The Light Rises

By Kelly Stanaway

1890’s London was a time when magic was everywhere and steam mixed with the fog in the sky, and it was a world Detective Keagen Gillette welcomed as he returned home from a guilt-stricken voyage to America. Desperate to start his life fresh, he is haunted by the images of those he left behind; his friends he couldn’t bring himself to face, and his twin sister who was lost due to his inability to permanently bring her back from death.

However, when he saw a man create a blizzard in the middle of summer, he knew it was time to push the past away and begin to fight for the future. Joined by his loyal companions; a master magician named Elizabeth Sterling, a military spy-hunter specializing in illusions Alexader Truseau, and a woman who has taken a vow to protect the world from darkness, Amelia Helstrom-Petri, together the four of them must stop the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, prevent the Harlot Queen of Babylon from feeding the army of hell, and defeat the Light Bringer himself; Lucifer. Failure is not an option, as the fate of not just London, but the whole world rests on their success.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kelly Stanaway
• Release date: Aug 7, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465804273

Kelly Stanaway

I've been writing since I was really young, and have always wanted to actually get a book published. I've participated and completed NANOWRIMO the last several years and look forward to doing so again as a way to complete other projects.I live in Kent, Washington with my boyfriend, cats Thoth, and new kitten Osiris, and my snake named Tim (and yes, that is a Monty Python reference). We are happy to welcome Osiris into our home after losing Alik in October of 2013.When I'm doing my day job, I'm also working hard on getting my other writing projects finished so that the whole story can be told.

Book preview

The Light Rises

By Kelly Stanaway

Published by Kelly Stanaway at Smashwords

Copyright Kelly Stanaway 2011

Cover Design by Raegan Millhollin

Currently Available on Smashwords

Uncrossed Paths

Coming Soon

Rending the Seal

Through the Broken Mirror

Daughter of the Shackled King

Feathers of the Dead

War of the Pantheons

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author

Prologue

Nothing could be done. No magic in the world was going to be enough to actually bring her back. Taking the trip to Ireland on the advice of both a demon and a Fae of the Summer Court, somehow managing to get the ring from the Winter Court had actually helped her wake up and breathe again, but it was only temporary. That is what Detective Keagan Gillette had been told after the unnerving feeling had swept through the church he and his companions were taking shelter in, and he had seen the early signs of what would become severe lead poisoning starting to cause his twin’s complexion to pale as she slept.

Elizabeth Sterling, his friend and colleague had broken the news to him as gently as she could. However, there was only so much beating around the bush one could do, and subtly wasn’t exactly the magician’s strong point. He’d asked her about the other magical colleges, if there was something, anything they could do, but she couldn’t come up with a permanent solution. She’d tried making him understand that it had been his sister’s time when she was died the year before, but Keagan refused to believe that. How could it have been her time if she was murdered? Now Maria was nothing more than a statistic attached to a still unsolved homicide. Keagan had desperately tried to find the killer, working within and outside his precinct, but had come up empty handed.

He’d forced himself out of the room, desperate to forget about the conversation, wanting nothing more than to think about anything else, though preferably nothing. The smooth tiles of the church floor caused a slight clicking against his shoes, a sound Keagan either wished was much louder or would go away completely, and he froze in place when he noticed the sentry watching the front entrance to the church. They were all currently hiding on hallowed ground in order to be protected from the servants of the archdemon, Asmodeus, and Keagan knew it wasn’t safe to go outside, but he was also aware that the stores of sacramental wine wouldn’t be enough to dull the guilt.

As if realizing someone else was in the room, the guard on duty turned to look at Keagan; her brown eyes were wide as if she’d been surprised by the company, and he could see she was clutching tightly onto the scabbard of an old sword he’d helped her retrieve from the house she’d grown up. Practically raised by the organization known as the Lamplighters, Amelia Helstrom-Petri was one of their most experienced field agents. It had recently been exposed that her parents, long thought to be in Rome, had actually been butchered by the Archdemon that was now hunting them. Most would want to mourn, however, with things being as they were there had been very little time for that. The young woman stood; the long coat that looked to be a size too large drifted down nearly to her ankles as she looked to the detective, Keagan? What’s wrong?

