The next day, the Antichrist was up before dawn. His mood was anything but good. Let alone that he felt like enjoying the first rays of sunshine. Instead of his usual cup of coffee, he had simply taken a few cans of energy drink from the refrigerator and retreated to his small study.
Dromos appeared in the garden and walked into the kitchen where Celine was sitting at the table. Her mood wasn't great either. She looked at Dromos and asked with a straight face:
"And is he right, as usual? Is Celi aware of herself and her surroundings?"
Dromos, who of course knew nothing about Alexander's decision, replied cheerfully:
"Yep, his whole zoo has just taken on a whole new dimension. I assume he'll find this funny somewhere, given his love for his petting zoo."
Celine cursed something unintelligible, looked the Demon in the eyes, and practically hissed:
"You'd think so at first, but this apparently has far-reaching consequences for everyone. Fuck, what a shitshow..."
Dromos, who didn't quite understand why Celine seemed so pissed off, asked suspiciously:
"What's going on?"
She pointed in the direction of the office and said:
"Why don't you ask him yourself?"
Dromos nodded and made his way there.
Alexander was sitting behind his desk, talking to the head of the FBI Art Crime Team and the SAC of the Field Office. Dromos walked in and immediately saw that Alexander's face was looking thunderous. The Antichrist pointed to a chair. Dromos sat down and heard:
"No, Bill, this is not open to interpretation or negotiation. You will not get an address and time from me until I have a watertight guarantee that Carter will be given the chance to escape. I need him for something more important than stolen art."
The speaker boomed:
"Alex, I don't know what they told you, but a roving inspector SUPPORTS a field office and has no authority over the local SAC. We've been after Carter for years, and I'll be damned if I'm going to take a risk that could let him slip through our fingers. He's not slipping through the cracks this time, period. Man, we both work for the FBI, and taking Carter off the board is important to the FBI. So we have to arrest him."
Dromos saw the hellfire flash in the Antichrist's eyes for a moment and knew that what was about to be said would be very bad news for the person on the other end of the connection. The Demon did not yet know that this would be a day filled with bad news for everyone.
"Now that you mention the FBI, Bill. You're a player, otherwise you would never have gotten the position you have now. You play political games when it suits you. Let me tell you a little secret. I don't play games. So let me try to sketch out your immediate future so you know what to expect after this call. The director is going to get a call that will make him choke on his coffee. That in itself will ensure that you get a call from the director summoning you to DC immediately. You will barely have left your office to catch the next plane to DC when the maintenance people will already start packing all your personal belongings into boxes that they will send to your home. In DC, you will be assigned a new position. Guarding a mailbox in the uninhabited part of Alaska. You will, of course, refuse this ridiculous transfer, which in itself is sufficient grounds to put you on unpaid leave pending investigation. That's the beauty of the strict hierarchy of the FBI: if we apply it to the letter, even your political friends can't do a damn thing about it. An investigation into your actions that, due to the enormous administrative red tape, could drag on for years. Years in which your impressive resume will mean nothing because none of the big players will dare to offer you a job because you are under investigation and because there will be a very fat black mark in your file. Do you catch my drift, Bill, or do you want to wait for that call?"
There was silence on the other end for two seconds, and then a suddenly very submissive voice could be heard:
"Understood, Carter walks. But if he disappears, it's on you, Agent Morningstar."
"Oh, Bill, ye of little faith. Carter will be delivered to you a few hours later, nice and neat. I'll even tie a bow around him. Consider it a reward for realizing that it's a very bad idea to try to have a pissing contest with me."
Without another word, Alexander ended the call and looked at Dromos. A few seconds later, he sighed deeply, shook his head, and said softly:
"So Eloch has determined that Celi and a few of her smaller friends are no longer just a tangible hologram. Logical conclusion: part of my petting zoo will also have some form of consciousness."
Dromos nodded and asked:
"Your mom doesn't seem very happy with that news either. Are we expecting trouble, boss?"
"If you consider open war with Heaven a problem, then yes."
Dromos opened his eyes wide and asked:
"Can you repeat that, Alex?"
The Antichrist rubbed his curls and then briefly recounted what he had told Celine the night before about what he thought would be the reaction of the faction in Heaven led by Uriel and Amenadiel. Dromos cursed aloud and asked:
"And now?"
Alexander looked at him intently and said:
"You go back downstairs. Tell B&B and Morax what's going on. I have some mess to clean up here first. They need to call the entire council together for a special meeting. Have them prepare Hell for a transfer of power. I'm going to inform our Devil that his services are no longer required and that he can retire and start planning a party because he will finally be free. I'm going to take over the crown, Dromi."
He emptied his can and squeezed it so hard using his Celestial powers that it was completely flattened.
"Things are going to be different, Dromi. No trips or vacations to Earth like Dad used to do. I'm going to have to close Hell. No one in and no one out, including myself."
Dromos was shocked by these words and said:
"Holl up, Alex. Earth is just as much your home as Hell is. Are you going to let those bastards drive you out of your own home?"
