Anastasia needed air.
The walls of the Healers' Guild were suffocating, thick with the stench of blood and death. She had spent hours inside, watching as Rose clung to life, as her brothers numbly accepted their wounds, as their father—
She swallowed hard.
Wyatt Goodwin was gone.
The war had dragged on for weeks, and it had finally come to an end. A war that should never have happened. One that cost her father his life. And yet, despite it all, her brothers were alive. A small mercy.
Zadkiel had told her that when Balthazar found Lucifer on the fields, he and his army that remained loyal turned on the betrayers and started fighting alongside the angels. That was the shift, the moment the war turned.
She needed to see it with her own eyes. She decided to fly and assess the fields to see if she could help the healers find any angels still alive.
Anastasia landed, boots crunching against the dirt soaked in blood. The silence was thick, pressing against her ears. The scent of charred wings, broken bodies, and death clung to the air. The fields were eerily quiet, with healers walking around, checking for survivors among the fallen.
She wrapped her arms around herself.
Too many. Too many were gone.
She stood, looking at the carnage, and a voice piped up behind her.
"Hello, beauty."
She knew exactly who it was. Lucifer.
He looked as pristine as ever, as if war itself dared not touch him. Dressed in black, dark hair brushed away from his infuriatingly perfect face, he smiled like they were old friends meeting for tea.
"Hello, Lucifer," she replied.
His smirk deepened. "Aw, what a lackluster greeting. I was hoping for something more... spirited. A gasp, perhaps? Maybe a little awe?" He sighed dramatically. "No one appreciates theatrics anymore."
She gave him a side glance. "You helped turn the tide. For that, you have my gratitude."
Lucifer gave a dramatic bow. "Yes, yes. It was quite the spectacle, wasn't it? Betrayal, bloodshed, divine retribution—it had all the makings of a fine tragedy."
Anastasia exhaled, shaking her head. "We lost too many." Her voice softened. "Including my father."
Lucifer's smirk faltered. He tilted his head slightly, watching her. "It is fascinating, isn't it? How fragile existence is. So much blood spilled. So many lives wasted. And yet, you still stand." His gaze flicked toward the battlefield. "I hear your father fought bravely to the very end. It was quite the sight according to Zadkiel."
She nodded. "He did."
A brief silence stretched between them before he clapped his hands together. "For a human, I respect that."
She turned to face him fully. "I need to ask a favour."
He leaned in, voice dropping just slightly. "Go on."
"Britney's baby. I want to take him. Raise him among my people."
Lucifer blinked, then sighed theatrically. "Oh, so that was the dreadful wailing I heard. I assumed it was some poor soul lamenting their fate."
"Lucifer." Her voice carried a hint of amusement at his typical demeanour.
He smirked. "Very well. Take the child. I am hardly equipped for such responsibilities, and I'm certain you'll do a far better job than anyone in my ranks would. Consider it a token of goodwill."
She relaxed slightly. "Thank you."
"Of course," he said smoothly. "Now, tell me, my dear, what happens next? Shall we go our separate ways, hoping never to cross paths again? Or shall we acknowledge the inevitable—that our fates may intertwine once more?"
She studied him carefully. "I need allies I can trust. If we do cross paths again, I'd rather not be at odds. Besides, you not that bad."
Lucifer's smile widened, something almost genuine flickering in his gaze. "Mutual respect. How terribly novel. Very well, Anastasia. Consider our acquaintance one of civility—at least, for now."
Just then, the air shifted.
Bastian and Zadkiel landed a few feet away, both immediately on guard at the sight of Lucifer. Bastian stepped closer to Anastasia, his jaw tight. "Is everything alright?"
Lucifer chuckled. "Oh, relax, warrior boy. Your beloved and I were simply having a civilized discussion. No need to behave like a jealous brute."
Zadkiel arched a brow. "Is that what you call it?"
Lucifer gave a lazy smile. "Of course. What would you call it Zadkiel? She is a married woman after all."
Anastasia turned to a frowning Bastian. "We were just finishing up. Lucifer has agreed to let me take the baby."
Bastian's eyes softened, and he nodded. "That's… good."
Lucifer stretched, looking rather pleased with himself. "Well, then. It seems my work here is done. Try not to miss me too much, dear Anastasia. Until we meet again."
Then, with a snap of his fingers, he vanished.
Bastian exhaled, pulling Anastasia close. "Let's go home."
Zadkiel held up his hand. "We need to have a discussion. May I ask the both of you to meet me in the council room at noon?"
Anastasia nodded and watched Zadkiel fly off. Bastian turned to look at her and sucked in a breath.
"What do you think that's about?"
She shook her head. "I don't know but I could do with some good news."