by Ivy Asher
“They’ll be dressing alike and finishing each other’s sentences in no time,” Flint quips, giving me a friendly wink.
“We do have a uniform you’ll be required to wear at least once,” Delta tells me, and she and Medley laugh, their mates all quick to join in.
“Hope you like leather,” Medley declares through a snicker, and I chuckle at her adorable giggle, my mind whirring with the possibilities of what the hell they could be talking about.
“Can we go home now?” Jerif asks, like being here is an inconvenience he’d like remedied immediately.
Delta rolls her eyes and huffs out a sigh, but when he grabs her chin and tilts her head back, his lips nipping at hers, she melts right into him like butter on a biscuit, as Medley would say.
“We have a suite we set up for you, Sable,” Rafferty tells me, his blue eyes soft and kind. “We didn’t know that you’d...be attached, but your mates are all welcome, of course,” he adds, gesturing to Ire, Toreon, and Vudu.
I’m so stunned by the offer I don’t immediately know what to say. My eyes prickle with emotion, but before I can thank him and accept, Ire steps forward.
“I have a place here. My mate will be staying with me,” he declares, like that’s all there is to say about it.
“Oh, you’re gonna live in Hell?” Medley asks with surprise, her wide gray eyes fixed on mine.
I struggle to answer her as Ire turns his blazing blue gaze on me. I turn to Toreon and then Vudu, seeking their input. They don’t say anything, but I feel tension in their countenances.
“Um, I honestly haven’t given it much thought,” I admit. “I’m technically homeless…” I suspect that Vudu and Toreon are too, though I don’t say that. “We’ll have to talk about it,” I finally answer, looking around at my guys and shrugging.
I’m not sure about living in Hell, but I’m not sure about where I’d live in the Mortal Realm either. We’ll have to figure it out, which already sounds easier said than done. I can tell that Toreon and Vudu have strong opinions about this, but they’re keeping quiet for some reason about it. Ire obviously has his idea of how things are going to go, but all I know is I’m too tired to figure this out right now.
Thankfully, I look up and see the Devil waving us over. Quicker than a hungry cheetah chasing dinner, I point out the summons to the others and we make our way over to Lucifer and the Sins.
The portal to Heaven is still open behind Satan, and a dozen or so Legion angels stand guard in front of it, their piercing gazes wary.
“I left enough power for the Angelic Legion to go back through it, and then it will dissolve,” Toreon explains as I turn a questioning gaze to him. He still looks strong and healthy, and I realize that my power boost really packed a lasting punch this time. Vudu too, looks as strong as ever.
As we walk over to the rulers of Hell, some of the Sins and Hell’s soldiers are beginning to lead away groups of surrendered demons. Lucifer watches with a steady eye as the few hundred of Morax’s remaining army are split up and marched off. It seems like a lot, but given the thousands Morax had, these demons are a drop in the bucket of how many were alive at the start.
When my sisters and I make it to Lucifer’s side, he cocks a brow. The Devil doesn’t even look like he has a hair out of place. His white button-up is still clean, his black slacks crisp. He doesn’t have a speck of blood or ash on him. Meanwhile, my sisters and I, along with our mates, all look pretty nasty.
Lucifer assesses us for a beat and then gives us an approving nod. “You did pretty well, Annuli,” he says as if he doubted we’d be able to pull it off. “Your Sire will be proud.”
Delta snorts. “He’s always proud. I’m pretty sure even when he takes a small shit, he’s arrogant about it.”
Lucifer laughs like she amuses him to no end.
“What will you do with all of them?” Medley asks, pointing at the demons that are being led away.
“They’ll be split up between the Sins and imprisoned until their souls can be weighed and measured, and depending on the amount of their sins versus their deeds, I will decide where they end up.”
I inwardly cringe for them, not because I feel sorry, but because I wouldn’t want to be in their shoes.
Raised voices make me and my sisters look over, and we find our father and mother glaring at each other and arguing, their arms flailing around as though their hand gestures mean the difference between winning and losing.
