A Light in the Dark Part Sixteen: The Bookshelf to a Secret

Lily:

A brown haired woman greeted me in the local university’s library, her sage eyes glistening with tears. Donning a student ID, she pointed to the glow filtering out from underneath the door. Telling her to go back to class, Boomer bounced around my feet as Victoria appeared next to me. Opening a portal for me, we stepped into a dismal granite cave. This shouldn’t be behind a bookshelf, my job was to seal this dimension away. Smoothing out my violet sweater dress, my scythe rested in my hands. 

“What is this dimension?” I asked Victoria politely, her kind gaze falling on me. “I haven’t seen this type yet.” Shrugging her shoulders, I guess we were supposed to figure this out together. A single door slid open, whispers calling us. Chills shot up my spine, the sheer number of them were alarming.  Victoria hooked her elbow around mine, her gentle kindness had my heart fluttering. Marching forward together, a darkness bathed us. Hot air rushed around us, a hellish crack burning in the distance. That made sense, the unfortunate part being the shifting realm around me. Something had broken it, a long sigh pouring from my lips. Symbols glowed to life, my eyes rolling. Some idiot had to open a portal to Hell. Sending Boomer ahead to sniff out any monsters, he had a habit of barking in the right direction. Tying her silver rope around my waist, we needed to stay close together.  

“I don’t want to lose you with the shifting walls. We need to defeat the demon that they summoned before it gets to the surface. After that we need to burn the damn book. Sounds like a plan?” I continued with a shaky voice, knowing that a demon would be different. Running forward, the floor gave out underneath me. Dropping into an endless darkness, her rope saved my life as Boomer’s bark echoed below me. The flames of Hell burned hot, a lump forming in my throat. Victoria couldn’t come with me, my heart sinking. Mouthing sorry, my scythe cut the rope. Crying out for me to stop, the heat had me swaying. Limping forward, a shadowy figure darted behind me. Fear rounded my eyes, the color draining from my face. Thousands of screams caused my ears to bleed, every person I put down here was charging at me. Letting out a scream, my boots pounded towards the brimstone castle in the distance. Boomer scooped me up, his giant body kicking up a cloud of ash. Every breath grew shorter, my aunt blocked our way to safety. Peeling off her skin, maniacal laughter flooded from her lips. Raising her bloodied hands, my heart was seconds from beating out of my chest. Clutching my scythe to my chest, clammy sweat drenched my skin. Maggots squirmed in her ruby skull, nausea wracking my body. Raising the belt she used to beat me with, my body trembled harder. A suave man cut her down, his inky waves floated around his waist, his kind ruby eyes falling on me. Snapping his fingers, a pair of headphones appeared on my ears. Sighing in relief, my ears were thanking him. Smoothing out his silky scarlet suit, his whistle had Boomer following him. Taking a few deep breaths, the panic had died down. Curiosity burned in my eyes, Boomer shrinking back down. 

“I am Lucifer. What I am wondering is why my personal soul retriever is down in Hell? The point of your job is to push them in and not to visit me.” He teased lightly, letting me into his castle. Taking in the ornate wallpapered walls, his slender hand guided me to his study. Every book known to mankind rested on the endless wall of shelves, his fireplace roaring to life. Motioning for me to sit, his hands took off my headphones. The screams couldn’t be heard, confusion dawning on my face. Sliding me a bucket, the wave of nausea returned. Emptying my stomach, the chunks hit the bottom. A black mark appeared on my hand, a deserved alarm rounding my eyes. Groaning to himself, Lucifer was busy cutting his palm, the inky blood filled a golden goblet.  

“Since you entered Hell, you have to become a partial demon if you keep wishing to see me. If you want to take down that rotten bastard you will need this.” He informed me briskly, sliding me the glass. “It won’t kill you but it will make your eyes as red as mine. Your child will also become a partial demon. Point is that you will die if you don’t drink up.” Contemplating my options, my heart began to speed up. Dropping the bucket, my shaking fingers couldn’t grasp the glass. This wasn’t going to be how I was going to die, his form towering over mine. Looking up at his worn expression, he lifted the glass to my lips. Gulping it down, a searing pain coursed through my veins. Screaming out with every new wave, silent tears stained my cheeks. The color drained from my hair, a ruby haze obscuring my vision. Trembling in my seat, every health problem I had healed itself. Cursing to himself, he took a step back. Death charged at him with her scythe, my reflection throwing me off. Tracing my black lips, my hair had grown down to my waist. Playing with my fangs, this was bad. 

“You knew she was part demon, you bastard.” Death roared thunderously, her scythe clashing violently with his fire poker. “Why did you have to wake her up!” Too stunned to speak, Boomer barked and pointed his nose in the direction of a navy demon charging towards the crack. Leaping from my chair, the hot air blew my hair up with every second of floating down. Sprinting towards the bastard, inky bubbles floated from the tip of my scythe. Leaping into the air, a cloud of ash obscured my presence. Spinning my scythe over my head, an explanation would be needed later.  