"What choice do I have, Dromi? Those feathered fuckers will never give up as long as I'm walking around on Earth. Should I stand my ground and say I won't let myself be driven out of my home? And then what? Shrug my shoulders when humanity pays the price for my stubbornness and be convinced that I'm right because I have the moral high ground? I don't think the survivors among humans will give a damn about my moral high ground. How many of my uncles and aunts will die in that confrontation? And tell me, where would I get the damn right to ask or demand that you and all the other Demons in Hell fight alongside me in that war and lay down their lives for me? Fuck that! Years ago, I swore that no innocent would ever suffer if I could prevent it. And innocent applies to Humans, Angels, and Demons. Nothing has changed, brother..."
The Demon hung his head and whispered:
"For fuck's sake... One way or the other, those fuckers seem to win in the end. You did nothing, Alex, you are just as much an innocent. Where is the fairness in this? Tell me how that so-called merciful God can justify this? Is this all his big plan for everyone? Let me tell you, when all is said and done, those assholes up there will wash their hands like Pilate did and say that they did not do a thing. That you locked yourself in Hell. Nothing can be blamed on them. Be damned the pain, sorrow, and grief they are causing. Fuck them, and excuse my language, Alex, but fuck your grandfather too!
Alexander closed his eyes and leaned back. He said softly:
"They say I'm a freak of nature. That I belong in a box. Well, they got their wish..."
After Dromos left, Alexander took care of a few personal matters and then entered the kitchen with a grim expression. Celine watched him closely as he entered the kitchen without saying a word and grabbed a can from the refrigerator. She asked softly:
"How much time do we have left?"
"A few days. The auction is the day after tomorrow, and once that's all settled, I'm going to have a talk with Grandpa. The FBI is going to raid the place to shut down the whole operation as much as possible. Carter will be able to escape for a short time and will, of course, head straight for his secret hideout where Dad's wings are hidden. We'll wait for him there, have a chat with the guy, and then Detective Decker can deliver him to the FBI, nice and neat, with a bow on top."
She nodded and said:
"Brownies points for the detective at the FBI, which she can cash in on in the future. So you're already busy getting your affairs in order?"
"Yep, strange feeling, I must say. I know people worry about their wills and the future of their loved ones when they are no longer around. However, I never thought I would ever find myself in the same situation, since I am immortal. To be honest, it's a humbling experience, mom. Your original question suggests that you have made a decision."
"Yes, my boy. I am a Demon, Hell is my home, not Earth, no matter how nice it can be here sometimes. I knew that one day I would return to Hell. Even though you are now an adult, Alexander, I am not ready to let you go. And after all, there has to be one responsible adult around. Dromos, B&B, and you together responsible for Hell? It's Hell, Alexander, and it serves a purpose. It's not Disney World combined with Six Flags on steroids..."
A tiny but sad smile appeared at the corners of his mouth as he replied:
"Damn, our big secret for the future of Hell seems to be out in the open. Leave it to mom to spoil the fun..."
He threw his empty can in the trash and said:
"Time to tell dad that there has been a coup in Hell and he is out of a job and a crown to wear..."
He kissed Celine on the cheek and disappeared toward the penthouse.
The Antichrist landed on the balcony but did not immediately go inside without first announcing himself loudly. Alex had absolutely no desire to be confronted with his father's nocturnal escapades. He called out:
"If there is anyone in there not decent or if stuff is happening that a child should never, ever, witness his father doing, you got 60 seconds to knock it off and get at least somewhat presentable."
The next moment, Lucifer came down the stairs from his bedroom fully dressed except for the jacket of his tailored suit. He looked at Alexander and said:
"As I said yesterday, son, those days are over. It's not the detective's style; she's more of a one woman for a Devil kind of person."
The Devil disappeared behind the home bar while he pushed a cufflink into place. He poured himself a glass, and Alexander slowly walked in and sat down on a bar stool. Lucifer immediately saw that something was weighing on the Antichrist's mind. A not-so-pleasant conversation was likely to follow. That's why he wanted to start with something lighter:
"The ladies had a little too much wine yesterday, so I couldn't let them drive home in good conscience. Lux's limo service took them home."
Alexander just nodded and said nothing else. Lucifer was not used to this kind of behavior from his son. Except for that awful period when Alex was still a child and Uriel had pulled that sickening stunt with the boy. Back then, there were also days when the boy barely spoke a word. The Devil asked worriedly:
"What happened, Alex? Are you okay?"
"No, Dad, I'm not okay. What happened? Everything went apeshit, that's what happened."
"Can I get some more explanation, Alexander?"
The Antichrist nodded and said:
"I was right. Celi and a bunch of others are more or less conscious. Apparently, I unknowingly created a new kind of semi-sentient beings."
Lucifer thought for a moment and then asked softly:
"What are the consequences?"
The Antichrist looked the Devil straight in the eye and said:
"To begin with, there was a coup in Hell. You are no longer the King of Hell, Dad. The council will already have started preparations for the coronation of the new king."
The Devil looked at his son in confusion and asked:
"Coup? Who staged a coup? How come I didn't sense anything? Who will be the new king of Hell?"
Alexander quasi quoted a line from one of his favorite movies:
"He's looking at you, Devil..."