CHAPTER 10

Anger. Sadness. Confusion. Those and other feelings were swirling in Charlie's head as she was staring wide-eyed at the corpse of her dead mother. Yellow eyes were meeting void golden ones that weren't returning the favour. Her body twitched slightly as all noise in the hall became null, she wasn't hearing anything: Vaggie's words were but an indistinguishable buzz, the raging flames that surrounded her a distant sound. Even the appearance of her father went completely unnoticed, lost how she was in the vision she had in front of her. Her mother, Lilith, the person she coveted to see for over seven years, laying dead.

A feral scream of panic erupted from Charlie's throat, like a roar from a wounded beast; powerful golden fire engulfed her as she was instinctively assuming her demon form. Something was different though: the fire didn't stop as long horns and a tail sprouted from Charlie's body, nor when her usual attire shifted in a red combat dress. Instead, the fire spread like tentacles around her: one of them almost reached Angel Dust, who wasn't trying to dodge, too transfixed to move. Fortunately, Husk jumped on him and pushed him out of the way as the fire crossed them and went to the bar, blowing the thing up.

Angel Dust landed on his back while Husk right on his abdomen. The spider demon smiled. "Why Whiskers, didn't take you for a bold one. Wanna stay on top?". Husk growled and got up. "Stay serious for once, things are going to shit!" he yelled, as the golden fire was raging ever stronger and the scream of Charlie was even louder, so much so that every window in the hall was shattered. Golden lucks of fire spreaded from the Princess of Heaven in every direction, destroying anything in their path and charring the walls. One was about to hit Wicken, who wasn't doing any effort to dodge, but at the last moment it was blocked by a golden barrier conjured by Lucifer.

"What the fuck is going on here? Why is my daughter losing control? What happened?!".

"I may or may not have killed your wife who was trying to kill your daughter. She didn't take it too well" Wicken answered, surprisingly calm. Lucifer looked towards her daughter and, sure enough, the body he was seeing right there was of his spouse, Lilith, who he missed for a long time. Looking at her, dead, made surge in him mixed feelings but he was able to remain calm.

"Charlie, calm down! I'm here! Everything is going to be ok! " Vaggie yelled, but her words didn't go through. She barely managed to stand by Charlie despite the heat of the flames, but when she tried to touch her she had to stop because the golden flames singed her arm, leaving a painful burn on it. Charlie didn't notice any of that, blinded by her growing rage. Instead, she conjured her pitchfork and slammed it on the ground, cracking it. The flames burnt even hotter, becoming almost white, while a fiery halo appeared over her horns. Her arms morphed in black, muscular ones, the tail became thicker. Two majestic wings, not that different from Vaggie's but even darker in colour appeared on her back, casting an ominous shadow in front of her. The eyes were a pit of red fire and were looking around with murderous glances. Her breath was laboured and occasionally flicks of fire appeared when she was exhaling.

"Big Daddy, release the barrier now". Wicken ordered. Lucifer looked at him like he was mad. However, the King saw the assassin's determined look and relented, dispelling the barrier. "Are you fucking mad? She'll kill us all!" Adam protested, still in chains under Lucifer's arm. No one really did pay attention to him, too worried to see what was going on with Charlie. Wicken didn't really answer him, instead came two steps forward.

"Hey Charlie, it's me! The one who put down your mama! You have something to say? Say it to me!". Charlie's blood-hungry eyes instantly turned to Wicken, looking at him with un suppressed rage. "Exactly, I'm here! Do your worst, 'cause I'm not going anywhere!". As a remark to his words Wicken opened his arms.

With a speed even Lucifer was barely able to register, Charlie shot herself forward and impaled Wicken with her pitchfork. Blood started to stream from his abdomen and his mouth. "Attagirl" he was barely able to say while his lungs were starting to fail. Charlie's breath became more laboured and panicked but small dot of golden appeared in her eyes and her face twisted in a mask of pure shock as she regained consciousness. She was only able to look in horror at Wicken's body slumping on his weapon, his life leaving his body.

She staggered back, her body and clothes returning normal; she almost fell to the ground but Vaggie caught her and supported her. Charlie quickly turned around and embraced her girlfriend, starting to cry softly. "I…lost it. I'm sorry… I

I hurt you…" she said tearily while Vaggie gently patted her on the head. "It's ok Hon, I'm here with you".

