano raised an eyebrow, "Well, it ain't my place to ask, Boss, but I'll keep an eye out for the broad. And hey! If you and the missus get back together or are just looking for some fun, you know where to find my shop. I'm always open," he said with a wink.

Never going to happen. Lucifer nodded, feeling awkward at the thought of Lilith, or being with anyone else in that way.

"Thanks, old friend, I'll be in touch," Lucifer said over his shoulder on the way out, his eyes bulging at the size of some of the straps-on the window display. The bell jingled its merry tune as Lucifer exited the shop, the rank air hitting his nostrils at once. Scrunching up his nose, Lucifer transformed into a mouse, his paws feeling icky on the sticky pavement.


Lucifer felt his patience wearing thin after about two hours of nonsense. His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he transformed back into himself, ignoring the gasps of recognition as he did so.

"Hey, Dad! Where'd you go? I didn't even notice you'd left! Well, anyway, we kind of have a problem. Venus is gone, and I'm really worried about her. Do you think it was something I said? Maybe I scared her off this morning…."

Lucifer sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, a headache brewing in his temples. He knew that he believed in Charlie and her dream of redemption, but he also knew to not expect too much from each and every sinner. Not everyone could be saved. He just wished Charlie could see that. Sighing, he stared down at the text, his head swirling with anxiety. If only I hadn't shirked off my duties to the other Sins…then we wouldn't be in this mess. Fuck, fuck, fuck!

Shaking his head, he stopped and put his phone in his pocket. Straightening his jacket, he tried to ignore the photos snapping around him. Pulling down his hat, he walked quickly, looking into every shop and store window. If only he hadn't stopped doing the paperwork for the new sinners. He'd know where Venus was, what she was capable of, who she had been. He knew nothing about any of the people in the Pride Ring. Lucifer had stopped tormenting and torturing souls when they entered his ring eons ago, around the 1800s, finding it more tedious than fun. In fact, every part of running Hell had become dull. But now, he knew he'd have to pay a visit to one of his fellow sins. Maybe Belphegor was doing the paperwork now? Or was it Satan? Lucifer's headache grew stronger as he tried to remember who he'd shoved the job off onto in his fits of depression.

Groaning aloud, his feet stopped, and he mustered the courage to text his daughter.

"Don't worry, my little apple pie. Your dad's on the case. You did a wonderful job! I'm sure Venus is just scared of being in a new place. I'll take care of it."

The bubbles popped up as Charlie read the message immediately, no doubt beside herself in the arms of Vaggie.

"Thanks, Dad, you're the best! :)"

Lucifer smiled down at his phone, lost in thought. It had been a long time since his daughter had been so friendly with him. It made his heart sing. That familiar pang of guilt hit him as he thought of all those years he'd wasted alone in his manor—seven long years of agonizing loneliness and isolation. His feet started moving again of their own accord. He didn't care where he was going anymore, just staring at the text Charlie sent him.

Lost in his own world, Lucifer felt a familiar sensation overcome him, and he stopped walking. Angelic notes reached his ears, wafting out of the confines of a club. The music held a beauty he had long since forgotten, and Lucifer felt his feet moving not of their own accord. Pushing past the heavy velvet curtain, Lucifer felt mesmerized as he walked on air through the crowded club. His eyes were wide with wonder as he looked upon the singer, her red hair covering half of her face. As she sang her last note, she looked up, her brown eyes connecting with his, and Lucifer felt as if he'd been dosed with ice.

Venus.