by Bella Klaus
I spun, finding the tree clomping toward me on roots it had snapped off from the ground. It had fashioned them into feet, which oozed clear liquid. My chest clenched at seeing the waste. How could Mother enchant living beings to destroy themselves just to satisfy her petty whims?
“Go back,” I told the tree.
It hesitated the same way the pollen had paused when I’d given him a message that contradicted Mother’s.
“This is against your nature,” I told the tree, sounding much calmer. “Return to your place, and I’ll heal your roots.”
The willow bowed and stepped backward toward the spot where it had uprooted. I turned to the row of trees, whose branches pointed toward me, ready to seize me as soon as I came within grabbing distance.
“Stand down.” I pictured the magic animating them seeping back into the earth, helping other plants within St. James’s Park to bloom.
Each willow tree lowered its branches toward the floor and went still, just as the flowers at the waterside doubled in size and then bloomed.
“How are you doing this?” Lucifer asked, his voice breathy.
“I used to be the Goddess of Spring,” I walked to the willow tree that had uprooted itself and wrapped my arms around its trunk.
Pain radiated from deep within its roots as they tried to reattach themselves with the parts it had left behind. Pushing my magic into the tree, I guided the fibers to reconnect. Thick rhizomes formed in my mind’s eye and wriggled through the earth.
Once each root laced into place, I knitted them together, much like how Mother once taught me to graft a bud to a branch. The tree sighed with relief, filling my lungs with a gust of oxygen. Perhaps this was its way of thanking me for breaking its enchantment.
“You’re welcome.” I gave it one last hug and released my grip.
“That was impressive,” Lucifer said. “If you used to be the goddess of spring, what are you now?”
“I have no idea, but it’s going to be fun to work out the extent of my powers.”
He glanced at the weeping willow, which was now settled at the waterside. “And why did these trees attack you?”
“When Hades and I got married, my mother enchanted them to capture me in case I ever resurfaced from Hell. I heard from someone that they’ve been lashing out at anyone with Greek blood.”
Lucifer took me to a place called Dirty Den’s, which was more of a swanky wine bar than the tavern I’d imagined. The interior was light and airy, with white-tiled walls, and long teak tables, each seating at least ten diners. Since the lunch hour had passed, the place was half-full. Demon hybrids in regular clothes mingled with enforcers.
I looked out for signs of Captain Caria or the black-haired woman who had accompanied me to my housewarming party, but neither of them were there. At the back of the restaurant were booths even more cozy and intimate than the one we’d shared at Sodom.
“Shall we get a seat around the bar?” I turned toward the counter, a deep alcove with a view of the kitchen.
He gave me a dazzling smile. “It just so happens that those are the best seats in Dirty Den’s.”
We took the center stools and watched workers in pristine white uniforms throw hops flowers, grains, and other ingredients into small barrels to create beer. At the back, chefs prepared dishes under the orders of a demon, just like they did on the TV shows.
Lucifer ordered us the fish and chips, served on authentic newspaper, and himself a pint of lager. I wanted to try the mead because it sounded sweeter and came in an elegant glass instead of a metallic tankard.
Our order came without cutlery, but the chefs had prepared the fish in finger-sized sticks almost the same size as the chips. Lucifer didn’t add salt or vinegar or any condiments to his food, making me wonder if his curse would allow him to enjoy something as simple as fried potatoes and fish.
He turned to me with a smile. “How do you like it?”
I picked up a chip. “These fries are thicker than I’m used to, but the salt and vinegar makes them delicious.”
His gaze dropped down to the six pots of condiments the serving staff had provided, but he didn’t comment, making me think my speculations were right. My chest tightened. Whoever did this to him needed to be shoved off a cloud or at least suffer the same plight.
I took a sip of the mead, which tasted like the honey we occasionally extracted from the mansion’s beehives, and picked up a piece of plaice in batter.
“What do you know about Samael?” I asked.
“Too much, unfortunately.” He popped a chip in his mouth and chewed. “That bastard has served as the Angel of Death since the day we were created.”
