※ Eliana's POV ※

"Mom?"

I was in shock, unable to move as I watched her coming closer to the chair that I was sitting on. My eyes were wide, but my face was numb, not showing any emotion.

Since my conversation with Kara, I knew that if I stayed in Hell -alive-, there was a chance that I could see my mother again. I haven't thought about it though, and now here we are.

I felt like I have a million things to say to her when I saw her face after all those years. Tell her everything.

That I had my first kiss, my first boyfriend. That dad has his own hotel now. That after all those years of studying hard, I made it into the university that I always wanted to go to.

I wanna tell her that I missed her. That I love her so much and that dad misses her terribly. That he will be shaken but very glad if he found out the truth.

I wanted to tell her everything.

But her eyes didn't mirror the feeling that I felt when I saw her. Her eyes are cold and her face emotionless, with a small smirk playing on her lips.

"Hello, Eliana" She spoke up after she stopped walking. Her voice is ice cold. A shiver traveled down my spine when I heard her voice after all those years.

I slowly stood up and circled around the leather chair, standing in front of her and slightly looking up, because she was taller than me.

"Is that really you?" I whispered, truly wondering if that cold woman in front of me, was my warm and loving mother.

My hands ached to touch her and hug her.

"Depending on what you mean." She answered cooly.

I watched her face closely. She looked exactly the same as the last time I saw her. Beautiful, flawless skin. Long, blonde hair that looked healthy and fresh. Her blue eyes were piercing through mine, as I scanned her face. Her rosy lips were in a straight tight line.

I frowned.

Kara, this isn't really my mother, is she?

She is, Eli. I just don't think she is the same as she was before. Her aura is different. She clearly changed. It is inevitable in Hell, not to change. Hell corrupts you and breaks you down before you even know it.

I felt a sting in my eyes and a pain in my chest as I kept looking at her, not being able to tear my eyes away from her. I breathed in deeply, gaining all the courage I could, and said with a soft, whimpering voice:

"Are you my mother? Or are you the Queen?"

She tilted her hand to the side and scanned my whole body, landing on my face again.

"Your mother is dead." She said, not blinking nor faltering.

I felt my heart break into pieces as soon as her words left her mouth.

One thing that I learned in Hell, is that you should be psychologically indestructible to have a 1% chance to survive. And at this exact moment, I decided to be that.

I nodded slowly and turned around, sitting back down on the comfortable chair. I noticed that Lucifer was nowhere to be found and I felt my heart skip two beats. I'm not sure that being left alone with the monstrous version of my mother is a good idea.

Lucifer, where are you?, I reached out to him through the mind link as I watched my mother walking towards Lucifer's empty chair.

Away. Not interested in family drama, He spoke through the mind link.

Before my mother could sit down, I stood up, anger flaring in my eyes.

"That's Lucifer's chair." I barked out, catching her attention. Her eyes snapped up at mine, her piercing gaze burning through my skin. A wicked smirk crossed her lips and she hummed.

"All the more interesting. And to believe that I assigned my best succubus to protect such a stupid child."

I watched her and listened to her closely as she straightened up, fixing her dress, and went to rest against the wall.

"I assume you already met Kara, given that you know I'm the Queen," She said before I could speak up.

"Yes, I did. Care to explain why you decided to make a succubus possess your daughter?" I said, not a single emotion in my voice. I sat down and averted my gaze from her.

I don't know how I'm so calm... I would have flipped out by now.

"For your protection."

"Mine? My protection?" I said, slightly shouting." Don't think that was a good idea dear mother."

"Well you are alive, aren't you?" She paused for a moment and then spat out quickly "Where's your necklace?"

At the mention of my necklace, I remember putting it in my pocket before thrashing the room.

Hopefully, I didn't lose it while running around in Hell.

"You mean this? My one and only key for Hell's gates?" I said as I pulled it out. I looked at her and saw the shock on her face. "Yeah I thought that I would die too when Lucifer broke the chain but I'm still here, aren't I?"

She said something in an unknown language and swiftly moved her hand, making a circular motion.

What the hell?

She wanted to check if you're dead. She tried to reveal death, Kara explained.

"I guess it's stronger than I thought." She said more to herself than to me. I frowned and looked at her, watching me with pride as she moved towards me.

Her hand shot out quickly and reached for my face. I immediately flinched and my hand grabbed her elbow, stopping her movement. She shook it off and reached behind my head, her fingers sliding up the back of my neck, entangling with my hair.

I watched her with wide eyes, but also with great curiosity.

"What are-" She cut me off with an 'Shh'. She looked over my head and felt around the back of my head with her palm.

Kara...What is she doing?

No answer.

Kara?

Uh...she's looking for the mark..., she hesitantly said.

I swear every passing hour in Hell is something new.

I grabbed my mother's elbow again and tugged her hand harshly away from my head.

"What mark?" I asked her. She looked at me surprised, clearly interested in my reactions.

"Kara, you snitch." She said teasingly and moved away from me.

Tell her I'm sorry... Please, Eli.

