{"id":102,"date":"2024-04-12T10:37:35","date_gmt":"2024-04-12T16:37:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.CatesPress.com\/?page_id=102"},"modified":"2024-04-12T11:11:42","modified_gmt":"2024-04-12T17:11:42","slug":"as-above-so-below-chapters-20-22","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.CatesPress.com\/?page_id=102","title":{"rendered":"As Above, So Below: Chapters 20 &#8211; 22"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>CHAPTER 20<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The morning came too soon with a knock at the door. A servant of some kind said in a voice like a crackling fire, \u201cHis Majesty will meet with you in one hour.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kira yawned and stretched, Azrin\u2019s arm still draped over her ribs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAlready?\u201d he asked sleepily. His hair was a mess of black waves and his eyelids were still droopy. Gorgeous, Kira though. He was gorgeous.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kira smelled coffee and fresh bread and rolled over to see a tray on the round table, two mugs of steaming coffee.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cLucifer sure knows how to treat his guests,\u201d she said, grabbing the mugs and walking back to hand one to Azrin.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He sat up in the bed and the memories of last night hit her one by one as she stared blankly at his bare chest. She had begged him to fuck her, and it had been the best sex she\u2019d ever had. Her cheeks flushed and she suddenly realized she was naked as well.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBelieve me,\u201d he said thickly, dragging his eyes across her body. \u201cIf I thought I had time, I would have you again. But an hour is not nearly long enough for me to do all the things I need to do to you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Heat bloomed all over her body and her breasts peaked with arousal. Once with him was far from enough.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She set the mug onto the round table and turned back to him to ask, \u201cSo you don\u2019t regret it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His eyebrows twisted and he shook his head with dismay at her question, \u201cRegret? Absolutely not. Not in a million life times, Kira. I want to do that and more every day for the rest of eternity.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He softened his gaze on her, \u201cI don\u2019t think you understand what I feel for you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She stood at the edge of the bed, and he grabbed her arm to pull her back to the mattress with him. Her laughter filled his ears as he gathered her into his arms, pressing his bare chest to hers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Azrin\u2019s eyes locked onto hers as he continued, \u201cWhen this is over, when we go back to the apartment block, I\u2019m going to show you how much you mean to me. I swear it.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He pressed a kiss to her lips, not the sensual passionate kisses of the night before, but a reassuring, safe, loving kiss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She watched as he left the bed and slid on his pants. The site of his naked body was a thing of absolute beauty. The idea of having more time with him, more time for kisses, more time for conversation, more time to be in his presence was enough motivation for her to face the oncoming meeting with Lucifer.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They dressed and ate quickly, shared a few more fevered kisses with roving hands until another knock came to the door.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This time it was Beezlebub\u2019s noble voice they heard on the other side. \u201cHis majesty is ready for you now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When Azrin opened the door, Beezlebub sniffed audibly, \u201cYou two smell different. I trust that you slept well?\u201d There was a ghost of a smile on his dark lips.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYes,\u201d said Azrin. \u201cThe best night of my existence so far.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kira took his hand and they followed Beelzebub down the staircase to what she could only assume was a throne room. It was massive, full of the same black obsidian stone. A dais stood at a collection of enormous windows, overlooking the flaming landscape of the old city below.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lucifer was waiting for them, gazing out of those windows, a king surveying his kingdom. A pristine white robe was gathered around his lithe body with a blood red sash at his hips. His wings were out on full display, white feathers that glittered in the firelight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He turned slowly as they approached, his hands clasped in front of him, \u201cPrince Azrin. Miss McKinley. Welcome.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He inclined his head toward them, golden curls that seemed to never fall out of place. \u201cI greatly apologize for the delay. I trust you found your accommodations acceptable.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOf course your majesty,\u201d Azrin went down on his knees on the stone floor. He grabbed Kira by the wrist and gently tugged her down with him.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He whispered \u201cBow your head\u201d. She followed his instructions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNone of that, my children. Rise.\u201d Lucifer waved his beautiful hand, \u201cWe have important matters to discuss.\u201d His voice was so smooth, refined, ice cold water skating over glass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kira and Azrin rose to their feet together. Azrin softly brushed the back of his hand against hers and Kira entwined her fingers with his.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lucifer\u2019s eyes were pools of glacial water, but his expression was gentle. Kira braced herself for whatever he was about to say.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cKira McKinley,\u201d she froze as his gaze pierced her, \u201cI regret to inform you that you are not in the right place.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She tried to calm her breathing, her heart beat so ferociously that she thought it might erupt from her chest. Azrin squeezed her hand.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lucifer continued, \u201cYou are not supposed to be here, my child, because you are not dead yet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhat?\u201d she blurted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYour corporeal form still lives,\u201d he went on gently, \u201cin a hospital in Brooklyn, New York.