The Devil's Lover: The Wish (23 page)

He grinned deviously. “Too late,” he
said, and then he claimed her lips with another kiss.

†††††

Arvin passed through the invisible
force field and flew across Heaven’s boundary. The clouds were
beneath his beautiful black wings. I have forgotten what this place
looked like, Arvin said to himself. He dived down into the clouds
and halted when he saw the vision of the tall mountain in the
distance. After he had confirmed it as the right place, he flew
past the clouds toward the mountain top.

Arvin landed in a field of violet
flowers. He scanned his surroundings as forgotten memories flooded
back.

“
What are you doing here,
Arvin?” Archangel Michael asked. He appeared in front of Soren,
following his voice. “This is Heaven’s ground.”

“
I know,” Arvin said.
“It’s good to see you again, old friend.”

“
I can’t say the same. Why
did you cross Heaven’s territory? It can’t be because you miss
me.”

“
And if I say that is the
case?”

“
Unlikely, Arvin,”
Archangel Michael said expressionlessly. “Your devotion is solely
reserved for Lucifer. How is our brother?”

“
He’s better than ever,”
Arvin grinned. “He is so well that he is thinking about
overthrowing Heaven once again. I’m with him all the way, of
course. I haven’t had the exercise in a long time.”

“
Lucifer is planning to
overthrow Heaven again?” The angels whispered to one
another.

“
Lucifer would never. Not
again,” Archangel Michael replied.

“
He has sent me here to
inform you of his invitation. Very shortly, there will be a war
between Heaven and Hell. I am looking forward to fighting you, old
friend,” Arvin laughed. He turned around to fly off in the opposite
direction.

“
Arvin, wait!”

“
I have delivered my
message,” Arvin said as he flew away. “Farewell.”

The angels watched as the demon left
their domain. “What now?” an angel asked Michael. “We cannot allow
a war to happen again. It would upset the balance.”

“
Of course not,” Archangel
Michael said, “We must prevent this war from happening. It is hard
to believe that Lucifer still hasn’t given up on the ambition of
ruling the three realms.”

†††††

Arvin appeared from a summoning circle
beside Acelin, who was watching Kali from his usual tree branch
through a pair of bewitched eyes. Arvin followed Acelin’s gaze.
That woman was holding the prince in her arms. What a cheap smile,
Arvin thought. Acelin was somehow captivated by her cheap smile.
Arvin sighed.

"Aren’t you supposed to be asleep?"
Acelin asked.

"No,” Arvin shook his head. "I have
one more thing to do before I sleep. You should come with
me.”

“
I said no.”

"You will very soon, Lord Lucifer,
too. When the two of you wake up thousands of years from now, you
will thank me.”

Acelin turned toward Arvin. "What did
you do, Arvin?"

"We are sacred, Acelin. The bond
between us is more important than any mortal woman.”

Acelin looked to Kali then looked back
at Arvin. "What did you do, Arvin?" Acelin repeated.

"You will thank me,” he was finishing
his sentence as he disappeared.

†††††

Archangel Michael arrived on Earth
with the other angels. They took on mortal appearances and walked
among them on the streets. The people crushed about with their
lives, completely oblivious to their presence.

"Lucifer is living on Earth,” one
angel said to Michael. "A low rank demon confessed to
us.”

"Why is Lucifer living on earth?"
Archangel Michael pondered.

"He has taken a mortal bride,” the
angel replied.

"Lucifer had taken a mortal bride?"
Archangel blinked. "Are you sure? The arrogant Lucifer? He has been
looking down on mortals even before he became a demon. Why would
he…" Archangel Michael chuckled. "He has never failed to surprise
me.”

"The mortal woman also bore him a
son.”

“
That is surprising news,”
Archangel Michael gently laughed. “I wondered what kind of woman
she is. I may pay her a visit first. Lucifer…I wondered if it has
been too long since I last seen him.”

†††††

Lucifer stepped out of the shower and
discovered she had already fallen asleep on the bed. He came to her
side and gave her a gentle kiss. "You couldn't wait a couple
minutes for me?” he asked in a soft voice. "Next time I won't let
you sleep that easy.”

Lucifer stood up straight and left to
go into his son’s room. He was also sleeping. Bi lay next to him.
He patted the boy’s head. Chevalier stood at the door, looking at
him. "You look very happy, Lucifer,” Chevalier said.

"He is beautiful, isn't he?" Lucifer
referred to his son.

"Yes."

"His appearance may be mine, but he
clearly has Kali's heart.”

"He inherited the best from you
two.”

"If he was born from another woman, I
doubt I would have this much affection for him. He is precious to
her, so I cannot help but love him too. This child is the product
of our love.”

"You're supposed to love your child
regardless,” Chevalier said to Lucifer.

"Is that true, Chevalier?" Lucifer
eyed Chevalier, "You love the boy because he is Kali's, don't
you?"

"I also love Bi, Lucifer. Life does
not always follow your logic. The love for your child should be
unconditional.”

"I never wanted a child,” Lucifer
confessed. "Any offspring of mine will grow up to rival
me.”

"What kind of thinking is
that?"

"Have you forgotten who I
am?" Lucifer asked. "I am Lucifer, the sole sovereign of Hell.
Mortals want children to carry on their legacy after they die.
However, I can live forever. An offspring is unnecessary. But…when
I mistook Kali's child as yours, I was immensely jealous. I thought
to myself, why it is that she's carrying your child? It was
supposed to be
mine
! That was when I realized my deep feelings for her. When
Adria asked me if there was a possibility that Kali was pregnant
with my child, I was stunned. It had never crossed my mind before,
because our kind rarely reproduces. Procreation was never intended
for us. I wanted it to be true so much that I feared I might be
nurturing false hope. I would fall into despair if it weren't true.
I had never felt so anxious to find out the truth. In the end,
Kali's child was mine. The woman I love has my child.” He bent down
to kiss the boy’s forehead. "He is our son.”

