Page 111 of Mated By the Alphas
“I think I’ve had enough conversation for one night,” Jaxton grumbles, finishing his whiskey and putting the glass beside his plate. “I’m going to bed.”
“I’ll go with you,” Storm adds. “I want to check on Ansley anyway. Make sure she’s comfortable.”
“That’s a good idea,” Remy yawns. “Then I need some rest. I still feel pretty worn out after getting shot so many times.”
“I’ll stay up a while longer,” I say, glancing at my brothers. “Let me know if Ansley needs anything.”
I’m concerned about our mate, but I’m face-to-face with an historical figure, and my brain is far from ready to rest. I’ll be tossing and turning, still trying to make sense of it all if I try to go to bed now.
“Alright, so you’re not the devil. You’re just an angel,” Daisy says. “You said you haven’t sought human companionship in centuries, other than Ansley’s mom. Why? Everything still works, obviously. Ansley’s proof of that.”
Of all the questions Daisy could ask, that’s the one she comes up with? She could be asking him about the secrets of the universe. The meaning of our existence. But no, she’s more interested in his dating life and whether or not his dick still works. Then again, that shouldn’t surprise me when it comes to our mate’s Mitra.
“Imagine coming to earth, falling in love, and then watching the woman you love slowly age and die. Now imagine that happening over and over again, and there’s nothing you can do except take care of your children after the woman you love is gone,” Lucifer sighs. “Nephilim live longer, as do Scions, but eventually time takes them all away. The only thing time doesn’t touch isme.”
“That… honestly sounds kind of sad,” Daisy admits with a grimace.
“And that describes my entire existence,” Lucifer says. “Sadness. Love is an incredible feeling, but it is fleeting for an immortalin a mortal world. Even now, I’m preparing to eventually mourn the loss of my daughter. Mourn the loss of the grandchild that hasn’t even been born yet.”
“Sorry to interject. Daisy, I’m sure you have plenty of questions, but what you just said, Mr.… Mr. Lucifer? Do you have a last name?” I ask, realizing I’m stammering.
“Lucifer is fine,” he says.
“Okay, so you said sadness describes your entire existence. Really? I mean, you mentioned heaven. Isn’t that where angels live?” I ask. “Or is the part about you being thrown out true? Was there really a war in heaven?”
“Ah yes, a curious mind. I’ve spent lots of time with those that seek the answers you seek. Want the quick version or the long version?” Lucifer asks, tilting his head slightly.
“Whichever one you’re willing to tell,” I say, then I drain my glass. “Daisy, mind fixing me another drink?”
“Sure, coming right up,” she chimes, taking my glass.
Lucifer downs some wine, puts his glass on the table and leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. He takes a deep breath, exhaling like he carries the weight of the world.
“Long ago, the first heartbeat of life pulsed in the universe, but we were already there. We don’t know who or what created us, only that we simply came to be. All we had were instincts that told us protecting the universe was our responsibility,” Lucifer begins. “We debated what that meant for eons with no answers, until one day, an answer presented itself. The first human soul, seeking eternal refuge.”
“Seeking heaven?” I question, taking my drink when Daisy returns. “Thank you.”
“There was no name for it back then, but yes. We built it and lived there, welcoming the human souls that arrived, providing them with somewhere peaceful to rest for all eternity,” Lucifer says. “But souls intrigued us. We didn’t have them. Humans did. We questioned why we were different. Questioned if all human souls deserved a place in the paradise we created. Questioned if we should help the humans while they were still alive or simply wait for them to come to us.”
“I can see that,” I admit, fascinated by it all.
“As for a war? No, there was no war. Not in heaven or between angels. Those of us who thought humans deserved our help began visiting Earth. We found more than humans in need of guidance and assistance,” Lucifer chuckles dryly. “We discovered pleasure, something we’d never felt before. Discovered that pleasure resulted in offspring. Offspring with some of the same celestial energy we were made from. Nephilim.”
“And me!” Daisy chimes in. “I have celestial energy, too.”
“Yes. Different, but yes,” Lucifer says. “Some simply sought pleasure. Some found a deeper connection. But the angels in heaven were outraged when the first Nephilim soul arrived. They refused to accept it, refused to grant it eternal peace. When that soul was destroyed, everything changed.”
“They destroyed the soul of one of your children?” I gasp, astonished. “How could they do something like that?”
“They felt they were following their instincts to protect the universe. Saw the union as blasphemous to our calling. Beforethat, we could freely move between heaven and earth. But the angels that stayed in heaven sealed the Earth, so that no angel would ever be able to leave it and return to heaven. Locked us out of the home we helped them build,” Lucifer sighs. “Our children aren’t welcome there and neither are we. Not anymore. There was no war. Just banishment and imprisonment.”
“Damn,” I say, surprised by how simple yet complex it all seems to be.
“So, when we die… a Scion. Our soul is just destroyed?” I ask tentatively.
“Yes, I’m afraid so,” Lucifer confirms. “A piece may still linger, but it will eventually fade, once the last memory of it does.”
“Wish I’d just gone to bed,” Daisy mutters, taking a drink. “Now I’m going to dream about tortured souls.”