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBut, but that\u2019s not possible\u201d her voice was getting louder, defiant. \u201cI saw it. I saw my death, my body. How can I not be dead?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThese are things that I have no control over. The fact remains that you are still alive and thus you do not belong here.\u201d He remained calm and carefully controlled, even through her outburst.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI can\u2019t be.\u201d Kira shook her head, her long ponytail swaying. \u201cIf I\u2019m still alive then it\u2019s only because machines are keeping me alive. Make them stop.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Those glacial eyes were heartbreakingly soft as he said, \u201cI can not. You do not have the appropriate paperwork on file.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d, she asked. The sound of panic in her voice forced Azrin to tighten his grip on her hand. She could feel his pulse quicken.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI checked the records and you do not have a,\u201d Lucifer raised his eyes to the ceiling for a moment, as if remembering a specific term, \u201cyou do not have a \u201cDo not resuscitate\u201d on file with the hospital. They can keep you alive on those machines as long as they wish.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThat\u2019s ridiculous!\u201d she spat, tearing her hand from Azrin\u2019s grip and taking half a step forward. \u201cYou\u2019re The Devil. Make them take me off life support. I\u2019ll sign whatever you want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI am sorry Kira McKinley. I must abide by the rules. I must take you back.\u201d Lucifer said, standing his ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kira took back the half step, her shoulders slumped at his words. \u201cTake me back? But, I don\u2019t want to go back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI understand, Kira McKinley, but these are the rules.\u201d His face was harder now, stern, a father who understood how consequences could hurt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNo! I\u2019m not leaving.\u201d She grabbed Azrin\u2019s hand again. \u201cFor someone who talks a lot about freedom of choice and rebellion, you sure are a stickler!\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Anger filled her entire body, filled the blood in her veins. She realized she was shouting when Lucifer bent slightly and brought his face closer to hers. He was intimidating, but not menacing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhile I admire your spirit, child. There are rules that even I am not allowed to break. This is one of them. You are not dead and therefore you are not allowed to be here. I must send you back.\u201d His tone was matter-of-fact, not angry, just the truth.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He straightened to his full height again and continued in that tone, \u201cYou may return eventually, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhat am I supposed to do?\u201d she asked, tears filling her lower lids, threatening to spill over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cLive your life. Continue on the path you were on before and you will return in time.\u201d he answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Azrin squeezed her hand again and when he spoke his voice was softer than she\u2019d ever heard it, \u201cI will be here when you return.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNo, I can\u2019t just go back to my old life. Not now that I\u2019ve experienced this.This isn\u2019t fair!\u201d She stomped her foot.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cLife is not fair, Kira McKinley. I must take you back, regardless of how anyone feels about it.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He turned away from her, and continued a shade quieter. \u201cWhen I send you back, you will not remember your time here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Azrin\u2019s face dropped as he fought to hold back his own sadness. He was a carefully crafted soldier and Kira needed his strength, not his grief.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI won\u2019t remember? Not anything?\u201d her eyes fell to the floor, fat tears falling and hissing as they hit the stone floor and turned to steam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNo, it will be as if none of this occurred. I can not change that.\u201d He turned around sharply, piercing her with his icy stare. \u201cAnd do not try to take your life. Suicide is a complicated process and you could be stuck in litigation for a long time. I can not guarantee that you will come back here after that action is taken.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kira\u2019s chest rose and fell with her breath, her eyes searching the floor for answers that didn\u2019t exist.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhen?\u201d she asked at last, pulling her eyes back to Lucifer\u2019s heavenly face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNow.\u201d he replied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The tears fell in earnest now as her fate set in, a fate that no one could change.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Azrin came around to face her and took both of her hands in his. \u201cKira, I will wait. I will wait as long as it takes for you to return. We will still have eternity, just delayed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t want to be without you.\u201d She said, dripping tears on their joined hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The look on Azrin\u2019s face was agonizing. He wiped a tear from her cheek. \u201cIt\u2019s okay, Kira. We will meet again. I swear it to you. I will be right here the whole time, waiting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kira threw her arms around Azrin and buried her face in his neck, breathing in his clove smoke scent, desperately trying to cement it into her memory.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He kissed her cheek and whispered into her ear, \u201cNo goodbyes. Not now, or ever. Just see you soon. Okay?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A sob broke from her lips as she nodded her head. \u201cOkay. See you soon, Azrin.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lucifer stepped close to them. Kira could have sworn there was amazement in his expression. But he gently touched Kira\u2019s shoulder. \u201cCome, my child, we must go.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She looked back at Azrin one last time, his face was so grave. He mouthed something, but she couldn\u2019t hear the words. The three words that in all his millenia of existence, Azrin had only ever said to one other person.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There was no time to ask him to say it again. A cloud of sparkling embers surrounded Lucifer as he gently pulled her away from Azrin.