Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 144404 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 722(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 481(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144404 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 722(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 481(@300wpm)
But now nothing mattered except the fact that necklace was still around Kelsey’s neck.
“Tix is fine,” Lucifer continued. “As for our daughter, you know I had no choice in that. If you want to blame someone, blame my father. Heaven set up the system long ago.”
“You didn’t have to give them Layla. Nimue. That’s her name now, isn’t it?” Lilith asked. “They renamed my daughter.”
We were in so much trouble, and I couldn’t break free. I heard Fenrir growling behind me, but he wasn’t exactly attacking. Kelsey and Gray were across the room, and I thought Evan was behind me, likely sticking close to Fen. I had no idea where Lee was and that was how I wanted it because I could feel that fucker trying to get inside my brain.
“Don’t concern yourself with Nimue, woman,” Myrddin said with a frown. “She belongs to me.”
“She belongs to herself,” Lilith practically roared and turned her attention to Myrddin. “I know what you did to her.”
“And this is why I didn’t tell you what happened, my love.” Lucifer actually sounded human for a moment. Like a man trying to placate his woman. Or rather a complete asshole who was trying to justify the unjustifiable. “Why don’t we get rid of the mortals and go somewhere quiet to talk?”
I didn’t think that was going to work out for him. I was pretty sure Lilith was done with men.
But she was not done with her daughter.
“Hey, I need you to break free, Liv.” Kelsey was standing in front of me, her voice low. She was pale, and I wondered if she could see the glow coming off the necklace she was wearing. Probably not. I could see the magic because I was looking for it, had seen it before. I’d seen it in the witch’s room. I could see the beginnings of a tail of magic coming off the necklace.
She couldn’t see it. Gray wouldn’t be able to see it.
“Livie, please. I can’t lose you again,” Kelsey said, tears in her eyes. “Something’s wrong. I need you.”
You’re useless. It’s why it was so easy to break you. You’ll come back with me and perhaps I’ll have you kill the boy. Once he’s gone, I’ll be able to make good on my contract because no one will be able to stop me.
“I had no choice. Myrddin straddles the line between Heaven and Hell. I was forced to give them a guardian to keep the balance,” Lucifer was saying. “Layla was the only one strong enough, the only one they would accept. If I hadn’t given her up, there would have been no first King of the Sword, and you know what that would have meant. I wasn’t ready for that chaos. Now I am. Join me, Lil. Myrddin is going to close the door to the Heaven plane, and we will rule. We will have everything we ever dreamed of.”
Well, of course she’d been right about that, too. Damn it. I was going to have so much atoning to do when I found my soul again.
“Is there a reason you’re letting Lady Sloane run about like a mad woman?” Myrddin asked, an edge to his tone.
Lucifer turned his way, and I swear the sky flared a deeper red. “She’s pregnant. I’m not spelling a woman who carries a royal demon in her belly. There are too few of us left. She can’t do anything, and Lord Sloane is under control… Where did the wolf go? Her other husband is not here. Ah, he’s searching for the satan. Of course. He won’t find him.”
Lilith seemed to remember why we were there. “Lady Sloane, take that necklace off.”
Kelsey dropped to her knees, her hand on her belly.
Lucifer stopped, and his jaw dropped for a moment and then he chuckled. “Is that what’s happening? I was far too invested in my own plots to catch it. Who is it? I have to admit I’m a bit worried about that soul being too precious for our world.”
“Lucifer, she’s going to displace that baby’s soul,” Lilith said, looking down at Kelsey. She was beside me now. “And tell him to let my friend go. He’s the one who did this to Olivia. She’s been through enough.”
“You always set me up to disappoint you,” Lucifer said. “I can’t let go of the room. Lord Sloane will lose his proverbial shit if I do, and I can’t even tell you what that wolf king is going to do. Did you hear me? Myrddin is going to give us everything we ever wanted.”
Violet eyes flared. “Everything we wanted?”
Lucifer nodded. “Yes, he’s going to free us from the Heaven plane. Think about it, my love. You will be my queen. We will have dominion over all of the lower planes.”
Lilith stared, and her head shook. “You’re still a child who’s angry with his father. You’re just like the rest of the occupants of Hell, torturing yourself and never understanding it’s your own guilt that keeps you in this prison.” She sighed, a long-suffering sound. “No. I want no part of this. I want only to know my daughter and to make sure she is safe and happy. But if you want any chance to talk with me, you will allow me to help Lady Sloane.”