Summary:

This is the first part of the story. We find ourselves back in New York. Lucifer left Los Angeles. He was thoroughly convinced the only way to keep Chloe safe was to leave. He has been staying with his daughter Persephone. Unfortunately, he has been driving his daughter crazy. Is he in another emotional spiral? In the meantime, Persephone and her partner/cousin Drakken are investigating a series of gruesome killings occurring within the congregation of a mysterious church that is dedicated to the angels. It soon become apparent that everyone targeted shares something in common with Persephone and Drakken. What is it?

Part One: Ecclesia de Angelis

Persephone Lockhart sat in the break room of the precinct. She was talking to her partner Drakken Knight. "He is driving me nuts." She laughed. "He just showed up and he's been acting odd." She took a sip of her go to drink of Coke. "I mean he has been helpful with Tristan and the house. But every day I come home and he has either rearranged the furniture or he's watching Food Network."

Drakken threw his head back and laughed. "Oh man. I am trying to picture that. The Prince of Darkness watching Bobby Flay."

They both laughed at that. "I don't know how much more I can take." Persephone threw up her hands. "I love my father. But I don't know what it is going on with him." She sighed. Her father Lucifer had come to visit nearly a month ago. At first she welcomed the visit. Then he began to over stay his welcome.

Drakken shook his head. "You are lucky. I hardly ever see my dad."

Persephone sighed. "You want mine. Seriously. He can invade your home. Rearrange your furniture."

"Uh I don't think Regina will appreciate that. Bringing the devil home will definatly land me in the doghouse." Drakken was munching on chips. He crunched a few. "She freaked out enough when she met you."

"I know. I wish she would come around. She seems like such a nice lady." Persephone frowned. She and Drakken had tried to get their two families to meet up for dinner. It had gone well for little bit. Persephone liked his wife Regina and his two sons Benjamin and Elijah. Then they got on the subject of the angels. Regina freaked out when she found out which angel Persephone was related to.

"She is getting there." He sighed. His wife was a passionately religious person. Being partnered with Satan's daughter did not sit well with her. Drakken sipped his soda. "We need to give it a little time."

"I suppose." Persephone said to him. "We won't push her." She finished her Coke. "How is she doing?"

"Okay. Poor Regina is so sick. Her mother is helping out."

"That's good." Persephone's eyes moved to the person entering the room. It was Captain Craig. She smiled at him. "What's up Cap?"

"Bryan and Jake need your help on their case. It's a bad one." He said to them.

"Oh okay." Persephone thought it a bit odd. Her husband Bryan was quite capable as a detective. He and his partner Jake were a great team. It must be pretty serious if they needed help. She stood up from the table. "We'll be right there."

"Good." The captain handed her a post it with the address.

Drakken got up and followed his cousin out of the precinct.

They arrived at a store front. They were told it was a church. It didn't look like one. Ecclesia de Angelis printed on a crude sign out front. The windows were boarded up out front. A plain door on the outside. Once inside it reflected none of the outside crudeness. The hall was adorned with velvet and statues and paintings of angels. Angels of all the orders. Their depictions accurate beyond reproach. Through the hall they entered an auditorium. It was enough to hold a few hundred people. It was rounded and on the walls more statues of angels. They lined the walls. At the center there was a stage with the pulpit. Large life sized statures of the Arch angels circled the stage. All of the arch angels. One in particular had its back to the stage. But his features were distinct and familiar.

At the center the most prominent was a statue of the arch angel Michael. Persephone was amazed at the detail. It looked exactly like Michael. All of them accurate. Though Persephone had only met three of the arch angels in person. Drakken was looking around in awe as well.

People were gathered around the foot of the statue of Michael. As Drakken and Persephone approached they were met by Bryan and Jake. Persephone looked beyond the other two man. A horrific scene lay at Michael's feet. A man with his throat torn apart. His skin the ghastly color of death. It appeared his body had been completely drained of blood. Blood had spattered all around. There were spatters on the statues.

Persephone looked at her husband. "You guys called for help?" She said to him.

He nodded. "Yeah. This is a strange one. The victim is Floyd Weathers. He is the maintenance slash security here. The pastor found him this morning."

"Sound pretty straight forward." Drakken said to him.

"It is. But look at this place. Its right up your alley. Don't you think?" Bryan gestured to the statues.

Persephone looked at Drakken. They shrugged to each other. "Okay."

"Boy, this place gives me the creeps." The very distinct Brooklyn accent of Bryan's partner Jake cut through. "I feel like we are being watched."

Persephone smirked. "That's because we are, Jake. Every minute of every day. They are watching us."