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kira never took her eyes from his, those swirling galaxies staring back at her, glistening with tears. She knew she wouldn\u2019t remember him, but she knew that she\u2019d never look at the stars or the night sky the same way again.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The embers turned to flames and then to smoke and they were gone. Azrin crashed to his knees and wept.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhat an unfortunate turn of events for you, my brother.\u201d Beezlebub\u2019s large hand landed on Azrin\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>CHAPTER 21<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kira opened her eyes slowly, the fluorescent light in the hospital room was blinding. Machines beeped and made whirring noises in her ears and it was too much.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She started to close her eyes again, but a face came into her frame of view. A kind, although angular face, framed with blonde hair. She blinked, adjusting to the white light around her. The face had gray eyes and they blinked back at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cKira?\u201d His voice was soft, almost inaudible, but his full lips moved. \u201cAre you awake? I\u2019ll get the nurse.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The beeping machines were annoying and something was in her throat. She tried to raise her hand to her throat, but her arms wouldn\u2019t move. Something was holding her down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The man\u2019s voice was gentle, \u201cIt\u2019s ok. Don\u2019t try to move. You\u2019re in the hospital. Wait for the nurse, Kira.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His big hand was at her cheek, \u201cFuck. I\u2019m so happy to see your eyes.\u201d he said, wiping a wet streak from her face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The man backed away as a team of nurses rushed into the room. Kira wanted to talk, to scream, to cry, but she couldn\u2019t do anything. The thing in her throat wouldn\u2019t let her make a sound and she was strapped across the chest to the hospital bed. Around her legs too, she realized as she tried to wiggle her feet.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cEasy there girlfriend,\u201d one of the nurses said as she came into Kira\u2019s vision. Kira glared at the woman dressed in teal scrubs and blinked furiously. \u201cOkay okay, I\u2019m going to help you, but you have to be patient.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cold drops fell into her eyes first. She would have sighed at the relief if she could have. The nurses began to remove tubes, the one from her throat came out and made her gag. The movement hurt and she whimpered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSorry, hon,\u201d said another nurse. \u201cI know it\u2019s not pleasant. Are you in pain?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kira nodded slightly, everything hurt, but her head, that hurt most of all. She tried to speak, but no sound came out. So she mouthed the words\u201cmy head\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYep. Okay. I\u2019ll get you some medicine.\u201d The nurse with the black hair turned to a red haired one, \u201cLet\u2019s push some more morphine.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Eventually, the chaos ceased and the room was quiet again. The nurses had pumped her IV full of pain killers and removed the restraints around her chest and legs. Kira was alone with Keith who sat in a chair next to her bed, gently stroking her hand.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cJesus Christ, Kira. I thought you were dead. The doctor\u2019s said it&#8217;s a miracle you didn\u2019t die,\u201d he said, still speaking softly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI think I did,\u201d she croaked. Her throat was dry and scratchy, but his hands were soothing, and the pain was down to a dull soreness.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cDo you remember anything?\u201d he asked and quickly added, \u201cYou don\u2019t have to tell me, if you don&#8217;t want to.\u201d<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kira took a deep breath, it felt good to fill her lungs, even though it made her ribs ache. \u201cI remember leaving the bar and my broken shoe, but that\u2019s it.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou were hit by a car. The driver was drunk. They\u2019re okay, but they\u2019ll probably go to jail.\u201d Keith said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cShit. That sucks.\u201d Kira stared up at the white panels on the ceiling. All of this sucked, but at least she was alive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>CHAPTER 22<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beezlebub stood behind his brother as the cloud of smoke caught fire and Lucifer emerged, wreathed in glowing embers. He adjusted the sash at his waist and surveyed Azrin, still kneeling on the floor, his face buried in his claw tipped hands.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cPrince Azrin,\u201d he said, a father consoling his hurt child. He reached his hand out and gently pulled on Azrin\u2019s wrist. \u201cFace me, my son.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Azrin\u2019s face was red and tear streaked as he looked up at Lucifer, but he rose to his feet and took a steadying breath.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She was gone. He had never loved someone, not like this, not with the reciprocation that Kira gave him. And now she was gone, for however long, he didn\u2019t know.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He would wait, he had spoken true to her, but would she be the same when she came back? Would she be old and gray, he didn\u2019t care about that.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Would she have a different personality, changed by wisdom and years and children? He didn\u2019t know if he could bear that.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She would fall in love with someone else. He supposed she deserved that. Deserved to be happy with a human lover, not a demon. A crack split through his heart at that thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lucifer opened his mouth to speak and Azrin had to shake his head to clear his thoughts and listen attentively.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI had no idea this was possible.\u201d He started pacing slowly, twisting the cuff of his robe in his fingers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t know what I did when I made you, Azrin, but you are different.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He stopped and stared at Beezlebub who was still standing at Azrin\u2019s back. \u201cHe is different, isn\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYes, your majesty, he has always been different, even in those old days.