I do not own anything related to Lucifer, DC Comics, Vertigo, or Sandman series, either thru television, written books, or film. Everything belongs to Tom Kapinos, Fox, and mentioned above. I do own all the created characters. I do not own any songs, or literature mentioned. They are included to enhance the written words. Please read, review, and enjoy!
Chapter Thirteen
Song(s): Take Five (Dave Brubeck), Show Me Your Soul (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Beyond a Mortal (Austra)
345 E 1st Street, Apt 3, Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, California…
Standing outside the apartment door as she listened to the Lieutenant descending the stairs to the sidewalk outside, Miriam tightened her fingers around her picture identification badge and security card pass as she felt the sharp edges of the plastic cutting into the palm of her hand.
"You know I saw him kissing you."
Hearing Dakota's low voice as her roommate slowly pulled open the door, Miriam turned and said nothing as she saw the hint of smile on her best friends lips.
"Are you going to follow him? If anything, he's probably waiting for you downstairs" Dakota grinned as Miriam turned, keeping her mouth firmly shut. Catching her roommate's snide look, she took a step towards the threshold and watched as Dakota ducked out of the way of the flying badge and security pass. Hearing both pieces land on the hardwood floor boards, the young woman turned and started for the stairs as she heard Dakota's words of wisdom following her down.
"Make sure you use a condom!"
Rounding the stairs on the second floor, Miriam slowed her steps as she felt a rush of blood to her head.
What are you going to say if he is outside?
What are you going to do if he is just standing there, waiting for you?
What are you going to do?...
"Please be outside Lieutenant" she whispered as she took a deep breath and pushed open the broken building door on the first floor. Feeling the warmth of the evening Los Angeles air hitting her face as she stepped out onto the sidewalk, she moved her eyes around and immediately felt pathetic as she spied no one around.
Why do you keep doing this to yourself Miriam?
"Why would I think he was here waiting for me. Dakota told him I had a date…" she spoke to herself as she remembered the feeling of his lips against her earlobe.
"You looked more in pain with my words, than impressed Marcus Pierce. But I'd still lead you to the nearest alleyway and back up against a dirty wall." Walking along the inner part of the curb towards the parking garage on the other side of the red brick building, Miriam squeezed her keys between the flesh of her fingers as she laid eyes on her Honda Civic.
Staring through the glass of the windshield belonging to the navy ghost car he had signed out earlier in the day, Pierce rubbed at the light scruff around his jaw as he watched the young woman settling into the driver's seat of her car. Watching her backup lights glowing in the dark, he glanced down at the soft glow of his mobile phone taking in the time before he threw the Charger into gear.
So, you're following her now Cain?
Gripping the top of the steering wheel tightly with one hand as he kept back a distance, Pierce narrowed his eyes on the road in front of him as he slowed to turn right onto Judge John Aiso passing a brightly lit Downtown Fitness Center.
"Where are you going Miriam?" he whispered to himself in the empty car. Hearing the vibration of his mobile, he quickly glanced down to see the name DECKER flash across the screen before letting out a groan. Tossing the device onto the dashboard, he ignored the second text vibration as he watched the Honda Civic turn towards East Temple.
"Not now Decker" he gruffed, watching Miriam turning onto the US-101 North.
You are becoming obsessed with her
He would never admit to anyone, but at this very moment as he drove six car lengths behind in distance from the bumper of the Honda Civic, he felt intense jealousy as he pictured in his mind a young male, probably from the University crowd with awkward hands and only one thing on his mind with the end of the night goal of getting laid.
Rolling his shoulders as he felt the Charger engine picking up speed, Pierce watched as the Civic stayed towards the right before signaling and taking the ramp for Cahuenga. Tapping the edge of his thumb against the wheel, he frowned as he took in the crowded sidewalks and lights of Hollywood Boulevard.
Not where I would take you for a date
Tucking his chin into his chest as he slowed down for a red light, Cain moved his eyes left and right before he recognized just how close they were in proximity to LUX.
"You have got to be fucking kidding me."
Muttering as he watched Tyler signal and pull into the dark alleyway of Lucifer Morningstar's nightclub, he continued to drive and spun the wheel around in a U-turn as he ignored the blaring of car horns and stuck up fingers. Pulling over against the curb just down from LUX, his hard-blue eyes took in the long line up outside the club just as he heard the light tapping of acrylic fingernails against the passenger side window.
"Ten bucks for ten minutes handsome."
Moving his eyes onto the young blonde as she smiled her lipstick stained lips, Pierce shook his head and held up his shield without offering a word as he heard her cuss from the other side of the glass.
