The Devil You Know (Ceasefire Series Book 1)

by Claire Marta

I feel a moment of anxiety. “What’s Gabriel doing here?” I whisper in Lucifer ear.

  Tilting his head, he examines every inch of my features. “We all play a part in the grander scheme of things. Angels have always been bathed in blood. Who do you think God sends to do all his dirty work, so he can remain the ever loving Father? Their savage creatures. They have come to join the battle.”

  Here sits the king of Hell. The killer I only had glimpses of. There’s a cold empty hardness in his emerald green eyes now, all softness gone.

  “And me,” I remind him.

  “This is my domain. No one leaves unless I allow it and your work is not done.” Warm hands cradle my cheeks. “Your potential is endless. Do what you were created to do.” Lips brush mine coaxing, soft. “My beautiful thorny rose. You will take your revenge. Show everyone just how brightly you can shine.”

  I fall into the powerful and consuming kiss. It steals my breath when his tongue invades my mouth with an expert ease. His burgeoning erection pushes against my arse, making me squirm.

  Resting his forehead against mine, he keeps his fingers tangled in my hair. “I would fuck you right here if we had more time, but alas, it will have to wait until later.”

  The sound of coughing interrupts us. Standing with comical expressions of disbelief are Gabriel and an entourage of heavenly battle harden hosts. They seem to be having a hard time accepting what their eyes are telling them. Regaining their composure quickly, they once more resume their blank looks.

  Lucifer smirks cunningly. It’s then I wonder if he’s just played out this scene knowing full well they were on their way. Slipping from his lap, he doesn’t try to stop me.

  Son of a bitch. Swallowing down a jolt of anger, I refuse to look back at him.

  “Lucifer.” Gabriel greets.

  Resting idly back, he regards them speculatively. “You’re late. I thought you were coming over an hour ago.”

  “Things have been tense around Cease Fire. I had to give some assurances before I could come.” Gabriel glances my way briefly. “I also had a team member to arrange a burial for.”

  Caesar.

  Closing my eyes, I can’t escape the image of Trukun with her hand through his chest. His screams as she gutted him before me. I shut the memories down before they can affect me, but the damage is already done.

  Pushing up off his throne purposefully, Lucifer stroll toward the table where the map lays abandoned. “We need to move quickly if we are to catch Trukun by surprise.”

  Gabriel moves decisively to join him. “We’re here now. Point us in the right direction and we’ll get started.”

  Unnoticed by either, I wander to the fireplace in desperate need of the heat to chase away the chill that has suddenly gripped me.

  “We’re going to join the fight.” Snatch informs me as he and Leo sidle up beside the hearth.

  “Oh no, your arses are staying here with Cassandra.” I tell them, trying and failing to not grind my teeth. I won’t risk anyone else. Won’t watch them die at the mercy Trukun’s demonic forces like Caesar did.

  Leo’s arm comes around my shoulders, tucking me in close. “Mavi, we are coming with you and that’s not negotiable.”

  “They have to go.” Cassandra assures me, plonking he arse down on a bean bag she’s dragged out from a corner I haven’t noticed before. “Your destinies are linked. Only through the darkness that is coming will you ever truly be free and know the truth. This has been cast in stone long before any of us were born and it must come to pass.”

  Leo rolls his eyes at the girl. “Mavi, you still have one General left to kill after Trukun. That’s the deal you have before getting your soul back. From tall, dark, and brooding over there.”

  My soul. I regain my freedom once I’ve finished. A contract is a contract. Lucifer has to fulfil his end of the bargain. I can walk away, no longer the Devil’s plaything. No longer his executioner. Get my life back no matter how fucked up it might be.

  “The Devil has your soul?” Snatch asks, playing with a loose thread from his oversized sweatshirt.

  “You didn’t tell him?”

  Leo shakes his head at my question. “No.”

  Sighing, my gaze strays back to the table where Lucifer and Gabriel are deep in conversation. “It’s a long-complicated story. I’m sure Leo will get a kick out of telling you while we wait.”