\u201d Beezlebub answered gently.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lucifer resumed pacing, making large gestures with his hands as he walked, \u201cNever very good at torture. Too close to humans for his own good. And don\u2019t get me started on your obsession with their world.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He stopped in front of Azrin and placed his hand on Azrin\u2019s chest. \u201cSoft, you were always so soft.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He shook his head, golden curls swaying back and forth. \u201cI didn\u2019t give you the capacity for this kind of affection. I could blame humans and their little squishy hearts,\u201d he made a gesture as if squeezing the juice from a fruit in his palm. \u201cI could blame any number of sources. I sure as fuck could blame my own father.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Azrin had never heard Lucifer curse. The sound was so candid that it caught him off guard. His creator had always been reserved. Cruelty or cold indifference were the only emotions he knew Lucifer to have.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNone of those things will solve this problem, however.\u201d The cold indifference was back in his voice.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Azrin raised his brows, \u201cproblem, my lord?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lucifer snapped around, \u201cAbso-fucking-lutely a problem, Azrin!\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Azrin shrank back an inch.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t want one of my princes moping around hell after some human woman!\u201d He shuddered with disgust. \u201cWe have to do something about that because I won\u2019t have it.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One corner of his perfectly bowed lips raised in a crooked smile.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He resumed pacing as Azrin just stared at his father with wide, dark eyes. \u201cNow, I can\u2019t kill her and you can\u2019t kill her. It\u2019s against the rules. There\u2019s no magic spell to make her a demon. It doesn\u2019t work like that. I only know of one solution.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A solution? This had Azrin\u2019s attention. He wiped his eyes with the back of his hands, his ears perked up and he squared his shoulders.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cEmissaries are allowed up there. Perhaps, one of my emissaries could pull some strings, put some wheels in motion that would bring her back via the appropriate channels.\u201d He stroked his bare chin with a perfectly manicured hand.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Azrin slumped his shoulders again and started to retort, but Lucifer cut him off with a silencing gesture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWho to send? Belial is a menace and can\u2019t be trusted up there. You remember what happened last time? He almost got me into a lot of trouble with that Pontious Pilot business.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He walked to the wall of windows and Azrin took a step closer.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThen there\u2019s Beezlebub,\u201d he turned and faced the demon behind Azrin. \u201cThat won\u2019t do either. No offense Beezle, but you\u2019re old, and would stick out like a sore thumb.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNone taken, your majesty.\u201d the demon replied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThat\u2019s it. I\u2019m out of emissaries. If only I had one more son to do my bidding.\u201d He looked at Azrin, a feline smile creeping across his face.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Azrin felt a tingle deep inside himself, a change, a shift. Gold epaulets appeared on the shoulders of his uniform and a gold pin on the lapel of his jacket.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Azrin crashed to his knees again.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYour majesty,\u201d he bowed low and the tingle turned to flames, engulfing his body in heat. His eyes flared momentarily with a red glow.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cGet up, emissary. You have work to do.\u201d Lucifer said in a steady tone.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Azrin rose and flexed his fingers. He could feel the power surging through his veins. He didn\u2019t realize how much he had missed it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cDo you mean?\u201d He started to ask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBrooklyn, New York. That\u2019s where I need you to go. I believe you understand your mission? Am I correct?\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYes, your majesty, of course I understand,\u201d he answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lucifer\u2019s features turned sharp, \u201cThis is a difficult mission. Don\u2019t fuck it up, boy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Azrin bowed his head. \u201cThank you, father. I will not.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>THE END<\/strong><br><strong>Azrin and Kira will return in As Above, So Below: The Waking World<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.catespress.com\/?page_id=69\">Return to Chapter List<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>CHAPTER 20 The morning came too soon with a knock at the door. A servant of some kind said in a voice like a crackling fire, \u201cHis Majesty will meet with you in one hour.\u201d Kira yawned and stretched, Azrin\u2019s arm still draped over her ribs.&nbsp; \u201cAlready?\u201d he asked sleepily. His hair was a mess&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"more-link-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.CatesPress.com\/?page_id=102\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &ldquo;As Above, So Below: Chapters 20 &#8211; 22&rdquo;<\/span> &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-102","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.CatesPress.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/102","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.CatesPress.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.CatesPress.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.CatesPress.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.CatesPress.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=102"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.CatesPress.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/102\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":110,"href":"https:\/\/www.CatesPress.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/102\/revisions\/110"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.CatesPress.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=102"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}