"Welp, ain't this fucking nice? Isn't there anything more classic than a sacrifice in Hell? Fucking shithole" Adam commented, drawing the attention of everyone present on him.

"What the fuck, him? He's supposed to be dead!" Angel Dust yelled in a mixture of fear and rage.

"Yeah, what is he doing here of all places?" Cherri Bomb remarked.

"It's a gift for me?". The delighted voice of Nifty scared Adam, who was looking uncomfortably at the knife she was helding, one he remembered all too well.

Lucifer groaned: he was starting to regret his decision. Before he could explain further, though, the attention in the Hotel was catalysed by Wicken's corpse, which started to twitch a little and, soon enough, he sat himself on the ground, panting. No one was particularly surprised except for Adam. "Wait, he can do that? Fucking Hell!". At this point, Lucifer decided to just drop Adam to the ground, fed up with his comments, and listened with satisfaction to his grunt of pain.

Wicken got up and started to dust himself casually. "That was…something. I almost felt it, you know?" he said as he finished checking himself.

"Felt what?" Husk inquired. Wicken looked at him and smiled. "The sweet, cold embrace of death".

Before he could elaborate further, however, he felt a tug on his neck. Still a bit disoriented by his return to life, he lost his balance and fell on his knees. He looked up, finding Charlie towering over him, his chains in her hand, a look of rage in her eyes. Behind her stood a surprised Vaggie, who was still holding her burnt arm: probably the fact that Charlie broke the hug so swiftly reminded her of the pain she was hiding.

"How did you think goading me into killing you was a good idea?" Charlie growled, while her eyes turned to red and her horns sprouted once again. Everyone looked at her worriedly but no further transformation happened.

"Look, it was either me or you'd have taken someone else's life, someone who you'd regret until the end of time. At least, I can get back so your action this time would have little consequences".

"I wouldn't have killed anyone!" Charlie shouted, but her eyes were wavering: was she so sure? Her uncertainness didn't go unnoticed by the assassin, who stared at her with a knowing look.

Charlie released the chains and kneeled, keeping her head between her hands. Soon enough, Vaggie arrived and tenderly embraced her from behind.

"It's ok, Hun, everything is ok" the angel said softly, but Charlie shook her head.

"No, it's not. I could have killed someone. I could have killed you. What happened to me?". Charlie turned around and cried softly, gripping Vaggie's shoulder as her back was shaking with hiccups.

"Ehm, not to break what is surely a meaningful moment, but can someone explain what the devil happened here? And why my wife is lying on the floor dead?". Lucifer's question was so sudden that everyone looked at him, dumbfounded. But before someone could answer, Lilith's body started to twitch violently, almost to the point of convulsions. A black shadow started seeping out of the Queen's mouth and eyes, soaring over the body and forming what seemed to be the silhouette of a woman, despite the features being completely indiscernible. The figure screeched like a bird of prey and exploded in a cloud of smoke, dispersing in the air under the confused stares of anyone.

"Ok…freaky…" Adam was starting to say, but his next words died in his throat as he witnessed Lilith raising her body and sitting on the floor, looking around bewildered and scared, her expression completely different from the cold, cruel one that characterised her few minutes before. She really seemed like a totally different person.

Everyone was looking at Lilith puzzled. Even Wicken seemed to be taken aback.

"You didn't tell me that your wife could do that" the assassin said to Lucifer.

"Well… I didn't know. Adam?".

"Was the gun angelic in nature?". Wicken looked at the gun in his hands and, sure enough, it was an angelic one. "Yup".

"Then no fucking clue".

"Useful as always".

Lilith was looking around like it was the first time she stood there. Then, finally, she looked at the group of people who were staring at her with confused eyes.

"I did something bad, did I?" she said in a trembling voice. And, with no further words, her eyes rolled up and she fainted, falling on the floor. Silence fell in the hall after that, with everyone too confused to comment further. The silence was broken by Adam, of all people. "Sooo…does someone have some ribs? I'm starving here". The only answer he received were the murderous looks of everyone.

Charlie was sitting on the armchair, covered by a blanket and sipping a cup of tea brewed by Alastor, who surprisingly showed not only to be remorseful of his actions (as much Alastor could be, at least), but also very inclined to help. It was helping that Wicken was watching over every move he was doing, gun in hand, much to his annoyance.