"She...uh, she says she's sorry" I awkwardly said.

"No, she isn't. Not really."She muttered. She fixed her hair and went to rest against the wall again. She looked down at me, her head held high. As though she is challenging me.

"What mark?" I said again and reached out behind me, to touch my scalp. I felt around the back of my head.

Nothing.

"Now, now I can't tell you everything, can I?" She used the same tone as Lucifer does and if I haven't seen them both in the same room, then I would be suspicious of Lucifer's nasty games.

They are not that nasty..., I heard him.

Get out of my mind Lucifer.

I tried to focus on shielding my thoughts as my mom walked in circles around me.

"You know... I'm very curious. You were so smart as a kid... what happened?"

"Don't change the subject, Madison," I said harshly. She looked taken aback. "What. Mark?"

"You really were smart... and that... Lucifer of yours... a real dumbass too" I felt the rage burning its way up to my brain and igniting.

"You shut the fuck up right now or I swear I'll-"

"Or what Eliana?" She cut me off.

Or what Eliana?, I thought to myself.

"I figured. Don't get your panties in a twist, daughter. I and Lucifer are friends for more than you can imagine." She said with a fake sweet tone, clearly mocking me.

I could barely contain my anger, and she was just playing with my feelings. Pushing my buttons. Triggering me.

"I don't care about you nor do I care about Lucifer. Tell me abo-"

"Oh, I wouldn't be so sure." She cut me off again. She tilted her head and looked at me with an intrigued gaze.

My left knee was bouncing up and down quickly and my hands were tightened into fists, my skin turning white.

"You see, that mark of yours is the same one as Lucifer has." She said and left me speechless. I stayed still. I don't know why but I felt my blood run cold.

What? Kara?

"Kara is not gonna help you now. So stay focused and listen to me."

She sat on the side of Lucifer's desk and folded her arms over her chest, looking down at me with her intimidating gaze.

She is so cold and rude.

I found myself longing for a hug, wanting to touch her and feel her warmth again. But I knew she was no longer the mother I knew. She changed and I honestly couldn't blame her.

I have been here, for what? A month? Maybe less, maybe more, and I already changed a little. Hell changes you. I now know that.

"That mark" She continued "Was given to you by God himself. To you and Lucifer."

"And what about it?" I said after a long time of thinking.

"Dear Satan, you really are stupid"

"Explain mother!"

She sighed in disappointment and started talking again.

"Have you ever felt weird around Lucifer? Have you ever felt all tingly up inside?" She said and pouted mockingly. "Butterflies in your stomach? Love at first sight? No?"

I was getting more and more terrified by the second. Every word that left her mouth pushed me more to the edge. I felt the hair on the back of my head stand, and a shiver going down my spine.

"Ever felt like you were infatuated by him? Ever sensed that you wanted him, needed him when you weren't around him? Or maybe ever wondered why Lucifer, the King of Hell, the almighty Devil... keeps you alive, in Hell. An alive mortal in his own Kingdom?" She huffed with a smirk.

I have seen every supernatural movie and series that exists...I knew what was coming, but I was denying it with every last cell on my body.

"And what about that mind link of yours...That's not common in case you were wondering." She said with a fake smile.

"You and Lucifer...you two are so focused on escaping each other, but you still end up together, somehow, somewhere. What did you think made you go jogging that day when you came to Hell? You don't jog-"

"You don't know me" I spat out.

"Oh but I do! You are my child. I gave birth to you. I know you and what you are."

"And you, my darling daughter, were given a very special mission in your life."

"You are-"

"I think that's enough family drama, don't you think?" I jumped when I heard his voice from behind me. I snapped my head towards the direction of his voice and looked at him, my eyes immediately finding his.

His beautiful orbs had the color of the ocean. The majestic shade of blue that looks like the sky had collided with the sea.

He was looking at me in the same way that he has all this time. Anger, frustration, confusion, and protectiveness. I could finally see through his facade and see what he was really feeling, behind his cold exterior.

He was the most magnificent man I had ever seen in my life. And the most toxic, may I add.

But it was true. I kept coming back to him.

He tried to kill me, he punched me, kicked me, and made me bleed numerous times. He tortured me and locked me up for God knows how long.

But I was still here. Searching for him, calling for him. Needing him near me at all times.

And yes, I don't jog. I never did. But something told me to go there. I was drawn to him like a moth to a flame. And I still am.

As I looked at him I wondered if he knew about it. I wondered if he knew that we were soulmates or whatever they call it in real life.

He obviously knew now, because he barged in when my mother was ready to say it.

Didn't he want me to know? Did he know all along and never told me? Don't I have the right to know?

I averted my gaze from him and turned to my mother.

I wanted to leave but I don't know where to go. I don't know how to go back home, and the safest place in Hell is besides Lucifer.

Will he let me go home? Kara?

I don't know, but why do you wanna go home? This is home now! You're Lucifer's mate! That's your mission! And my mission was to protect you until you found out. Now that you do know, you can die a mortal's death and rule beside him! Don't you want that?, she said enthusiastically.

