I do not own anything related to Lucifer, DC Comics, Vertigo, or Sandman series, either thru television, written books, or film. Everything belongs to Tom Kapinos, Fox, and mentioned above. I do own all the created characters. I do not own any songs, or literature mentioned. They are included to enhance the written words. Please read, review, and enjoy!
Chapter 29
Song(s): Small Town Witch (Sneaker Pimps), Where Do We Go From Here (Filter)
Grand Hyatt San Francisco, 345 Stockton Street, San Francisco, California…
11:02pm
What in the fuck am I doing?
Standing at the foot of the made-up king-sized bed, Pierce stared down at the perfectly lined white comforter and puffed up pillows before grazing the back of his knuckles against the fold.
Soon, you'll start to look at her like you did all the others and in time, you'll disappear suddenly out of her life
"I can't do that to her." Whispering to himself as he turned his eyes towards the duffel bag, he hauled it up to rest on the edge of the bed and unzipped it pulling out a clean white t-shirt and black Nike jogging pants. Keeping the bathroom light off, he sat his clothing on the sink and turned on the faucet with one hand before letting out a long sigh.
Apologize to her?
"My entire fucking life has been about apologizing in silence for all my fuckups."
Well, almost all of my fuckups he thought, pushing the brief image of Abel lying dead at his feet from his mind. Pulling off his shirt, he tossed it down and stripped off his jeans before ducking into the hot water. Closing his eyes, he stood and ran his hands through his short hair before spitting out a mouthful of water as Miriam's voice spoke out in his head…
"When you found me at the Church the other night, I had been there for a while and, and I found myself praying to God and asking him to forgive you…"
"I am the biggest asshole that has ever walked the Earth. Even bigger than Lucifer" he added, rolling his shoulders back as the hot water cascaded over his skin.
"Asking him to forgive you…"
"He'll never forgive me Miriam. And I sure as hell am not going to beg at his feet."
…
Fifteen Minutes Later…
She whored and she graced
Bitching with the bottle, saving face
Blowing it out as the jury's doubt is laid to waste
See black, see bloom
Choked up on a heartburn, bleeding through
How does it feel when the ones that feed are biting you…
Snapping his head up as he heard music coming from outside the dark bathroom, Pierce tossed his towel aside as he took cautious steps into the bedroom.
It could be anyone
"Miriam?"
Small town witch come to mess me up
Small town witch come to mess me up
Small town witch come to mess me up again
Leaning his shoulder against the side of the wall, he narrowed his eyes in irritation and crossed his arms over his broad chest as he watched the dark-haired demon seductively moving her hips from side to side to the beats of the song.
"Try the other M word Cain."
"What the hell are you doing here Mazikeen?"
Smirking as she ran a hand through her loose hair, she slowly turned and smiled with evil intent as she crocked a finger, beckoning him to approach her.
"No thank you," Pierce replied with a bored tone as she flipped him the finger. Keeping his eyes firmly fixed on the demon as she continued to dance to the dying beat of the song, Pierce moved towards the edge of his bed and roughly pulled shut the zipper to his bag. Hearing the ring of his mobile phone, he glanced around the bag and raised his eyes just as Maze held up the device facing the screen in his direction.
"Ooo how interesting. How does the little lab rat like the fact that you have this woman's number and she is calling you at such an ungodly hour?" she smirked, giving the Blackberry a shake as the name Maggie Addams flashed across the screen.
"Shall I answer it?" she challenged, bringing a single finger up against the screen ready to swipe.
"Miriam already knows about her" Pierce answered truthfully as Maze's smirk soured.
"You're no fun Cain."
Tossing the phone over her shoulder, Maze quickly spun around and with lightening fast movement, threw one of her Hell blades directly through the device as it fell to the floor.
"Was she a good fuck? Headboard breaking?"
"Right, you're going to leave now and…"
Wait
She wouldn't come all the way here on her own
Not, without a very specific reason
Throwing his eyes onto the locked door that separated the two hotel rooms, he took a quick step forward and stopped dead as Maze leaned her head against the wooden frame, blocking the way.
"Is he in there with her?"
Allowing her lips to spread into a wide smile, Maze gave a single nod of her head as she held up a second blade.
"All ten inches of him, and if you want to get through this door, then you will have to get through me Cain" she spat, narrowing her eyes as Pierce allowed his hands to rest at his sides before clenching them into tight fists.
…
"All you have to do, is say yes."
Feeling a shiver running down her spine as Lucifer continued to trace her bottom lip with the edge of his thumb seductively; Miriam felt her breath hitching in the back of her throat as she stared into his dark eyes.
"Should I take it upon myself and make the decision for you?" he purred, gripping her chin firmly with his hand as he brought his lips down hard onto hers. Feeling his tongue parting her lips, Miriam sighed as she felt his hands snaking around her waist holding her tightly against him.
I have to make a decision
Growling against the young woman's mouth, Lucifer nipped at her bottom lip and tasted her blood as he felt her suddenly pulling away from him. Flashing fire in his eyes as he stared into Miriam's face, the Devil lunged forward and scooped her up into his arms as he walked confidently towards the bed.