"Why are you telling me this?"
Chevalier asked. "How insensitive of you Lucifer, the happiness
that you have now was supposed to be mine. Is it the right thing to
do to rub it in my face?"

"I had never had this feeling before,”
Lucifer said in a sad tone. He lowered his eyes. "It might come as
a surprise to you, but I do have fears. I fear losing him. I fear
of losing her even more. An eternity is a very long time to be
alone. It was okay before, I enjoyed being alone. However, now that
I have been exposed to this sort of happiness, being alone for an
eternity is a frightening thought.”

Chapter 25: Will Never
Regret

Archangel Michael, along with the
other angels, kept watch.

Lucifer and Kali were holding Trent's
hands as they walked down the streets. They pulled him up every
three steps and let him back down again. The boy had a still
expression on his face, but now and then revealed a little smile.
They reached the Zoo's entrance and bought five tickets. Chevalier
arrived with Bi very soon afterward. Trent left his parents' side
and ran to Bi. He grabbed her hand in his. Kali gently smiled and
looked up at Lucifer. Lucifer’s face was expressionless. He had
detected an unearthly scent.

He held Kali closer to him.

"Is something wrong,
Lucifer?"

"No,” he said swiftly. He turned to
face Chevalier, who was already in a defensive stance.

'Stay here with
them
.' Lucifer said to Chevalier.
'I'll find out what is going
on
.'

"Kali?" Lucifer tapped her shoulder
and kissed her cheek. "I'll be right back.”

He headed off by himself.

Kali felt a strange aching in her
heart as she watched him leave. She drew in a deep breath and it
hurt even worse. She reached out to Lucifer, but he was already
gone. Chevalier caught her hand instead.

"Kali?"

Her heart clenched with a sudden
ominous feeling. She knelt down to her son and embraced him
tightly. “I love you, Trent. You won’t forget me, will
you?”

"Show yourself!" Lucifer demanded. "I
hate hide and seek.”

The angels faded into view. They stood
before Lucifer in human form.

Lucifer was surprised but not
intimidated. "The angels of Heaven, why are you here?"

"You know well why we are here,
Lucifer,” the Angels said.

"Arvin,” Lucifer concluded.

"Correct,” the angels replied. "He had
sent us a message from you. Is it true that you are planning to
overthrow the Heaven once again?"

"I did not send such a message,”
Lucifer said.

"Lying Demon!" The angels accused. "We
went to Hell and saw your army mobilizing. Why did you sent us a
declaration of war and then deny it?"

That couldn't be right. Lucifer
thought. His army in Hell couldn't mobilize without his consent. If
the angels spoke the truth, then Arvin must have done this. But
why? Why would he mislead the angels into thinking he wanted to
overthrow Heaven? What did it have to do with Kali? Arvin knew the
Angels couldn't withhold him for long. Lucifer's power was
unrivaled unless he was…

But he doesn't usually get
involve.

"I did no such thing,” Lucifer
repeated his assertion.

The angels summoned their weapons.
Their true forms emerged from their disguises as their enormous
pairs of white wings spread out for many yards to their
sides.

Lucifer smirked.

"I admit there are many of you,”
Lucifer said. "However, never forget that I am Lucifer!"

He transformed into his true form as
well. His eight layered wings were just as beautiful, no, even more
stunning than theirs. His angelic blue eyes glowed as the power of
a true demon surged through his body. He had suppressed his
strength in his mortal body, fearing that he might harm Kali by
accident. It was a good feeling, to feel powerful again.

†††††

“Your name is Kali?” Archangel Michael
asked.

Kali turned around when she heard the
question. A beautiful, angelic man was standing before her.
Chevalier could sense a massive source of energy coming from him.
He stood defensively in front of Kali and the children.

“
He is not here to hurt
us,” Kali said to Chevalier. She could tell by the look in his
eyes. “Are you a demon?” she asked, judging from his beautiful
appearance. So far, all of the demons she had come into contact
with possessed unearthly beauty.

“
No,” Archangel Michael
answered.

“
I am mistaken, then,”
Kali said.

“
May I have a private talk
with you?” Archangel Michael asked.

“
I'm sorry but that's not
possible,” Chevalier answered for her.

Kali tapped on Chevalier’s shoulder,
telling him that it was okay. “I would love to.”

Kali and Archangel Michael found a
bench to sit on while Chevalier and the children watched from afar.
Archangel Michael gave Bi a gentle smile and she returned it with a
brighter one.

“
Are you Lucifer’s woman?”
Archangel Michael asked.

“
I am,” Kali confirmed in
a soft tone.

Archangel Michael nodded. “I
see.”

“
Why did you want to talk
to me?”

“
I was informed that you
drank a demon's blood,” Archangel Michael said. “Are you aware that
you have committed a serious sin? You may possess eternal youth.
However, it comes with a high price. You are condemned by Heaven
and Hell. When you die, your soul won’t even be accepted in the
realm of the dead and will forever linger in this world. Why did
you do it?”

“
Many years after I met
him, Lucifer told me the truth about the consequences,” Kali said.
“I know that it comes with a high price, but it is a price I am
willing to pay.”

“
Why do all mortals want
to live on forever?” Archangel Michael asked, disappointed by
Kali’s answer.

“
The thought of living
forever never crossed my mind. It is natural for humans to die.
Every one of us has to die someday.”

“
Then why?”