The sun hung low in the sky, and beautiful colors of pink and orange streaked across the sky, like a priceless watercolor painting. The crisp blue water glistened with the color of the sky. A young girl gazed over the mass of the sea, her still palms were to her sides, her body calm. Her burnt caramel eyes flickered through every aspect of the sky and sea. The golden liquid sun rayed down on her straight hazel hair that went just above her shoulders, tickling her chin.

She inhaled warm air and tasted the saltiness of the water on the tips of her tongue. She slowly turned, the sun catching her smooth fawnskin, making her look like golden fire as if her own body would be consumed by this holy conflagration.

She felt the warm kiss on her cheek that seemed to melt her inside. Two arms wrapped around her stomach, their backs face to the ocean now. She exhaled, smiling contently, and sighed happily. “Don’t leave me, Andrew,” she whispered, now looking down at their feet, she relaxed her body, letting his arms hold her weight. She felt the soft wind blow gently on her back, her hair blowing on her face.

Another kiss was on her cheek before her boyfriend said in a low voice, “Katerina, don’t even think I would leave you. You are the only thing that makes me want to fight this world, the only thing worth fighting for.”

Katerina blushed, her cheeks rosing, “That was the sweetest thing you ever said, Andrew.” She turned around and kissed him, her eyes fluttering closed. They stood there, letting the last warmth of the sun hug their bodies, letting their kiss be a promise of never leaving each other, always being by each other's side. She never wanted this date to end. Never wanting to let him go. She traced her fingers along with his shirt, feeling the warm skin underneath, letting her eyes close in contentment.

“Oh, if only happy ever after endings were like this. I should’ve taken a picture right before you are both slaughtered,” a demon laughed his tone mocking, walking towards them. “Show my master what lives you could have. The perfect couple, I can just see it now.” His grin was worst than the Grinch. “If only life was as simple as that.” He pulled out a pistol, “Any last words to this couple?”

Andrew shielded Katerina faster than a bullet could shoot, his body concealing hers, “You don’t want to do this. You still have a chance to get your wings back. Put away the gun and repent. I could have an angel here and then we could have a trail with the archangels, and you could get your wings. Simple as that.”

The demon snared and clicked the safety off. His hands were steady, “Simple as that you say? I like my demon form, it’s much better than being a part bird.”

“Listen, don’t listen to your master. You could come back to the Heroes’ Headquarters.”

The demon rolled his eyes, “Why does the hero always have to talk his mouth away, you making me go deaf. It’s getting really annoying.” He put the gun back into his pocket with a shrug. He put his neck sideways to the side, making a cracking sound that made the couple cringe. He let a smile his teeth falling out as he did. “It will be funnier to eat you both alive.”

“He’s going to change!” shouted Katerina.

But it was too late—the demon’s skin peeled back to reveal blue that was so dark, it looked like black skin. It almost had the texture of leather. His claws started to extend, sharp and ready. Black, oily wings sprinted from his back and black eyes came into focus. Pointy teeth came out from his gums, ready to pierce and taste sweet blood.

Andrew let out a scream, never have seeing a demon transform, only to fight it when it was in human form.

Andrew waited to be attacked, his body screamed at him to move, but he couldn’t. He waited for the slicing pain to come across his stomach and neck. Waited to bleed out and die. Seconds ticked by and he heard a scream. At first, he thought it was him screaming, but when he didn’t feel the pain, he opened his eyes and twirled his neck so fast back to his girlfriend, that there was a snap in his bone and he winced.

He saw Katerina standing behind him. He whirled in front of him, seeing that only seconds ago the demon was about to lunge at him.

But a girl stood there, looking down at the demon, whose shocked eyes were staring back into the dimming sky. A clean sharp slice was across his throat, thick black oozing blood poured out like a waterfall. She turned to them and asked, “You guys alright?”

Katerina frowned her hands on her hips. “Sara, you were following us?” Her question was more like a shriek than anything else. It seemed like she completely ignored the fact that she and her boyfriend were going to be eaten to death less than seconds ago.

Sara shrugged as if that was her answer, “I knew demons were going to hunt you down tonight. Not taking any risk and Dad told me I could be your bodyguard tonight!.”

Katerina wasn’t sure if she was more frustrated that her friend saving them or that she didn’t notice herself. “Maybe next time if you decide to watch us, you could tell me?”

Sara turned to the demon, her voice cooler than fresh water. “This was the fourth time you have been ambushed and it’s only the beginning of the month. And I know this without following you.”

Katerina scoffed, “I’m just trying to go on date with my boyfriend, is that a crime?”

“It’s not a crime, but it might be the death of you if you aren’t careful,” she whispered softly.

Katerina didn’t know what to say. She pressed her lips, feeling the warm air turning a little bit breezier and colder. She didn’t like the fact her friend was right, she needed to be careful. Katerina waved her hand and sparks released from her hand, turning into a ball of fire. She threw it on the dead demon, the fire consuming everything on the demon until there was nothing left, just some black spots here and there.

