Lucifer paused and turned his fury toward her. "How... how can he do that?"
"I don't know." She rushed out, "He didn't tell me−"
A snarl cut through the steamy air. "Then you are useless to me. Looks like my serpent will−"
"But there's more!" She raised her hands as she backed up. "I gave myself to him that night. But the next day, horrified and ashamed of himself, he said he could never see me again. He loved his wife and had sinned against God. I told him if I couldn't have him, then neither would his wife. He had to leave her or I'd share his secret." She turned from Lucifer. "He left."
"Then why are you now here?"
"He's back." She turned around, squaring her shoulders. "To transfer his powers to his daughter. She'll learn the secrets of the portal. We'll use her and then we can storm Heaven−"
"Quiet!" Spittle sprayed from his mouth. "Did God see you go through this... Mar of Sin?"
"Yes, but He couldn't stop me. He doesn't know my lover told me about the guardian−"
Lucifer’s laughter cut at her again. "But He does know all. At least up there."
She heard the restless serpent break the pool's surface. "Michael and the others pushed me aside, didn't give me the time of day. They took who I loved away from me, not caring about how devastated I was! It was only about God's will. Well, I have free will, and I won't be beholden to them anymore. I fell through the Mar of Sin to become a Fallen and serve you, not God. Revenge against Michael, this girl and her family is what I want, and I'll do whatever it takes... whatever you want me to do... to make this war happen." She hurled her hate-filled words at him with a passion she knew he'd understand.
He curled his finger at her. "Come here, my sweet." She obeyed as the hot pool water sloshed over her feet.
"It doesn't matter what He knows. What matters is He knows nothing of what happens in my Kingdom. This may work for my... our... advantage."
Lucifer reached for her hand, bringing it to his face. His thumb mesmerized her as he ran it across her knuckles. His black eyes bore into her dark soul.
"I've decided I won't kill you, for now. Instead, we'll help each other exact our revenge." He brought her knuckles up to his mouth, his lips skimming over the top. "You intrigue me, Delilah."
"Thank you, my Lord," she whispered.
"I appreciate how your mind works. He won't know about this meeting or if you even survived. You help me discover the secrets of the Mar of Sin, and you can have the girl when I'm finished with her. There can be no hint of our plans. Surprise is the only way we'll win. But if you deceive me…" He turned her hand over and bit the end of her palm. Delilah gasped as her dark blood spurted between his teeth. "Well, you'll wish I'd fed you to my serpent." He licked the blood from her palm. She watched his tongue circle over his lips, gathering in the last of her blood.
Lucifer, devil, Satan, doer of all things evil stood before her. Yet here she was, compelled by his dangerous darkness. Her head spun from the tightrope she was walking. She craved him and yearned for his corrupt power.
And she liked it.
Still holding her hand, Lucifer stepped aside, revealing Zar only a few feet away.
Zar. I'd forgotten about you.
"Thank you for bringing Delilah to me. I'll not forget your loyalty. You, too, will have a place in this, if you can keep silent."
Zar bowed his head, keeping his hooded eyes on the floor. "I serve only you, my Lord."
Lucifer turned away, dismissing him, but she glanced back over her shoulder. Zar's eyes flashed up at her, simmering in resentment. She shrugged, pretending she was helpless. Her wide eyes pleaded for his understanding. She still needed him, if nothing else, for him to keep his mouth shut.
Lucifer led her behind the dragon throne. She glimpsed a door before his broad back blocked it and what lay beyond. Delilah's body hummed under the satin robe. She was exactly where she wanted to be and would do whatever it took to stay there...
One step ahead of evil.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Zar
It had been a week since Zar watched Delilah walk away with Lucifer, but it felt like an eternity. He paced in front of the window facing the Wrath Realm. Massive fires of vibrant reds lit up the jagged cliffs. Lessors dropped black orbs into the boiling bright red pools, creating new damned for the Wrath Lord, Berith. Their screams of outrage matched his dark mood, pushing his enraged system toward a breaking point.
