Chapter 37
Ansley
My father’s castle isn’t full of fire or brimstone.
On the outside, it looks like an ancient structure that was abandoned long ago. The inside is a different story. It’s been modernized with sleek furniture, plate glass windows that showcase the mountain vista, and enough technology to make Storm’s setup at The Den look primitive.
The entrance hall alone takes my breath away and makes me temporarily forget about the Crimson Templars or how close we all came to dying.
Vaulted ceilings carved from the mountain itself soar overhead, but instead of torches to light the way, there’s soft ambient lighting that glows from recessed panels, making it look like it emanates from the stone itself.
“Whoa, nice place, Daddy,” Daisy chimes. “Why couldn’t we have sleepovers here instead of your grandparents’ house, Ansley? This place is epic!”
I can’t say I disagree, even if I’m still nervous about the fact my father is an angel… or possibly the devil. Daisy seems to be taking this a lot better than I am. She’s still making jokes, and I’m trying not to lose my mind.
Lucifer leads us through corridors that blend ancient stone archways with modern glass and steel.
Panels flicker to life as we pass, showing what I assume are security feeds and other inscrutable information, but I’m not sure what any of it means.
As we continue on, there are woven tapestries that are in good condition, considering they look centuries old.
“There are bedrooms ahead. Make yourselves at home. Shower if you’d like. I’ll prepare something for us to eat,” Lucifer says, gesturing towards the rooms before turning into what appears to be a living area. “There’s plenty of clothes, so help yourselves.”
“I could use a shower,” Daisy says, sniffing herself. “Whew, yeah, definitely need a bath.”
“We can trust this guy, right?” Hayden whispers once we’re further down the hallway. “I mean, he killed the Crimson Templars and healed us.”
“He’s Ansley’s father. If he wanted to harm us, he would have already done so,” Wyatt says. “Ansley, you really had no idea your father was an angel?”
“Is he?” I ask. “Is Lucifer an angel? You know more about history than I do, but none of what I’ve read talks about him… fondly.”
“Religious texts aren’t always accurate,” Wyatt says. “Although, I’ve always said one of the inaccuracies was angels, so I think there’s a lot I don’t know.”
“Angel. Devil. Whatever. He helped us, so he’s on our side,” Daisy says, walking into the one of the rooms. “I’m claiming this one!”
“We’ll be cautious, but we have no reason to distrust him unless he gives us one,” Jaxton insists. “We’re not dead. Our mate is safe. Her baby is safe.”
“We should count our blessings,” Storm adds. “Regardless of who blessed us.”
“I tend to agree,” Remy says. “Especially right now.”
The pack splits up as we each choose a room. They’re lavish, with beds larger than the ones at the safehouses, and plenty of modern technology. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear I was at an upscale resort, instead of a castle carved into the side of the mountain.
The shower is controlled by a button and touchscreen. I’ve never seen one this fancy, so it takes a few tries to figure out which buttons do what. Once I do, I step into the most soothing shower of my life. The water washes away the dirt and grime effortlessly, before I even reach for the soap.
There’s a vast array of clothes available.
Lucifer seems to have a bit of everything, but the clothes appear to be older styles and different from what I’d normally wear.
I settle on a simple red dress. When I step out of my room, I see Daisy wearing one that’s similar, but green.
My mates slowly emerge from their rooms, dressed in slacks and tunics that remind me of something nobility would wear in the old movies my grandmother likes.
“Not really what I’d prefer to wear, but it’s not bad,” Daisy says. “I hope Lucifer likes it.”
“Daisy, stop being weird,” I groan. “He’s… my father. I guess. I have a lot of questions.”
“Then let’s get some answers, mate,” Wyatt says, gesturing ahead. “I have a few questions myself. Not every day you meet an angel.”
“He’s still hot…” Daisy mutters, trailing behind us. “Even without his wings.”
We move through the hallway and walk down several steps into what looks like a sunken living room. There are couches, chairs, a large flat panel on the wall, and an array of food and drink arranged on the coffee table. Fresh fruit, cooked meat, and dinner rolls that have a golden crust.
Lucifer still looks like Mr. Lumen, and he’s casually leaning back in a chair with a glass of what appears to be wine in his hand. He looks too relaxed for someone who just carved through dozens of Crimson Templars. Way too relaxed for all the questions that are bubbling up inside me.