His eyes shifted to the side as he immediately wish he’d gone out the back way, Nothing. Sorry for bothering you.

With a disappointed frown she began taking a small step forward, but stopped herself and looked back to where she had been seated, Corbin? After a moment there was a quiet ticking sound and a metal plated, mechanical cat hopped up onto her chair, its artificial eyes looking directly at her, If you see anything outside, come get me. With a sound similar to a purr the cat gave a single nod and hurried over to sit inside the window. Once she was certain things were a bit more secure Amelia turned back to Keagan, unable to hide her look of concern, You’re lying.

Really, it’s nothing, he tried to wave her off as he moved through the church. If he had been in his right mind he might have gone a bit quieter through the sleeping quarters, however right now he just wanted to leave. He’d just have to apologize if he woke Amelia’s husband Enrico later, I just need to go out for a while. I’ll be back later.

Go out? Are you crazy?! before they got any closer to the exit Amelia managed to slip by him and block it. As she stood with her arms out to the side, the pistols she carried with her were in clear view, Keagan there are demons and hellhounds outside. If you leave it’ll be suicide!

He pulled his hands back before he actually moved to touch the woman, unable to push away the mountain of frustration building inside him, Just…let me pass. I won’t be long. Now move, I can take care of myself.

Like hell you can, the voice from the other side of the hallway gave Keagan a momentary distraction as the military spy hunter stepped out from the shadows. He was tall with well-kept hair and green eyes that looked as if they could go from being calm and supportive to menacing in a heartbeat, Just go to your room and lay down.

I don’t…need to lay down, Keagan took a couple deep breaths in a failing attempt to keep himself calm as he turned to the man, Alexander, I just need a drink. Now either you two let me go, or I force my way out that door.

I’m sure it would be one drink too, the other man gave Keagan a skeptical and almost disgusted look, Also to force your way out, would mean you’d have to go through Amelia. Are you willing to do what that entails?

At the mention of the potential drink quantity concern returned to Amelia’s face, Keagan what is he talking about?

The detective held up his hand towards her, but still stopped short of touching her, Nothing, he means nothing. He glared at Alexander, feeling the frustration quickly turning to anger, Shut your mouth, and let me leave! I’m not a prisoner; I can leave whenever I want to!

It’s not safe, you know that, Amelia shook her head, desperately trying to reason with him, so please just calm down and let’s go back to the common area.

Shut up! I don’t have to listen to you! the detective snapped at the younger girl, causing Amelia to jump at the sharpness in his voice. Quickly Keagan then turned his attention back to Alexander, still glaring, And don’t you dare try to make some little illusion for me to walk into. I know what you can do. I’m not afraid of your magic. Can you even use that on church grounds? I heard Darkness Magic is what demons like to use.

I don’t need magic to subdue you, and I think you know that, Alexander smirked a bit as he shifted his weight, Now then, I think you should calm down and come with us, just have a seat, maybe lay down, and think rationally.

He took several deep breaths as he moved towards Alexander, Don’t tell me to think rationally! Nothing about what’s going on is rational…! Now just let me out of here so that I don’t have to think for a while…!

Slowly Amelia’s shoulders fell and she took a few, very careful steps toward the man, gently placing her hand on his shoulder, which did cause him to tense up, and brought the sharp sound of Keagan sucking in his breath, What isn’t rational…? Asmodeus? Keagan you’ve dealt with demons before, you’ve helped me stop some and their summoners…What’s going on? You’re starting to scare me.