Delilah had walked out with Lucifer, pretending she was a victim.
Please.
The only victims were those left in her wake.
And those that loved her.
Zar couldn't stand his room any longer. This festering obsession drove him toward the door. Was Delilah in the Throne Room with him plotting and planning... or worse, still wrapped around Lucifer?
Zar played the scene over and over in his mind. Delilah vs. Lucifer. She played Lucifer like a violin with her beauty, her tears, and her seduction.
And Lucifer never saw it coming.
But was she playing Zar too?
Zar wanted to trust Delilah, believe he was a part of her end game. Watching her leave with Lucifer left him full of doubts. She played coy, but Zar had seen the triumph in her eyes. Was that how she looked after their meetings in the park?
He punched the wall next to the door, releasing a frustrated growl. Mortar crumbled, clicking on the stone floor. He stared at the gaping hole left by his angry fist.
That felt good.
Zar needed an outlet... maybe go back to a hospital or high school and drum up some action, or battle a Lessor in the Main Hall pit. Killing something sounded satisfying. He yanked open the door—
"Zar." He froze. A familiar voice called from behind him, raising the hair on his neck.
"Close the door." Zar shut it and faced his unplanned visitor.
"Why are you here, my Prince? Have I offended you?" Zar braced himself for an attack he'd never win.
"No. On the contrary. You've pleased me. You and I seem to think alike these days."
Zar cocked his head and relaxed his fists. "I haven't said−"
"Ah. I've been keeping my eye on you since you brought that Fallen trash here."
Zar opened his mouth, but a whip lashed around his neck, lodging the words in his throat.
"Think twice before you defend her. Your feelings for her might get you killed. That would be a shame, since she doesn't share them." Harsh laughter filled the room, a sneer covering the Prince's face. "Where do you think she's been? They haven't left his residence. You can fill in the blanks. She's playing you for a fool, as is Lucifer."
Zar's blood pumped, matching his rising humiliation. The whip fell away, leaving the sound of Zar's raspy breathing.
"But I'll not play you. We can help each other." The Prince moved closer, dominating his small room. Zar braced himself, the sting of the whip still fresh around his neck. The Prince leaned over, his flat eyes full of malice.
"You help me get this... this guardian girl, and I will serve Delilah on a platter for you to do with whatever you please."
The Prince circled Zar. Visions of Delilah whimpering for mercy at his hand spread a vindictive smile across Zar's hard face. His eyes flickered up to the Prince.
Is this a trap or the lifeline I needed?
"How did you know about the girl?" Zar whispered into the charged air.
"Many serve Lucifer in his chambers. They tell me Lucifer and his new whore haven't left his bed. His excitement loosened his lips, made him careless as he plots with his new lover. Ears faithful to me shared their whispered secrets." The Prince's maniacal laughter bounded off the walls. "For my favor, of course."
Damn her! I knew it!
The Prince's depravity fanned Zar's need to destroy the source of his shame and erase his despicable love.
Love is for the weak. She blinded me... used me....
"We don't need Lucifer. He's weak and an imbecile. Now is the time to strike before t
his... guardian girl... gets stronger and while Lucifer is distracted with his new toy. This girl will spill her secrets when my whip lashes across her fragile human flesh. You and I can then give her a little taste of how we entertain ourselves. She won't last a day, and Lucifer will never know what happened to his precious secret. Then we'll strike and kill Lucifer, wipe out Heaven, and rule Hell for ourselves. Take a few of your trusted Fallen. Be quick and bring the girl to me."
Zar's body vibrated with a vicious need. Delilah dying slowly and painfully at his hands.
"Yes, my Prince." Zar bowed low. "I'll not fail you."
But the Prince was already gone, leaving a trail of swirling smoke.
