by Robert Ross
“What, baby Sentinel, do you find so amusing?”
“Oh don’t take everything so seriously. It was just your expression. You would be terrible at poker. I clearly hit on something. You don’t know what the end-game is here, do you?”
Lucifer sighed and placed his arms behind his head, “No, I don’t, Kellan. As God always used to tell me, he sees to the finish and I do not.”
“I bet that really pissed you off.”
The Devil slid his feet off the desk and leaned forward, arms on his legs, and stared up at Kellan, “You have no idea.”
Kellan smiled, “War in heaven. Fallen angels. Permanent separation from your Creator. I think I have some idea.”
Lucifer was shaking his head, “I’m not convinced he created me. Why would He let me do all the things I’ve done? All the things I continue to do.”
“He’s nicer than you?” offered Kellan lightheartedly.
“No, it has to be more than that. It simply has to be. I know Him. There is more.”
“Well, you are probably right, but we are not going to solve that here and now. All I am trying to get across is that you are not, yet, my sworn enemy. If you fuck with my friends and family, you will be. It may be that enmity between us is unavoidable, but I humbly suggest that if you are the one to make it so, you do so deliberatively.”
Lucifer stood and absently straightened the Van Gogh style painting of an exploding TARDIS. He turned and Kellan saw something new in those ancient eyes. Curiosity? Respect? He wasn’t sure. “Are you familiar with the Gospel of Judas, Kellan?” Lucifer asked.
“No, never read it, but Ares referenced it when we were at Trajan’s column.”
“Do you know who authored it?”
“Uh,” began Kellan, “I’ll take wild guess and say, Judas.”
“You disappoint me,” said Lucifer. “No, I authored it.”
“Wow,” said Kellan, “I have to admit, I didn’t see that coming. Why isn’t it the Gospel of Lucifer, then?”
The fallen angel stared at Kellan, “How well did the Gospel of Judas do becoming canonical?”
“Not very,” answered Kellan.
“And you think the Gospel of Satan would have done better?”
“No, I suppose you are right about that.”
“Indeed I am. Regardless, you should read it, my young Sentinel. Soon.”
“I don’t think Amazon has it,” said Kellan with a grin.
Lucifer smiled, but it seemed sad somehow, “You are a strange one. It has been a very long time since I’ve been as perplexed by someone as much as you perplex me.” He clapped his hands together and rubbed them. “Still, you have done me a service in preventing creation’s end so I will grant you a boon.” His smile broadened and he stretched out his arms before continuing, “Because of your service to me, I will not kill the girl-child.”
“Oh thank god,” came a voice through the door and Lucifer turned back to Kellan.
“I believe we were being eavesdropped on. How rude.”
Kellan squinted back. “How rude? Really? And I’m afraid not killing Juliet isn’t good enough”
Kellan saw the door knob turn before the sounds of a struggle and more profanity could be heard through it as James dragged an obviously furious Juliet away from the office.
“Not good enough? How so?” Asked Lucifer with amusement
“Well, you don’t get to simply not do something that wasn’t deserved to be done in the first place and then call it a boon. I’ll grant that you owe me one, but your debt remains, Lucifer.”
The fallen angel stared into Kellan’s eyes for a long moment as if searching for something. He cocked his head and frowned slightly, then twisted his hand. Red mist formed there momentarily as he made a tossing gesture causing something to flip in the air reflecting the office lights. Kellan watched as a thick silver coin bounced several times on the desk, then spun around before settling on the brown leather desk blotter. “What’s that?” asked Kellan suspiciously.
“It’s your boon,” said Lucifer with a flourish. “Pick it up.”
Kellan laughed, “Oh, no. I’m not picking up that coin. Is there some kind of trapped demonic angel in it?”
Lucifer looked hurt. “Kellan. You pain me. Would I try and harm you in the guise of payment for a debt owed?”
Kellan just gave the fallen angel a flat expression, and made no move to pick up the coin.