Darkness covered the sky now, some stars twinkling all around them. Sara walked away, not waiting for any more compliments from them. “Fine, go die. I don’t care.” She walked away from them, hiding once more.

“Some bodyguard you have,” chuckled Andrew, as Sara was gone. He was holding Katarina again.

Katerina sighed, “Yeah, I guess I should be happy, but it’s just creepy to have her watch.”

Andrew nodded in agreement, his long hair blowing in the soft, brisk breeze, “But she is right, we have to be more careful.” He saw Katerina frown sadly and he grabbed her soft hands, staring softly into Katerina’s caramel eyes. “Katerina, I would break if anything happened to you. Please, let's be safe for now. This doesn’t mean that we will never go out, just until Michael deals out with his brother.”

Katerina swallowed her frustration and nodded, “Okay.” She said with a firm nod.

A tear slipped down her cheeks and Andrew wiped it away, “My love, we will get back to normal, we can still date and be together at the Heroes’ Headquarters. It isn’t the end of the world, even if you think it is.”

Katerina laughed out sadly, “I just like privacy.”

“The Heroes’ Headquarters is huge, I don’t think we won’t have a hard time finding a little private place to hang out,” Andrew said. He gazed up at the oncoming stars appearing and back to her, “It’s just you and me.”

Katerina inhaled and nudged his chest. “Andrew…” she said, tasting the name on her tongue and it tasted wonderful, the name was perfect...he was perfect. She looked up at him, her hands against his athletic chest and they kissed for the last time as the moon came to the surface.

Kate was the nickname most heroes called her, Katerina was her Russian name and Kathrine was the American name that most people confused her with. She preferred her real name or her nickname. She walked into a cafeteria that had tables spread across the spacious room. She went to the buffet that lay before her. Should she eat salad again or be bad and go non-vegan?

She took a bowl of avocado salad, thinking of all the animals being slaughtered for meat, and shivered at the harsh thought. As Kate sat down, her friends swarm around her, asking how her date was and commenting on how well her nails were polished. Her friends needed to get a life and go somewhere else—but she did enjoy their company. She saw in the corner of her eye, that her bodyguard was leaning against the wall, her harsh glare looking at them. Kate didn’t know why her bodyguard was watching her now.

As she ate through her salad and answered all the questions with a real smile, not fake. Everything she did wasn’t fake. She wasn’t fake. She made sure of it. When she became famous fifteen years ago, she always had to find her identity well and never sought to be the fake girl who had a fake smile, with a fake life. This was her life. If she didn’t like something, she would tell someone. She would be true to herself.

As she finished her salad and excused herself to go to her room, she saw two familiar faces walking toward her. She nearly jumped up and down with joy and she tossed her bowl into the trashcan. She ran towards her two brothers' open arms. “Ricky! Demetrius!” she cried out. They all embraced each other for a while, enjoying seeing each other and hugs that they didn’t have for months from each other.

Finally, Kate said excitedly, “How was England?”

Her oldest brother, Ricky, answered happily, “It went fine, although we found out that one of the Queen's guards was helping the villains. We tracked him down, who almost killed a duchess. Man, I mean that villain was so close to killing her.”

“But the duchess is okay?” Kate asked in amazement.

“Yes, she was traumatized afterward, but I think she will be fine.” Her tall brother replied.

“You didn't tell her that we existed and all that, did you?” asked Kate.

“No, we just told her we were spies of the Queen,” replied Demetrius. “She believed us I think. Don't you think Ricky?”

“Yeah, I think so,” Ricky agreed.

“How was the tea there?” said Kate.

“Amazing, you have to come to England with us the next time. It was so fun, Kate, you would've loved it,” Ricky said.

“Maybe next time, if Michael allows it,” Kate sighed, wishing that she didn’t miss the adventure they had together.

“The next time I will be having a word with Michael,” muttered Ricky.

“Don't threaten an archangel,” warned Demetrius. Something caught his eyes and he left them two alone.

“Did you do anything fun?” Ricky inquired, putting his heavy weapon bag on the floor.

“Had more demons try to kill me and my boyfriend!”

“I heard of that when I came here, are you hurt?”

“Of course not,” muttered Kate. She glanced at her best friend, and whispered, “Sara’s taking her job too seriously.”

“She cared about you, that’s all.”

“I know...”

“Do you want to die? Do you have a death wish or something?” Ricky scoffed. The scoff was more of a protection emotion. He didn’t want his sister hurt—or worse, killed.

“I wish she could know I can protect myself,” sighed Kate, crossing her arms. “I am the third-best fighter here.”

“Michael wouldn’t have done this unless he thought it was important, and you being the most wanted on the villains...you need some protection, sis, and I need to unpack and then I and Demetrius need to write down what we did and what happened on our mission,” Ricky answered, seeming to not want to do all the paperwork and unpack. Kick back and watch some football. He patted her on her shoulder and ruffled her hair, “See ya, sis, night.” He grabbed his heavy bag and walked out of the cafeteria to the main room, going to his bedroom that was up on the second floor.