“Hey, rotting corpse. It is time to die.” I taunted cruelly, presenting my scythe as a challenge. Death called out for me to stop, the bubbles building into a ball of black energy. Blocking his simple navy blade, my patience was wearing thin. Knocking him into a hot rock, his bones cracked as he rose to his feet. Towering over me by two feet, a lump formed in my throat. Sliding underneath him, a swift swing cut through his neck like butter. Decaying to ash, a seething fury burned in my eyes. Marching up to Lucifer, I yanked him close inches from my face.  

“Was my mother infertile or did you do something about that? There would be no other reason for me being a demon this whole time.” I barked venomously, a nervous smile twitching on his lips. “Spill it before I kill you.” Chuckling while holding me by his shoulder, a strained well left his lips. 

“Yes and no. I impregnated your mother because your father was sterile. She prayed for a child and I answered. Why else do you think that you didn’t have a sibling?” He explained with an even bigger smile, sliding his hands into his pocket. “You looked so happy with your father that I didn’t intervene.” Spinning on my heels, he groaned as I began to walk towards the growing crack. Throwing Death her key, she clearly knew. Everyone knew. 

“Fuck you all. Don’t talk to me until I cool off.” I warned icily, climbing the stairs to the crack. “Seal!” Crunching shut, the threat was gone on this end. Ripping open the worn door, three college girls screamed at my shaking hand ripping the spell book from them. Dissolving it in front of them, a brisk warning was all they needed. Marching through the halls, gasps echoed around me as my fangs receded. Tucking my scythe in its discreet case, my brow cocked. Victoria joined my side, her eyes rounding at the sight of me. 

“Don’t worry about it.” I assured her warmly, walking into the chilly night air. “Did you tell Matty where I was or do I have to call him?” Boomer leapt into my arms, her hand resting on my shoulder. An apologetic expression haunted her features, guilt dimming my eyes. Silent tears stained my cheeks, all of it hitting me at once. Salty tears hit Boomer’s fur, the lies my mother told me hurting me. Matty pulled up, a quiet shock hiding underneath his eyes. Climbing in with Boomer, his lips parted to speak several times. Something caught my eyes, his hair having gone white as well. Ruby eyes met mine, his lips pressed against mine desperately before I could apologize. Sinking into his warmth, his condition was my fault. Letting me out of his spell, his inky lips curled into a sad smile. 

“You fell into Hell, didn’t you? Your mother told me about your true father and I couldn’t bring myself to talk about it. She felt so sorry for not telling you but she wanted you to have a good life.” He explained softly, brushing his lips against my forehead. “I found the evidence when I was over at your house once. You were born with white hair and ruby eyes and I didn’t care. So I made a deal with a demon that day so I could spend the rest of my life with you.” Touched by his words, he had been a demon this whole time. Sobbing brokenly, I didn’t know what to feel. Laying my head on the dash, my arms dangled limply. Turning to face him, he bore a mark similar to a snake on the back of his neck. Rubbing my back, his inability to understand white magic all made sense. 

“I now understand why you couldn’t grasp white magic.” I joked tenderly, a fit of laughter burst from his lips. “I am happy you managed it though. What am I going to tell everyone? I guess I could say I was using contacts and hair dye. Do you think people would buy that?” Shrugging his shoulders, his hand rested on my bump. Rubbing it with a proud grin, all of my anxiety melted away for a few seconds. At this point, the trauma tainting my life gave me the tools to roll with the punches. 

“I don’t care about what people say. I am happy our little bean is growing well.” He assured me sweetly, Death appearing in the back with Lucifer. “Of course you met your father. Only you could manage that. Did you think it was wise to hide your identity from your daughter?” Rolling his eyes, fresh bruises dotted Lucifer’s cheeks. Death clearly had her way, her hand rubbing my back.

“So if you are my dad, did you make a deal with my husband?” I inquired with a groggy yawn, the nervous grin twitching on his lips gave me my answer. “Thanks for answering. You don’t plan on actually collecting his soul, right? That would be stupid on your part, wouldn’t it?” Low growls rumbled in his throat, a raw tension burned between us. Letting out an impatient breath, he lied to me and he was the only one alive to chastise. 

“I realize what I did wrong but would you have believed me?” He questioned with an annoyed tone, his fingers digging into his pants. “I can’t kill my daughter’s husband. His deal was the least selfish thing I have ever granted. That being said, don’t tell anyone else.” Understanding his reasons, he had his reputation to uphold. Huffing in disdain, the engine roared to life.  