Zar walked back and stared out the window reflecting his ravaged emotions. This dangerous alliance gave him a new sense of purpose, a path to reclaiming his self-respect. He'd allowed those ancient buried memories to surface from a distant time and place, distracting him from who he'd chosen to be. A Fallen. Killer of humans and usher of their decrepit souls to Hell. He drove his feeble emotion for her deep into a fiery pit until it was nothing but fuel for his hate.
Capturing the girl for the Prince would be easy. She'd spill her secrets like the child she was under his torture. Zar's plan grew more significant and more satisfying, stimulated by the Wrath Realm's malevolent red flames and boiling pool.
It could work.
Zar built his devious plan brick by brick, knowing powerful and deadly eyes were upon him. But they only saw what they wanted to see. His vision—his mantra—was sharpened by the insidious path of being played the fool.
Never trust.
Never hope.
Never love.... Never again.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Olivia
Thank God it's Friday!
Olivia slammed her locker shut and laid her scorching forehead against the cold metal. She wasn't sick. Her body had burned with a new level of energy ever since Melchior inserted the orb into her mark. She was growing stronger and more in tune with her surroundings, like tapping into a humming energy force around her. Unfortunately, her preoccupation with the ceremony and her mom were a distraction from school since they'd returned a week ago.
"Hey," Zach whispered. He leaned down and gave her temple a quick peck. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. A tingle remained where his fingers had brushed. "Let's get out of here."
Olivia beamed back at him. She wrapped her arms around his waist, placing her ear against his chest. The steady beat of his heart calmed her as she stole some of his steadiness. His handsome face made her heart do a little flip, but it was his gentle understanding and quiet strength that attracted her the most. Zach had been her rock since they'd been back and popped up when she needed him the most... like now. She and Sergio talked every day, but he was more elusive and reluctant than Zach.
"Okay. I need to eat before I go to work." Olivia laughed as she pulled away. "I'm starving!"
Zach entwined his fingers with hers, leading her down the crowded hallway. "Me too. How about a big sub sandwich?" She nodded, and her stomach growled in agreement.
The brisk January air hit Olivia as Zach swung open the door. Dark clouds gathered overhead, signaling a much-needed rain shower for the desert. She sighed in pleasure as the gusty wind lifted her hair, sending a delicious cool shiver across her neck. Zach grinned at her. She hip-checked him.
"Stop! I feel like I'm a thousand degrees!"
"Mom said that's perfectly normal and that our bodies will level out soon."
Olivia jumped into the truck, inhaling the pine scent coming from the cardboard tree. She tugged on her earlobe, running a nervous finger over her dragonfly earring. She darted a quick glance over at Zach.
"What else has she told you?" Olivia wasn't sure he had heard her when he didn't answer.
Zach's hand paused near the ignition. He reached over and turned her chin toward him. He searched her carefully-guarded face.
"You still haven't talked to your dad about this, have you? You said you were going−"
"We've been busy with Mom, and it's just too complicated." She ran her hands down her thighs, turning away. "I can tell he's waiting for me to start the conversation. I guess I'm glad he's not pushing me. But every time I think about approaching him, I just lock up." She shook her head, annoyed with herself. "I'm such a coward, I know. He can answer so many questions. I think a part of me doesn't want to hear what Dad did all those years without us, even if it was fighting demons... which is cool... I guess." She turned back to him. "I lay awake in bed and think this is all a dream. That this can't really be our new life. My mark hasn't hurt since camping... maybe this will go−"
He placed a long finger over her lips. "I've done that too, but it's not a dream. We will train soon with the Magi." A wide smile spread across his face, showing off his dimple. "It sounds wild, but Mom said the time she spent with the Magi were some of the best and toughest times of her life. She understands the dangers out there for us, but learning from the Magi how to harness our angelic powers is the only way we can protect ourselves and the Mar of Sin. She said the archangels take over the responsibility for protecting it for now while they teach us how to use different weapons and the fighting skills to kill demons."
He stopped and took her hand into his. "Liv−"
"Don't stop. Tell me more... please."
He rubbed his thumb over her knuckle, and she sensed his hesitation.