Lucifer sighed, “No, there nothing nefarious about the coin. Although I do get your reference. In fact, I’ve read all those books. Have you ever noticed that creative works have analogues in the spiritual world. I’ve wondered if the big arc of those books might give me insight into—“ Lucifer motioned in a large circle, “what the big arc of our reality might be.” The Devil lowered his voice conspiratorially, “After all, you did go to that island to get the Seal of Solomon, so we know that part is real.”
“You mean like Heinlein’s Number of the Beast?” Kellan asked.
Lucifer snapped his fingers, “Yes, Kellan. Exactly like that. He posited that every story written or told either mirrored, or created, reality, whole or in part. That’s a pretty obscure book for someone your age.”
Kellan shrugged. “I’m a big Robert A. Heinlein fan and that was the first book of his I ever read. I loved the name of his ship.”
“The Gay Deceiver,” said Lucifer with a grin. “Lazarus Long’s self aware AI. A bit like Jarvis, eh?”
Kellan’s eyes went wide. “You know about Jarvis?”
Lucifer waved away Kellan’s surprise, “Of course I know. Didn’t you pick up on my hints at the CDC party. I get insights into many lies people tell. Lies are born of Chaos, Kellan, and so am I.”
Kellan pointed at the coin. “So, this is completely safe?”
“Completely.”
“You don’t lie, remember?”
“Of course I remember, and you are correct. I never lie. The coin is safe. It is really an artifact used in demonic summonings. Mortals must complete elaborate rituals to generate the energy to activate it. You need only channel Ordered power through it and I will send a servant to convey you to me. One time may you use it and I will grant you any request that is within my power”
“Really? Any request?”
Lucifer nodded gravely, “It is a powerful boon. One I may live to regret giving, but, what’s life without a bit of risk.
Kellan picked up the coin and examined it. One side was engraved with a six pointed star set in a circle while the other bore a spiral of enochian runes.
Lucifer smiled as Kellan flipped the coin a few times into the air, “Well, nice chat. Must be off. Things to do Kellan. Chaos to seed.”
“One last thing before you portal off,” said Kellan.
“Hmmm?”
“What’s the deal with Meghan? Why does Ares call her a valkyrie?”
“Ahh,” said Lucifer his eyes begging to glow slightly, “Why indeed? You can piece that together yourself. Think about it Kellan. Consider all the references to valkyries and then look for other creatures in mythos that might seem similar.” The devil chuckled. “Go on now, I’ll wait here.”
Kellan closed his eyes, took a deep breath and slowly released it forcing his mind inward as decades of information raced through his consciousness at blinding speed. After some minutes, his eyes snapped open and his face registered shock.
“Well,” said Lucifer, “What did your magic brain come up with?”
Kellan swallowed hard and asked, “Nephilim?”
Lucifer’s eyes brightened further, “Yes, Kellan, Yes! And what are they?”
“Offspring of angels and humans,” the Sentinel replied evenly.
“Oh, not just angels.” Began Lucifer with a grin, “Demons. After all what is a demon but an angel of different temperament.” He then looked past Kellan and closed his eyes, reciting something as if from memory, Man began to increase on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them. The sons of God saw that the daugh
ters of man were good, and they took themselves wives from whomever they chose. God said, ‘My spirit will not continue to judge man forever, since he is nothing but flesh. His days shall be 120 years.’ The nephilim were on the earth in those days and also later. The sons of God had come to the daughters of man and had fathered them. They were the mightiest ones who ever existed, men of renown.”
Kellan took a steadying breath. “Whoa, so are you saying that Meghan, my Meghan, is a nephilim?”
Lucifer smiled, “Not just any nephilim, for no mere nephilim would so entrance the incarnation of war. There is nothing in the mortal realm more infused with Chaos than war. Only a nephilim born of similar Chaotic energy would find a match in the god of war. Only one angel would contain Chaotic energies in such abundance to sire that singular kind of a nephilim.”
Kellan covered his mouth, then dragged his hand up and through his hair nervously. “Wait, no. Dude. You are not saying you are Meghan’s— No, wait, I know her parents.”