"Is your date with Lucifer Morningstar?" he whispered to himself as he felt his jaw becoming rigid with the very thought of her in his company. Moistening his lips, he could taste the remnants of Miriam's faint vanilla lip balm as he debated whether to follow her inside or keep watch if she came out with someone other than Lucifer.
Gripping the steering wheel tightly as his eyes fell over the lined-up women dressed up for a night out on the town in short skirts, heeled shoes, and over the top makeup, he knew he could not stay in the vehicle without seeing the young student with his own eyes.
I need to see you Miriam
…
LUX Nightclub, 6868 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, California…
"Can anyone just go upstairs to his penthouse?" Miriam questioned out loud as she watched the elevator doors close before her. Feeling the lift taking her up to the very top of the building, she leaned her back against the glass wall and stared at the stainless-steel buttons.
Maybe that's the point. He wants all the attention, keep no one away because he is Lucifer Morningstar, Devil Extraordinaire
"Attention whore."
Hearing the low ding of the elevator, she watched as the doors slowly opened to reveal the dimly lit open concept floor. Stepping into the open living room, Miriam moved her eyes over to the black baby grand piano and caught sight of a seated Lucifer Morningstar on the bench, slowly rolling up the uncuffed sleeves of his white Tom Ford dress shirt.
"You are late Lab Rat."
Biting her tongue as she slowly walked across the floor towards the piano, Miriam gave a quick glance towards the wall of expensive bottles of liquor before coming to stand beside the baby grand.
"I…had an unexpected visitor at my door" she replied as Lucifer smiled before stretching his fingers. Playing the opening notes to Brubeck's Take Five as the Devil closed his eyes, Miriam watched as he relaxed his shoulders.
"Let me guess, six feet three inches tall, blue eyes that would bring any man or woman to their knees, and a jaw so square it could cut glass?"
He's making fun of me
"Are you finished?" she spat as Lucifer gave a slight nod of his head.
"Come and sit. Do you play?"
"Play the piano? Or mind games?" Miriam questioned as Lucifer shifted slightly on the bench to make room.
"Both?"
Listening to the notes of the famous jazz piece as the man beside her moved his fingers effortlessly over the black and white keys, Miriam felt the slight jealousy as she wished her parents had allowed her to pursue such interests. Even though Fairfield was a city with over one hundred and fourteen thousand people, they had lived in the countryside on the small farm just down from the church.
(Flashback)
"Miriam, wasting time by tinkering away at the piano instead of helping your father farming for our livelihoods is just a waste of your physical ability…"
Hearing her mother's voice in her head as she watched Lucifer resting his fingertips on the hood beside an empty glass tumbler, she shrugged her shoulders with an irritated feeling.
"I would be willing to give you some private lessons Lab Rat. You, me, and a bottle of Scotch for dessert," Lucifer smiled as Miriam shifted to place more space between her and the seated man.
"It must really bother you to have to keep after me all the time as I don't fall under your little seductive spell automatically" the young woman teased as Lucifer let out a cough.
"Trust me, if I really wanted you, you wouldn't stand a chance with my little seductions."
Hearing his deep words, Miriam cleared her throat as she rose to her feet.
Lucifer Morningstar knows no boundaries or ethics
Remember that
Staring at the still seated well dressed man as he scratched at the side of his chin, Miriam felt a number of questions forming on her lips as she glanced at the tumbler.
"Thirsty?"
"I've heard, that people say you are the Devil."
Rising to his feet as he took up his empty glass, Lucifer smiled as he walked around the bench before stopping to stand beside her.
"Do you think I am the Devil?" he breathed as Miriam turned around to face the bar.
"I think you are a con man with a flair for the dramatic."
Moving towards the wall of alcohol, she stopped at the wooden bar as Lucifer walked around. Picking up a glass bottle with no label, he re-filled his glass before pouring one for her.
"Doesn't the Devil play tricks?" he questioned, watching Miriam taking a small sip as her lips spread into a grin.
"Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made."
Somehow, she knew that quoting scripture, the few sentences that she had bothered to memorize from her childhood would set him off.
But it wasn't proof that he was the Devil
"If you'd please not speak of my Father in conversation with me, I'd greatly appreciate it" he growled, downing all the liquid in his tumbler in a single swallow.
Shaking her head slightly, she couldn't believe she was about to egg him on by asking the foolish question that had suddenly formed in her head.
"Do something to prove that you are the Devil."
How fucking stupid am I to ask this?
There is no such thing as the Devil, or God, or Heaven, or Hell…
"Trust me my girl, if I could show you my Devil face right here and now you'd never question anything ever again."
