The annoying cherub at the archive's front desk refused to give Lilith full access. She was only permitted to view the files and books that were already publicly available. That meant she couldn't see any of Adam's personal information. But it wasn't the end of the world. Heaven's censorship was limited to private data, like contracts and contact information. Angels were viewed as inherently trustworthy, so the free public resources were vast.

That alone posed its own challenges, though. Just like the internet, any single search could result in millions of possible hits. Lilith had a lot to sift through. As the first woman, she'd had a lot of time to practice magic. But her interests leaned further toward music and bardic enchantments. Divine power was her husband's area of expertise, not hers.

She read books, stories, histories, anecdotes, articles, and anything else she could find on halos and holy mysticism. It was slow and boring. If she hadn't already sent her pet overlord on an errand to help her daughter, she'd have made Alastor do all the leg work. But he was busy unclogging toilets and fending off enemy demons from Charlie's hotel. Not to mention, a demon like him would never in a million years be given access to Heaven's archival library. The idea was laughable.

At least, that's what she thought… until she saw him through one of the private work room windows.

She thought her mind was playing tricks on her. Doing a double-take, Lilith peered into the window of the tiny two-person office. What she saw made her wonder if she'd snapped from the pressure. Alastor was in there. Some blue girl was sitting in his lap, mouth pressed firmly against his. That was almost weirder than his presence there. Alastor was known for hating being touched, something Lilith loved using against him.

How had he gotten into Heaven, let alone the archives? And who was that with him? Never one to make rash decisions, Lilith waved down the cherub.

"Who are the souls in that room?" she asked casually.

The cherub wrinkled his nose at the office door, "Oh them? One of them is a scummy sinner from Hell. The other one is one of our own angels. She has special access. They're doing some sort of project for Redemption City."

There's a Redemption City? The fawn had to be Hell's Ambassador. "What are their names?" Lilith needed to be sure.

"Who cares about the evil demon," the cherub said with a haughty sniff, "but the angel is named Elida McCarthy. If you're going to ask them to get you a file, they aren't permitted to share that information."

"Why?"

"Because they have restricted access. If you want to work with them, you'll have to take that up with the Seraphim."

"Very well. Dismissed," Lilith waved her hand, indicating for the cherub to fuck off. They did, lips pursed, but silent.

She peeked through the window again, trying to avoid being seen. It wasn't much of an issue. Alastor was thoroughly distracted. His sharp-toothed grin seemed almost sweet as he held the angel's chin and nuzzled her nose. Lilith couldn't hear what they were talking about, but she was sure he was saying something romantically manipulative. McCarthy's position as the Ambassador was an influential one, and Alastor had had plenty of time at the hotel to trick her into thinking he liked her. Seduction was an abnormal strategy for him, but Lilith knew better than anyone the lengths he'd go to for power.

Now that she had McCarthy's name, Lilith settled herself on a bench outside the archive entrance and changed her phone's VPN location to Hell. She needed to see what her pet had been up to and how it was affecting her daughter's project. Not two minutes of scrolling and Lilith's phone was flooded with news and memes about Alastor and Elida. They were quite the scandal. That made sense. Demons craved gossip as hungrily as a cannibal craved human flesh.

Lilith was pleased to see that they were having more success than she'd expected. Charlie had to be over the moon. Good for her. Apparently, Alastor wasn't the only one spending time with Charlie's little helper. Lucifer had posted several selfies with McCarthy, detailing their various exploits as board-game rivals and movie-night buddies. She was getting close to Lilith's family.

Lilith wasn't sure how she felt about that. She'd feel better if she had a chance to get to know her. Was she cruel and manipulative like Alastor, or was she as sweet and friendly as she looked? She certainly gave off an innocent and pure vibe, but Lilith wasn't so naïve as to trust a book's cover. This woman had her claws in Lilith's family and her kingdom; enough to warrant her attention.

Lilith waited. They'd have to come out of the archive eventually, and she had plenty of time. In the meantime, she studied up on Elida McCarthy and the so-called 'Redemption City' the cherub had mentioned. She seemed to be an industrious and productive little bitch. Impressive.

A few hours later, Lilith's lips curled upwards. Her pet and his little friend emerged from the archives. He pontificated enthusiastically, telling her some kind of story. She was giggling sweetly at him. Then he saw Lilith. The levity in his eyes disappeared, replaced with pure, unabashed hatred. Interestingly, his first reflex upon seeing Lilith was to push McCarthy behind him, placing himself protectively between the two of them.

McCarthy's face went blank and unreadable, her happy smile fading away into an effective poker face. She followed Alastor's gaze, eyes locking on Lilith's. She whispered something to him. He whispered back. Lilith let them.

When they'd finished their rushed conversation, Elida stepped in front of Alastor, much to his visible discomfort. She approached Lilith, her face breaking into a charming, innocent-looking smile, "Hi! Lilith Morningstar, right? I've seen pictures of you in Charlie's room. It's so nice to meet you! Luci can never stop talking about you. Especially when he's drunk. He's so head-over-heels for you, it's just the cutest. I'm Elida. I've been helping your daughter redeem souls." She held out a hand.