  Tuning them out as he begins to do just that, I’m tempted to ask Cassandra the outcome of the future. But do I really want to know? Will the knowledge affect my action in a positive or negative way? It would be like opening Pandora's box. Make me question every move. It could turn out to be a curse rather than a blessing. Ultimately, I decide I would rather not know.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  “Those puppies look really cute.” Snatch’s voice breaks the tense silence as we trudge through the freezing cold. Around us, thick with ice and snow, the forest encloses our party like a frozen winter wonderland.

  “What puppies?” I ask confused, breath rising in a visible puff.

  Gesturing with a gloved finger, he points to where a group of brown furred four-legged creatures are sniffing around a base of a tree. “Those things over there. At least that’s what they look like from here.” All bundled up in a thick coat, his pale cheeks are rosy red, matching the end of his nose.

  Squinting, I try to get a better look. How he saw the fucking things, I don’t know. They’re a good distance away.

  Raziel chuckles from his position behind us. “They aren’t canines. They’re indigenous live forms. Nasty little fuckers too.” In his usual thick furs, he looks more comfortable in the wintry conditions than we do.

  Throwing him a look over his shoulder, Snatch brows snap together in a frown. “Then why do they look so cute?”

  The fallen angel gives him a crooked grin. “Trust me, you won’t see them that way when you have a pack of them trying to gnaw off your limbs.”

  “At least when I was high I could pretend things like this were a drug induced hallucination.”

  I throw him a sharp glance. “You’re clean now, Snatch. We need you at your best.”

  “I know, I know.” He grumbles back, not meeting my eyes. “It’s not like I have anything to shoot up without here anyway.”

  Returning my attention to the front, I observe the back of Lucifer. Striding at the head of our group in his robes of living shadows, Gabriel and his angels are just behind him.

  The tension is palpable. Everyone knows what's at stake. Hell and Earth hang on the outcome of this battle. If we screw this up, our lives can abruptly end.

  Trying to burrow deeper in the depths of my leather jacket, I’m comforted by the weight of the pistol in its shoulder holster. Finally having my weapons back has made me happy. I’ve missed having them around. It felt like part of me was missing. Now I feel more whole.

  “This is nuts.” Leo mutters under his breath to my right. “Why are we coming out here like sitting ducks and leaving the army behind us?”

  For once, he isn’t in his signature pink. Convincing him something bright and flamboyant is a huge come get me flag to the enemy was enough to get him into something less eye-catching.

  “Because Trukun doesn’t know Lucifer could transport them here without her knowledge and we need to keep that element of surprise.” I tell him calmly back.

  “You really think she’s dumb enough to believe that?”

  “We can only hope.”

  The sky is washed with grey watery light. If this world has a sun, it’s hidden behind clouds which I hope don’t give way to more snow.

  Flexing my stiff fingers, I alleviate the chill which has seeped beneath the flesh. It won’t do me any good when this massacre starts. Will need all my wits and senses about me.

  Lucifer’s demons looked less than thrilled to see Gabriel and his angels. Unease had been rife. Hostility had been clear on both sides. Yet they obeyed with unquestioning obedience.

  A white hand print decorating
their demonic features mark them as our side. At least it makes it easier to know who to shoot.

  “Soo, you and the Devil. You’re a big deal now.” Leo comments casually.

  Sweeping the trees with a glance, I search for any signs of danger. “We’re not anything.”

  “The chemistry between the two of you is off the fucking charts.”

  “It’s just sex.”

  Leo’s response is an annoying scoffing sound. “And Hell is just a sauna.”

  Wrapping my arms around my waist, I rub myself to bring back a spark of warmth. “You’re making my trigger finger twitchy.”

  I don’t want to talk about this now. It makes me feel uncomfortable. I’m not one for girly chats and getting all soppy. The bastard knows that.

  “Puddin’, don’t try to hide behind that psycho assassin exterior you have going. You’re a woman, not a robot. With needs and feelings just like anyone else...”

  “He’s my enemy whose dick I just happen to get hard. There are no feelings involved. Let’s drop it.” I snap, cutting him off. It’s a lie of course. Feelings are tangled around this situation I’m sure will never come undone without being slashed painfully free. I’ve never gotten attached to the guys I sleep with, but the Devil has been different from the start.

  With a shaking hand, Leo produces his metal hip flask from one of the pockets of his brown padded jacket.

  “I don’t think getting drunk is going to help what’s coming. We need you sober.”