Alastor though wasn't the only reason Wicken stuck around, though: as much as he considered the Radio Demon someone to constantly check up (especially since Charlie decreed that he wasn't to be tied up, and surprisingly Lucifer agreed), no one deserves more attention than Adam, even though at the moment he was constricted by golden chains so much that he basically resembles a cocoon. The sour expression on his face explained how little he liked that arrangement.

"Damn, I just wanted something to eat, I would have settled for wings". A spear pointed directly on his face stopped his rambling.

"You are lucky to be alive, asshole, shut the fuck up!". An enraged Vaggie stared at her former boss with a murderous look: as much as she trusted Lucifer chains, she always double checked that he was still a prisoner.

They and Cherri were the only ones in the lobby, as Husk and Angel Dust followed Lucifer to one of the rooms, in which he carried his wife, so they could recount what happened during the minutes he was fighting at Imp City. Alastor, instead, carried Nifty away and they sat near the kitchen, since she was overexcited at seeing Adam and everyone feared that she would have liked to repeat her previous glorious gesture. Well, Charlie reasoned that nobody would have actually complained if that happened, but Lucifer clearly wanted him alive for unspecified reasons.

The other three present were actually the Vees: Vox and Valentino were tied up by dark tendrils, courtesy of Alastor, while Velvette lied on the floor, still unconscious with a wet towel on her head that Cherri took it upon herself to change once in a while.

Charlie sipped the tea carefully while slumping on the armchair; she was really tired, in a way she didn't think it was possible. She wanted to say so many things, asking so many questions, but really didn't have the strength to do so. She wanted to hug Vaggie, as she felt she wasn't relieved enough to see her alive after fearing to have lost her forever. She wanted to apologise to Wicken for giving his life once again to correct her mistakes. She wanted to see her mom, to know what had happened to her. But her body and her mind just refused to do anything but sit and do nothing. She sighed, absent-mindedly drinking the rest of the tea.

Charlie felt a light touch on her shoulder; she turned and saw Vaggie looking at her, worriedly. "You alright, Hon?". The low, sweet and tender voice of her girlfriend caressed her ears and relaxed her: it was incredible how soothing could be the voice of someone who could casually talk about murder and mayhem like it was fun.

"I don't know Vaggie. So many things happened all at once, I hardly can take it anymore". Vaggie nodded. "No kidding, it happened more in these few days than in the six months since the dick over there halved the waiting time for the Extermination".

"Hey, it's Dickmaster to you, Vajjie". Adam was starting to laugh, but he was interrupted by the small yet powerful punch of Vaggie colliding to his jaw and throwing him down the chair.

"I said to shut the fuck up. And don't call me that, it's disgusting!" Vaggie shouted, an enraged look on her face and the fist still extended. She had moved so fast Charlie barely saw that but, then again, she wasn't paying that much attention. Although something just occurred to her. "Adam, why that pronunciation? It's not the right one". It was a weird thing to focus on, but Charlie's mind wasn't thinking all that straight in that moment. Funnily enough, she was curious more about that than anything else, at the moment.

Adam sat on the floor with difficulty, since moving around while being completely tied up was very hard. He then spit a tooth with some blood: Vaggie's punch really did a number on him, already tired and weak.

"Fuck if it isn't, I gave her her name, so I should know better how to pronounce it!" he answered aggressively yet proudly. Vaggie just growled while Charlie looked at him, perplexed. "Wait, you gave her her name?"

"He gave names to all the Exorcists, since he was the 'boss' from the moment we were created, so he thought it funny to give us silly names" groaned Vaggie while looking at Adam with disgust.

"Silly? They are, like, the greatest shit I've ever done. Imagine calling my right-hand girl Lute, like Lieutenant. That's fucking genius!".

"That's fucking lame" Wicken commented drily.

"Shut up mutt, what can a hillbilly like you know? It's an art!". Wicken scoffed at the provocation but didn't comment further.

"And Vaggie is named after what, exactly?". Charlie's question made Vaggie shot a glare in her direction but she said nothing.

"The thing you girls have between the legs". Adam smiled proudly at his inventiveness, not noticing that the air in the hall just became colder. Even Nifty, who would have jumped at Adam at any second hadn't she been kept by Alastor, just slumped quietly on her master's legs, disappointed.