Lilith eyed Elida's outstretched hand. She didn't shake it. "Did you just call the King of Hell… Luci?"

"He's never seemed to mind," she said with a shrug, putting her hand down. "It's an honor to finally meet you, your majesty."

"Uh-huh. I see you're acquainted with the Radio Demon. How did you get his triangle ass up here?"

"Charlie thought it would be a good idea to study up on the hotel guests. Knowing their backgrounds makes it easier to help them. Due to the nature of the job, a lot of them start off by lying about their sins and histories. Cutting through that makes things go quicker. It's been pretty effective."

"Oh?" Lilith wasn't sure why, but that answer felt like a lie. Maybe it was her natural suspicion, or maybe it was intuition. "Well, how about the three of us meet somewhere more private? I'd love to have a little chat."

"Oh, I'm sorry! But we're busy," Elida politely declined, "But I'd love to set up a time to meet with you. I could make you tea? I'm known for making some of the best drinks in both Heaven and Hell!"

"I'm afraid I have to insist," Lilith said this to Alastor, not Elida. He had to go with her whether he wanted to or not. She was willing to bet his arm candy would tag along if he said to.

Alastor's eye twitched, but his voice remained level and friendly as it always was in public, "Why of course, your majesty! Elida, dear, why don't you join us?"

If McCarthy was perturbed by this, it didn't show. She just shrugged and brushed a hair out of Alastor's face, "Alright. But we'll have to be quick. Charlie is counting on us to help with the afternoon class, soon."

"We won't be long. Let's get coffee," Lilith suggested.

"Oh, I know the best artisan coffee shop," McCarthy said sweetly, "They use a special breed of Heaven-grown cinnamon and nutmeg. It's to die for! This way."

Without asking if they wanted to go to that particular shop, McCarthy started walking. Lilith followed, watching the Ambassador carefully. Anyone who didn't know Alastor would think he was calm and collected. But Lilith could see the tension in his stance, the rage in his eyes, and the subtle ways he tried to keep McCarthy as far from Lilith as possible. Interesting. Very interesting.

When they had their coffee and were safely sitting out of anyone's ear shot, Lilith turned to her angry pet, "Alastor, why don't you tell me the truth of why you're here?"

He was forced to comply. "I'm here under contract to help Elida with the hotel's redemption efforts," he smiled through gritted teeth.

Okay. That lined up well enough. "Good boy," she condescended, making his eyes narrow.

"He is, isn't he?" Elida agreed, cuddling his arm, "Allie has been so helpful. We really couldn't do any of this without him. He's saved my life multiple times, you know. And I'm sure I don't have to tell you what would happen to Charlie if something happened to me. Who the Seraphim would send. Allie makes sure I'm safe and sound. He's a protector by nature."

Lilith raised an eyebrow, "Allie? Really? Jesus fucking Christ…"

McCarthy's voice was sugary and angelic, but her words sounded suspiciously like a threat. She wanted Lilith to know there would be consequences for killing either of them. What an underhanded cunt.

"She may call me whatever she likes," Alastor said. That was ballsy of him. He knew what she could do if he made her angry.

"Whatever gets you off," Lilith sipped her coffee. "You know," she looked him up and down dangerously, "It's been a while since you've danced for me. I could use some entertainment. Why don't we stop by my place for a bit? You can put on a show for the Ambassador and I."

"If it's all the same to you," McCarthy tried again, "We really do need to go."

"You can, if you like. Alastor is coming with me."

"Why don't you run along, darling," Alastor tried, never taking his eyes off of Lilith, "You have more important things to do, after all."

McCarthy's eyes got all big and fake and sad, "But I can't go down there without you, it's not safe."

"I'm sure dear Vaggie can guard you for a few hours, should you need it," he insisted.

McCarthy looked at Lilith, "Your Majesty, why don't you come with us instead? Charlie would be so thrilled to see you. We could make you a nice dinner, maybe show you around the hotel?"

"If you so much as say a single word to Charlie about meeting me, I will cut out Alastor's tongue and make him shove it down your throat until you choke."

McCarthy was unphased. "I can keep it a secret, if it's important to you," she said gently. "But if you insist on Allie going with you, they'll ask questions on why he isn't returning with me. Surely, you can see why that would be a problem. We have people waiting on us."

The woman had guts; Lilith had to give her that. "Just make something up. A successful businesswoman such as yourself should have no trouble explaining his disappearance away."

McCarthy sighed dramatically, "Huh. Alright. I suppose I can ask them to postpone the classes until tomorrow. When should I tell them we'll be back?"

Lilith went with a power move, "On second thought, you're not invited anymore. Have a nice day. Alastor," Lilith revealed the magical collar around his neck. She wrapped her fingers around his chain, and forced him roughly out of his chair, "You're coming with me."

And just like that, they left. Lilith smirked at the tight way McCarthy's fingers gripped her coffee cup when she watched them disappear. She wouldn't be able to follow. Alastor offered her a comforting wink as they faded away, but when they were gone, his face deteriorated into a snarl.

