Still confused from his encounter with the homeless man, Priest stepped onto his front patio.
"Odd." Priest glanced around the immediate area. An abnormal calm surrounded the dark alley that ran parallel to the side of his home. Normally, there would be a drunk puking or a couple embracing on another. However, this night a cold silence chilled the area.
As Priest slid his key into the front door, a black form danced in his peripheral vision. Priest's survival instinct immediately kicked in as his heart skipped a beat.
"Now what the hell was that?" Priest pocketed his keys and readied himself for another of the night's surprises. Had the old man come back for more? After the events of the past couple hours, anything was possible.
Several yards away, Lucifer stood under the thick blanket of the shadows. Lucifer knew it was him. He could feel the power radiate from the human called Priest. The unmistakable presence of Mephistopheles gave Lucifer another reason to feel confident about his plan. Now, it was time to make himself known to his most trusted fallen angel.
"My dear friend." Lucifer said from the darkness, "It is good to see you again. We have been wondering where you are. Perhaps our dear friend Jehovah has finally allowed you to be found."
Upon hearing Lucifer's words, Priest cautiously backed away. The foreboding voice came from thing air. More importantly, it reminded Priest of the demon within.
I told you he would come.
"You told me who would come?" Priest whispered.
Lucifer.
A chill ran up Priest's spine as Lucifer spoke again, "Old friend, perhaps you did not hear me."
"Old friend? I think you have mistaken me for the wrong person." Priest looked into the darkness. Priest's night vision was phenomenal for a human, one of the bonuses from being possessed by a fallen angel. With it, he could make out the outline of a tall man. "Who are you anyway? And why are you in the shadows?"
Lucifer remained still. He did not expect Priest's curt response.
"My apologies. I thought you were one of my companions. Perhaps you would be so kind to help me with some directions. I drank a little too much and have found myself lost."
As Lucifer spoke, Priest felt a familiar tug at his thoughts. At first, he thought it was the demon within. But, the presence grew darker and far more sinister.
"Directions? Don't you think hiding in the shadows is a strange way to ask for directions?"
Maybe you are not listening to me. He has come and he will get his way. Why don't you drop the facade right now and reveal yourself.
The pull grew stronger and more persistent. Priest felt willed into the shadows.
"Sorry, I know it might seem odd. I am not from around here. As I said, I am lost."
Lucifer's footsteps echoed against the pavement.
"Stumbling around in a Baltimore City alleyway will get you killed. Why don't you go back the direction you came? I am sure you can find yourself somebody to help you out."
"Yes, but you seem like the trustworthy sort."
Lucifer revealed himself underneath the dull glow of the overhead street lamp. The man's appearance mimicked a stereotypical tall, dark, handsome stranger, the type that middle-aged women lusted for while reading romance novels. His face was pale and smooth; his eyes, a piercing black with even darker pupils. If one were to guess, Lucifer appeared to be in his late thirties, possibly early forties.
Priest took a longer look at the man. Lucifer dressed in black suit with red pinstripes. Underneath he wore a deep red shirt which contrasted against a golden tie. Lucifer appreciated human clothing and the finer things in human life. If he was going to be the lord of darkness, he might as well play the part.
"He doesn't look like he has been hanging around in a dirty alley. The guy looks impeccable." Priest whispered to the demon within.
What else would you expect?
"You think he would know that outfit works better in D.C., Baltimore is not quite as aristocratic." Priest whispered back, not taking his eyes off the man in the spotlight.
"Again, I apologize. I understand the hour is late and most people you meet during this time are either out to mug you or sell you something. I promise you, I am neither. I lost my party at Bad River." A wry smile crossed Lucifer's face as he spread his arms signaling he meant no harm.
"It's called Mad River, and you are dressed too nice for that place."
"I see. You don't like to be bothered much, do you?"
"Not really."
Lucifer pondered his next move. His influence was not working. Priest mentally stonewalled his attempts. The human was as strong as Lucifer predicted, if not more powerful. A twin born of Longinus bloodline was rare. Priest could be the diamond in the rough, the crown jewel of his army of forsaken human souls.
Lucifer withdrew a cigarette from his jacket pocket while calculating his next step. The cigarette sparked to life as Lucifer brought it to his lips.
"Are you sure you cannot help? My friends told me they were going there. I was caught up in a conversation with a beauty. Let me tell you, she was quite attractive. After several drinks, what do you know, I lost her. Without a female companion, I left the bar without direction. I am a visitor here, I have no idea where you Mad River is. As for the way I am dressed, I can't help it if women prefer men who take care of themselves." Lucifer breathed in the smoke and smiled.