Drakken and Bryan both snickered. Jake just rolled his eyes and looked at Bryan. "Your wife is sassy, Bry."

Bryan laughed. "Yeah."

Persephone walked towards the body. Forensics were going over it with a fine toothed comb. She noticed what appeared to be claw marks in the pews as she walked by. They were distinct. She noticed more on the floor by Floyd's body. She crouched down a few feet from the body. The gash in his neck was horrific. He had claw marks and bite marks all over his body. He had fought his attacker.

"Persi." She heard Bryan call to her.

She stood up and walked back to the men. Another had joined him. As she approached she looked him in the eyes. He had an air of familiarity. The same familiar feeling she got when she had first met Drakken and her brother. It was apparent that she was looking upon another cousin. She felt his gaze upon her too. He must have the same feeling.

"Persi, this is Pastor Walter Hughes." Bryan introduced the man.

Persephone smiled at him. His blue eyes so reminded her of George. A son of Michael who lived in Central Park. "Hello Pastor. I am Persephone."

Walter returned her smile. His eyes still scrutinizing her. "Persephone. What a beautiful name." He paused and glanced at the horrific scene. He sighed and looked up for a moment. Returned his gaze to Persephone. "You can call me Walter."

"Walter. Can you tell me what happened?" Persephone asked.

"I wish I knew. Floyd lives here. He provides security. The other churches in the neighborhood don't take kindly to us. So we need someone to watch the palce at night."

Why?" Persephone asked.

"We do things differently. We follow a different version of the bible. And we venerate the angels. All of the angels."

"Like worship them?" Persephone was trying to understand what he meant. She was truly curious.

"Not really. We just honor them and ask them for guidance. We are a peaceful church. We feed the poor and help people. But we welcome everyone. They were angry when we had a gay wedding here last week." He sighed. His blue eyes looking at the statue of Michael.

Drakken walked over to them. He and Walter exchanged glances. That same knowing glance.

"This is my partner Drakken Knight." Persephone introduced them. "This is Walter Hughes, the pastor." She said to Drakken.

"Nice to meet you." Drakken said wearily. His eyes still looking over Walter.

"So, Walter. You venerate the angels. All of them?" Persephone asked him.

"All of them. Even the fallen angels. They have their own wisdom and guidance to provide."

"All of the fallen angels?"

"Yes. I know who you mean. We venerate him as well. We use him as a means to steer those from the wrong path. We also believe he is worthy of redemption." Walter sounded a bit annoyed. "That causes contention. Most people don't think we should even speak his name." He gestured to the arch angel statues. "But he remains facing away. Someday we hope he'll redeem himself."

Persephone eyed the one that was facing backward. She walked to it. Walking around to look him in the face. It was most definatly her father. The same nose and eyes. But he wore the traditional angel robe and he had his wings. She sighed. She remembered his wings. They had been glorious and beautiful. She walked over to Drakken.

Drakken was staring intently at a statue that looked just like his father. He turned to her. "What do you make of this place?"

"Hard to say. But I believe Walter is one of us." She whispered to him.

Drakken nodded. "I got that sense too. He looks just like George."

Bryan and Jake walked over. "So, what do you think?" Bryan asked.

"We can take over this case if you want Bryan. "

"I think it's a good idea."

Jake looked at him. "We can handle it. It's just a weird place that's all."

"No Jake. Persi has a lot of knowledge about the subject. Trust me." Bryan argued.

Jake huffed. "Whatever. Let's get out of here, then." He shuddered. "This place gives me the willies." He headed towards the door.

"I'll see you later." Bryan said to Persephone and Drakken. He then followed Jake to the door.

A moment later Walter reappeared. "Here are the names of some of the other churches that have been harassing us."

"You think any of them did this?"

Walter shrugged and looked at the scene. "Hard to say what anyone is capable of these days. I would start with Father Ryker. He stands outside our doors before services and shouts slurs and other hateful rhetoric. I truly feel sorry for the man."

Persephone patted his shoulder. "Thank you. We'll be in touch." She started for the door. Drakken was right behind her.

"So where do we go first?" Drakken asked.

"Let's go talk to Father Ryker." She looked at the statues of the arch angels again. She swore to herself the one of Michael was staring back.

Author's note: Hello my lovelies and welcome to my next adventure. This is going to be three to four different parts. I will keep it all in one entry. It will be a massive undertaking on my part. Could end up being thirty chapters. Like a real novel. Sorry about the other earlier shorter stories. I was building to this. So if you are prepared to come on this crazy journey. Strap in. I know my ideas are wild and crazy. I just like being a little different than the others.