After picking up Edward and his luggage, Lucifer drove straight toward the airport.
The moment Edward climbed into the battered pickup, he looked around the cab with obvious reluctance.
“Lucifer, shouldn’t we sell the truck first?”
“Give it a rest.” Lucifer rolled his eyes.
“Who would buy this thing?
Half the time it barely starts, and we have a flight to catch.”
Edward shifted uncomfortably.
“Our flight isn’t until midnight.”
Lucifer turned toward him.
“Midnight?
Weren’t there any earlier flights?”
“There were, but these tickets were discounted.” Edward sighed.
“My credit card almost didn’t have enough room left.
Every dollar counts right now.”
“Fine.”
After reaching the airport, the two had no choice but to wait.
Bored, Lucifer pulled out his Nokia and started playing Snake, only for a new text message to appear on the screen.
It was from Jennifer Check.
Did the exorcism go okay?
Lucifer smiled and typed back.
Of course.
The Light always drives away the darkness.
Jennifer was lying in bed when the reply arrived.
She couldn’t stop thinking about the golden light she had seen appear in Lucifer’s hand earlier that evening.
That was seriously cool.
How long have you been able to do that?
Lucifer thought about all the years he had spent playing a Paladin in his previous life.
A very long time.
Why were you in that neighborhood anyway?
I had an audition and got turned around afterward.
They continued texting for a while until boarding was announced.
Lucifer finally said goodbye to Jennifer, woke the sleeping Edward beside him, and boarded the flight to Los Angeles.
After settling into his seat, Lucifer glanced around the aging cabin.
This plane looks rough.
Hopefully nothing happens.
His concern quickly proved justified.
Not long after takeoff, the aircraft entered heavy rain and turbulence.
Thunder rolled outside while lightning flashed beyond the windows, causing the cabin lights to flicker several times.
Then Lucifer felt a sudden chill behind him.
He turned sharply.
Four terrifying female ghosts covered in black mist were slowly approaching through the cabin.
Lucifer’s entire body tensed.
Since the flight had departed after midnight, his daily skill uses had already reset, and he immediately activated Holy Seal of Justice.
[Holy Seal of Justice activated.]
Golden light flashed through his eyes while glowing warhammer patterns appeared across the backs of his hands.
Lucifer prepared to attack.
To his surprise, all four ghosts suddenly dropped to their knees.
Bloody tears streamed down their faces.
“Please help us.”
“Help us get revenge.”
Lucifer froze.
He glanced around the cabin.
Edward was asleep beside him with his arms crossed and drool near the corner of his mouth, while most of the other passengers were either sleeping or paying no attention.
Lucifer lowered his voice.
“What exactly do you want?”
One of the women looked toward him with intense hatred.
“The man who murdered us is on this plane.
We want revenge.”
Lucifer frowned.
“How do I know you’re telling the truth?”
“He keeps things that belonged to us,” she replied.
“He carries them whenever he travels.
They’re inside his checked luggage.”
Lucifer still wasn’t completely convinced.
“Then why haven’t you killed him before?”
The four spirits exchanged uncertain looks.
“We don’t know.
When lightning struck the plane earlier, something changed.
We suddenly became aware again and were able to move.”
Lucifer considered their answer before asking, “Who’s the killer?”
The expressions of all four ghosts twisted with hatred.
They turned toward the cockpit.
“The captain.”
“The captain killed us.”
Lucifer’s expression changed immediately.
The captain?
They could kill almost anyone else on the plane and Lucifer wouldn’t have to worry about falling thirty thousand feet afterward.
Killing the pilot while they were still airborne was a completely different matter.
“You can have your revenge,” Lucifer said quietly.
“But not while we’re in the air.”
The spirits’ expressions became increasingly distorted.
Lucifer’s eyes narrowed.
“Listen to me and you’ll get what you want.
Try anything before we land, and I’ll purify all four of you right now.”
The golden patterns across his hands grew brighter.
The ghosts trembled and reluctantly nodded.
Lucifer rubbed his chin.
“Why not return to your belongings and wait until the captain takes them home?
Then you can deal with him there.”
One of the women shook her head.
“He has protective symbols in his car and his house.
Whenever we’re taken near them, our minds become clouded and we lose control of ourselves.”
“So he knows what he’s doing.”
Lucifer finally understood why the killer had survived for so long.
After thinking for a moment, he looked at the four spirits again.
“I’ll help you get your revenge, but afterward, you let me purify you.”
The ghosts bowed their heads.
“If you avenge us, Divine Messenger, we will accept whatever comes afterward.”
Lucifer blinked.
“Divine Messenger?”
One of the spirits looked toward the Holy Seal glowing across his hands.
“Were you not sent into this world by God?”
The corner of Lucifer’s mouth rose.
“Something like that.”
He nodded toward them.
“Go back for now.
Wait until we land.
I’ll handle the rest.”
The four ghosts exchanged looks before slowly fading away.
Nearly four hours later, the plane finally landed safely in Los Angeles.
Because of the time difference, it was still around 2:30 in the morning when Lucifer and a half-asleep Edward prepared to leave.
Lucifer deliberately remained near the back until most of the passengers had already disembarked.
When their turn came, Lucifer smiled at the flight attendant.
“That was a great flight.”
“Thank you.” She returned the smile.
“I’ll pass the compliment along to Captain Hanstock.”
Lucifer nodded.
“Actually, could I speak with Captain Jack Hanstock?
I’d like to invite him to get something to eat.
I’ve heard a lot about his flying.”
The flight attendant paused.
Her eyes moved from Lucifer to the sleepy Edward standing beside him, and a strange expression briefly crossed her face.
Lucifer didn’t notice.
“Please wait here,” she said.
“I’ll ask him.”
She disappeared into the cockpit.
Edward yawned.
“Lucifer, why aren’t we leaving?
I’m exhausted.”
Lucifer pulled a thousand dollars from the cash he had taken earlier and stuffed it into Edward’s hand.
“Find a motel nearby and get some sleep.
I’ll call you when I’m done.”
Edward stared at the money.
“You’re not coming?”
Before Lucifer could answer, the cockpit door opened.
He immediately pushed Edward toward the exit and handed him the luggage.
“Go.
I’ll explain later.”
Edward rubbed his side and looked back in confusion before finally leaving the aircraft.
Captain Jack Hanstock stepped out of the cockpit and looked toward Lucifer.
Lucifer smiled pleasantly.
Hanstock returned the smile before approaching and extending his hand.
“Jack Hanstock.
I hear you wanted to meet me.”
“Lucifer.”
They shook hands.
Lucifer maintained a friendly expression despite knowing that four murdered women were waiting for the man standing in front of him.
“Would you mind giving me a ride?” Lucifer asked.
“My friend had to leave ahead of me.”
Hanstock’s eyes brightened slightly.
“Of course.”
His smile widened.
“It would be my pleasure.”