Katia took a big breath and nodded. “Okay, will Satan know I’m there?”
“Halja is basically an extension of him. A deep part of his subconscious will know you're there,” Amir explained.
“Good to know. Just try to make sure we end up near the dungeons.”
“Will do,” Amir replied. “Ready to head out? The sooner we get going, the sooner I can extract you. And one more thing, Satan can’t force you into a binding ritual. It has to be done of your own free will…so for Sheol’s sake, if he captures you, don’t agree. At risk of sounding dramatic, the fate of the universe depends on it.”
Taking one last fleeting look toward the bedroom where Luc was lying drugged, Katia steeled her nerves and nodded. “Let’s do this.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Luc was furious and there was nothing he could do about it. This was by far the worst feeling in the world. His brain was online and alert; his body was paralyzed. He’d heard Katia whisper, “I’m so sorry” and “I love you,” as he’d raged against the chemical prison that kept him locked inside his head.
He understood why Katia had done it, but how could Amir not have warned him? He was utterly useless to her right now. He would never have been okay her going after her brother, particularly alone. It was a no-win situation and he was a selfish bastard who couldn’t risk losing her. That’s why she’d done it this way, she hadn't wanted him to bear the weight of standing in her path. Luc felt tears running out the corners of his closed eyes. He would gladly change places with her if he could. He could take whatever punishment Satan had in store if he could only ensure her safety.
On impulse, Luc did something he'd never done before — he sent out a psychic call to any angel listening. He knew the odds were almost zero, but hoped against hope, that even though he was in Outer-Sheol someone would hear him.
He didn’t know how much time passed, it could have been minutes or hours, when an electric charge filled the room; the vibrations felt strangely familiar. Luc’s breath caught, someone had heard his plea. He didn’t know how it was possible; angels weren’t allowed into Sheol, but he had never been so relieved. A voice Luc hadn’t heard for centuries sounded in the room.
“Lucifer Morningstar, it has been a very long time.”
If he could have, Luc would have laughed out loud, Karma was a bitch with a sense of humor. This was the last angel he’d expected to hear from ever again — Metatron. Beggars couldn't be choosers. Luc’s ego was stripped bare at the prospect of losing Katia.
Please help me. Give me the strength to save her. No matter what I’ve done she doesn’t deserve to be at the mercy of Satan.
“Agreed,” said Metatron, answering Luc's psychic plea aloud. "Though I'm not sure why you have any desire to assist her."
Frustration lit up Luc’s thoughts as he replied. Then why did you come to me? Why you, after all this time?
“I’m ashamed to admit it, but I was always envious of your gift for putting your own wishes ahead of those who looked up to you.”
Do you honestly think I can't see what a selfish asshold I was back then? That I haven't relived my mistakes a million times, making a million different choices? The pain I’ve caused, the things I’ve done...
“I’ve kept watch over you all this time, Morningstar. I’m aware of what you’ve suffered. Despite all you’ve done, I still think of you as a brother.”
Surprise at this revelation momentarily distracted Luc, but he quickly got back to the issue at hand. How are you here? Why have you come?
“So many questions — I see some things never change,” Metatron replied with a touch of humor. “Satan has upset the balance in his attempt to bind himself to the Chimera. We are unsure if he is aware; however, once Katia stepped foot in Halja, the traditional rules no longer applied. Angels can temporarily cross over into Sheol. As for why I’ve responded to your call, I’m here to offer you a choice.”
What kind of choice?
“Essentially, to offer you what you’ve always wanted — free will, freedom from service to the light or the dark, the ability to live your immortal life as you choose.”
What’s the catch?
“Should you accept this offer, you will no longer be able to enter Sheol. You must allow events here to unfold as they will.”
But what about Katia? I won’t be able to help her...
“No, I would deposit you in the human realm and leave you there.”
I love her. I can’t just abandon her here.
“There is one other option. You can accept your freedom with the stipulations I’ve already outlined or you can go after your Katia. I will even take you there. But, if you choose that course you must forfeit your immortality. Essentially, you will be entering Halja as a human, with all their inherent weaknesses. Should you die in Halja, your soul will belong to Satan. You would effectively be trading your life for the slim chance of saving hers.”
Luc laughed at the irony. He was being offered everything he’d ever wanted, yet suddenly none of it seemed important. He knew from the depths of his soul that he would be willing to suffer anything for the tiniest chance of saving Katia. She had given him her love — a gift more precious than anything in this world or the next.
Make me human. I’m going after her.
“You’re willing to give up everything you’ve ever wanted for this woman?” Metatron