“Get yourselves something to eat and drink,” Lucifer offers. “Then we can talk.”
“What kind of alcohol do you have?” Daisy asks. “Your daughter likes white wine. But she’s pregnant, so just water for her.”
“I haven’t entertained guests in centuries, but I like to live comfortably,” he says, his voice as smooth as honey. “There’s plenty to choose from.”
“Have at it, Mitra. You’re the bartender, as you like to remind us,” Hayden quips. “I’ll take whiskey.”
“Sure thing, handsome. Whiskey for everyone else? Wyatt, you drinking?” Daisy asks as she walks over to Lucifer’s quite impressive bar area.
“After today, I’ll take a double. Wait, make that a quadruple,” Wyatt answers.
Daisy makes drinks. The rest of us sit down. I don’t have an appetite, but my mates seem to be ravenous. I sit next to Hayden and when I see his loaded plate, I feel a twinge of hunger in my stomach, so I take one of the rolls.
“Alright, Ansley,” Lucifer says softly, leaning closer to me. “I’ll answer your questions to the best of my ability.”
Daisy brings me a glass of water, so I sip it. It’s unbelievably good. So good that I have to drink a little more. This is water?
“So, you… and my mom. You were together at some point, I assume?” I ask, still trying to process it all, but curious enough to ask.
“There was no relationship. I haven’t sought human companionship in a very long time.
I avoid it, for various reasons,” Lucifer says, a little sadness in his voice.
“But one night, a sweet waitress with a pretty smile made me weak. I did not realize that moment of weakness resulted in a child. I used to be able to sense my offspring, but my powers aren’t what they once were.
I sensed you when your powers began to manifest, and it still took me some time to realize it was because you were my daughter. ”
“But you met me. At York Financial,” I say. “Why didn’t you say something then?”
“Can you blame a father for wanting his meet his daughter?” Lucifer asks. “But you seemed to be thriving, even if you did smell like wolves. Revealing myself to you seemed unfair. You were doing so well without me. I didn’t want to add a burden. And this one is heavier than most.”
“Are you the devil?” Daisy asks, taking a drink and looking around. “Sorry, am I allowed to ask questions?”
“Let them talk,” Wyatt says.
“No, little lamb. I’m not the devil,” Lucifer laughs, looking over at Daisy.
“There have been many stories written about me and my kind. Most of them are untrue. I’m not a devil or a demon.
I’m just an angel, trapped in a world that no longer cares for our kind. I’m the last one left, unfortunately.”
“You said the Crimson Templars had weapons that could kill angels,” I say. “Is that what happened to the rest of them?”
“Yes,” Lucifer confirms. “One by one, they hunted us down. They killed angels and they killed our children. Humans called them Nephilim. That’s what you are, daughter.”
“A Nephilim?” Wyatt asks in astonishment. “That’s what our mate is? An actual Nephilim?”
“The only one,” Lucifer says. “There used to be a lot more, but now there are only remnants of those sacred bloodlines, spread throughout the world. Scions, as you call them. Descendents of the Nephilim.”
“We’re all… we’re all descended from angels?” Wyatt asks, incredulity written all over his face.
“Yes, all Scions have traces of those bloodlines. Except vampires. They aren’t true descendants. More of an abomination than anything,” Lucifer explains, taking another sip of his wine.
“Am I a vampire? Sorry, I just need to know,” Daisy interrupts. “I got bitten, but then Ansley saved me with a blood transfusion. Well, a Witch Doctor saved me, but it was Ansley’s blood.”
“No, little lamb. You’re not a vampire,” Lucifer chuckles. “You were tainted by the scourge, then purified with celestial energy. You’re… a little intriguing. Very unique.”
“Hear that,” Daisy says, a blush creeping up her neck as she glances over at me and grins. “Your Daddy thinks I’m intriguing and unique.”
“Why do you call her little lamb?” I ask, ignoring what Daisy said. “A vampire called her that, too.”
“It’s the purity in her,” Lucifer says. “Celestial energy, the same thing that gave my kind life, but pure as a baby lamb. You have it in your blood too, daughter, but in her… it’s become a part of her.”
“Me? Pure?” Daisy laughs. “Never had anyone describe me like that! But celestial energy sounds cool. How do I use it?”
“I’m not sure,” Lucifer admits. “We don’t wield our celestial energy as a weapon. Not exactly. It’s just infused into our essence. What it will do for you is still a mystery.”