"You know, your voice sounds familiar. You sure we haven't met before." Priest focused on keeping a safe distance from familiar man. The closer Lucifer got, the hazier Priest's thoughts became.
Of course it sounds familiar, Priest. His voice has been haunting your nightmares for your entire life. It is him. Priest did not believe Mephistopheles. For years the demon taunted Priest about the second coming of Lucifer on earth. Most of it sounded like nonsense.
"Did you say familiar?" Lucifer raised his perfectly groomed left eyebrow, "How is it that I sound familiar? I am afraid that we have never met; At least, not in this lifetime."
"I am probably mistaken. You just have one of those voices. You know? Now, you'll have to excuse me, I am going to go inside and shut my blinds. I have seen enough weird shit tonight; I don't need to continue with you."
Lucifer examined the cobblestone street where he stood and sighed. He grew tired of the games. Lucifer flicked the cigarette to the cobblestone causing a small spark to jump from its core.
"Priest…"
"You know my name?" Priest took a step back. The safety of his house remained at his side.
Lucifer looked up with a sinister glare. Within Lucifer's gaze, Priest felt the burning rage of hatred and anger. The outside appearance was just a charming façade. The real wickedness lie inside of the demon as images of people burning at the stake, hangings, and suicide flashed across Lucifer's eyes. Dread and hopelessness caused Priest to cringe, the same type of feelings he experienced thirteen years ago when Mephistopheles ruined what remained of his life.
At that moment, Priest knew that Mephistopheles was correct.
"Of course I know your name." Lucifer's said in an annoyed tone. "Don't act surprised, we have known each other for your entire goddamned existence. It is just time we become reacquainted."
"I think it might be in my best interest to take a pass on that."
Suddenly, Priest choked on the pungent smell of sulfur as Lucifer appeared at Priest's side.
"We don't have time to play games, Priest. You know who I am, and something tells me you know why I am here. So, if you don't mind, I am going to cut to the chase!"
You managed to upset the one angel you did not want to upset. I know you have a death wish, but he is the not the fallen you want to bring you to hell.
"Something tells me that I don't have a choice in the matter. If that's a case, can I get a cigarette?" Priest remained focused. He did not want to appear weak.
"Of course." Lucifer removed another cigarette from his jacket. "Care for a light?"
"I think I got it."
Priest lit the cigarette with a more conventional method.
"Its not too often you see people wearing sunglasses at night."
"Sorry, had my eyes operated on a few days ago. Doctor told me I had to keep them hidden from the light."
You can't be serious, are you really going to lie to Lucifer?
"Interesting. Now, are you going to show me the consideration of inviting me into your home?"
"Sorry, I don't want my house smelling like smoke. I don't want my roommate…"
"You don't have a roommate."
"OK, so I don't want my house smelling like smoke. I think we can talk out here fine. Plus, I can't be sure if your kind is like vampires. You know, where I have to invite you in. They are quite popular in pop culture these days."
"What do you mean my kind?" Lucifer hovered over Priest.
"Demons."
Without warning, Lucifer grabbed Priest around the neck and hoisted Priest into the air with little effort. The vice like grip would crush a normal man. With no blood flow to his head, Priest hung onto consciousness.
"You will not refer to us demons. We are the fallen. Demon is a derogatory term your kind has made up for us. If you say it again, we are going to have to do this the hard way."
Lucifer loosed his grip. Priest's head snapped against the concrete patio as the rest of his body slammed against the small staircase.
"I think we have both learned a valuable lesson tonight. Now, tell me, has anybody else come looking for you?"
Priest grinded his teeth together, still in pain.
"What do you mean?"
"Sometimes you humans are slow. Has any of his," Lucifer pointed to the sky with authority, "friends come looking for you?"
"Come looking for me?" Priest ripped off his sunglasses, exposing his demonic eye. The faint glow cast a red hue around the area. "He turned his back on me a long time ago. The only angels I attract are those that have suffered the same fate. Unfortunately, things did not go quite as you planned."
"Impossible…impossible" Lucifer growled. "He should have consumed you by now. This does not make sense." An unnatural chill encased Priest as Lucifer's temper exploded. The demon's mouth opened, revealing a small set of fangs.
"Who?"
"Don't play me for a fool!"
"Don't ask me questions when you already know the answer."