You have to stop…
You have to stop!
Stop!
"But why?"
"Why what?"
Squirming in Lucifer's arms as she struggled to get back on her feet, Miriam shook her head and threw her eyes onto the wall that separated her room from Pierce's as she took a step backwards.
"I don't know why..."
Narrowing his eyes in irritation, Lucifer let out a low growl as he reached into his black blazer pocket and withdrew a small silver flask.
"You are killing me lab rat" he spat, taking a deep swig of vodka as Miriam scoffed.
"Can you really fucking blame me Lucifer Morningstar?"
Re-thinking his offer to hand her the flask, he tucked it away before smoothing his hand over the scruff of his chin.
"Cain can offer you nothing. I on the other hand, can offer you everything your little heart desires" he spoke boldly, catching her eye as she swallowed the lump that had been growing in the back of her throat.
"God takes everything away from him…"
"Cain, brought his shitty situation upon himself may I remind you. Now, I want an answer from you…"
"Is…my brother still in Hell?"
Scanning Miriam's face as he heard her whisper, Lucifer nodded his head as he brought a hand up to rest against her cheek.
"Did you even try to free him?"
Holding her breath as she felt his hand dropping from her cheek, she watched as the Devil's lip twitched in annoyance.
"I told you before that I am not a bloody magician. If my Father wants your brother's soul, he knows very well where to find him."
Blinking in surprise at his words, Miriam turned and roughly brushed past him as she walked back out onto the balcony. Laying her hands on the rail, she gripped the railing tight as she stared down at the traffic.
"I thought angels couldn't interfere with the living?"
Moving to stand beside her once more, Lucifer reached into his blazer and pulled out the flask for a second time. Holding it out to her, he watched as she twisted off the lid and gulped down the remaining liquid before tossing the container over the edge of the balcony without a second thought.
"Did you forget that I am a fallen angel? And you are stalling..."
"Lucifer…I can't make this decision. I want to save my brother but…I just feel…I have to try and save Cain." Feeling the tears stinging at the corners of her eyes, Miriam turned and brought her eyes up onto Lucifer's face as he held up her phone with a small shake.
How did he…
"Say good bye to Aaron Miriam."
Holding her breath as she watched him shake the phone for a second time, she nearly dropped it over the edge of the railing as he tossed it up into the air. Standing alone on the balcony, Miriam brought a hand up and brushed at the steady stream of salty tears that had fallen down her cheeks as she slowly walked back into the room on shaky feet, clutching her phone as she heard the screen crack with the strength of her palm.
"I'm sorry Aaron…I'm so sorry…." Throwing a hand out against the small corner table, she ignored the pair of drinking glasses as they clattered and rolled onto the carpeted floor. Taking a heavy seat in a chair near the bed, Miriam brought her hands up against her mouth and closed her eyes tight as she tried to steady her breathing.
"You're in Hell, and I…gave up on you."
ARGH!
Jumping in her chair with a cry at the loud bang of splitting wood, Miriam threw her eyes onto the door that separated her room from Pierce's and watched with frozen eyes as Pierce half stumbled over the threshold, clutching a bloody towel against the centre of his shirted chest.
"Where…is the bastard…"
Staring at the heavy droplets of blood that fell onto the carpet as Pierce staggered towards her, Miriam stretched her legs out and crossed her ankles as he came to stand in front of her.
"He's gone."
He's never gone Miriam Pierce thought to himself as he pulled the towel away to inspect his bleeding.
"What happened to you?"
Moving to kneel beside her, he could feel her eyes running over his split lip and blood crusted knuckles as he sucked in a deep breath.
"Mazikeen happened."
Narrowing her eyes, Miriam gave her head a small shake as it all made sense.
Lucifer sent Maze to occupy you, while he occupied me
Feeling Pierce's hand grazing her arm as he rose to his feet, she watched as he pulled off his t-shirt before tossing it back towards the busted door. Running her eyes over his pectoral muscles and the large deep bloody gash that ran up the length of his sternum, she signed as the metallic smell of blood wafted all around her.
"I'm tired Marcus."
"I'm not leaving you alone tonight."
Raising her eyes, she could feel the coldness radiating from his blue eyes as he stared down at her.
I am not in the mood for this
"Miriam, what did Lucifer do to you?"
"Enough, please..." Quickly rising to her feet, she pushed past his arm and made her way to the bathroom, closing the door behind her as she turned on both the hot and cold taps.
Light, you are staying off. I don't need to see my runny mascara and puffy eyes
Easing her wrists into the running water as she closed her eyes, she tried to steady her breathing, trying not to think about the man who was bleeding all over her bedroom floor at this very moment.
I chose the biblical Cain over my brother
I chose a man who killed his own brother by smashing his head in with a rock over another man who did nothing wrong...
"Miriam?"
"I SAID ENOUGH!"
…
The Next Morning...
"We're here Miriam."
Nodding her head in silence as Pierce threw the charger into park, she heard him drumming his thumbs against the steering wheel as he turned around in his seat to look at her.
"Thank you."
It was all he said as he slowly raised his hand before pausing in mid air.
