Queen of Night

by Emily Goodwin

  “Then I don’t see what the problem is,” Lucifer goes on.

  “And that’s exactly why this is a problem,” I snap. “He’s my husband, and you are family. I am not going to sit here and watch…this…whatever the hell it is. Now, both of you keep it in your pants and focus. You are my uncle and you are my husband,” I say pointedly to Lucifer and Lucas. “There will be no competition to see who can get the waitress’s number, okay?” The dim lights above us start flickering. “I cannot believe I’m having this conversation…and that I’m having it sober.” Rubbing my temples, I let out a breath. “Anyway, I’d get it first.”

  “That’s what I’m talking about!” Lucifer excitedly brings his hand down to the table. “Nothing like some friendly competition to bring the family together, eh?”

  “This is so messed up.” I run my hand over Scarlet’s fur and look at Lucas. “Please tell me you see how messed up this is.”

  “It’s more than a little fucked up,” he agrees. “Though I won’t object to watching you flirt with one of the waitresses.”

  “Which one?” I spit sarcastically.

  “The Asian woman with the large implants,” Lucas says fast. Too fast. I cock an eyebrow.

  Lucifer laughs and elbows Lucas. “Careful, mate, or you’ll be sleeping outside until sunrise.”

  “Enough,” I say, and the light above us burns bright for a split second before going out with a pop. The dancer on stage startles, and Lucifer looks at me with what I can only describe as pride. I cannot lose control of my powers now. Not when he’s around. “You told me I set off an archangel beacon. So how do I turn it off?”

  “Right.” Lucifer picks up another drink and gulps it down. I’ve had exactly one Old-Fashioned before and can still remember how nasty it was. “Straight to business. All work and no play is very like your father.”

  “Is that supposed to be an insult?” I ask, then shake my head. It doesn’t matter. “How do I turn it off?”

  “You can’t,” Lucifer says, and his whole demeanor changes. “You let off energy that only an angel can let off, though the catch here is it doesn’t necessarily define you as offspring of a Nephilim.”

  “How did you sense it?” Lucas asks. “And how did you get to the house so fast?”

  “I might have been keeping an eye out for my favorite niece.” Lucifer looks at me.

  “I’m your only niece, and I’m so fucking tired of my so-called family spying on me.” I run my hands over my face, not caring at this point if I smear my mascara over my cheeks. “So, you were what, in the area?”

  “I was, but it was more than just spying. As you know, I was unable to control my demons while I was in Hell. The rumors about you have not gone ignored, and I was following a lead involving several demons who escaped my grasp in Hell. I was on their trail, which not surprisingly led me to Thorne Hill when I felt the energy shift,” Lucifer tells me, and for some reason, I believe him.

  “If you felt it, the other angels did too,” I say slowly, needing to repeat everything out loud to make sure I’m understanding it correctly. “And they’ll come looking.”

  “Yes,” Lucifer says.

  Lucas scoots his chair a little closer to mine and puts his arm around me. “They’ll trace the origin to the house,” he starts. “Will they assume it’s Callie?”

  “It would depend on the angel,” Lucifer starts. “And, no surprise to anyone, I’m no longer privy to my siblings’ thoughts and feelings. As with the demons, some angels refuse to believe someone as impossible as Callie still exists while others are ready to worship the ground she walks on.”

  Because they want me to rule and take over Hell…and the king of Hell is sitting right in front of me. How does he feel about his very own demons turning against him? He’s probably pissed, and that terrifies me.

  “When can I go home?” I ask, longing for my bed. I want so badly to close my eyes and not have to think about anything while I’m asleep.

  “Give me the night,” Lucifer says. “I’ll throw them off your trail.”

  “The night?” I echo. “What are we supposed to do for a whole night? And where are we supposed to go? It’s not like we grabbed our wallets before you flew us out of the yard.”

  “Like it’s my fault,” Lucifer huffs. “Well, I suppose it is. Next time, I’ll remind you,” he says, and I really don’t get him.

  He’s the devil. The motherfucking devil. Yet here we are, sitting around a table together, carrying on like he’s just one of my friends. I want so badly to believe that he actually could be just one of my friends. That I can rely on him. Trust him. Care for him like he says he cares for me.