Charlie smacked her lips, then gestured the Radio Demon to come closer. Once he was within earshot, he looked directly at Adam. "Alastor, would you mind sitting Adam in the chair, once again?". As on cue, a dark tendril appeared from the shadows and enveloped Adam, launching him on the chair with the least kindness it could muster. Then, Charlie looked at her girlfriend, knowing exactly what she wanted to do. "Proceed". Vaggie, a giddy smile on her face, proceeded to punch Adam in the face several more times, reducing his face to a bloody pulp and knocking him out. The body once again slumped on the ground, right near the feet of Wicken, who had got up in the meantime.

"And that was the head of the stabby angels in Heaven? He's an idiot". Vaggie nodded, massaging her knuckles: they hurt but she was well satisfied!

"It's a fucking douchebag, he's been put in charge because he's the First Man created and has a ton of angelic power he barely knew how to use. Serves him right to have fallen, even if I hoped for him to stay in the dirt". At that moment, Angel Dust and Husk appeared on the stairs, closing a door behind them. They both had serious looks.

Charlie greeted them, impatience in her eyes. "So, any news?". The two sinners shook their heads, and Charlie slumped in her armchair. "She hasn't woken up yet, your dad is analysing her with his powers, but still no dice. And doesn't have an explanation for what had happened back there. And that makes him worry even more". Husk's dry explanation did little to comfort everyone. Angel Dust sat wearily on the sofa. "This story keeps being weirder and weirder. I mean, we're in Hell, but that's too much even for that standard".

Vaggie raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?".

"Well, maybe you can't understand because you aren't a mortal soul, but personally…I don't have many memories of my time on the Mortal Realm, but I knew I was living a life of excesses, which was considered strange itself. Then I die and find myself here, in this form, and I find out that I can carry on with the excesses that killed me without real consequences because guess what? I'm in Hell! I don't think I ever believed in an afterlife but sure as heck never thought it was this way".

Husk nodded, cupping a hand under his feline chin. "I get what you mean. I gambled all my life to death, I never considered I could gamble further than that. Or that I could gamble the souls of people. Or mine. Eventually, that is something you grow to accept, to some extent. But if you start to understand how the world now works and then things like this happen…it can really throw you out of the loop".

After that reflection, the hall stayed silent, mulling over. But alas, once again, was Charlie the one to break the silence.

"Wicken, why did you shoot mom?". The abrupt question caught the attention of everyone in the room and took the assassin by surprise. At last, he shrugged. "She was going to kill your girl and you were helpless to stop her. I did what I had to do. Certainly didn't know that it would make you do…well, that". The simple answer didn't really satisfy Charlie. Instead, she painfully reminded her that she lost control and she nearly killed Vaggie or someone else, hadn't Wicken grabbed her attention. Charlie looked at her shoes, a tearful look on her face.

"Hey Hun, don't worry about that. Everyone is now fine, so you shouldn't worry that much". Vaggie's words did little to comfort her, especially when she saw that the arm that was touching her shoulder was the bandaged one, another painful reminder to her of that moment of weakness that could have cost her dearly. Charlie got up from the chair, letting the blanket on her shoulder fall.

"I think I'll go check up on mom, alone". Before anyone could say anything, Charlie moved away from the chair towards the stairs, fast paced, then disappeared into a room. Vaggie looked at her girlfriend with a sad and worried look, but never attempted to stop her. She instead sat in the now free armchair, her head between her hands, pain and frustration giving her a headache. If she had been stronger, able to prevent any of that. Instead, now Charlie was even afraid to be close to her, in fear that she might lose control again and hurt her. Yes, Vaggie had been a little scared by her newfound power, but it never crossed her mind that Charlie was going to kill her. And even if it had happened, she would have never blamed her. But now, Charlie was distancing from her and she didn't know what to do.

"Fuck, I'm useless!" Vaggie frustratedly shouted, hitting the coffee table in front of her with a kick, destroying it on the spot.

"I don't think you are, my dear". The attention of everyone was now grabbed since words of comfort were coming from an unlikely source, one with a distorted voice and an everlasting smile.

Alastor was still sitting in his chair, sipping a cup of tea. Nifty had jumped off his lap and was now brooming the hall from the debris caused by the various mishaps. Everyone's eyes were pointing towards him, but he didn't look back at them. Instead, he took his time drinking and then put the empty cup to the side. Finally, he used his napkin to clean his mouth with slow and measured movements.

"What did you mean by that?" growled Vaggie. She was already pissed off at the entire situation and Alastor's behaviour didn't really make her feel better or calmer, quite the opposite. Alastor always had a knack of making others increasingly angry and once again he was showing that he was a master of it.