I bit into the fish, which crunched under my teeth. “Does he have any weaknesses?”
Lucifer’s gaze rose to meet mine. “Are you thinking of killing him? Don’t.”
“Because of Heaven’s wrath?” I asked.
“Not only does Samael know every loophole in the Handbook of Hell, but he’s enchanted himself from assassination.” Lucifer bit into his cod. “You could send a thousand demons after him, and he’d be slippery enough to avoid their every blow.”
I leaned forward, my eyes wide. “Because he used to be an angel?”
Lucifer grimaced. “These days, he barely counts as a former celestial being.”
“Why?” I asked.
“His particular curse hit him hard and made him fall into despair.” He took a long drag from his tankard of beer. “It happened just as our creator made the first humans. Samael fell for the first woman.”
My mouth dropped open. “Eve?”
He shook his head. “The one before her. Lilith.”
“The name sounds familiar, but I haven’t heard that story.”
Lucifer chuckled. “I’m not surprised, considering she was deemed a failure.” He put that last word in air quotes. “They made her out of the same clay as Adam and couldn’t fathom why she refused to bow to him.”
My nose wrinkled. “Was he made first or something?”
He shook his head. “They were equals, but Adam wanted to be in charge, so she left and got herself a better man.”
I choked on my mouthful of chips. “Samael?”
“You never met Adam.” Lucifer raised his brow, making me picture a neanderthal trying to coerce a woman to kneel.
“So, what happened next?” I picked up another piece of fish and dipped it in the pot of mayonnaise.
“They made Eve out of Adam’s rib, castrated Samael, tossed him out of Heaven, and threw Lilith into Hell. He followed her there and had to battle the demons to keep her for himself.”
I dipped a chip in the ketchup bowl. “Is that how he became Satan?”
Lucifer nodded. “It would have been kinder to kill them both, but then I’m not one for lingering punishments.”
“What happened to Lilith?” I asked.
“He probably killed her over the years,” Lucifer muttered. “Or she ran away. Who knows?”
“But how does that relate to him not having any weaknesses?”
“Because even while he was Satan, he looked for ways to restore what he lost,” Lucifer said. “He made deals with demons, bargains with minor gods. He even corrupted a few angels and advanced the knowledge of the most intelligent human souls to fix his castration.”
“Nothing worked?” I asked.
“Nothing’s ever lasted more than a month,” Lucifer said. “He always ends up losing his dick and suffering ten-times the pain of his original castration.”
I rubbed the back of my neck. “Why does he still keep trying, if it’s going to fail?”
“That’s desperation for you.” Lucifer drained his mug.
“How do I kill him?” I blurted.
He choked on his mouthful. “What?”
“Under all that vileness, he’s still an angel, and so are you. If I wanted to land a killing blow—”
“Don’t.” He raised a palm.
I sighed. “If I wanted to pay someone to land a killing bow
, what would I tell them?”
He set his tankard down at the table and stared into his half-eaten fish and chips.
I held my breath. This was a huge chance that Lucifer’s loyalty to his fellow disgruntled angel might rear to the surface, and he’d end up telling Samael of my plot to kill him. Lucifer might also get tired of my refusal to return his affections, or the curse might send his mind to a dark place.
He continued chewing on his mouthful of fish before swallowing and washing it down with a swig of beer.
“Every angel has a sensitive spot,” he said.
My stomach flip-flopped. This was so similar to what Belphegor had told us yesterday. I remained still, waiting for Lucifer to elaborate.
“But this area of weakness is always different for each celestial being.” He raised his hand, attracting the attention of the bartender, and pointed at his empty tankard. “Sometimes, they’re wounds sustained in battle. Other times, they’re as simple as a birthmark.”
I leaned forward, my eyes bulging. “And the only way to know is to see them naked?”
“Is that why you’re asking, Kora?” Lucifer’s eyes twinkled with mirth. “If you wanted to see more of me, I can take you through the mirror—”
“Focus.” I placed a hand over his wrist. “Don’t let the curse take control.”
He squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head. “If resisting you was a matter of willpower, I would have mastered this affliction centuries ago.”
“How can I find Samael’s weakness?” I asked, sounding much firmer.
His brows rose, and his gaze wandered to a point over my shoulder. “Bloody hell.”
My stomach dropped. It wasn’t like Lucifer’s attention to wander. I glanced over my shoulder and locked eyes with a furious Mother, and my veins filled with a seething fury.
She wore a cream-colored Chanel suit with black piping around the collars and cuffs. In her hand was a black bag emblazoned with a golden Medusa head. She tossed it and stormed toward me, her blue eyes flashing.
I hopped off the stool, my mind racing with speculations, my hands curling into fists. Maybe she’d worked out that I had my old memories. Or perhaps she’d been looking forward to a little mother-and-daughter indoctrination. It no longer mattered. As soon as I practiced my magic on one more test patient, I could free Hades from her influence.
Lucifer leaned into me and whispered, “Did she find you because you disabled the trees?”
“She probably hates that I countered one of her enchantments,” I muttered.
Mother stood before us with her hands on her hips, her broad shoulders widening. “What do you have to say for yourself, young lady? I returned to your room to find you missing.”
My eyes narrowed. She would have mentioned my memories unless Samael had followed through on his promise and kept her ignorant.
Lucifer stared at Mother, his eyes dancing with amusement. A little voice in the back of my head warned me to watch him. The curse compelling him to fixate on unavailable woman might turn its attention to her.
“Well,” she snapped. “I’m waiting.”
“I wanted to get started on the mission right away,” I said.
“And?” She arched a brow.
I turned to Lucifer and frowned. “Have you met my friend?”
She blinked, as though clearing the rage from the edge of her vision, and finally noticed my companion. Her face blanched. I wasn’t sure if it was because she hadn’t noticed that she was in the presence of the King of the Seventh Faction or because she nearly blurted her assassination plot to Hades’ closest colleague.
“Lucifer Heliel.” He held out his hand. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
Mother glared at the proffered hand and pursed her lips. “I am well aware of you, but I fail to understand why you’re wasting my daughter’s time.”
I rolled my eyes.
“My Lady?” Lucifer tilted his head to the side.
“My husband told me all about your proclivities.” Mother wrapped a large hand around my bicep. “Now, if you’ll excuse us—”
I pulled my arm out of her grip and hissed, “I’m on a date.”
Her jaw dropped. “Kora, this isn’t like you.”
“My memories have all gone,” I said with a shrug, not caring if she believed me or not. “But I’m sure I never liked being dragged about like a rag doll.”
Mother’s nostrils flared. “You’ve become an exceedingly rude girl. Come home with me this instant, or the consequences will be dire.”
Lightning crackled on my fingertips, which twitched in readiness for a fight. Only the knowledge that she was a fellow Monarch of Hell kept me from clawing at her face.
“My Ladies.” Lucifer clasped his hands to his chest. “As wonderful as it is to watch a mother-daughter spat, I must take my leave.”
I turned to him, my mouth dropping open. “Wait.”
With a sweeping bow, he teleported out of the pub, leaving me alone with Mother, who curled her lip.
“Why did you leave the house before you finished training?” she hissed.
A breath whistled through my teeth. It looked like Samael really had kept her ignorant of the return of my memories. Picking up a chip and dipping it in a mustard sauce, I said, “There wasn’t much to learn. I needed to find Hades and kill him.”
Her features went slack. “He’s dead?”
“His people must have seen me coming,” I muttered. “Because he’s gone into hiding.”
She bristled. “If you’d stayed behind—”
“How could I when he’d made you suffer?” I pressed my hand to my chest and forced my voice to waver like the actresses on TV did when they were being overly emotional. “Because of him, you had to marry the family doctor.”
Mother perched on Lucifer’s seat, turned to the plate of half-eaten food, and wrinkled her nose. “Dr. Samael is a good man.”