He turned to look down at her, and he could feel the painful stinging behind his eyes, I failed… Keagan’s voice began to break just as he started feeling a wave of weakness take over his body, Maria…

It’ll be alright, come on, Alexander walked over and managed to coax Keagan away from the door and toward the room he had been staying in. Amelia followed until the officer instructed her to return to her post, assuring her that he would explain everything to her later. He stayed with Keagan until he was certain the detective had fallen asleep through tears.

He hadn’t been sleeping though. Keagan waited for quite some time after Alexander left; he wanted to be sure that the spy hunter was not going to check in on him. He also understood there was a chance Alexander was still in the room and just using his magic to obscure his presence. Keagan walked as quietly as he could, he managed to find where the wine was kept. It didn’t burn as much as the liquor he was used to, and he didn’t feel he quite deserved the sweetness that followed, but it was still enough to start clouding his mind. He needed more, something stronger, and he’d only be able to get that outside.

Keagan avoided going anywhere near the main lobby, instead slipping out through the cellar and hugging the fence so to as not by seen by the later shift guard, a Lamplighter form the Vatican named Walter Drawlight. He felt a chill run down his spine as soon as he stepped onto the sidewalk, and he instantly felt like he was being watched, or even followed. He was confident that his necromantic skills would aid in his defense if it became necessary.

Getting to the bar called the Crossroads was easy enough, no one batted an eye at him when he sat down and ordered his first drink. It was likely the first of many, and Keagan found he didn’t care. He knew that his allies would be angry at him for sneaking out, but each drink made that a little easier to handle. He just wanted there to be something that they hadn’t thought of to save Maria, his dear sweet sister who had never done anything wrong, who never deserved to die, who he would have gladly taken the place of if it meant she could continue living.

****

The four of them stood in the middle of the park across from a rather large man wearing a suit. Keagan found himself barely able to concentrate as he listened to Alexander’s attempt to negotiate with them; his mind was still somewhere far off, and blurred memories of the night before still left a painful sting. There had been a fight in the bar, he knew that much from the cut that had been on his lip and hand, then there was a space of nothing except pain. Nothing he had experienced up until that point could adequately describe it. It was unbearable and it felt as though he had been screaming for months straight when he’d finally seen light again.

Keagan’s mind was still somewhere else, back to the night before when his memories were still somewhat hazy. He had been in a warehouse that was empty except for him, a man with hair that was working on becoming blond, and bodies. Lots of bodies with their eyes burned out of their sockets. The man that was standing before him looked sad with blue eyes full of remorse as he had helped him off the floor. He said his name was Jacob, and he had pulled Keagan back from hell. When he had asked what happened to the other people in the room, Jacob explained they were Templars, not unlike himself, that had crossed the line of righteousness and sin. They had used Keagan as bait to lure the demon prince Belial to them so that the priest leading their group could destroy the demon.

Jacob had explained that while destroying Belial had worked, it had also given the angel bound to the head priest, Samael, a chance to break free of the weakening bonds the priest had on him, and the angel had ascended back to heaven. The wake of Samael’s ascension had taken the eyes of anyone that had been in the area at that time. Jacob had brought Keagan back, though had needed to let the last remaining of the Templars die in order to do so.

Keagan wanted Jacob to save Maria; she deserved to live more than he did, but the man bound to the angel Raphael had refused. He said that Keagan didn’t grieve well and apologized. He wanted to scream, cry, anything, but here he was standing with his companions as they stood before the man they all knew was actually a demon. Asmodeus towered over all of them and while he wore what appeared to be a fairly nice black suit, it only added to the intimidation that radiated from him. His hair was dark and slicked back and he stared at the opposition with solid black eyes.

Amelia looked more than ready to take on the demon prince that had killed her parents, and as soon as the word was given her gun and sword were out and she was firing. Elizabeth followed up with a massive fireball that caused the demon prince to fall back. Keagan shifted in place, mumbling under his breath as he asked the souls of the dead to pull the strength from the demon’s arms.