"Oh, don't be like that," Lilith sat down on her couch. They'd appeared in the sitting room of her coastal estate. They were alone. "What's the angle with her? You trying to cozy up to the little bitch so that she'll protect you if the exorcists return?"

Alastor leaned on his stupid staff-thing. "That is unimportant," he said vaguely. "If you don't want dear Charlie to find out where you are, you'd do well to remain distant from the Ambassador. They're quite close. Elida is too well-meaning to keep a secret that she knows is causing pain to someone she cares for."

"Awww, look at you trying to protect your pretty little whore. Don't worry, I won't fuck with her, so long as she's helping Charlie. If anything, I'm thrilled at this development. It will be a lot of fun watching you forced to hurt her if the hotel fails."

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me. If Charlie's hotel doesn't succeed, I'm going to make you torture and kill your cute little cunt. I think this will be a far better motivation for you than the usual threats."

Alastor shrugged flippantly, "Funny that you think I'd be worried about hurting someone else. You know how I am. I've been using her, that's all there is to it."

Lilith's lips pulled slowly upward, "Oh? Then you wouldn't mind me giving you this," she produced an angelic blade and held it out to him, "and demanding that you stab that doe-eyed bitch in the heart." This was a test. The results would be telling.

Alastor's eyes widened, even as his hand tried to reach for the blade of its own accord. She could see him resisting her will. He was strong. He almost managed to avoid grabbing it.

"Go on, take it," she demanded. His fingers twitched as he tried with everything he had not to reach for the blade. But her ownership over his soul was absolute. He took the knife. The only one who could call him off now was Lilith herself.

He spoke in a tone of voice she'd never heard from him before. His words were quiet and shaky, almost broken, "Your majesty… Please. Anything but that."

She'd called his bluff. Lilith took the knife back, "That's what I thought. Maybe this will teach you not to challenge me again." She could have just ordered him not to stand up to her, but it was so much more fun to watch him try and fail to keep his pride. She always won, no matter how many glares he shot her way.

"Now, my smiling red jester, entertain me."

"How would you like to be entertained?"

"Tell me a joke."

"Your husband's social skills."

Lilith snickered. "I should scalp you for that. But… You're not wrong. I'll let it slide this time."

Alastor didn't respond. He just stood there, looking vaguely pissed. He waited to either be given an order, or to be dismissed.

"Dance."

Alastor danced.

"Faster."

Alastor danced faster.

"Boring. Play music to go with it."

Alastor played music. They both knew where this was going, but the threat of being forced to harm his fair-faced doe kept him from protesting as much as he normally would have. Usually, he'd snarl and growl and snark as much as he could get away with. He'd try to make himself as unpleasant as he could, and Lilith would brush it off. She had all the power there, and they both knew he hated it.

"Take off your clothes."

There it was. The reason he hated her. It wasn't enough that she had his chains. No, she needed to humiliate him, too. But he couldn't refuse. He removed his clothing, still forced to dance as he did so. Seven years of this hadn't made it any easier.

Lilith didn't touch him. She didn't have to. She just looked, lounging on her couch and sipping wine while he danced naked in front of her. Alastor wondered if Lucifer knew about this side of her. Would he still be so enamored with his queen if he knew how awful she truly was? Alastor didn't know what he'd do if Lucifer joined in on this disgrace. At least Charlie would be sufficiently horrified; not that she'd ever know.

"Stop dancing. Make dinner. Don't wear an apron."

Alastor stopped dancing. He made dinner. He didn't wear an apron.

Lilith pulled out a stack of papers from a purple bag and scanned through them, glancing up at Alastor every minute or so. She didn't really need to take the man and play with him that afternoon, but it was good to remind your property who owned them every once in a while. If you get lax, your pets are liable to forget who's in charge, especially with prideful assholes like Alastor.

That was the main reason Lilith made him remove his clothes and dance around like a fool. If she told him to do something more mundane, like scrubbing the floor, he'd still be able to keep his dignity. This wasn't about making him do just anything. It wasn't even about her own lust. She didn't need scar-ridden fawns like him for that. No, this was a power-play, pure and simple. Well, except for dinner; he was too good a cook to let those skills go to waste.

Since Alastor already knew about Adam's halo, Lilith didn't try to hide it while she studied. She pulled it out of her bag, once again examining it from every possible angle. There had to be a way to harness it. A spell, or a component, or a device, anything! Alastor glanced angrily toward her, taking note of the halo, but didn't bother saying anything about it. He'd been the one to fish it out of the ocean in the first place.

Alastor dreaded the day she found a way to use it. Who knew what she would do with that kind of magic? The only things still keeping her in check were Lucifer and the Sins. With Adam's halo, she wouldn't need them anymore, and she could wipe out anyone who questioned her. He wouldn't put it past her to betray her family like that. She was a demon queen, after all.

That was why Alastor needed Charlie to learn to wield her own power. If Charlie took the throne, Alastor would not only be able to pull more strings through her as a trusted advisor, but Hell would be better off in general.

But first, Alastor needed to find a way out of his deal.