The fallen angel laughed at Kellan’s confusion. “First, congratulations again Kellan. You are the first mortal to ever refer to me as, ‘Dude,” and second, no, Meghan is not my daughter.”
Kellan let out a breath he had not known he was holding, but Lucifer continued, “maybe great, great, great granddaughter. I don’t think any more recent than that.”
“Oh, my god,” said Kellan.
Lucifer shook his head, “No, he had nothing to do with it, I assure you. But now that you mention it, you had sex with my great-granddaughter once didn’t you? I should be incensed.”
Kellan’s eyes went wide and Lucifer tilted his head back and laughed maniacally for a moment then sobered, “I jest, Kellan, I don’t care about sex at all. You kids have fun.”
For his part, Kellan, had slipped into his desk chair and rested his face in his hands mumbling about feeling sick.
Lucifer slid onto the desk knocking over a few item and rested his hand on Kellan’s shoulder. “You know, now that I think about it, maybe I was wrong. Maybe Father did have a hand in things.”
Kellan looked up feeling woozy. “What?”
Lucifer locked eyes with him, “Have you taken time to wonder at the happy coincidences that surround you: A valkyrie at your back, a soulborn at your side, and an artificial intelligence at the fore. Why, it’s almost as if someone who exists out of time ensured His Sentinel had friends a plenty. Some might say that whoever is stacking the deck in your favor is shaving the corners off the deal Father and I made so long ago.” Kellan tilted his head slightly at this and looked suspicious, but Lucifer merely smiled broadly. “Oh, not me, baby Sentinel. Someone less generous of spirt than me might even say God’s cheating.”
Now Kellan stared at the fallen angel with incredulity, “Really?”
Lucifer returned the look of surprise, “I know. I know. He’d never do that, right?”
Kellan shook his head, “No, I meant the generous of spirit part. I’m pretty sure that is not something you’ve ever been accused of.”
The fallen angel looked crestfallen as he brought both hands to his chest, “Kellan, again, you pain me,” but a moment later his bright smile returned as he slid off the desk. Lucifer gestured expansively and a glowing portal rotated into view. He took a step toward it and turned, face uncharacteristically solemn, “This has been, in many ways, a tale of two gardens, my young Sentinel. Eden, a tale burdened by pride and chaos. Gethsemane, a tale elevated by agape and order.”
Kellan stared at him a long moment, then quipped, “So, you’re a poet now?”
Lucifer stepped through his portal and turned as it closed, “Ah, Kellan, while some few are born with the souls of poets, all those who live long enough become poets in time…or monsters.”
Chapter 22
Epilogue
Kellan stared at the empty spot where Lucifer’s portal had been moments before and slowly shook his head as thoughts cascaded through his consciousness. He reach into the desk drawer and drew out a wood wrapped flask, spun open the lid, and tilted it into his mouth. He closed his eyes as the warm liquor coated his tongue and felt it burn when he swallowed. Jefferson’s Reserve, very old bourbon. Images of the bottle, the history of the distillery, and then facts about the second President himself raced through his mind. The rush of information calmed Kellan and he felt his pulse slow. He took another few long swallows, replaced the flask in his desk, and stood. As he reached the door, Kellan gave one last look back to where he and God’s eternal adversary had just spoken, then passed through and closed it behind him.
Kellan was still preoccupied with his own thoughts as he walked into the reading nook causing both Juliet and James to jump out of their chairs, faces fixed in worry.
“I can’t believe you brought the literal Devil into my shop. Kellan you are utterly and completely—“
Juliet cut off as a glowing portal suddenly rotated into view, through which they could all see a night time rural scene. Kellan felt the familiar stomach tingle as his eyes met those of Shannon. He could see the strain and concentration in her face, as her eyes began to spark and dim. Without thinking, Kellan leaped over a chair and reached into the portal as it began to fail. He felt her hand close about his wrist and power flow out from him. The portal stabilized and widened and he stared at her, heart beating like drum in his ears. Shannon smiled as their two pairs of glowing eyes met each other across the miles and centuries that separated them. Kellan gave her arm an insistent pull and she stepped forward from her time and place to his.