“Here we go,” Delta says with a roll of her eyes, but I’m already moving.
This is the first time I’m hearing them go after each other, but I’m already over it. Looks like it’s time to have a chat.
38
Maybe I should feel grateful that they’re even here. Nefta helped us annihilate Morax, and Tazreel tried to snag him at the party, but all I can think is that their daughters were almost used to destroy Hell, and instead of checking on us and making sure we’re okay, they’re bickering. I was warned about their antics, but something about seeing it calls me to action.
My feet take me directly in front of my birth parents, and I shove my way between them. I’m not even sure what comes over me in that moment, because the girl I used to be in the Mortal Realm never would’ve pushed between two intimidating people like this, but I’m changed, inside and out, and I don’t give a shit.
“Shut up,” I tell them, though I say it without snark, just matter-of-fact.
They both startle and look down at me, their arguing immediately cutting off.
“Now listen up,” I say, looking between them. They’re both taller than me, so I have to raise my chin, but I don’t let their presence or height make me cower. I look at Nefta first, my expression ruthless. “Thank you for your help. But it doesn’t change the fact that you gave us up, and that your actions, in part, led to what happened here today.”
Resignation enters her eyes as does a profound guilt and sadness, but I don’t bite back what I need to say next.
“I don’t know if I can find a way to not hate you for what happened to me,” I tell her, my voice cracking with emotion. “You should know that right from the start,” I explain bluntly, not because I want to hurt her or guilt her, but I need to be clear about how I feel about where things may go from here. “I had a horrible, empty, confusing, lonely life in the Mortal Realm, and that’s because you abandoned me there.”
Nefta’s purple eyes flare with pain, and a flash of regret makes them gloss over. “But…” I continue slowly. “You also gave Delta and Medley wonderful parents, and for that, at least, I’m glad. At least I know you tried, no matter how badly you failed me.”
I turn to Tazreel next. “I don’t know you, and you don’t know me. I get that you didn’t know about us and you have all kinds of feelings about it, but I find it telling that even though you know now, you’re too busy fighting or needing to prove that you’re right in some way, to actually get to know your daughters.”
Tazreel’s eyes grow stormy, and I can feel his desire to clap back, but surprisingly, he doesn’t. He keeps his mouth shut and lets me finish, and that action alone gives me a little hope.
“You looked for us, you looked for me, and that means a lot, but maybe you should think more about us than your wounded pride. I know that may be difficult, you know, with you being literal Pride and all, but...try.” I gesture to Medley and Delta. “We deserve it. We’re worth the effort. Also, full disclosure, I think I’ve inherited a little of that Pride, so we’re probably going to butt heads, I’m just warning you right now.”
Tazreel blinks down at me, his gold-flecked gray eyes caught a little off guard at how I’m speaking to him, but of course, a flicker of pride crosses his face, like he’s cocky about the fact that I’m brave enough to do it. I watch as his features vacillate between how dare she and that’s my girl. It would be funny if I weren’t about to lay down the law.
I look between Nefta and Tazreel with a stern face. “You two need to find a way to get along. You don’t
have to like each other, but when you’re with your triplets, you need to make a damn effort. Don’t talk to each other if you can’t handle it. You need to do better by us. Because from what I’ve heard from Medley, neither of you have made an effort to do that yet. Either be who and what we need or stay the hell away. But you need to decide what you want and what really matters to you, and then you need to stick with it.”
Taz and Nefta stare down at me in equal astonishment as they take in my words. I feel the support of Delta and Medley behind me and smile when Delta holds up a fist for me to bump. “That was fucking epic,” she whispers, eyes flashing with gratitude and amusement.
“Couldn’t have said it better myself,” Medley chimes in, wrapping me in a side hug.
A low whistle sounds, and I look up to see Lucifer grinning. “I like your daughters, Taz. Who needs one favorite when you can have three?” he says with a smirk.
Who knew the Devil was such a ballbusting goof?
“Yes, don’t forget to throw a progeny party soon now that you’ve all been reunited,” Lust calls from behind Lucifer as she saunters away to collect another group of demons.