"Just one more thing." She tugged on his hand.
"Okay." Excitement shone in his eyes. "Mom said there's this huge circular room that has every kind of weapon imaginable in different shapes, colors, and sizes. She said we'll learn how to use them all, but the archangels give each of us one special weapon made for us alone. It's enhanced by a power unique in each of us."
"What was your mom's power?" Olivia leaned forward, eager for the answer.
"Mom could..." Zach stopped. He pulled his hand from hers and started the truck.
"She could what?" She nudged his shoulder.
"Let's go eat. Besides, you need to get to work."
Olivia huffed, crossing her arms. He was forcing her hand to talk to her dad by whetting her appetite with stories of powers and weapons.
"I asked Sergio to meet at the coffee shop at closing. It's time we compared notes on what our parents are telling us and pool our knowledge." He glanced at Olivia.
"I like that idea. Maybe he'll open up more tonight. This has been hardest on him to accept," she said.
Zach’s face turned serious, gripping the steering wheel. "We'll go to school during the day and train at night. Mom said we have to keep our lives as close to normal as possible. Schools are prime hunting grounds for demons. They look for kids coming and going when they shouldn't be and follow them. Hopefully, we won't get noticed until we are better prepared−"
"Fine, I'll talk to him." She paused, taking in his handsome profile. She'd made promises she was long overdue in keeping. "I promise."
"Good! I'm holding you to that. Try not to think about the father-daughter stuff. Keep it simple and go from there. You've got this." He flashed a bright smile and pulled out of the parking spot.
"Thanks." Her stomach knotted thinking about talking with Dad. Zach was right about keeping her baggage out of it. It was past time to face him. She'd do this for herself, for her friends, for their survival.
But she didn't get the chance...
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Sergio
Sergio didn't know how long he'd been staring at the same blurry words in the textbook. He sat up straighter against the headboard, trying to get more comfortable, but it didn't matter. He didn't care about chemistry or anything else about school. It wasn't important compared to his newfound destiny. He slammed the book shut and tossed it next to him on the bed.
He glanced up at the mirror over his dresser. His eyes roamed over his dark hair, his golden rimmed-brown eyes, and the cleft in his c
hin. He appeared different, but the change was inside of him. His body hummed with a new dynamic power, like an electrical current ran through him. It excited yet unnerved him. He leaned his head back against the headboard, drifting back to the ceremony.
The flames danced as tall as he was in the fire ring, Gabriel's golden eyes flashing as he shoved the brilliant golden orb into his mark. Sergio’s father held him tight as it overtook his body and mind— becoming one. The beauty and the horrors of mankind, their cries filling his ears, the promises he, Olivia and Zach had made to each other while holding each other tight, his promise−
A knock on his door jerked him out of his memory.
"Mano." Manny peeked through the crack in the door before opening it when Sergio waved him in. Manny was dressed in his standard attire of black, except for the plain white t-shirt hugging his chest. Manny always looked dangerous, but his eyes were softer when he looked at Sergio. Sergio didn't understand why his brother wasn't chosen as the guardian. He certainly looked the part.
Since they'd been home from camping, Manny had been around more than usual. His quick, clever eyes were always scanning, his body on high alert like he knew something had changed. Sergio wanted to share what happened with him, but Dad said not until training began. Sergio wasn't sure he could wait that long.
Manny closed the door behind him. His chin jerked toward the textbook on Sergio’s bed. "Am I interrupting you?"
"Nah. Was just taking a break." Sergio got off his bed, putting his hands in his jean pockets. "I'm meeting Zach and Olivia at the coffee shop. Can you give me a ride?"
"Sure. Are you ready?"
"Yeah." Sergio shrugged on his jacket and followed Manny out of his room. Sergio peeked inside Lucia's room.
"Bye, Abuela... Lucia." He waved as Abuela blew him a quick kiss. Lucia smiled up at him, peeking from under the bedcovers.
"Sweet dreams," Manny called.
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