Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 98961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 495(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 495(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
“Again, shit,” I say, pulling my arms close to my body.
“Yes.” Her brows furrow. “As I said, I do not believe Lucifer is in Hell, and there is much chatter amongst demons that the King has left the Throne unclaimed.”
And here we go again…fuck. “Does anyone have any idea where Lucifer is?” I ask, regretting so much that our last conversation involved me yelling at him.
“No. The archangel Uriel has ordered many of us to look for him, saying it is more important to find Lucifer than to tend to other issues.”
“Oh.” Thank God. Well, technically, thank Lucifer.
“If it proves to be true, then this could be very bad, Callie.” Her words send a chill down my spine. “It has long been known that demons have attempted to overthrow Lucifer, but demons are unable to sit on the throne.”
“Julian told me Hell was designed so only someone with archangel blood can do, uh, things.”
“Right.” Her brows push together, forming a line of worry between her eyes. “I fear a war is brewing in Hell, Callie, a war amongst the demons. Some are certain Lucifer shall return while others don’t want him to. Paimon’s failed ritual cost him followers, and he’s desperate now more than ever to make a move and prove that he’s the better leader of infernal powers.”
“The ritual failed because of Julian,” I whisper, feeling a pull on my heart.
“Yes.” Her eyes gloss over. “His sacrifice was not in vain.”
I wait a beat, expecting her to ask why I was the target of the ritual in the first place. She tips her head, listening to something I can’t hear. “Michael wants me to return. I will bring the vessel.”
“Thank you,” I say and she disappears, the sound of rustling feathers echoing around us.
“She has no idea you’re half archangel, does she?” Lucas asks.
“Nope. Maybe she’s new,” I say seriously and Lucas starts laughing.
“It’s been a crazy ride, my love, but I can’t imagine anyone else next to me.”
“I really hope I can say don’t get used to this and have it end up being true. Twenty years from now, demons might not want anything to do with me and then what? I’ll be boring.”
“As long as I can fuck you, I won’t be bored.”
“Well, in twenty years, I might look like a fifty-six-year-old.” I make a face. “And you’ll still look like this.”
“There’s a chance you won’t.”
“That’s another thing I wish I had an answer to.”
“One thing at a time, my love. And I’ll still want to fuck you when you’re fifty-six.”
“I better start working out so I can be hot like J Lo when I’m in my fifties.” I let out a sigh and Lucas comes back to me, scooping me up. I should feel nothing but relief knowing I’m going to wake up with him next to me. We can take Juliet for a walk in the sun tomorrow and can spend the morning on the porch swing again. I should feel relief, but guilt clouds it.
“Do you want dinner?” Lucas rakes his fingers up and down my arm. “It’s been a while since I cooked for you.”
“I’m not too hungry yet. Knowing there could be a civil war in Hell kinda killed my appetite. And I need to go grocery shopping or order something to be delivered instead.” I put my head in my hands. “I didn’t go to the store or anything while you were gone.”
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s just so much,” I start. “It’s too much to keep track of. There are so many things to worry about and handle I almost can’t remember them all and I can’t shake this feeling that I’m going to forget something important and it’s going to be the death of me and I mean that seriously. And I’m so fucking sick and tired of having to get ahold of my friends just to tell them shit is hitting the fan. I mean, at this point, all our fans are covered in shit and the air stinks.”
“Make a grocery list.” He keeps running his hand up and down my arm. “Thorne Hill doesn’t have a grocery delivery service, so I will have Monica do your shopping for you. Unless you’d like to get out of the house for an hour.”
“There are demons after me.”
“Yes, but you still have to eat.” He takes his hand from my arm and brushes my hair back. This isn’t the first time Lucas has suggested I do something that involves leaving the house at a time I’d say is not ideal. Which means he must see how close I am to coming undone.
“The sun is setting. We can have a family outing. I’d like to stop by the bookstore just to say hi to everyone.”
“Then let’s do it.”
“I’ll get changed.”
“You have some time before the sun fully sets. I do think at the very least alerting your coven about the new demons is wise.”