I laughed heartily as I sat on the bed and drew on my socks and shoes. Perhaps she had some of my predilection for torture after all. “That sounds perfect.”
Then I leaned over and captured her mouth for a long kiss that I hated to end. Too many years had passed with a hole in my heart, but for the first time in ages I felt alive. I only ever felt this way when I was with her. The rest of the time, during the many long years alone, I was empty, a husk of a man simply waiting for the next time I would be with her. When she brought me back to life again.
But this happiness wouldn’t last. It never did. I had to do whatever I could to defend what we’d just reclaimed. To stop her from being lost again.
I had to somehow delay the inevitable.
Damn this curse.
I touched her cheek lightly as I pulled away. “I’ll see you after your adventures with Azazel.”
She sat back against my pillows. “Have fun doing…whatever it is you do. Things I probably don’t want to know about.”
I gave her a wink. “Oh, I definitely will.”
In the kitchen, I poured myself a cup of coffee, as strong and dark as my soul. Azazel was already there, and she gave me a salute as she drank her own black coffee.
On the way out, I found Gadreel perched outside the penthouse door, guarding it. He straightened to attention as soon as I approached.
“Good morning, my lord.”
I paused a moment as I took a sip of my coffee, then addressed him. “Please stay with Hannah today. I want to make sure no harm comes to her.”
He bowed his head in submission to me. “I will protect her with my life.”
As I knew he would. I nodded in acknowledgement and headed straight for my war room to find Samael. Last night Gadreel had mentioned a captured shifter, and by now Samael should have questioned Asmodeus too. Someone had better have some fucking answers for me.
“Report,” I barked as soon as I walked in the room.
As always, lights flickered over giant screens and cameras showed various views of the city, but I wasn’t interested in any of that. Demons and Fallen scurried all over the place, some to get out of my way, and others simply to showcase how busy they were.
Samael walked toward me and gestured for us to enter the conference room, then shut the door. “Good morning.”
“You have news?”
“We’ve captured an imp, a shifter, and a gargoyle, all of whom we believe were connected to the attacks.”
I sat at the head of the conference table. “And?”
“Nothing. They won’t talk.” He drew up a chair, joining me as he spoke again. “Perhaps you can persuade them.”
I steepled my fingers. I could be very persuasive. “And Asmodeus?”
Tension tightened around the corners of Samael’s mouth, the only sign he was angry. “My son knows very little, unfortunately. He was investigating rumors spreading among the Lilim about some demons turning against you, and he thinks that’s why he was kidnapped. The shifters tortured him for information on you while he was being held hostage, but he doesn’t know who they’re working for.”
“How is he doing now?”
“He is…refusing to feed completely.” Samael shook his head with a hint of disgust. “I think he has feelings for that mortal woman.”
My eyebrows shot up as I leaned back in my chair. “That won’t end well for either of them.”
“Obviously.” Samael grimaced, but then he returned to being all business. “He also claimed to receive a text from me ordering him to seduce this woman, but I never sent it. I suspect someone is trying to overthrow you again. Possibly one of the Archdemons.”
“I suppose we’re overdue for another attempted coup.” This happened every century or so, but I’d been the King of Demons for thousands of years for a reason. It would take more than a few pathetic attacks to overthrow me. The only reason this was a problem now was because it put my mate in danger.
Perhaps that was the point.
“The timing of this coup is suspicious,” Samael said, echoing my thoughts. “I believe Brandy was deliberately kidnapped to lure Hannah here and distract you. They likely think Hannah will weaken you, or divide your focus.”
“Nothing weakens me.” I drummed my fingers on the table. “I’ve been thinking the same thing though. Something about this situation seems like a set-up, meant to bring Hannah to me and then take her away again.”
“Do you think it could be her first husband?”
“I’m not sure yet.” Red hot hatred filled my veins at the thought of that monster, but this didn’t seem like his actions. “I want him found though. And we’ll need to set up extra precautions around Hannah either way.”
“I’ll handle it.” Samael paused, his dark eyes judging me silently. “Does she know yet who she really is?”
“I told her some of the truth last night. Not all of it. She isn’t ready to know about the curse yet.”
Samael’s lips pressed into a tight line. “I don’t like this. She is making you weak, even if you don’t see it. The moment she came back into your life, your focus changed.”
I slammed my hands on the table and stood, glaring down at him. “You’re wrong. Hannah makes me strong. I need her by my side.”
He bowed his head. “Where is she now?”
“Last I heard, she was taking Azazel to the roller coaster at New York-New York. I sent Gadreel with them too.”
Samael chuckled low in his throat, the rich sound a welcome relief. “Azazel will hate every second of that.”
“I’ll speak with the prisoners now.” I started to leave, but then paused at the door as my hands tightened into fists. “One last thing. Make sure all the Archdemons are at the masquerade ball on Devil’s Night. I have something special planned for them.”
“As you wish,” Samael said.
I strode from the room to find the prisoners and make them talk. If torture wouldn’t work, my special powers of coercion would.
The devil’s work was never done.