"What I said is what I meant, my dear. Being useless means that you have zero talents or zero willingness to put any talents you have to good use. You were able to use your quick thinking and your prowess to turn the situation. That is not something a useless person would have done". Vaggie raised an eyebrow at Alastor's words, uncertain if that was a compliment or not.

"I had help".

"That doesn't make you less capable, I believe. The strength of an individual is the ability to boost itself with the help of others. Why do you think our dear Charlie is not hesitant to ask help from unlikely sources, at times?"

Vaggie's eyes widened in surprise. She was actually feeling a bit better, despite still feeling she could have done more for Charlie. But she knew that she probably was frustrated just as much as she was, so it was no use staying there and wallowing in self pity. She had to talk it out to Charlie eventually, telling her that she had her full support, and the more they waited, the grave the thing could become. Time didn't actually heal any pain, sometimes she thought they grew worse. Vaggie was sure she would be able to get through to her beloved.

"You know Al, you really have ways with words. It's almost a shame what I am about to do…". Alastor looked at her, mild confusion in his eyes as Vaggie was approaching him. When she was close enough, she made a wide smile, one that was very rare for her. Immediately, the Radio Demon senses alerted him, but her speed was too much: before he could do anything, Vaggie smacked Alastor in the head with a punch. It wasn't a strong hit, since he was able to still sit, but it was strong and precise enough that it still hurt a lot.

"That's for causing all of this in the first place. You got out because you got your soul chained and Lilith can manipulate pretty much anyone, but don't believe that you will be trusted alone as long as you are here". Alastor stared at Vaggie, a bit of resentment in his eyes.

"You've been very clear, my dear, but I do like my freedom, the amount I have at least. Is there something else I can do to guarantee you my goodwill? Something that wouldn't put me under that punch of yours? That was indeed painful".

Vaggie cupped her hand under her chin and started thinking. She had some ideas, a couple of which involved Alastor being beat to death. She looked at the other inhabitants of the hotel to gain ideas, and once her stare stopped at Husk, she knew her answer. "I'll tell you later. I'm going to see Charlie and her dad, you just stay here and behave. It's not that you can do much, if you try something funny…well, you already know how good Wicken is with guns". To remark her words, the assassin's weapon materialised in his hand and he moved it with a knowing look. Alastor eyed Wicken but said nothing, as he had enough knowledge to know that he had to stay put. Vaggie nodded in approval then went on the stairs, disappearing on the first floor.

Lucifer's memories of the time when Lilith split from him had been a haze for a long time, his centuries old depression prevented him from having a clear grasp on reality and realising pretty much everything that was going on in his life. He had done his best to at least function, be there for his family, but clearly had failed in everything that was really important: he failed to understand Lilith's frustration with how Hell had turned out, he failed to get that their increasing squabble were hurting Charlie so much so that she had tried to get their attention in every way possible, he failed to see even that his own daughter had a mind so similar to him, that she was inspired by him and his relentless pursuit of his dreams, and tried to shoot down her project, labelling it as a useless effort. The immense weight of his failures were now there, in the form of his unconscious wife. He hadn't seen her in years, but she was just as beautiful as the day she disappeared, in Heaven now he knew.

A creaking sound interrupted his thoughts; turning around, Lucifer saw Charlie tiptoeing into the room, a sad look in her face. He loathed seeing Charlie that down, but he wasn't really in the mood to do something silly to cheer her up. It was difficult, if you are sad yourself. "Char Char" he only manages to say.

"Sorry, I wanted to check up on you. It's been a difficult few hours". Lucifer nodded at the statement and said nothing more. Charlie sat on the chair beside him and glanced at her mother. She remembered every trait of the sophisticated beauty of her mother, and every single one was a painful reminder of the fact that she abandoned her. She couldn't stay mad, but the feelings she had at the time gravely weighed on her.

"How is she?" Charlie couldn't help but ask. Lucifer didn't immediately answer his daughter's question, still lost in thoughts, and he was extremely grateful that Charlie wasn't pushing him for an answer, so that he had time to collect himself.

"Physically speaking, she's healthy. Even her readings in power matches those I knew from years ago. It's like…it's like she had a big shock that shut her down. For what happened back there, I can only guess. At first I felt traces of something really, really dark in her soul, but it's already gone and she's back to normal. Whether it was that the cause of her action or not I can only speculate" Lucifer explained, his eyes shifting from Charlie to Lilith, unsure.