Lucifer was impressed with Priest's backbone. It was not often that humans challenged him. Most of the time humans groveled on their knees before his power. Yet, Priest lay half-broken on the ground and still mustered enough courage to challenge his might
"I said enough with the games. I am not one you want to meddle with boy. If you only knew what I could do to you."
Impressive, it's not too often a human can garner this type of reaction from him.
"Then why don't you just do it and get it over with."
Lucifer considered ending Priest's miserable life. He could easily take his wretched soul back to hell to add what could be the most powerful human soul to his army. However, Lucifer did not know if Priest's death would lead to Mephistopheles' demise. He did not want to risk it.
"Mephistopheles?" Lucifer peered into Priest's demonic eye.
"So, that's his name"
Priest knew there was not point in playing dumb.
"He hasn't told you?"
"He might have, I choose not to listen to him half of the time."
"You can ignore him?"
"Yes. For the most part."
"Why would you choose to ignore such a knowledgeable entity? I am sure he has told you the extent of his power? Has he not? Such power in the hands of one man could lead to many great and wonderful things. You have wasted a great opportunity."
"No, he is too busy talking about the downfall of humans. That and other nonsense."
"And you don't believe him?"
"It gets repetitive."
"Do you ever feel like you…will lose control?"
"Not that I can recall."
"Never?"
"Never."
Lucifer backed away. Even though his body still ached, Priest took the opportunity to brush himself off.
"I see. It appears we have an interesting dilemma. You have something, or should I say someone that I would very much like to get back. Mephistopheles belongs with the rest of my kind. I also know that such a burden on your soul is uncomfortable. It would be in both of our best interests to find a way to release him from his earthly prison, no offense intended. I can also understand it can be a very painful for you and your family to live with this every waking hour of your dreadful life. So, what do you say we take a little walk and allow me to remove this pain? I promise it will go quickly and be painless."
Every part of Priest wanted to follow through with Lucifer's request. As Lucifer stated, he did not want this burden, he did not want the pain and sorrow to continue like the past thirteen years of his life. If Priest intended to live, he wanted to live a normal life. The more he thought about Lucifer's proposition, the more desperate Priest felt.
However, as Priest started to accept the offer, he looked back up at Lucifer's chilling eyes. Priest realized that Lucifer was trying to induce Priest into saying yes. There were other motivations to Lucifer's offer.
"Why don't you just kill me?"
"Well, if you insist."
"No," Priest shook his head, "You can't. You are hiding something from me. Whatever you are hiding is the reason you won't take my life."
"You sure about that? Bold words for such a puny human." Lucifer tried to dodge Priest's questioning. The human was persistent.
"What do you want with me?'
"I already made my simple request. There is no need to ask any more questions."
"Well then. Thank God…"
Like the sound of nails scrapped across chalkboard, Lucifer cringed at hearing Jehovah referred to as God.
"…for free will." Priest said sarcastically. Lucifer already knew the answer.
"I think I am going to pass right now. As I said, I am exhausted. Maybe we can discuss tomorrow? Unless, of course, you are going to kill me."
Pass? You are going to pass? After all of these years? Free me damnit!
Despite the negative response, Lucifer had an ace card up his sleeve.
"Hold on, I can give you something in return. I can give you your sister back. Yes, I can give you Jessica back. How would it feel after all of these years to have her back and give you a second chance of being a good brother? After you failed at protecting her once, you can protect her again. Why would you want the last time you remembered her to be in a drunken haze?" Lucifer shrugged and held his hands out.
"What, you can't be serious." Priest looked down. A thunderous wave of emotion suddenly bore down on him. The one wish he always wanted was within his grasp. His one human eye began to swell with water.
"I am very serious. She would want this."
"You don't know shit." Priest knew better of his sister. "She would not want this."
"I have an option" the fallen angel stated, "I can understand how stressful this choice can be. With your sister back in your life a lot will change. You should have time to prepare. I have to meet somebody in town. I will allow you to mull it over for the next two days. You will have an answer for me then?"
"And how will you find me." Priest refused to look at Lucifer.
"Let's just say that I will find you."
Priest gave a solemn nod without raising his head.
Lucifer smiled, "Sounds good to me, Priest. I can tell you have a lot to think about. Don't let the pressure get to you. I am sure you will make the right decision." Lucifer said with a dark humoristic tone.
A stiff breeze caused Priest to look up. Lucifer was gone. The unnatural silence that surrounded the area was replaced with the normal sounds of a Baltimore City weeknight. The streetlight grew a little brighter and a few wandering bar goers stumbled around on the main street.
"Mephistopheles"
Yes.
"You will never be free if you don't provide me some answers."