17
Hannah
I spent the day with Zel and Gadreel—who I’d started to call Gad—doing all sorts of touristy things on The Strip I’d never get a chance to do otherwise. Zel grumbled and complained the entire time, saying things like, “Roller coasters are for people who don’t have wings,” but she stuck by my side. I just knew there was a gooey center underneath that hard exterior, and I was determined to find it. Gad, on the other hand, gleefully joined me on every ride and for every silly photo shoot. We rode gondolas at the Venetian, stood at the top of the Eiffel Tower replica at Paris Las Vegas, saw the white lions and dolphins at the Mirage, and so much more. Anything that had a ride? We did it. At least once. Sometimes twice, just to annoy Zel.
I also lost a lot of Lucifer’s money on ridiculously-themed slot machines, but somehow I didn’t think he would miss any of it. Soon most of the day had gone by, and there was still so much more we could have seen and done in Las Vegas, but it was time to meet Lucifer. I’d have to take my two Fallen bodyguards out for another tourist excursion soon.
I met Lucifer at a helicopter pad on the roof of a building that was part of The Celestial’s sprawling resort. When I saw him, standing in another black suit beside the Abaddon Inc helicopter he owned, his face was dark, his mouth set in a grim line, and I guessed his day hadn’t been as fun as mine. Then his eyes landed on me and everything changed, the darkness parting like a curtain to allow the light to shine through, and a devastatingly gorgeous smile spread across his sensual lips.
I had that effect on him. Me.
It was a powerful feeling, knowing I could make the devil smile with my mere presence. I couldn’t help but smile back as I approached. Then his smile shifted, becoming naughty, and he winked. Memories of last night and this morning flooded me, and my thighs clenched with desire, which was probably his intention. The man really was sin and temptation.
Lucifer swept me into his arms and gave me a kiss that
ignited every one of my nerves and sent lust racing through my veins. According to him, we were destined to be together, and when he held me like this I began to believe it. The past lives thing? That was a lot harder to accept.
“How was your day?” he asked, as he led me to the helicopter.
“Fun.” I glanced behind me at my two bodyguards, who trailed behind us. “Zel hated every second of it. Or at least, pretended she did.”
That got a sexy, low chuckle from him. “Good. She could use some fun in her life.”
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“I’m taking you on a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon.”
My eyes widened at that, and then he helped me inside the helicopter, which was another new experience for me. At least, I assumed it was. Then he got in the pilot’s seat and we both put bulky headphones on so we could talk over the roar of the helicopter. Zel and Gad got in the seats behind us, but they didn’t bother with headphones.
I was truly impressed when Lucifer guided the helicopter into the air. I supposed when you were as old and rich as he was, you could pick up some expensive hobbies. First we flew over the city, and I marveled at the view of The Strip from above. Then we set out over the seemingly endless desert, and excitement nearly spilled out of me at the sight of the world laid out before us.
I turned to watch Lucifer, who exuded masculinity and power as he flew the helicopter with practiced ease. “How was your day? You looked…troubled earlier.”
He shook his head slightly, as if surprised by the question. “You always did catch everything. Yes, troubled is a good word for it.”
“What happened?”
“We managed to capture some of the demons involved in the kidnapping and the attacks, but we couldn’t get them to tell us anything. Not even when I questioned them personally…” His eyes burned with dark fire. “And I can be very convincing.”
“Did you…” I drew in a breath and tried again. “Did you torture them?”
“Not physically.” He glanced over at me as if considering something. “One of my powers is…coercion, you could say. I can convince people to tell me anything, or do what I wish.”
A memory sparked in my mind of Lucifer telling me to sleep, and cold fear trickled through me. “You used it on me, didn’t you?”
“Only to help you sleep. That was all.”
I bit my lip. “But you use it on others?”
“Now and then, yes. It’s a useful tool, but one I use sparingly.”
I had a sudden realization and gasped. “The devil made me do it. That’s really a thing, isn’t it?”
He let out a low sound of discontent. “I can’t make anyone do anything. That’s more of a vampire power. What I do is tempt. Coerce. Sway. If someone is at a crossroads, I can nudge them down a path I choose.”
“The darker path, no doubt,” I muttered.
“Perhaps, but is darkness always evil? Or is it necessary for there to be light?”
I shook my head, unsure about his justification for what he did. Maybe to an ancient being like himself it seemed normal, but to me it sounded like mind control—and made me wonder what other powers he had that I didn’t know about. And how many stories about the devil were true.
I sighed and turned back to the view, as we flew along a river that eventually led to a big bridge and a white dam behind it. Lucifer informed me it was the Hoover Dam, and I leaned over to get a better look at the impressive structure nestled between the arid mountains. At the entrance, two huge green statues with tall wings stood guard. When Lucifer caught me looking at them he explained, “I helped fund the Dam, long ago.”
More conflicting feelings warred inside of me. Was he good or evil? Should I be worried about the feelings I was developing for him? And how right it felt to be by his side?
I stared out at the view to distract myself, which was easy when the sunset set the Grand Canyon ablaze with color. The immense size of it left me awestruck, as did the raised plateaus and steep canyons, with winding rivers cutting through them. My inner nature lover longed to be out there hiking the trails, checking out the plants that grew here and breathing in the wild scents.