Alexander smirked and shouted out an order, and from all around on top of the buildings, soldiers appeared as the shadow spell that had masked their location disappeared and they send artillery fire at the demon prince. The demon fought back, knocking Amelia back, though the armor Elizabeth had provided everyone was doing a wonderful job at making sure they weren’t killed by any single hit the demon prince made, and he was putting up quite the fight.

It took far longer than any of them would have liked, but eventually the demon let out, what Keagan assumed was a frustrated roar and vanished in a burst of artillery fire and rage. The injuries Asmodeus had sustained would have killed a normal man long before that point, and slowly the air became quiet and still. Keagan found he missed the momentary distraction from the stresses he was sorting through, and instead watched as his friends appeared to critique their own performance in the battle, We lived, that’s what’s important.

I know… Amelia glared towards the ground the demon had sank into, I’m still not satisfied though.

If you go after him out of wrath, you know he’ll be too much for you to handle, Elizabeth looked over at the younger girl pointing out the sin that Asmodeus governed, think about that before you do anything irrational.

I’m aware of that, Amelia tensed up as though she had just been caught doing something she wasn’t supposed to. She went quiet for a moment before looking over at Keagan, Are you alright?

Yeah, I’m fine, he shook his head, I’m glad we got rid of him though, maybe now we can actually make some progress where it counts.

Alexander looked to the girls, the three of them suddenly sharing the same concerned expression, Look…about, what’s going on with your sister.

Shut up about it, alright? Keagan couldn’t help but glare at the other man, just slightly, You don’t know what you’re talking about. Any of you. There is a way to save her, and I swear I will not rest until I find it.

Keagan! Elizabeth watched in surprise as he turned to leave the park, but the detective didn’t seem to hear her, Where are you going?

Somewhere that isn’t here! he called back over his shoulder. He figured at least Alexander would follow him, and he honestly didn’t care. They were wrong, they all were. He could stave off the poisoning, and even if that was all he needed to do for the rest of her life, he would do it. He wouldn’t let her die again, he would save his wonderful twin, his motivation for doing anything with his life. He wandered down the street for a while before looking up at the sign for the Crossroads. He needed to clear his head, and he would never give up until he saved Maria, he wouldn’t let her die again.

Chapter One

Keagan’s return to London was greeted by his chief commanding officer and a demotion. If it had been before everything around him fell back into darkness he likely would have gotten upset, but frankly even being given a job was something he was thankful for. Maria was gone; after fighting the cycles of the moon for almost a year Keagan no longer had the power to keep the poisoning at bay. She’d told him to move on, that she had been happy, and thankful she’d been given the chance to experience life again. He couldn’t do that though, and had drunk his way from London to America. He was fairly certain that for anyone else the journey would have been full of wonder and excitement, but he barely remembered the ride on the ship itself; other than the sea-sickness he found he wasn’t able to tolerate nearly as much while intoxicated.

After several months of wandering about and at some point learning about how things were developing in the just over a century old country, the cities, the people, he decided he needed to go home. While the way magical schools were also growing was a little curious compared to how they were structured in England, something was tugging him back to his homeland, and no matter how much he’d rather not see the rain filled streets ever again, Keagan knew deep inside it was time to face what had happened.

They’d stuck him with a chaperone, which while being something he accepted, Keagan did not enjoy it. He would much rather be free to handle the cases as he wished, and not have to look over his shoulder to make sure what he was doing was considered acceptable. They wouldn’t even let him start on homicides like he wanted; rather they had him going over thefts, and other such cases. After everything he’d experienced they were so mundane it was welcomed. It was as if something was missing though; there was no excitement. No danger. It was…boring.

Keagan was working for nearly a month and a half before the thought of contacting anyone from his previous life came to his mind. Sure he worked with the mortician, Cedric, at times; he was still a decent necromancer and there were still victims to talk to. It was his colleagues at the House of Masks and friends he felt he wasn’t quite ready to face yet. What was he supposed to tell them when they inevitably asked what happened to him? There was no right answer, and not just because for some things he didn’t actually have one. Besides, there’s no way they would want to see him; there was a chance some wouldn’t even forgive him, and the more time passed the harder it was becoming to even go near their places of residence.