“Ugh, another fucking party,” Delta mutters unhappily.
Her mate, Echo, comes up behind her and places a kiss on her temple. “Don’t worry, if we go to another Pride party, we can check out that upstairs bedroom we never got a tour of last time,” he says, wagging his black brows.
Delta blinks at him, and her cheeks visibly flush. “Oh. Yeah. Let’s do that,” she quickly says, making her other mates chuckle.
“Oh, will there be an orgy?” Medley asks excitedly, but Flint’s and Alder’s brows furrow, and they look at her questioningly. She giggles with a shrug. “I’ve never been to one, I just wanted to watch,” she says.
Flint’s mouth drops open, and Alder brings a hand up to rub at his temples.
“Oh, I’ll give you something to watch, Peaches,” Flint murmurs to her, his tone dripping with so much seductive promise that I have to look away or risk feeling like a creeper that’s peering in on an intimate moment. Medley giggles again as Flint presses her more firmly against him and Alder, but thankfully, Wrath walks over right then and pulls my focus from the heat coming off my sister and her mates.
Wrath pulls Ire in for a hug. She’s covered in blood, which she wears like battle makeup, but Ire doesn’t seem to mind as they both pat each other on the back and then separate. “My progeny,” she says by way of greeting. “You did very well in battle.”
Ire tips his head in respect to her. “Thank you, Matron.”
She hums, giving him a satisfied once over before she looks over at me and my sisters. “You three were exceptional. Hell owes you a great deal, and I am honored that my son is so well-matched.”
I fidget a little under her formal declaration, but I manage to nod. “Thank you.”
“Ire, take them to our palace. You all need to rest and recover. We will take care of you and protect you there, you have my word,” Wrath says to me, Toreon, and Vudu, before looking over to my sisters. “You are welcome to stay there as well. Any family of my son’s mate is my own family too,” she tells Medley and Delta.
Taz huffs. “Now wait one minute, my daughters should stay in my palace,” he says.
“Or they can come to Purgatory with me,” Nefta puts in, cutting Tazreel off.
“But—” Taz begins.
I raise an eyebrow in warning, and Tazreel grumpily slams his lips shut. Delta nearly pees her pants, she’s so ecstatic about our newfound control over their bickering. Wrath’s eyes fill with respect and warmth.
“We’re grateful for the offer, but I think we’d like to just go home for now,” Medley says, looking at her mates, their hands clasped in hers.
“Same,” Delta says before she looks at me. “You’re coming too right?”
Well, crap. We’re back to this already?
I look hesitantly around at everyone, trying to figure out what to do. I understand their desire to go home and recover from everything. And I do want to stay with my sisters, but maybe giving them a little space to reconnect with their mates might not be such a bad idea.
My gray gaze settles on Wrath. A little extra protection might be nice. Yes, we just beat Morax, but Toreon and I are probably still at risk here in Hell. The last thing we need is some Pro-Morax supporter trying to snatch us while we’re here. I look to Toreon, Vudu, and then to Ire. “Everyone okay with staying at Ire’s place for a bit?”
Ire puffs up, pleased, while Vudu and Toreon both give me curt nods. I study them for a beat longer and then nod myself. “Well, that settles that,” I announce.
But I don’t miss the bummed out expression on Delta’s face. The fact that she genuinely wanted me to come back with her makes me feel all warm and mushy and wanted, and since it’s apparently my reaction of choice today, I feel tears sting my eyes.
“Fine,” Tazreel grumps. “This will make the party preparation far easier, I suppose.” His attempt at optimism is tinged with a little too much outrage to come off as authentic, but it’s good that he’s at least trying. Baby steps.
“Not today though,” Delta orders. “I refuse to come to a party for at least a week.”
Tazreel’s mouth drops open, and I watch him slowly close it and swallow down the argument that’s clearly creeping up his throat. “Fine,” he snaps. “I look forward to seeing you three in one week.”