Suddenly the helicopter swung low over the canyon, making my stomach drop, and impulsively I grabbed Lucifer’s hand. He gave it a squeeze as he prepared to land the helicopter on top of one of the plateaus, and I spied a table with a white tablecloth with rocks holding it down so it didn’t get completely blown away by the chopper wind.
When the blades quieted, Lucifer helped me step out onto the rocky terrain. Zel and Gad exited behind me and took flight, quickly disappearing from view somewhere among the crags of the steep walls.
The sun had just sunk behind the cliffs, leaving us in a glow of orange and red. Lucifer kept my hand as we walked across the hard, rough landscape over to the small table. He helped me into my seat, because if nothing else, the devil was always a gentleman. Then he opened a large black container, which he’d carried from the helicopter. A super fancy picnic basket. He quickly set the table with red candles, real plates, and silverware. No paper for this picnic. With a snap of his fingers, he lit the candles with pale blue fire—another of his powers, it seemed—and I tried to hold in my gasp.
Lucifer poured drinks for both of us, and when I was about to protest, he winked and showed me the label. It was a fancy sparkling cider. “Non-alcoholic, of course.”
Warmth filled my chest knowing he’d remembered and respected my wishes, and that he’d set up all of this for me. I took the glass and gazed out at the incredible view, while the cool wind softly teased at my hair.
“What sin is tonight?” We’d done gluttony, greed, wrath, and sloth so far. That only left three more.
“I’m not sure.” He raised his glass in a toast. “Let’s see how the evening goes.”
He opened a basket and set out fancy sandwiches, an impressive cheese plate with tapenade, and artisan chips. I had no doubt everything would taste amazing, because with Lucifer it was nothing but the best.
The light reflected in his eyes, bringing out that flash of flame even more as he bit into a piece of cheese. As I picked up a sandwich, I blurted out one of the many questions always rolling around inside my brain. “Do you really need to eat?”
His eyes danced with amusement. “Of course, all things need sustenance.”
“But you said Lilim feed on lust. Do you need something else too?”
He raised his eyebrows like he was impressed. “A very attentive question. Yes, all supernatural beings must feed on energy of some kind. The fae, for example, feed on nature itself, while angels feed on light. Demons vary in what they feed on depending on their type, but generally speaking, they feed on the emotions of others. And Fallen are the inverse of angels. They need darkness to survive and fuel their powers.”
“Including you?”
He leaned in close and lowered his voice. “I’ll tell you a secret. I can feed on both light and darkness. It’s one of the reasons I’m the most powerful being walking the Earth right now.”
“Wow, cocky much?” I asked, with a sharp laugh.
He settled back and lifted a casual shoulder, giving me one of his devilish grins. “Is it cockiness if it’s the truth?”
I grabbed a fancy chip from the bag. “So there’s no one else as powerful as you?”
“Oh, there are a few. The High King of the fae, for example, but he’s in Faerie and knows better than to set foot here. The Elder Gods certainly, but they’re all banished or sealed away.” His smile widened, showing teeth. “But on Earth? I’m the big bad, darling.”
Well, shit.
I decided right then that when confronted with impossible, terrifying things that were hard to accept and understand, one could either run, or make a joke. I chose the latter.
I raised my glass and grinned. “Tonight must be pride, because you’re certainly full of it.”
He let out a deep laugh that was pure sex. “You’re probably right. Pride
is my sin, after all.”
18
Hannah
We continued eating as the sky darkened around us and the candles flickered in the soft breeze. Finally, I worked up the courage to breach the topic hovering in the back of my mind all day. “Tell me about my past lives.”
“Which ones?” He poured us both more cider. “There’s no way we could discuss all of them tonight. I have a better idea. Tell me about your life now.”
“Don’t you have everything about me stored in a little file somewhere?”
“I’d rather hear it from you.” He passed me the cheese plate. “Last night you mentioned your parents died in a car accident. That was five years ago, wasn’t it?”
I swallowed and stared down at my plate, wishing I didn’t have to discuss this, but knowing it had to come up sometime. Better to get it over with. “It was a drunk driver.”
“Ah. Hence the reason you don’t drink.”
I nodded and breathed deeply, trying to force myself to be calm as the emotions welled up inside me. “I was in the car with them, but I was the only one who survived. I lost my memory at the same time. I don’t even remember them.”
He reached across the table and took my hand. “How awful that must be for you.”
My vision blurred, and I blinked back tears. “I wish so much I could remember them but there’s just…nothing. My earliest memory is waking up and my sister telling me what happened.”
His thumbs rubbed back and forth over my knuckles slowly. “Your sister… Jo, isn’t it?”
I had a hard time believing he didn’t already know everything about me, but I humored him. “Yes. She lives in San Francisco and runs a tech company there. She helped me get back on my feet after the accident, and then I started working in the florist shop we inherited from my parents. Not long after that I met Brandy where she works at the local library, and we became friends. She ended up getting a divorce, and I moved into her house after that.”
Demon King (Claimed By Lucifer Book 1) Page 13