Alexander was likely not even in town. Keagan had gotten word that the strange man had been ordered to return to France, details unknown, but apparently it was something that only his skills could accomplish. He also knew that could all be a ruse itself, and that the stealthy man could actually be anywhere.

The girls were far easier to get recent information on. Elizabeth, the generalist magician who would more than happy to study and discuss things that most would deem forbidden was still doing what she did best. She had been published several more times in various magical journals and newsletters and often worked with other Houses of Magic to try and branch the differences between them in an attempt to unify some areas of study. Her house was also still, by some miracle, standing where it had always been. It was also rumored she had branched into a few additional schools of magic, which meant she was now versed in Water and Earth in addition to Fire, Metal and Smoke. None of which was surprising in the least to the detective.

Amelia seemed to have calmed down quite a bit, though it could also be due to the fact the activity she specialized in stopping had done the same. She spent most of her time at the business her husband Enrico owned, running the front, and silently doubling as security for it. Most accounts had said she’d gone into partial retirement from the Lamplighters, though Keagan knew well enough that the idea of being retired was likely a dangerous one for the woman to have, and he wondered if they had a new floor or room added to their living space above the shop yet.

Keagan sighed as he walked down the street, while the rain fell all around him. Everyone had moved on without him. His home was still there, exactly the way he’d left it the day he’d left. Only now with considerably more dust. Nothing in his world had changed, and he found that bothered him. Keagan looked up to the streetlamp at seemingly the right time as the fire flickered and turned an emerald green color. He froze and immediately looked around at other lamps as they did the same. Adrenaline he hadn’t felt in over a year started pumping again and he moved to the edge of the light of a lamp that hadn’t changed with the others, hoping to be out of the radius of whatever was happening.

He pressed his back against the alleyway between two buildings as he saw a man in a long black coat step through the lights. He was wearing a top hat, and the shadows were falling in such a way that made it nearly impossible for Keagan to see the man’s face. The stranger paused with his back to the hiding detective and looked up towards the rain, holding his hand out to catch some of the water, letting it fall over his fingertips. The air suddenly became much colder as the water touched the man’s skin, and eventually the rainfall began to slow until it started becoming white. The new falling snow never once touched the man’s clothing as he returned to walking, disappearing once he left the green-hewed light.

The detective took several deep breaths as he looked around after the man had vanished. Snow was falling all over the city now and he pulled his jacket a little tighter. It figured that things would start getting strange again, London never seemed to have a fairly long period of normal anymore. This also wasn’t something that people were just going to ignore and associate with the time of year, since it should never snow in August.

****

Are you alright? Enrico looked over at the woman as she rubbed the side of her right leg, wincing just a little, Maybe you should go back inside.

No it’s fine, Amelia smiled as she shook her head, he straight black hair slowly becoming covered in snow My leg just hurts a little. It’s probably from the cold. Besides, I can’t just let this one slide; this is just too weird for me to leave up to the new guys, she had her long winter coat buttoned up tightly around her, the edge of her skirt just barely visible below the hemline, and Corbin’s having fun.

Enrico nodded as he watched the small artificial cat trying to catch snowflakes before they disappeared into the several inches of white. While it may not have been too deep for a person the cat was having a bit of a challenge moving around, and eventually the Spanish man picked him up and did his best to hold the cat while Corbin decided being up higher might have been an advantage, You will be back later though, right?

Of course, Amelia smiled as she spun to look at him, Just a little talk with Reginald, and then I was going to have a look around before coming home. She moved over to kiss his cheek when Enrico frowned at her plan, It’ll be fine. You worry too much.

The Spaniard sighed a little, then pulled the woman back inside the building, letting the cat leap to the floor so he could slip his arm around her waist to kiss her on the lips, I know I worry…I just want you to be careful.