This is insane
"So, no proof? Equals no Devil. You are not the Devil" she spoke firmly as Lucifer propped his chin up on the palm of his hand.
"Oh, I am the Devil Miriam Tyler, and one day, your mind will break enough for me to show you" he purred as she gently pushed her glass away.
"If you are able to hypnotize me, what makes me think that you didn't plant in my mind the idea of Cain and Abel?"
"Ah, so you've been doing some research on your own."
"Mr. Morningstar, I grew up with overtly religious bible thumping parents with a younger brother who wants to become a Priest. We were always reminded of the story of Cain and Abel whenever we fought."
"And?"
"A work of fiction."
"There is more to your heartthrob Lieutenant than you believe Lab Rat. Mark my words when I say that I would not and will not ever lie to you. Marcus Pierce is Cain from your childhood Bible stories."
Now I am getting really pissed off
"WITH WHAT PROOF?!"
"Ask him."
Ask him?
ASK HIM?!
"Sure, why not. Hey Lieutenant Pierce, are you Cain from the Bible? You know, Cain and Abel…"
And Seth
Freezing in place as she felt a cold wave washing over her entire body, Miriam felt her breathing growing shallow as a sudden dryness coated the back of her throat.
(Flashback)
"Do you have any siblings?"
"Two brothers. We haven't spoken…in years."
"What are their names?"
"Abel and Seth."
"Right…that's very biblical of your parents…"
Raising her eyes onto Lucifer's, she watched his lips slowly pulling into a wide smile.
"Cain, Abel, and Seth."
…
In a world that can be so insane
I don't think it's very strange
For me to be in love with you
I wanna know more than your brain
Resting his hands on the balcony railing in front of him, Pierce scanned his eyes over the crowd on the floor below as he squinted, trying to drown out the booming beats of the Red Hot Chili Peppers sounding over the ceiling speakers.
But if she were here for Lucifer, she would be upstairs in the penthouse
Feeling a sharp pain in his stomach as he tightened his hands around the railing, he raised his eyes to the dark ceiling above him as he felt the warmth of a body coming to stand beside him.
"I don't suppose, you are here to see me, are you?"
Looking down into Maze's dark eyes, he watched as she traced the tip of her tongue along her top lip in seduction.
"Not even in the slightest."
Hearing his curt response as she dragged the tips of her fingernails sharply along the flesh of his knuckles, the Demon rose onto the tips of her heeled boots as she spoke near his ear.
"Then you must be here for that cute little girl that just went up to the penthouse."
Into my life, you were injected
Not something that I expected
Now I smile from your affection
We have made a soul connection
Just for whom does your bell toll
Don't be cold show me your soul
So, she is here for Lucifer
Moving away from the demon at his side, Pierce walked down the staircase straight towards the far side of the long bar and took a seat with a good view of the balcony. If she came down from the penthouse, she would have to come by the balcony to leave by the front door.
Yes, I find you so appealing
When you show me how you're feeling
You, my friend, need not be kneeling
Open up and start revealing
Trust in me, my heart is sole
I need to see, show me your soul
…
10:21pm
Pushing away the only bottle of Budweiser beer that he had been working on for the last hour, Pierce raised his eyes just in time to spot the back of Miriam's shirt disappearing into a crowd of people near the balcony.
There she goes
Alone
Rising to his feet as he scowled upon spying Maze's smiling face moving towards him from the other side of the bar, Marcus Pierce reached into his jean pocket for his wallet as Maze leaned in close.
"Your money is no good here Cain" she smiled, licking her lips with a low growl before pulling back the flesh on her face to reveal a dead sunken eye.
"Not your best side Demon."
Hearing Pierce's snide remark, Maze extended her middle finger up high as the Officer made his way towards the balcony. Turning left towards the set of stainless steel elevators, he listened to the sound of his Blundstone boots thumping across the floor as the beats of the music started to fade.
…
"I don't believe in faith. There must be proof. Proof of…something."
Whispering to herself as she stifled a yawn with her hand, Miriam reached into her pocket and felt around to the back before letting out a string of curses.
"I did not just leave my keys back in that penthouse" she moaned, slamming the palm of her hand down on the hood of her car. Turning around, she raised her eyes up to the very top of the building and felt her stomach sink as she took in the soft lighting. Shaking her head as she gave a serious thought to walking home and approaching Lucifer the following morning at the prescient for her keys, Miriam sighed as she walked back down the alleyway towards the front double doors.
"You wouldn't be the first woman to come back to Lucifer's penthouse more than once in the same night."