"But how did she come back? It's like Wicken, is she immortal?". Lucifer got lost in thoughts for a minute before answering.

"I can only guess that if it's not the same it's certainly something similar. I didn't get to analyse your friend's essence because I wasn't sure that it mattered, but maybe I can try and see what happens. You know, I had a word with Leviathan, he's the Sin that has the most knowledge about Hell, and he speculated something. Unfortunately he hadn't got time to further research it, but he told me something". Charlie looked at her father, holding her breath. Maybe finally will she receive some answers? It was really hard to live with all of those questions.

"What is it, then? What did Uncle Levi tell you?". Charlie hadn't got the best memories of the Sin of Envy, because he was a recluse, but she considered them as a pseudo family. After all, they welcomed her parents when they were banished from Heaven. "Well, he said that it is possible that there is something, an ancient magic that is native to the ancestral power that created the base of what Hell is now. It's something that isn't proven to be true, so that's all speculation but that power could cause all kinds of havoc. I would investigate further but I have my hands full now". His stare lingered on Lilith, wondering whether she would wake up or not; one thing he knew, however, was that he didn't want to leave her side. Charlie could count not just on him, but also on her girlfriend and her friends, but Lilith had just him.

A knock on the door interrupted once again his stream of thoughts, and probably the one that Charlie was having. Lucifer wore a scowl, not very in the mood to see anyone, but nonetheless was accommodating when he said: "Come in". The door slowly opened and Vaggie came in; now Charlie's scowl matched her father's.

"Vaggie, I told you I'd come here alone". Vaggie snorted. "Yeah, I heard you. And decided to ignore that, the thing you need the least now is loneliness" she replied in a hard tone. She didn't want to leave her girlfriend alone and she had to be damn sure that Charlie knew!

Charlie was taken aback from the directness Vaggie was displaying: sure, it wasn't something new for her, the fallen angel was one that always spoke her mind, sometimes appearing as rude, but at that moment she thought that anyone but her father would be way too cautious with her, after what happened. She should have known better than that. A faint smile briefly crossed her face, but it was quickly replaced by a pained expression. She turned around, eyes fixed on her mother once again.

"Vaggie, you don't get it, I…I could have…".

"Hurt us? It hurts us more if you think about detaching yourself just because you're afraid to lose control again. Didn't you think about that?" Vaggie concluded in a hurry. She knew that if she let Charlie start wallowing on herself she would lose even more confidence so she had to press on. Vaggie knew that it wasn't the most sensible thing to do, but she also knew that her girlfriend sometimes needed tough love to understand something; she loved her tender heart so much, it was one of the reasons that got the two of them together in the first place, but that same kindness could bring her into dark places, and Vaggie wouldn't be caught dead allowing that. Not again.

Charlie's eyes burned with tears. No, she didn't think about that: in one of her rarest moments of selfishness she only thought about her pain and her fears, not counting that there were people who were literally ready to die for her. "I'm sorry, you're right" Charlie managed to say. She was still down, but it warmed her heart that the girl she loved was ready even to reprimand her so hastily. It was part of the reason the two of them worked so well as a couple, they complemented each other so well, it was like they were two sides of the same coin.

Vaggie smirked lightly. "Sometimes it happens". She then sat at Charlie's side, putting a hand on her lap and looking straight in her eyes. "We'll get through this. Together" Vaggie simply said. Charlie nodded and rested her head on her shoulder. The angel pecked her head then turned to Lucifer. "So, what happened with Adam? How did he come back to life?". Lucifer shrugged. "He told me that Lilith was the one to bring him back, along with the bodies of the dead exorcists that attacked Imp City. If I have to make an educated guess, I'd say that she merely wanted to use their bodies for the distraction but Adam's soul reformed just in that moment and it flew in his old body. It's fallen now, so it's not that he can go back to Heaven".