I will, and I’ll be home before dinner time, she squeezed his hands then went to leave the shop, the chime above the door ringing as she opened it. Amelia waited for a few moments before a carriage pulled up and she hopped inside, still wishing it was just a little bit warmer as she rode to the Lamplighters main house. She was often thankful they had become more organized, but the little bit of paranoia that had come along with it was a tad irritating. She was never supposed to take a direct route to the building, never go on foot if it can be helped, always tip the drivers well so that they don’t talk, and other such things. It was mostly just a pain.

She made sure not to slide on the ice when she hopped out of the carriage, doing as she had been instructed when she paid for the ride, and then went into the building. The silver chandelier often made her a bit jealous, it would be useful to have something similar at her home, but silver was sometimes difficult to come by in that quantity. Iron was far easier since it was something Enrico worked with frequently. Reginald met her half way up the stairs as he was coming down. He was roughly ten years her senior, and as always well dressed with all but some of his light brown bangs trying to break though that image, his expression only slightly relieved to see her, I was wondering when you’d come in, or if I was going to have to come get you.

I had to do a little persuading, but I got out, Amelia waved her hand a bit as she smirked, So what do you have? Are the Winter and Summer Courts having a little tiff? A water mage flexing their muscles a little too much?

If only it were so easy, Reginald sighed as he led her up the stairs to his study. He gestured to a place for the woman to sit while he grabbed several files from on top of his desk, holding them out to her, Tell me what you think of these.

Amelia looked through each of them quietly before moving onto the next, finally setting the stack back onto his desk, Murders with the seven deadly sins again. Thought we took care of that over a year ago.

Right, he nodded, Only this time, they got their Pride. Reginald folded his hand on top of the desk as he sighed, I’m planning on calling the Higher ups on this. I don’t know if we can handle what’s possibly walking around the city.

We handled Asmodeus and Belial, well we didn’t take care of Belial ourselves, but that’s beside the point, the woman shrugged a little, though she was a bit concerned that someone decided to go about a serial killing she thought she was done with over a year ago, how bad could this be in comparison?

Ah, yes, here, he grabbed a photograph and held it out to her, Tell me what you see in this. We got it from the basement of an old demon nest.

It took her less than a minute to read the circle, and even less time to comprehend what she was looking at as Amelia’s brown eyes widened and she was unable to stop her hand from shaking. She placed the picture back onto the desk and looked to Reginald, shaking her head, No way…there’s no way.

I’m afraid that’s what it’s looking like, he nodded, unable to hide his own level of concern, The Light Bringer himself.

Amelia’s shoulders fell as she looked at the circle again, Lucifer…

Chapter Two

The area the reports said the lights had changed color looked just any other street. There were actually a lot of people in the streets enjoying the snow. There were several whispers regarding how strange it was, but the parents chasing after their children didn’t have much time to complain. Amelia looked around the area; if there was any evidence to be found, it was buried under the snow.

She shifted in place; it was starting to become uncomfortable, and nothing was turning up. The carriage ride home was slow, but once she got home she used care to ensure that she did not slip too much when she got out of the carriage. She’d have to pull out her heavier boots from back in the closet; that was going to be a pain.

I’m back! Amelia sighed as she pushed the door open, looking a bit toward the floor, though she hesitated when Corbin didn’t come to greet her. She looked around the shop when she found the main area empty. Her heart started immediately pounding, since it also didn’t even sound like someone was working in the back. She took her steps carefully as she walked over towards the entrance to the workshop, Enrico?

Ah! Amelia! Sorry I did not say anything, he called from the back just before she stepped inside, we had a visitor and I got distracted.

Visitor? the woman stepped inside the room, then skidded to a stop when she saw who was talking with her husband, and squinted just a little bit to make sure her eyes weren’t playing tricks on her, Keagan?