“Make yourself useful and say that you are my uncle.” I returned with a cocked brow, a hearty laugh bursting from his lips. “People will find the albino excuse more believable if I have a relative with a similar condition. I am a weird person who would hide such a thing.” Shaking his head, he massaged his forehead. 

“I can’t believe you are just like me.” He proclaimed with pride in his eyes, a new glow glittering to life. “If you keep my secret, I’ll keep yours. Besides, I have been watching you this whole time. I sincerely apologize for your aunt. Can we start over what we haven’t started?” Offering me his hand, my forehead still rested against the dash. Sitting up, my hand curled around his. One firm shake later and we were a new father and daughter duo. Turning around, the houses began to blur together. Chewing on my fingernails, the very thought of my mother sleeping with someone else ate at me. Glancing back on Lucifer, a pensive expression rested on his face. 

“You do know that this child is your grandchild, right?” I pointed out simply, his face lighting up. “He isn’t going to end the world or anything, is he?” Resting his head on his hands, a sly grin made him look evil instead of the kind devil he was. Pulling up to our store, the four doors slamming at once blew my hair back. Unlocking the store, Mary ran up to me. Noting my appearance, a gentle smile showed her golden heart. Playing with my hair, curiosity brightened her eyes. 

“You’re a demon, aren’t you?” She inquired sweetly, looking for my fangs. “That makes sense. I have always been able to see those types of things. To think that Lucifer himself would come into my town.” Too stunned to speak, her hands rubbed my arms. Spinning around, she bowed in my direction. 

“I happen to be psychic. I occasionally help the folks around town with speaking to their loved ones that passed. I will tell them that you are an albino.” She assured me with her sweet smile, her hands resting on my bump. “I am sorry that I didn’t tell you. Maybe I should cut your hair to keep up the lie.”  Dragging me to her shop, Lucifer stayed on my heels. Sitting me down in a chair, she pressed her scissors to his throat. A single drop of sweat dripped off of his brow, my throat clearing shut that down. Working on my hair, tales of her kids kept the silence from tainting the air. Giving me the same haircut, all of us waited with bated breath for it to grow back. When nothing happened, my cover wouldn’t be blown. Taking off the apron, my hands cupped her face as I stood up. 

“I can’t thank you enough.” I blubbered uncontrollably, her arms yanking me into a bear hug. Basking in her warmth, my situation didn’t seem so bad after all. Pushing us out of the shop, Lucifer’s eyes refused to leave the ground. So many questions rested on my tongue, our footsteps crunching down the street. Pausing in front of my store, Matty was busy preparing for the next day. 

“Did you only sleep with my mother once or was it more of an affair?” I queried calmly, his wet eyes meeting mine. “Judging by that look you two had a thing before my other father. Knowing her, she called you in for a favor.” Smiling sadly to myself, my hands cupped his. Placing them on my bump, tears slid down the curve. Unable to speak, he had lost someone special to him as well.  

“I want us to have whatever this is. I may not be my mother but I do have a kind heart. I lost all of my family a long time ago, whether it was tarnished by an actual reputation or actual death. I can’t go through all of that again. Be patient with me and stop by for dinner once a week.” I offered sincerely, his face lighting up. “You didn’t do anything wrong. You helped someone out of love. I wish my mother told me. I would have thought it was the coolest shit in the world.” A fit of laughter burst from his lips, his palms rubbing my swollen bump. 

“If you want to. Why aren’t you mad?” He choked out with his genuine smile, the smile matching mine. How could I be? His broken heart said it all, my mother coerced him into the act. He was the reason I was here, my bear hug shocking him. Letting his emotions soak my shoulder, none of this was his fault. 

“How can I be? You are the reason I am alive. Come on in and have a hot beverage or something. I sell wine. It’s local but I have heard that it's a perfect combination of blah and blah.” I chirped warmly, his back straightening the moment I let him go. Guiding him in, Matty waved at him. Grabbing one of our open bottles of wine from the other night, I poured Lucifer a glass. Giving him the glass, he spun it around. Going behind the counter to help prepare for tomorrow, Lucifer set the glass down to help me out. Hanging his jacket on a nearby hook, his slender hands rolled up his sleeves. Picking up a knife, he began to chop up vegetables for me. Telling me about the times he spent with my mother, their relationship was sweet. His position made him have to give it up, tears hitting the counter. Seeing him so shattered by her loss caused my heart to break, my hand holding his. 

“We can see her grave tomorrow if you want. I have so much to say to them.” I promised him dejectedly, his sad smile meeting mine. “Grief will heal itself over time. You are always welcome in my house. Thanks for helping.” Settling back into a rhythm, a new hope burned in my eyes. My real family was forming around me, my depression fading slightly. Sobbing softly, mixed emotions held me back from letting go. Matty hugged me from behind, his lips brushing the top of my head. Basking in the warmth, my heart hoped for more nights like this.