"So he's stuck here? Well, it serves him right, he hates this place. Why bring him here though?". Charlie's ears perked at Vaggie's words, as she was curious herself. Lucifer sighed, his eyes heavy with regret. "I think he and I have unfinished business. He was very clear about that, and for once I agree". Both the girls looked at him, questioningly, prompting Lucifer to continue explaining. "You see, when I fell, Lilith was banished from Heaven too, that much you know. She was so beautiful, helpless, and I was so madly in love with her, so I helped her. But she wasn't the only one that was cast out. Adam and Eve also were chased away, and I did nothing to help them with their new life. They had to strife alone, helpless, in a strange new world that wasn't kind towards people. I only cared about Lilith and gave her any means to raise from that hopeless but strong of heart woman to the majestic queen she had become, so strong that she had bared me even when I was at my worst and a liability. Until she got fed up with me, that is. But Adam, Eve and every human after them… I gave them a gift that they probably didn't want in the first place and left them living with the harsh consequences of it. So at least I owed him a truefelt apology and an explanation". Lucifer concluded his explanation with a sad sight, his stare returning to gaze at Lilith.

Vaggie raised an eyebrow: Lucifer may have a point but she didn't feel like he owed Adam anything, as any virtue he might have shown in the past was surely swept away by his outrageous behaviour since he became an angel. But she knew that it wasn't her place to dispute that. Charlie, however, had other ideas. She put her hand on her father's shoulder and smiled. "Dad, I don't know if I agree with that, but if you think that is the right thing to do I'll support you. I created this hotel to redeem people that wanted a second chance, after all, and from the sound of it, that is your second chance". Lucifer tearily smiled as she grabbed Charlie's hand and silently thanked her.

After a couple of hours, Charlie and Vaggie went back to the hall. Lilith's condition remained the same throughout their visit and didn't give any sign to change, so Lucifer offered to stay there by himself so the two girls could go back to their friends. Now they were on the edge of the stairs, hand in hand, and were witnessing a weird scene. In fact, Velvette had woken up and she was chasing after Cherri, who apparently was guilty of dumping on her the cold water she was using to soothe the large bumps she had on her head. The soaking wet Vee was running after Cherri screaming while swinging a wet cloth like it was a sword while Cherri was laughing her heart out while dodging every attack with agility. The others were just watching without really saying anything, sometimes laughing at the show. The other two Vees were awake and were looking at the scene, weirded out. Adam was still unconscious.

"Ya did it on purpose, you wench! Look at me hair!". Velvette hair was now down and soaked, making her look like a crazed witch. Cherri laughed it up while avoiding another swing. "Come on, it looks really good on you!". The sinner couldn't elaborate further to dodge another attack by jumping behind the sofa. Nifty giggled happily while Velvette tried to imitate the stunt, only for her to trip at the last second and comedically fall on the floor. Charlie sighed. "Vaggie, would you mind fixing her up?". The angel nodded, hardly repressing a laugh, then she went and grabbed the slumped form of Velvette and sat her on the sofa.

"What are ya doin'?". Without further elaboration, Charlie conjured a cloth, a brush and a hairdryer then put them close to Vaggie. She started by delicately patting Velvette's hair so they dried up a little faster, then she got the hairdryer and lit it up to finish the job with expert precision. Then she started to brush: Velvette's hair was long, but not as long as hers or Charlie's, so she had little problem.

"Hey, ya good with the brush" the Vee commented, surprised. "She does my hair and I do hers, so we became good at that. So, how do you feel?".

Velvette looked at Charlie, surprised at that concern. "I feel like me head's been through a blender and is poundin' way too much for me likin' ".

"We can give you something for the pain". But Velvette shot down Charlie's offer. "No thanks, I hate the stuff, I'll work through it. Those two gimme headaches all the time". At that moment, Vaggie stopped brushing. "Here, all done". Velvette touched her hair, feeling now dry and soft in a way that her hairstylist was barely able to do. "Thanks. You still terrify me". Vaggie smiled. "And that's how it should be". To remark it she winged the brush like it was a sword towards Velvette's hair, cutting the split-ends with incredible precision. Velvette's eyes widened in terror, even if her hair barely changed length. The Vaggie gave the brush back to Charlie, who was surprised as Velvette was terrified. "How did you…it doesn't even have edges!".

"In the hands of the right people, everything can become a weapon" Vaggie remarked, then glanced back at Wicken, who was drinking bourbon from a mug, and they shared a thumbs up. Charlie smirked at the camaraderie, then turned to Velvette. "So, what are you going to do now?". At first, the Vee looked at Charlie unsure, then she glanced at the other two Vees, who were looking at her hesitantly. Neither Vox nor Valentino had dared to speak since they regained consciousness; Vox was still dazed after being flung through the hall while Valentino had fainted after witnessing Charlie's resurrection and Wicken coming back to life twice. And both of them were aware that Alastor now wasn't on their side, if he ever had been in the first place.