  It’s getting harder and harder to ignore the fondness I feel for him, though it doesn’t make sense. Maybe it’s because we’re related? I feel the same sense of comfort being around Julian, and I’m not sure how the bloodlines are tied between us. Lucifer is my uncle. Are family bonds stronger between archangels?

  “Surely between the two of you, you’ll be able to figure something out,” Lucifer goes on, and I remember his words from before, telling me how we can get anything we want if we use our powers. And it’s true…while I can’t hold anyone spellbound as easily as Lucas can, I have my ways of getting what I want.

  “Fine,” I agree, not wanting to argue. What I want is to sleep…or maybe order some French fries because I just caught a whiff of them. “When can we go home?”

  “Tomorrow,” Lucifer promises. “I’ll leave an angel trail, and my asshole brothers and sisters will be too busy following it to stop in your little town. They all know it’s a town full of witches anyway. That sort of magical blast isn’t entirely unheard of. Granted, it would take an entire coven to put out the kind of mojo you did, but don’t worry,” he assures me. “I’ll make sure no one suspects you.”

  “Thank you,” Lucas says before I have the chance to say anything. He tightens his hold on me. “Callie means more to me than anything in this world.”

  “I know.” Lucifer’s tone softens even more, and he takes the drink that’s in front of Lucas and quickly downs it. He blinks a few times and regains his cocky composure.

  “Do you think my father sensed me too?” I ask a little apprehensively.

  “I don’t know, kid.”

  I bite my lip and lean back in my chair, wishing I could suck down a cocktail—or three—like Lucifer.

  “If he did, he’s busy trying to deflect the situation,” Lucifer adds. “I’m never one to sing any of my siblings’ praises, but what he did for you—defying direct orders for the first time—I admire. He cares.”

  “Everyone keeps saying that, yet where is he?” I sigh and flick my eyes to Lucifer. “Can I ask you some questions?”

  “Ask away.”

  “Why did you escape Hell?”

  “I already told you,” Lucifer says patiently. “I was lonely. And bored. You try living out an eternal punishment.”

  I slowly nod, mind racing with so many more questions about Hell itself, but I think that’s a conversation for another day. Besides…I have one more pressing matter I can’t not ask about.

  “Am I immortal?” My heart speeds up, and I almost don’t want to hear the answer.

  “No,” Lucifer says right away. “You can be killed.”

  “So, can I,” Lucas interjects. “Yet I’m considered immortal.”

  Lucifer wrinkles his nose. “The definition is a little fuzzy, I suppose. Vampires do not age, cannot fall ill, and will only cease to exist if they are murdered or willingly expose themselves to sunlight.” He leans in, resting his hands on the table, and looks at me. “Do you fall ill?”

  “Not easily,” I tell him.

  “What about aging?”

  I shake my head. “I don’t know. My friends always tell me that I look like I don’t age, though.”

  Lucifer taps his chin, thinking. “Half of you is human.” His eyes narrow. “But the other half is archangel and we’re…we’re strong. I suppose it just
comes down to which side of you is stronger.”

  I swallow hard. “So, you’re saying I could be immortal assuming I’m not murdered?”

  “Yes.” Lucifer raises his hand, signaling the waitress. “You are the first child to be born with an archangel counterpart,” he reminds me. “And you’ve been kept away from your own kind all these years. I am sorry,” he says sincerely. “You shouldn’t have been sheltered.”

  “I turned out all right,” I say, hating that I want to agree with him. “I’m happy with where I am now at least.” I look at Lucas and Lucifer makes a gagging noise. “What?” I ask, rounding on Lucifer as Lucas’s words echo in my head, telling me never to be ashamed of how I feel. “You don’t believe in true love?”

  “No,” Lucifer tells me, becoming sullen once again. “All I’ve ever known is betrayal and hatred.”

  My heart hurts, and I can’t help but reach out and rest my hand on top of his. “I’m sorry. I can’t compare our lives, mostly because you’re an archangel and it’s not like you had family meals around the dining room table…unless you did, and then I’d have to reprogram the way I think about celestial beings. But…I know how much it hurts to have your own family kick you out.”