Wincing as the bouncer standing in front of the door looked her over with judgmental eyes, Miriam was about to reach into her pocket for the twenty dollar bill she had stuffed in earlier when she straightened her back.
"And I'm sure Lucifer Morningstar would not be pleased to hear that you were the one responsible for the halting of my presence for his enjoyment" she dared, feeling sick as she put out the suggestion that she was offering herself to the man in the penthouse.
Stepping through the door as it was held open, her ears picked up the ending notes of a song that sounded like it belonged on a catwalk of models as she walked to the elevator doors. Watching them open without her pressing the button, she stepped back just as a dark-skinned woman with shoulder length dark brown hair and black eyeliner eyes gave a sly smile.
"Going…up?"
"Uh…."
Stepping into the elevator, Miriam caught her reflection in the glass wall directly in front of her and noticed the woman at her side staring with intense interest.
"God, you smell good."
Shrugging her shoulders as she closed her eyes, she mentally cursed herself for just not walking home as she heard the woman shifting closer.
I don't even remember taking the keys out of my pocket
Unless…
"Oh, that shit head."
Smiling as she heard Miriam's curse, Maze reached out and lightly dragged a fingernail down the length of the young woman's sleeve.
"You must be talking about my Boss."
Shifting her eyes onto Maze, Miriam felt the halting of the elevator as she caught the woman holding out a hand.
"The name is Mazikeen,"
"Forgive me for not wanting to shake your hand if you are familiar with Lucifer" Miriam began as the doors slowly opened. Hearing Maze's chuckle from behind her, she turned and watched the woman waved her fingers as the door closed.
Weird
Turning back towards the piano, Miriam scanned her eyes across the exposed black and white keys before looking over the top.
Nothing
Where in the hell did he put them?
Hearing Lucifer's accented voice from across the room, Miriam raised her eyes and felt the string of curses lingering on her tongue as she picked up another familiar male voice. Smelling the scent of fresh cigarette smoke, she slowly moved across the living room floor, passing a long white sectional sofa and big screen television just as the two men's conversation caught her ears.
"Have you spoken to your Father yet?"
"Requests like this take time, and you know my Father already has it in for you. No one holds a grudge like God the Almighty Father."
"What…are you doing here?"
Hearing Miriam's voice from the edge of the balcony, both men turned sharply to face her as Pierce stared, frozen in place.
"Well now," offering a wide smile as he reached into his shirt pocket, Miriam narrowed her eyes in anger as she watched Lucifer pull out her keys with a small shake. Tossing them in the air, both men watched as she snatched them out of the air before training her glare on Pierce.
"Did you follow me here?"
Hearing her question, he remained still as Lucifer tossed the butt of his cigarette over the edge.
"Tis the time that I bid you all a goodnight, for my audience awaits" he smiled as he came to stand beside Miriam.
"Oh, and don't you two worry about cleaning up" he winked as Miriam felt her cheeks flushing with anger.
Hearing Lucifer's footsteps disappearing as he entered the elevator, Miriam heard Pierce's throat clear from behind her as she wheeled around.
"Seriously answer me now, did you follow me here?"
Hearing the anger in her voice as he stared down into her face, he knew lying would do no good as he folded his hands behind his back.
"Yes."
"Fucking incredible." Clutching the keys in the palm of her hand, Miriam felt the vibration of her phone in her back pocket. Knowing she had turned off her ringer earlier in the evening, she was prepared to have a stand off with the Officer in front of her as she watched him take a step towards her.
"Miriam, I…"
"Yeah, I've had enough for one night. From Lucifer spouting that he is the Devil minus the pitch fork and horns, to you now apparently stalking me, I just want to go home."
"Wait…"
Halting in her steps as she turned back around to face him, Miriam let out a sigh as she watched him come to stand directly in front of her.
"Ask me who I am."
What?
"What do you mean, ask you who you are?" she asked in confusion as Pierce felt his jaw clenching. Watching the tall man reaching out for her hand, she took a step out of range as she felt a cold shiver running down the center of her spine.
Why am I getting a bad feeling about this?
"Miriam, ask me who I am" he repeated in a deeper voice as he kept her eyes firmly in his.
You do this Cain, and it will change everything
It will change you and it will change her
If she believes me…
Letting out a sigh as she felt her phone's vibration once more, Miriam Tyler avoided his outstretched fingers as she blinked at the lingering scent of the strong cigarette smoke.
"Who are you?"
Tell her Cain
Tell her!
Keeping his eyes firm on her own, Pierce closed the distance between them and felt his broad chest bumping into her own.
"I… am the world's first murderer."
…
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