Just let her go Cain and leave California
Letting out a slow sigh, Pierce threw his door open and waited near the trunk as Miriam joined him.
She's exhausted, can't you see that?
She's exhausted from both you and Lucifer Morningstar
"We won't be here that long."
"Take as much time as you need" Miriam spoke before muttering under breath...
I have nothing waiting for me back in LA
Walking in silence towards the looming retirement residence, her eyes watched as the arm of Pierce's dark shadow extended slightly out towards her before returning to the solitude of his body.
I just can't
"And who are you here to see?"
Stepping aside as Pierce approached the counter, Miriam breathed in deeply the scent of pink roses as a fresh bouquet in water sat on the opposite end of the counter.
"Emeline Slade."
"Are you relatives?"
"Distant...relatives."
He's her Father actually Miriam blinked as she watched the Lieutenant sign his name on the visitor log.
"You'll have to sign in too Miss."
Taking the pen from Pierce's fingers, Miriam made sure her signature was not legible to be read as directions were given to the floor that housed the last child of Cain. Following Pierce into the empty elevator, she stepped back and watched as he pressed the door close.
"Look at me."
Raising her eyes up and onto his face, she felt herself drawn into his eyes as he brushed the palm of his hand along her cheek.
"Your eyes are puffy and I can see that you are one step from crying Miriam."
Not here Pierce
Moistening her lips as she felt the edge of his thumb grazing along the side of her jaw, Miriam wanted nothing more than to spill her guts to him right there in the stainless steel, bleach smelling elevator.
Maybe we would have worked in a different time Cain
Hearing the doors opening onto the designated floor, she held her breath as she watched Pierce turn around.
"You're right."
Glancing over his shoulder, Pierce narrowed his eyes as he watched Miriam taking a step backwards to lean against the elevator wall.
"I am one step from crying. In fact, I spent the entirety of last night crying without any sleep and I am exhausted," she spoke, feeling Pierce's strong hands settling on her shoulders.
If I had just left you alone, we wouldn't be in this situation he thought to himself as he enveloped the young woman in his strong arms.
"This has to do with both Lucifer and myself..."
"Yes."
"I won't take you back to Los Angeles if you don't want Miriam."
What does that mean?
"I've spent far too much time in thinking that just picking up and leaving is the answer. Truth be told, I've thought of leaving you and I can't."
Feeling his warm breath against her ear, Miriam screwed her eyes shut tightly and locked her knees as she felt his hand moving against her lower back.
I've given up my brother for you Cain
"Meet Emeline please."
Moving her eyes onto the closed door that Pierce had halted in front of, she watched as he slowly raised his hand before knocking softly. Watching the door open as he stepped over the threshold, Miriam nearly collided with his back as he stood frozen in place.
You continue to put yourself through the pain of loss Pierce
But why?
Watching him move into the room, Miriam focused her eyes on the frail woman lying stretched out with two pillows propping up her head as Pierce dragged a single chair over from the corner. Taking a heavy seat, Pierce cleared his throat as he slowly reached out and grazed his fingertips over the withered hand of his daughter for the first time in over one hundred years. Watching her stir, he felt the tears stinging at the corners of his eyes as his lips twitched.
"Oh...Thomas, you look so pale today..."
Taking a step towards the foot of the bed, Miriam glanced towards Pierce as he slowly shook his head.
"No Emeline, it's not Thomas."
Catching the confusion in the old woman's eyes as she felt her cheeks growing warm, Miriam tried to offer a small smile and failed.
"Thomas, your wife is very pretty and it was very nice of you to come around and visit, but your Father will be back any moment with the milk."
Catching Pierce bowing his head at her words, she heard him sniff before wiping at his nose with the back of his hand.
I've never seen you cry Cain
Moving around the foot of the bed to stand beside his chair, Miriam watched as the world's first murderer brought his daughter's hand up against his lips with a kiss.
They have the very same eyes
"You should go Thomas..."
"I'm not Thomas Emeline. I'm...I'm your Father. Please forgive me..." he whispered, feeling her frail fingers touching his cheek as she leaned forward and stared into his eyes with a brief moment of pure clarity.
"You have nothing to be forgiven for..."
Ten minutes later...
Pulling Emeline's door closed as Miriam stepped past him into the hallway, Pierce slipped his sunglasses down over the bridge of his nose as they walked back towards the elevator.
Why would he put himself through all of this?
Pain
Death
The rawness of it all
"You wanted me to see what God has done to you."
Hearing Miriam's voice from behind his shoulder, Pierce pushed his sunglasses up to rest on the top of his head as he leaned his shoulder against the closed door.
"I will never forgive God for what he has done and continues to put me through Miriam" he growled, closing his eyes as Miriam took a step backwards.
"Will you take me home please?"
"Home, Los Angeles?"
"No. Home as in Fairfield."
…
Thank you to all for reading and subscribing! Thank you to Guest, Guest, Importchic, Guest, Rose Nieman Black Targaryen, Fujiflower, Aishiteru naru, and sexysorceress3001 for leaving reviews!
P.S. Think Lucifer is done with Miriam...think again ;)
I hope everyone is enjoying my story and staying safe!