  Lucas’s fingers press into me slightly, and I don’t know if it’s because he’s uncomfortable with me showing sympathy for the devil or if he’s trying to comfort me.

  “I have a question,” Lucas says, deep voice rumbling right through me. He takes his arm from my waist and folds his hands on the table. “Bael.” It’s a statement, not a question, but it makes Lucifer sit up a little straighter.

  “I haven’t spoken to him in decades. Mostly because he’s been incarcerated, and I’ve been a tad incarcerated myself. What about him?”

  I shift my gaze to Lucas and give him a tiny nod.

  “Do you know what he plans to do with Callie?” Lucas asks, and my heart skips a beat. This is a moment of truth, and I have to remind myself that Lucifer will probably lie. He’s been very open about not wanting to be in Hell…and Hell needs a ruler.

  And he’s got a potential one right here.

  Lucifer picks up an empty glass and swirls the melting ice around. With a sigh, he sets it back down and looks right at me. “Yes,” he tells me, blue eyes cutting right though to my soul. “I do know his plans, and I have to agree.” His lips pull up into a smile. “Callie would make a fine queen of Hell.”

  Chapter 22

  Lucas draws his fangs and makes a move to stand up, but I catch his arm. With a growl, he hefts back down, staring down Lucifer.

  “What do you mean?” I ask, voice thin. “I’d make a good queen of Hell?”

  “Well, you would.” Lucifer’s eyes light up. “You’re smart,” he starts. “Fair and just from what I’ve seen, yet you don’t hold back. You’re exactly the type of ruler Hell could use. My demons need a heavy hand, and I know you’d be one to lay down the law.”

  “So what?” Lucas spits. “You’re going to hand her over to the demons so you can stay on earth?” He leans over the table. “I won’t let that happen.”

  Lucifer holds up a finger. “It doesn’t work that way. True, Callie can lead Hell since she’s half archangel, but there’s a caveat to the whole ruler of Hell thing.”

  “What is it?” I ask after a few seconds of silence pass by.

  “You have to willingly accept the role. You can’t be kidnapped and forced to rule Hell.” He flags down another waitress and orders three more drinks.

  “But…that’s…that’s what the demons have been scheming,” I say. “And I’d never say yes.”

  “There are ways to make you accept the role, of course. Blackmail… force… promises of power.” His expression softens. “Since Hell was created, demons have been trying to overthrow me and take over.” He rolls his eyes. “And since Hell was created, they haven’t succeeded. I’m not worried about Hell going under new management and you shouldn’t either,” he assures me.

  “Do you want me to run Hell?” I ask, voice still thinner than I’d like.

  “No. It’s not the life I want for you,” he says with surprising softness. “The power that comes with sitting on the throne of Hell is nice—at first. It’s lonely,” he tells me yet again. “Though I stand by what I said. You’d make a great ruler of all darkness.”

  “I totally would,” I say with a smile that turns into a yawn. I don’t know what time it is, other than it’s freaking late. The waitress brings the next round of drinks over and Lucifer quickly downs the first one. “Can you even feel drunk?” I ask.

  “Yes, though it takes quite a bit.” He holds up the second drink. “You probably have a high tolerance to alcohol as well, don’t you?”

  “I do. I thought it was because I’ve used it as a coping mechanism for so long I’d just built up a tolerance,” I admit, fully knowing how unhealthy of a habit I’ve formed…and how much I want a drink right now.

  “There’s nothing wrong with a little indulgence now and then,” Lucifer says and takes a big swig of the drink. “Though I will say these have gotten better since the last time I was here on earth.”

  “When was the last time?” Lucas asks. “During the last World War?”

  “Hah-hah,” Lucifer says dryly. “I don’t cause wars, or even hatred between two people. Humans bring that upon themselves with no help from me. I may be guilty of enjoying watching the chaos,” he tells us with a shrug. “And the last time I was on earth was about twenty-five years ago.”

  “And then you were sent back to Hell?” Lucas goes on.