Kate let out a smile spread across her delicate face. It was so nice to have her brothers back. She missed them—she ached to have gone with them to the mission, but Michael wants her to be careful since all the demons decide to make their move in killing her—unmercifully.

She walked up the stairs and into her small, homey bedroom and took off her sneakers, wiggling her toes. She sat down on her soft bed and let a relieved sigh. There was some part of her that was fearful that her brothers wouldn’t make it back. But they were strong and could protect themselves...but she worried as a sister.

She flopped down on her back and stared at her fan which went in circles over and over again. As she was entranced, she thought of herself as a spy, which was hard, since her face was known to all the villains around the world.

Kate’s mind trailed to her fame and how to keep her status perfect and her reputation nice. She was the girl that love the attention, but she didn’t want to be the ungrateful girl. She was never ungrateful for her fame and for being one of the most famous heroes around the world. She never understood why her brothers were not as famous as her. They were popular, but she was like a celebrity.

I did put a mark on Lucifer...agh, still unfair. She tossed a pillow over her face. She hated being wanted by the villains, but she was willing to take the burden from her brothers so they would be safer.

But, I wasn’t the one who made the Demonic Disease, my parents did...but I guess what comes around goes around.

***

Lucifer Morning-Star poured himself dark coffee and sat on his desk, sipping his black coffee. He crossed his legs as he started to read the email: Hey Lucifer, I am looking for a suitable person to be spies among the heroes to help our task along. I miss you, I know we won’t be able to see each other for a while, and emailing is dangerous for our cover to blow, but you know who this is!

Lucifer smiled, he knew who this was. Thomas Pitch. He deleted the email and erased it from the internet and the world by his powers with a flick of his finger. He leaned back in his chair, as he felt hot steam coming down his throat.

He put his feet on the desk, groaning as he rocked his head back in exhaustion. A clock parallels him on a wall ticked on and on.

“Hey,” Elena said, walking in the door without knocking. She sat on the desk, set her cup on the desk, and refilled it from Lucifer’s coffee mug that sat on the desk, “Ready for today?”

Lucifer sighed and stood back up, “No. It’s been years since I’ve seen him.”

Caliber's footsteps echoed through the hallways and he entered Lucifer’s office, “Jackson set the tables, and Vera is already started cooking.” He chuckled, “I put Cerberus in a torture den, in case Michael plans anything.”

Lucifer put down his mug, tracing his names written on it, “I highly doubt he will. I am more interested in what conversations we will have tonight. I haven’t seen him…” He choked, “Since the first anniversary of my sister’s death.” He gripped the desk and dug his nails into it.

Before he knew what was doing or even thinking, he flung his desk, it flew up in the air and crashed on the floor with a loud bang. The coffee sprayed everywhere, hot liquid steaming the carpet and splashing against the walls. The mugs broke and the desk was still intact. Lucifer’s computer was cracked in half and the telephone smashed into pieces.

“I am going to kill his fucking sidekick Kate and all his fellow friends that join this fucking stupid dinner,” he kicked the wall with force, the wall plastering.

His friends didn’t even flinch, “We know the plan, Lucifer,” Elena said. “After the desert, when you pull out your knife, we will go into the kill. Although, Michael won’t fall for your dinner event again.”

“I don’t fucking care,” hissed Lucifer. “I want Katerina dead.” His eyes flared angrily and he collapsed to the floor on his knees, tugging at his hair, feeling so much pain. He felt stabbed over and over again with guilt and hurt.

Elena bent down. She didn’t hug him. She didn’t touch him. She knew better than to do that, “Lucifer, it’s going to be okay.”

Lucifer breathed out, hot breath coming out of his nose, “He saw her last before she died in my arms.”

Caliber knelt in front of his companion, his hurt friend, “Lucifer,” he began. He sat down, facing him, “Please, don’t hate me, but it’s time—to move on.”

Lucifer glared at him, even Elena went white with shock. She stared at him, waiting for a horrible outcome. She saw him clutch his jaw and put his hands into a ball.

The Devil stood up, Caliber expected to meet his face with Lucifer’s hand. Lucifer walked towards his window and said with a heartbroken cry, but no tears came down, “You’re right.” He turned his head to Caliber’s stoned face, “I just…” He trailed off, Elena and Caliber not expecting him to finish the sentence, “All I just want is to know why she went to Michael instead of me.”

Elena stood up slowly and walked toward him, stepping over the broken object and going to her broken friend. She put her hand on his shoulder, “Hey, you know we are always here for you.”

Lucifer didn’t even turn to greet her gloomy face. He stared out of his window he so wanted to break. He wanted to feel pain besides the one swirling in his body.

Elena inhaled and glanced at Caliber before she said, looking back at Lucifer, “Some mysterious are best unsolved,” she replied ever so softly, her hand gripping Lucifer’s tensed shoulders.

Lucifer stared into the vast empty, clear blue sky. He bite down on his lower lips hard, until his skin cracked and blood ran through his lips into his mouth. The taste of sweet, tangy iron blood ran down his mouth, but all he felt was bitterness. He whispered ever so quietly before the clock struck ten, “Is this one though?”