Velvette slowly raised from the sofa and walked towards her associates, looking at them sternly: he cared about them, that much had been made obvious, but she was sure that they had to pay her back for what they did to her, in spades. "Ya two've been duped hard and had ya brain scrambled like eggs, do ya realise it?".

"Yes Velvy, but…" Vox tried to say but Velvette hushed him with a gesture.

"Because of ya, I almost died more times than I care to happen, ya have to pay me back big time, we clear?". The two Vees looked at each other and then nodded to Velvette, incapable of saying anything else. Velvette smiled, satisfied, then snapped her fingers towards Alastor.

"Hey Creepyface, release them. I'm pretty sure ya all have things under control here. That bastard with the easy gun can shoot them dead if they try anything". Alastor glanced towards Charlie and, when he saw she was nodding approvingly, just let the shadow tendrils disappear. Vox and Valentino slowly rose up and fixed their luxurious clothes. "Ok Velvy, what do you want us to do?". Velvette stared at Vox for sometime before speaking. "Well Voxy, I want you to treat me to a full day at the spa, all included, then pay me dinners in da fanciest restaurant in the Pride Ring for the rest of the year. And that ya stop your petty squabble with that idiot over there for at least a week, I'm not dealing with ya if ya hafta scheme. Do ya hear me?". Vox's screen face glitched for a second then he flashed an 'Ok' writing on it, even though he seemed very against it. Not that Velvette cared.

"What about me, dear? I'm in the clear?" Valentino asked, but Velvet hastily shook her head. "Oh no, I have something for ya. I want you to transfer your ownership of Angel Dust soul to me. Right now. Refuse to do that and I'll politely ask that assassin to shoot ya both in da face". Valentino looked at her associate outraged, anger on his face. But then he eyed the rest of the people in the Hall, especially Wicken, who was looking at the cool, his lethal gun in his hand; Vaggie was holding her spear and, even though she was pointing the thing anywhere, he was feeling threatened by the sheer murderous aura she was emitting. Finally, Valentino saw Charlie's eyes shifting to red while horns sprouted from her head. Having in mind what the Princess of Hell was able to do, he felt he had no other choices.

Grunting heavily, Valentino had a piece of parchment appear out of thin air, then he begrudgingly handed it to Velvette. A thin pink chain appeared on the neck of Angel Dust, which quickly shifted its colour to a deep scarlet, signalling the passing of the ownership. Velvette smiled then gestured to the two to move out. "Move along, I have to take my things back, ya two go back home. Or what remains of home, at least". Vox and Valentino surely had no desire to remain there and stormed out from the door, shutting it as they went out.

Angel Dust was the first one to speak. "So, you reeeeally want that food blog, huh?" he commented, looking at the contract that Velvette was still holding. The Vee smirked. "Yeah, I'd like that, buuuuut…". She held the parchment with both hands and after a bit of struggle she tore it to pieces, launching them in the air like sparkling confetti. Everyone looked at her shocked; even Alastor seemed quite amused by it.

"If ya want to work with me I'd like for ya to do it because ya want. Ya're a free guy now, go have sex with the cat or whatever, I don't care. I'll scram, unless hottie up there leaves the room within the next minute and says he wants to go out with me". Charlie giggled: the idea that her father was being hit up made her laugh, for reasons she couldn't understand. "Are you sure you don't want to stay for dinner? I'm sure Angel will be glad for it". Angel Dust nodded enthusiastically but Velvette shook her head. "Nah, I heard that Zestial is going to appear here, and that guy hates me as much as Vox hates Creepyface there, so I'll pass. Feel free to invite me 'ere some other time, though, I really like good cuisine". She then turned heels and approached the door when Angel Dust's voice stopped her.

"Thank you. You don't know what that means to me!" he tearily said. Years of abuse and neglect were flowing in the tears that were now rushing from his eyes. Velvette smiled softly, something very uncharacteristic for her. "Don't mention it, softie. Just offer me the best meal you can cook next time and we'll be set. Also, really think about my proposition". She then opened the door and walked out, disappearing in the light of dusk.

Sorry if that took so much, it was a powerful chapter and it took a long time to fix it properly. I wanted to give every character a proper run time in the chapter and wanted to end it with a powerful scene. Hope you like it, see ya next time!