  “Yes, brothers and sisters round me up and throw me back into the bowels of Hell, slamming the door and throwing away the key. Each time it gets a little harder to get out, but well…here I am.” He smiles. “I’ll be looking forward to the family reunion, but not yet.” He finishes his drink and slides the empty glass over by the others. With a heavy sigh, he looks at me. “Which is why Michael is right about staying away from you, and why I must go as well.”

  “It’s risky,” I finish. “And could lead the others to me.”

  “The same can be said for the demons,” Lucas presses. “Your demons.”

  “Yes, I am responsible for creating most of them, and it might have been a lapse in judgement to award them with free will.”

  “So, they don’t always listen to you?” I ask carefully, head spinning from the information overload. The waitress goes by our table, carrying a tray full of food. The smell of pickles hits me, and now I really want one.

  “Like any stubborn child, no,” he says, and fear prickles along my spine. “Though you’ll find most are quite obedient, with the occasional rogue thinking they’re better.” He shakes his head with disgust.

  “What do I do now?” I ask slowly. “Can I go home?”

  “You mentioned a vacation, right?” Lucifer asks.

  “Yes.”

  “Then go. Go early. I’ll leave a trail of cosmic breadcrumbs for my brothers and sisters to follow that will lead them away from you.”

  “And the demons?” Lucas puts his hand on my thigh.

  “If I tell them to avoid Callie it will only draw them to her more,” he says, and Lucas nods. Lucifer downs the final drink in one gulp and stands, pulling a wad of cash from inside his suit jacket. He throws a few hundreds on the table, picks up Scarlet, and motions to the door. Scarlet wags her tail and licks Lucifer’s face. “I missed you too,” he tells her, and by the look on Lucas’s face, I take it that Lucifer is speaking Enochian, which seems to be the language Scarlet understands.

  “She’s a hellhound,” I say suddenly.

  Lucifer cocks and eyebrow. “You’ve just now figured that out?”

  “Hah, no. But…she is. Isn’t that, well…kind of obvious?” I hate the words coming out of my mouth as I say them because I’ve grown very fond of her.

  “Perhaps,” Lucifer answers. “While glamoured she’s not easy to detect, and there are several hellhounds on earth daily, rounding up souls to
be delivered to Hell.”

  And just like that, I’m reminded once again who he really is. Lucifer Morningstar, king of Hell. He makes deals in exchange for souls. He’s not the good guy.

  Yet I trust him.

  Because maybe…maybe I’m not the good guy either, or at least not the one I thought I was. Life isn’t black and white.

  “Are you taking her with you on vacation?” Lucifer asks as we start to head out of the strip club.

  “No, a friend is watching her,” I tell him. “A vampire friend.”

  “Good.”

  “Can you adjust her glamour?” I ask, wincing again from my own words. I like Scarlet looking like a forever-puppy. “People are noticing that she doesn’t age.”

  “Picky, picky, but I suppose that’s a fair point. I’ll tweak it.”

  “Thank you.”

  I keep a tight hold on Lucas’s hand as we walk back out into the night. The air is warm and humid, and few people mill about at this late hour.

  “I have one more question.” I slow to a stop on the sidewalk.

  “Ask away, kid.” He spreads out his arms. “I’m an open book.”

  “There was a time when witches thought we got our power from you, and then we realized we were born with the powers. Satanism is illegal now within the coven because it’s dangerous. You take souls in exchange for more power.”

  His eyes narrow slightly. “If there was a question in there, I missed it.”

  “I’m not even sure what I’m asking.” I shake my head at myself. “Why did you trick witches into giving up their souls?”

  “So that’s what they say about me? I’m a trickster?” His eyes flash red and my heart hammers in my chest. Lucas inches closer, ready to defend me to the death if need be. “I’m upfront about my deals. You want more power? It will cost you. Maybe I want something done for me in return, or maybe the cost is your soul. But the choice is always theirs to make. All I do is present an opportunity.”

  I can’t really argue against that, though I know it’s not quite that simple. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and when you’re in the lowest of lows, it’s easy to be taken advantage of.