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)
“Yes, he gave the sword to the Amazons long ago,” Lucifer agreed. “I take it you’ve figured out that piece of your history. Likely when you slew the angel Jude with the Sword of Light. Lucky queen. The king’s blood saved her from the sacrifice the sword requires. Yes, having the queen and her husbands back on the plane changes things. To answer your question, Lady Sloane, I am remaining neutral until such time as one group or the other gives me a reason to back them. I fear the balance shifted the minute the royals returned. The Heaven plane has always favored the queen. And you, Hunter. I heard rumor a Day helped you a little while ago.”
He was referencing the gnome who’d shown me how to find Sarah Day. Sarah was married to a fallen angel, and his family still gave us aid and shelter. Duffy was the newest of the angelic trio, and he represented faith. Angels came in trios, and they each represented an aspect of heavenly teaching. Duffy was faith, while Felicity Day was love and Oliver justice. “I think he found it interesting to reach out through the sword. He’s new and trying out his powers.”
“He might be new, but I assure you if he’s been assigned the role of faith, he takes his job seriously, and that means not giving Heaven another reason to meddle,” Lucifer explained. “You were only back on the plane for a few days when they helped out, and now my only view into the future is gone. Grayson, I’m sure you’ve concluded that I came because I can no longer call you. I needed you this morning and you did not hear my call.”
“Because my contract is fulfilled,” Gray said.
Lucifer sighed, a long-suffering sound. “Because of that damned clause. One of the visions you helped me consider aided in putting down what apparently could have become an actual rebellion. The satan judging the contract decided it was enough to wipe out the last three weeks of your service.”
“I’m glad I could help.” There was a calm smile on my husband’s face.
“I came hoping to get you to consider a new contract,” Lucifer said.
“Absolutely not.” I wanted this fucker out of my Hell McMansion as soon as possible.
“Lady Sloane, I’m hurt,” Lucifer purred. “But really, you must hear me out. There are reasons for your husband to maintain his position. It does bring me closer to the king, does it not?”
“Somehow I don’t think my father will like the idea of Lord Sloane helping you see the possible outcomes of this war,” Lee replied.
“Oh, I’ve seen the possible outcomes,” Lucifer assured us. “I need Lord Sloane to help me pick the likeliest of those and help me decide how to nudge along the ones I prefer. I’m in a fixed point in time here. I’ve mostly studied the ones that might have been, had your parents not returned. I assure you if I think the king will win, I’ll be a good ally.”
Lucifer was the definition of bad ally. “And if you decide the king most likely fails?”
“Then I have to figure out if that’s the outcome that will benefit me the most,” Lucifer admitted, and then pushed back from the table and stood. “Don’t answer me now, Lord Sloane. Think it over. I would be much more open to some of your clauses now that I know you’re about to be a father. Can’t have our little one raised by wolves now, can we? Less time with me, more perks for you. Think it over, and we’ll talk at the dinner I’m throwing. Bring your family. I find them amusing. I’m not sure about the date, but soon. I’ll send the invitation to Tix. And we should talk about the boy you have here. I can hear him screaming. Was he hit with an Uro spell?”
I felt my jaw drop.
Lucifer continued on, not waiting for an answer. “Yes, we should definitely talk about that because I’m really the only one who can help you, and I think you know it. See you soon.”
There was a puff of smoke and then brimstone hit my nose.
“Well, fuck,” Gray said, slumping back.
Yup. We were fucked.
Chapter Nine
Liv
An hour after Lucifer Morningstar had let me know what my place in the world was, I stood in my cell, overlooking the magnificent gardens. The moon was high in the sky now, and I’d already watched two big wolves run off toward the bioluminescent forest in the distance.
Trent and Fen. They’d been playing like puppies, and I’d wondered what it would feel like to walk in those woods, to chase after them knowing nothing could harm me because I was with my friends.
Except I’d been with my “friends” when I’d been violated.
I was also wondering if I’d made a mistake by turning down Lucifer’s kindly offer to put me out of my misery by slashing my throat.