Timidly the man turned around to look at her, his head lowered slightly as he did, his blue eyes apologetic and tired, shyly adjusting his glasses, Afternoon…

Amelia stood there quietly for a moment before she moved forward and sent her fist directly into his shoulder, You son of a bitch I was worried sick! Where the hell have you been!?

Keagan winced at the impact and rubbed where she had hit him, Yeah, I…did deserve that.

Damn right you did! she stomped her foot on the floor. Amelia waited while she took a few breaths then stepped back, and brushed out her jacket she had neglected to take off, So, what brings you here?

Oh, right, so I take it you’ve been outside? he shrugged a little, doing his best to sound light hearted, I think I saw who did it.

The woman’s eyes widened a little, and was barely able to keep her gasp quiet, Enrico, clean up here, and I’ll make dinner. Keagan please stay and we’ll discuss it, Amelia spun, then stopped herself and grabbed Keagan’s arm, you weren’t seen, right? They didn’t see you did they?

N-No, I don’t believe so, he shook his head, and seemed taken aback by the suddenness of her action, Why?

It’s important, she looked over her shoulder at the cat that was sitting at her feet, Let me know if anyone who isn’t someone we know comes to the door. Corbin nodded and dashed away at the request, Alright. Time for me to get dinner together! Amelia smiled brightly over her shoulder at her friend, Good to have you back.

Yeah… Keagan nodded as he watched her leave, looking over as Enrico started putting his tools together, Need help?

The Spaniard looked at him a little surprised at the offer, then smiled, Oh, sure.

****

Dinner was actually quite good, and Keagan found he’d forgotten how nice a home-cooked meal was. Enrico talked about the people that had come into the shop that day, and also a couple of the commissions he had been asked to do. He listened, as did Amelia, though he wasn’t sure about some of the technical terms the man was using, and eventually it came down to just sipping some tea once the meal was finished. It took him a moment to realize he was being stared at by Amelia with her eyes focused, as if she was waiting only somewhat patiently for him to speak, Yes?

You didn’t answer my question, Amelia responded as if she had been asked something ridiculous.

I thought you wanted to talk about work, Keagan nodded in her direction as he sipped the tea, Thought that was more important.

Both of these things are important, the woman added as she stood to get a plate of small biscuits from where they had been cooling, We do need to discuss work, that is true, but I’m also not letting you leave this house without an explanation as to where you’ve been for all this time.

I see… Keagan mumbled a bit, then deciding that maybe distracting her with the current crisis would be enough to get her to forget about her other ‘pressing matter’ so he could leave at some reasonable hour. He described the man he had seen, as much as he was able; Amelia and Enrico listened carefully as if trying to figure out if they’d seen someone that could possibly match the description, Sorry it’s not much.

No it’s fine, Amelia waved her hand a bit, it’s more than anything else we have right now anyway. Like I said, if what we’ve gathered at the main office is correct it’s very good he did not see you.

Yeah, why is that exactly? the detective gave her a curious look, Not that I want demons knowing what I look like, why is it good in this particular case?

Amelia looked down at the warm cup of tea in her hands as she considered the question, then sighed, That is because, we believe we are dealing with Lucifer.

Keagan nearly started choking on his food at the declaration, and he took a moment to calm himself and make sure he could breathe again before he looked back at the woman, What?! That’s who I saw?! Are you kidding me? You have to be kidding!

Will you keep your voice down? Amelia snapped, her glare enough to force Keagan to instantly quiet. She waited to make sure he wasn’t going to continue before she sighed, Yes, that is what it’s looking like.

Does this mean we will be heading back to the church? Enrico finally broke his silence after listening to the two of them go back and forth, Or do you not think that will be necessary.

The woman frowned as she leaned back in her chair, The problem is if we move too soon, it’ll give away exactly how much we know. I think Lucifer’s just stretching his legs a bit with the whole blizzard outside. Amelia stood and walked over to a window, peering through the curtains to look at the street below, "Probably about a foot or so now. If