I chuckle, unable to help myself, and I hear Medley do the same. He’s just so pissed, and it’s adorable how hard it is for him to rein it in. But he’s doing it, and that’s all my sisters and I can hope for.
“I’ll just be off then,” he practically growls out, and then the next thing I know, he’s stormed off.
Delta loses it as soon as he’s gone, and her mirth is contagious. “His face,” she squeals as she laughs into Rafferty’s shoulder. “This is going to be too good,” she coos on a sigh, wiping laugh tears from her eyes as her blue demon smiles down at her and pets the back of her wing.
“I should go too,” Nefta declares, stepping back from us. She pauses for a moment and looks up at Medley, Delta, and me. “We’ll talk soon,” she tells us quietly, her purple eyes soft and pained. It seems as though she wants to say something else, but she doesn’t. Maybe she doesn’t know how. Instead, with her armor still gleaming, she turns on her heel and marches straight for the portal.
“What do you think that was about?” Medley asks while we watch the Angelic Legion as they begin to file through the portal. They move quickly, like Hell is on fire, and as soon as the last one goes through, the portal whirls and shrinks, petering out in a single flare of light before it disappears like it never existed in the first place.
Delta’s narrowed eyes move away from the space where our mother just portaled out. “I don’t know, but if she surprises us with another sister, I’m scything her myself.”
I laugh at Delta’s comment. “There’s only us,” I confirm. “I’ve only ever felt the two of you.”
Delta’s eyes grow a little sad, but she tries to smile through it. “You sure you want to stay in this Hellhole?” she asks, snickering at her own joke. Her mate Jerif rolls his eyes, and she shoots him a shit-eating grin.
I chuckle at the exchange and look over to my mates where they’re standing awkwardly together, completely silent, as though they don’t know where to fit in with all of this. I realize that this might be hard for them. They get me in the mate mix, but also my sisters and their mates and all the drama that surrounds that. Plus, our mother is Colonel of the Angelic Legion, and our father is Pride. It’s...a lot.
I turn back to Delta. “Yeah, I’m good. I think we need time to figure things out, and then I can throw them into the frying pan of our life and all its craziness.”
Delta smiles and gives me an understanding nod. “Not crazy anymore, didn’t you hear?” Medley adds with a big smile. “It’ll be all smooth sailing now,” she declares, and I mirror her hopeful grin.
>
“I’ll see you girls in a week,” I chirp, and then we wrap each other up in hugs, hesitant to be going our separate ways so soon, but we all know it’s for the best.
I watch them walk off with a little pang as they search out a Sin willing to get them home. I’m going to miss them, even though it’s just for a week, but I know that they need time with their mates. I take a deep breath, ready to get cleaned up and fall into a coma-like state for at least two days, though I’m a little anxious about where to go from here.
But, as Ire and Toreon both take my hands, and Vudu walks behind me like a protective gargoyle ready and willing to always watch my back, my heart soars.
For the first time in my life, I have a life. I’m not a crazy human. I’m not an imprisoned demon.
I’m free, and I finally get to start living right alongside my new mates. And I can’t wait.
39
Wrath’s palace is...well, about what you might expect.
There’s a lot of weapons for decor and metal in general. Also not surprising in the slightest is that she’s a big fan of the colors black and red, and if I thought Gluttony’s portraits were intense, I was wrong. So, so wrong.
I would much rather look at steaming ham and flowing wine than gruesome beheadings and people’s hearts being torn from their chests, but beggars can’t be choosers, I guess. I quickly learn to avert my gaze as Ire leads us toward his wing.
Yep, his wing. Because the progeny of Wrath doesn’t just have a room, he has an entire section of the palace that’s all his. Apparently, they knew we were coming somehow too, because by the time he walks through the blood-red double doors set into the black stone walls, a group of imp servants flurry out past us.
Inside, there’s a huge living-room-like space, and set on the table in front of the masculine black couch and chairs is an impressive spread of food and drinks. I’m starving and thirsty as soon as I see it, but I’m filthy, covered in blood and ash, so the first thing on the agenda is getting clean.
