*Two days later*

I sign discharge papers for a patient before making my way back to Luci's room. I nod to the guard before entering.

"So how are you doing today?"

She places a hand on the small bump protruding from her abdomen.

"Ready to get this kid out."

"If you're right, it shouldn't be long now."

"Let's hope it works on me. Can you bring me a book?"

"A book?"

"Yes. To read. It's boring in here."

"I'll see what I can do."

I check all the monitors on here and do a quick ultrasound before leaving to locate a book for her. It takes me all of fifteen minutes to snag one from the lost and found. All the nurses told me it was sitting there for a year or more already, so I took it with all intentions of returning it. When I get back to Luci's room, the guard is gone. I rush to the door, opening it. A blue winged creature vanishes as soon as it spots me. Luci is now staring, in shock, at the long staff that sticks out of her lower abdomen. Right where the baby would be. I drop the book and rush to her side. Slipping on a pair of gloves, I examine around the entry wound.

"If you pull it out slowly, I'll heal myself. Got it?"

I grab onto the staff and slowly pull. Her face twists in pain. When the staff is completely removed, there's no evidence besides the single spot of blood on the mattress where it poked out. Her stomach shrinks back down to normal size, no evidence of a scar.

"There goes the baby."

"What was that creature?"

"A successful attempt to kill my child. Sent by Raphael."

"You're brother?"

"I don't refer to him as that, but yes."

"So what just happened?"

"There's a reason why you have to protect the baby. It's not for me to just get the room ready."

"This reason is..."

"Recently found prophecy scrolls state that the child of God's first born will be the end to the other three."

"Meaning?"

"Since I'm the first child of God, any child that I am to deliver will put an end to my three siblings. Their death will allow me to be permanently released from Hell."

"Is that why you got pregnant?"

"No. That was a genuine accident. I forget how alcohol tampers with the human body sometimes."

I start laughing. Luci tilts her head, confused.

"What is so funny?"

"That sounds like the start of a bad joke. The devil getting drunk and winding up pregnant."

"Ha. Ha. Ha. My whole life is a joke."

I put a straight face back on and speak to her calmly.

"So what are you going to do now?"

She leans back against the bed, her body relaxing.

"I don't even know."

"Do you want to be free?"

"More than anything."

"Then we can take the route of in vitro fertilization."

"I'd rather know the father, thanks."

"Well, get out there and find a worthy candidate. Since there is nothing wrong with you, I'm going to have to release you."

"Then I'll have nowhere to stay."

"You're the devil. Play the innocence girl role to the lonely owner of a motel. You're bound to get a room."

"Can't I just stay with you?"

"It's against hospital policy."

"But I won't be your patient then."

A weird feeling takes over my body. Luci stares at me with pleading eyes. My will to push her away shrinks until it finally breaks.

"I'll be right back."

I return with my house keys in hand. Passing them over to her, I feel a strange twist in my gut.

"My address is-"

"I know where you live. I can read your mind."

This causes me to shift, uncomfortable. She rolls her eyes, twirling the keys on her finger.

"Well, get dressed and I'll have Hailey come ready your sign-out papers."

I try to move but my limbs are frozen in place. I glare at Luci and she smirks.

"Just in case I need help changing."

She unties the gown with ease, letting it fall to her feet. I get a quick glimpse at her body before turning my eyes up to the ceiling. She's up against me in a heartbeat.

"Just give in to temptation. There's nothing wrong, you're only human."

"Luci, please get dressed."

"You're no fun."

She obeys orders and I stumble back. I can move my limbs again.

"Get me the stupid papers."