The portal winked out and Kellan pulled Shannon into his arms. His mouth met hers and he felt her melt into him, but something separated them more than he liked. Kellan pulled back and saw that she carried a massive leather tome. He grabbed the book and tossed it on the table, knocking pizza boxes to the floor in the process. She smiled at him wolfishly. “It’s only been three day. Seems I was missed.”
Kellan felt the grin spread across his face and he said, “Shut up, you,” then pulled her close again.
“Honestly, I’m surprised they can breathe like that,” said Juliet
“Look whose talking,” replied James with a snicker, “I heard all about you snogging that boy from Walking Dead on Kellan’s desk.”
Juliet could feel the warmth traveling up her neck and face, but merely managed to softly grumbled, “He’s not from Walking Dead, you racist asshole. And assuming Shannon doesn’t swallow Kellan whole, I’m going to kill him.”
James gave Juliet a little side hug and nudged her in Kellan’s direction as he and Shannon parted. “You can’t kill him, Juliet. Look at him. Have you ever seen him so head over heels?”
The young woman looked over to the couple as they continued to simply stare into each other’s, now normal, eyes with faint smiles tugging at the corners of both their mouths. Juliet sighed, “I suppose you’re right. He’s quite besotted. Maybe I’ll just torture him until he stops making fun of Glenn and me.”
James released her with a friendly pat on the shoulder as Shannon walked over to them, “That’s the spirit.”
The Scotswoman opened her arms and Juliet gave a short laugh, then walked up for a hearty hug. “How are things, little sister,” said Shannon into her ear while squeezing Juliet tightly.
“Oh, you know, the usual. Holding down the fort while you guys save the world and Lucifer himself visits the shop to nearly kill me. No big deal.”
Shannon stepped back but left both hands on the younger woman’s shoulders as she looked at her. “Really, Lucifer was here?”
“Yep, and I slapped him.”
Shannon’s eyes grew wide. “Why on earth would you do that?”
“Because she has a death wish,” answered Kellan as he came up beside them and sliding his arm around Shannon’s waist and giving her a soft kiss on the neck.
“Tickles,” she growled shrugging him off playfully, “Now, Kellan, pay attention. I have a message to give you about this book.”
“The book can wait, Sha
nnon, I want to know how you are here.”
“Hmmm. Simple really, I had enough stored Ordered energy to open up a portal, well almost enough.”
“No, I don’t mean that,” he said turning her to face him, “I mean your soul tether and the time stream. You promised after that ill advised dinner and movie night, to not risk it again until you knew it was safe.”
She grinned mischievously and tapped out a cadence on his stomach, chest, lips, and nose with each word, “Ill—advised—but—fun!” Then winked at Juliet.
The younger woman frowned and turned to James, “Is she referring to—“
“Yes,” he replied, then added, “Just try not to think about it.”
Juliet shook her head. “Gross, Shannon. Just Gross.”
Kellan ignored the exchange. He reached up and tilted her face toward him, holding her gaze. “I’m serious. Are you sure it’s safe for you to be here? How long can you stay?”
Shannon shook her head. “I can’t believe I almost forgot about that. Kellan, look at this,” she said while fishing inside her tunic and withdrawing a round amulet held in place with a sturdy leather thong. “I got this from the same man who gave me the book and message. He said it will let me know when I had to return to my own time line.”
“Man, what man?” asked Kellan becoming wary then stopped himself. “Never mind, that can wait, how does it work. It just looks like a dull piece of non-precious metal.” He lifted the amulet and examined it, his blood suddenly running cold. On one side, there was a six pointed star encased in a circle and on the back spiraled enochian runes. He frantically fished in his pocket and withdrew the coin Lucifer had given him. He held it next to the Amulet as the other three stared at him uncomprehendingly. The front was an exact match although the runes on the back were different.
“He said you were supposed to activate it by channeling through it,” said Shannon, then added, “He seemed quite nice and handsome too. I’d have given him a tumble for sure were it not for my bonnie boy from the future.” She smiled up at Kellan brightly, then frowned when it was not returned.