No, Kara... I want to go home. I want to be myself again. And I'll understand if you wanna go. I can ask your Queen to get you out of my body.

No, Eli. You have to die first for me to go... But... But you'll be a Quee-

I said no. I'm gonna ask him to return me home.

As I said that to Kara I slowly stood up, fixing my torn clothes and trying to hold myself together. I was about to lose it.

"I wanna go home" I whispered, my head bowed down, looking at the floor.

"This is your home now," My mother said with her authoritative voice.

"I wasn't speaking to you!" I suddenly shouted at her, my eyes snapping up to hers.

I have to get out of here. Now.

I turned to Lucifer and locked eyes with him. He was looking at me with his hands in the pockets of his black trousers.

"I want to go...home" I was begging him with my eyes.

He looked at me and his eyebrows furrowed. He looked kinda angry but still collected and calm.

"Go then," He said as if it was the simplest thing ever.

Is he for real? He surely knows that I can't get out of here alone...I don't know the way out.

I can help you with that, Kara said.

Do you know the way out?

Yes but you need a key.

As soon as she said that, I looked down at my fist and saw the broken necklace.

I walked towards Lucifer and grabbed his hand, opening his fist and placing my necklace on it.

"Fix it," I said looking up at him. He was still maintaining eye contact without moving, blinking, or even breathing. Finally, he inhaled strongly, the sound alone making me dizzy.

I am not soft. I'm strong and independent. I'll show him that I can get out of here without his help.

He clenched his fist around my necklace, and his hand caught fire. I saw gold dripping from his wrist.

"What... What have you done?" I screeched when he opened his fist. The chain was now a golden pool on the ground and only the ring remained in his palm.

I looked up at him again with a look of betrayal on my face. His face though was stone-cold now.

He doesn't want you gone, Eli...

I don't care what he wants!

I took the ring from his palm and placed it on my ring finger. I turned towards the exit and without looking back or saying anything, I grabbed the handles and pulled the doors open.

"Nice seeing you, mother." I said bitterly and walked out.

*

*

*

Half an hour later, I was walking in the corridors trying to escape this huge maze that Hell is. At first, Kara just pointed out where I should go but after a while, we both agreed that it would be easier if she possessed me.

Are you sure you know where we're going? Because it sure does seem like we are lost, I said.

Kara kept walking quickly, always looking behind her shoulder. She seemed super tensed and she wouldn't tell me why.

Yes, woman! Please stop asking every five seconds!

Don't talk to me like that! I'm your vessel!, I said teasingly.

She chuckled.

Yes Eliana you are. And a very strong one. Now please let me think in peace!

After a few more turns, we entered an area that looked a lot like the one where Lucifer literally dragged me after we arrived in Hell.

Huge black rocks that looked like charcoal, with glowing red lava dripping in them. The rocks on the floor had smalled cracks everywhere, that were glowing orange, red and yellow.

The heat was barely bearable in this place. I felt my body already sweating.

Oh no...I took a wrong turn, Kara said and the minute she turned to look around the place I saw it.

What the...

There was an opening in the rocks and there were people that came through there, in a very long line, slowly walking towards another opening that looked like a black portal to somewhere.

Those were dead people.

Bashed heads, old wrinkly skin, slit throats. They all looked very tired and they were barely standing.

There was a huge creature on the side that looked over them. He is exactly the same as that tall thing that almost caught me in the corridor. Except that this one was holding a double-sided bright yellow ax that looked scorching-hot.

What is this place?

It's where you come after you die. If you are destined for Hell of course. This is like the lobby of Hell. You first come here and then you go through that portal, and it sorts you in your cell or a special room where you are tortured. Once you go through that portal, every happy memory that you had in your life is immediately erased. You only feel the sadness, the despair, and the pain. There is no coming back from that place. Your mind becomes corrupted in every way.

I was looking through the people that were slowly walking towards their own personal hell. Old people, young people, even children were there. What can they have possibly done to deserve to be here?

My heart ached for them.

As Kara was about to turn around and leave, I saw him.

Stop! Kara turned around!

What? What is it?

My eyes fell on his beautiful curly hair again. His once beautiful blue eyes were now an empty, lifeless grey. He was looking at the ground, walking slowly towards the portal. He had small and big wounds all over his chest and hands.

That's...That's Caden... He's dead?

I'm sorry Eli...I tried to warn you.

Wait...HE did it? Did Lucifer kill him?, I felt the anger burning again within me.

I don't know but I guess he did...

Kara you need to go. I need to take control again.

What are you going to do? If you go there, that demon is gonna destroy you in seconds, she said cautiously.

I don't care! I can't let him suffer for eternity because of Lucifer's bruised ego. Let me take control!

I can't do that Eli... I'm here to protect you.

KARA FOR FUCKS SAKE! You completed your stupid mission! If I die you'll be free! Now go!

She contemplated it for a while and then sighed.

It's your funeral, she huffed out and then started chanting the words.