“He must be, if he’s willing to take on another man’s child.” My gaze dropped to her flat belly. “What happened to the baby?”
She waved a dismissive hand. “Persephonia is with nannies. And the good doctor and I are expecting another child.”
“So soon?” My brows rose. If nannies were a euphemism for demon underlings helping a magically accelerated newborn take over the Eighth Faction, then sure.
Since Mother believed I was still ignorant, I asked, “Do you love him?”
She scoffed. “Of course not. Especially after he sent you out on a fool’s errand. You must not court a dangerous creature like Lucifer.”
I glared at her perfect features, wondering why fate hadn’t made her as ugly as her soul. Mother’s peaches-and-cream skin glowed with vitality. With her features at rest, she looked like she’d just stepped out of a painting. Her blonde hair flowed down her shoulders in loose waves, making her look like she’d left her domain in a hurry. The effect was undeservedly stunning.
As Mother shooed the barman away with a blast of magic, an idea dropped into my head. Since she was already expressing annoyance with Samael, maybe I could prompt her into saying more.
“How’s married life?” I asked. “Is this what they call the honeymoon phase?”
Mother shuddered. “A woman does what she must to keep her daughter safe.”
“Daughters,” I said.
She inclined her head. “Of course.”
The same barman from before edged closer, pulled Lucifer’s plate from the bar, and leaned in to ask if I’d finished eating. I gave him an eager nod and waited for him to walk out of earshot.
Mother was in a talkative mood and still thought I was her empty-headed doll. A few strategic questions might give me the information we needed to work out Samael’s weaknesses.
“I worry, though,” I said with a sigh.
She leaned toward me, resting her hand on the bar, and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “Tell Mother what’s on your mind.”
“Dr. Samael doesn’t look like a very strong man.”
I dropped my gaze to my glass of mead. “And I’ve seen paintings of Hades and his three-headed dog. The Demon King looks absolutely terrifying.”
Mother gave me an eager nod. “Go on…”
“Can the doctor protect you and the babies? I know you said you have nannies—”
“Say no more, my darling girl,” Mother crooned. “I will soon have all the power in the world to protect you and my other children.”
My breath caught. “Are you talking about my baby sister?”
“And your soon-to-be-brother.” She patted her belly.
“Of course,” I said with a nervous laugh.
If Mother was planning on siphoning that magic from me, the way she used to do when I was a soul within a purchased body, I would put an end to her right now.
“Is there anything I can do to help you, Mother?” I asked.
Her lips curled into a smile. “Dr. Samael is an absolute angel, but he’s not without his faults. Sending you out into the world before I’d gotten a chance to train you was his first big mistake. The second was that disgusting assignment he gave you to seduce Lucifer.”
I gave her a sage nod, my heart pounding. For once, Samael had miscalculated. When he decided to tell Mother that he had released me from my room, he’d completely underestimated her possessiveness.
“How will you protect us?” I stared into her blue eyes, which were now flecked with gold—a sign that she was content.
Her features twisted into a rictus of malice. “Samael possesses a blade named Soul Stealer. He’s saving it to kill his greatest enemy. He’s spent the last two thousand years strengthening the weapon, and he believes it’s capable of killing absolutely anyone.”
My breaths turned shallow, and my mouth dried to the consistency of fabric. I needed that blade. Now.
“You’re going to use it?” I asked.
She gave me a proud nod. “Everyone who ever hurt my family will perish, including Samael.”
“Do you know where to stab him?” I asked.
“Heart, throat, head.” She raised a massive shoulder. “Doesn’t matter. The most important thing is that once everything’s in place, I will strike him dead.”
My brows furrowed. This was too good to be true. Mother was another monarch, so she couldn’t possibly kill Samael unless she’d worked out a loophole. I gulped. What if Mother was just saying all this to test my loyalty to Samael? I shook off that thought. The only thing she cared about was herself—and keeping me imprisoned.