“As long as it doesn’t kill me,” Daisy says, shrugging a shoulder.
“Do you have more questions, daughter?” Lucifer asks, turning his attention back to me. “You should try to eat. It’ll help you regain your strength.”
“I’m fine,” I say, taking another bite of the roll.
“At least eat something for the baby,” Hayden urges, moving his plate closer to me.
“Is my baby okay?” I ask apprehensively, looking over at Lucifer. “Being the child of a Nephilim and a wolf shifter?”
“Wait, you’re pregnant!?” Daisy asks, her mouth falling open in surprise.
“I meant to tell you earlier… but yes,” I say, looking sheepishly at Daisy and bringing my shoulders up around my ears.
Daisy’s face flashes with anger, likely because she’s the last to know. She’s my best friend. That’s practically unforgivable. But there has been a lot going on. Then her expression changes and she looks at Lucifer.
“Seriously, is her baby okay?” she asks, concern replacing the anger.
“Yes, the baby will be stronger than any of you,” Lucifer answers.
“I can already sense the power, but I don’t know what it will become.
Not yet anyway. To my knowledge, a wolf has never mated with a Nephilim before.
The Nephilim were mostly extinct by the time Scions who could shift started appearing in this world. ”
“As long as there’s no danger,” I continue, putting a hand on my stomach.
“No, you’re safe now. You all are,” Lucifer says. “You’ll be my guests, and while I wasn’t able to be there for you, that won’t be the case for my grandchildren. I will ensure they are safe and protected. Always. No one will find us here.”
“You expect us to stay here?” I ask apprehensively, glancing at my mates, sensing their unease through the pack bond.
“I won’t hold you hostage, but you will be protected here, under my light,” Lucifer says. “There’s plenty of room for all of you, as you’ve already seen.”
“The Crimson Templars won’t look for you? Look for us?” I ask. “You said they thought all the angels were dead. Now they know there’s one still alive.”
“They will, but they’ll never find me. I’ve gone to great lengths to ensure it.
Plus, there are no Oracles left. No Scions that can detect or track angels,” he says, sipping his wine.
“They were descendants of my bloodline, and after the last one fell, I lost my will to fight. There was nothing worth fighting for after that. My lineage was destroyed. Or I thought it was… until I found out I had a daughter.”
“Even angels hide from the fucking Crimson Templars,” Storm mutters.
“They’re stronger than mere mortal men. They have weapons that can kill us,” Lucifer sighs. “It’s not a fight that can be won, and I’m in no rush to die. We don’t have souls, so we don’t get to go to heaven like humans do. Death is our permanent end.”
“Speaking of souls,” I shift the topic. “Apparently, I have more than one? Or pieces of more than one?”
“That’s the angel in you,” Lucifer says, finishing his wine and leaning forward to stand. “Souls are drawn to angels.”
“I got it,” Daisy chirps, hopping up and taking his glass. “More wine, or something more fun?”
“Wine,” Lucifer says, his gaze lingering on Daisy for a few moments before he turns back to me.
“Souls are what set humans and Scions apart from other creatures. Unfortunately, only human souls are allowed into heaven. The energy of Scion souls gets drawn back into the cosmos. Most of them, at least. Some parts linger, especially souls that aren’t at peace.
They were drawn to you before you were born.
Became a part of who you are. That used to be rather common with Nephilim. ”
I lean back and nibble on the roll, then drink more water.
I have lots of questions, but I’m not even sure how to ask them.
My father is an angel. Lucifer. I’m a Nephilim.
And my child, Hayden’s child, will be stronger than either of us.
But not strong enough to defeat the Crimson Templars. Even my father can’t do that.
“There’s more I would like to ask, but I feel like I need to lie down for a while,” I sigh. “All of this is making my head spin and today has been terrifying and exhausting.”
“Then rest, daughter,” Lucifer murmurs. “When you’re feeling up to it, I’d love to hear about your life. The parts I missed. I truly wish I could have been there to see your first steps… see you become the woman you are. But we’ll make up for lost time.”
“I’ll come with you, mate,” Hayden says, standing up and offering me his hand.
Lucifer is an angel. Not a devil. Not a demon. I don’t sense any danger. No dishonesty. I believe he’s being truthful and doesn’t mean us any harm.
Now I have a pack and a father.