  “It’s just a sip for Dutch courage.” He quips. “Here.”

  Accepting it, I take a quick swig. Brandy. The alcohol warms my insides in a pleasing glow, thawing me a little.

  Retrieving it, he downs some himself, giving me a wink.

  Trukun and her escorts are waiting for us as we emerge from the trees. The clearing is small. Ten intimidating soldiers surround her slender form. Dressed from head to toe in black

  leather, her blonde hair is coiled elegantly on the top of her head. Her lovely features are as glacial and inhospitable as our surroundings. On her hip is the angel blade she stole from me.

  Since I’m trained to look for weaknesses my eyes travel over her minions with calculation.

  The warriors wear furs much like Raziel wears to keep out the biting cold. Claws, wings, misshaped monstrous forms. A terrifying sight. Something from nightmares.

  It’s a relief to see none of them are carrying guns. They’ve stuck to the more traditional and medieval forms of weaponry for warfare. Axes, spears, knifes, bows and swords. Anything that can bring an adversary down messily.

  By brother is nowhere in sight.

  I don’t let my disappointment or worry show, only hope that wherever he is I can find him.

  Lucifer motions for me to join him as he strides confidently to greet them. I flank his left and Raziel takes his right. It’s a show of force. His right-hand man and his chosen executioner.

  Behind us, are Gabriel and a dozen angelic hosts.

  “Oh Lucifer. Why do we have to fight?” Trukun sighs, once we’re close enough. Her breath coming out in a little white puff. “We’ve always had such a good time together in and out of bed. No one can make you feel as good as I can. Why not make me your Queen and we can stop all this before it’s even started? I would hate to humiliate you.” The last sentence comes out in a purr.

  He smiles, a cold humourless curl of his mouth. “Do you really think I would trust you at my side after you tried to dethrone me? Betrayed me? I’d always be waiting for the inevitable dagger in my back.” Halting, he draws himself to his full height, sending a ripple of discord through her followers.

  “Darling, the way you can fuck why would I want to end you? I’ve never had a lover better than you.” Lowering thick black eyelashes, she gives him a coy sensual look. “We could be a force to be reckoned with. The two of us, rulers of Hell and Earth. They would all bow and worship at our feet.”

  Lucifer tilts his chin, surveying her slyly. “I doubt Markaz would be pleased with that. After all, he’s been your lover longer than you were my Mistress and he was never pleased that you wormed your way into my favours.”

  I keep my surprise hidden. So, this bitch is the lover of the final commander I need to face. It makes me wonder why he’s not here at her side now if they’re so chummy. That would

  make my life a whole lot fucking easier. Two birds with one stone.

  Trukun’s mood changes swiftly to something darker. “Markaz is dead. Fritz ambushed him months ago before you killed him.” There’s pain in her voice.

  Which means I have one less job to do. Once this bitch is out of the way my deal with the Devil is done and I get my soul back. I should feel happy, but I don’t. Jealousy zigzags

  through me. The urge to put a bullet in her head is strong, but I hold it back.

  “You have always given yourself far more importance than you really have.” Lucifer sneers. “I don’t need a Queen when there’s plenty of whores to fuck. You left my bed and were easy to replace. Why would I want you back? You chose your path and I will make sure you see it through right to its bloodied end.”

  I can sense his leashed powers beneath the deceptive air of carelessness coiling into readiness. Immense strength backed by a steel will to put it to use.

  Trukun shoots him a look of pure murder. “Then I will use your corpse as my foot rest by the time this day is done.”

  She knows how to rub me the wrong way. Unable to no longer hold my tongue, I take a threatening step forward. “Let me correct you there, bitch. It will be your corpse that whatever vermin you have here will be feeding on by the time we are done.” I tell her sweetly.

  “They’re already feeding on what’s left of your dear brother.”

  Her jeer makes my teeth clench. Packing away the emotions trying to smoother me, I focus on giving no reaction. I won’t stop until I have found him dead or alive. Torture his location out of her if I have to.

  “Make an example out of my ex commander.” Lucifer’s emerald green eyes meet my blue ones.

  She laughs her amusement. It carries along on the breeze. “All your bluster and bluffing. You’re out numbered. My forces will hack you to pieces in seconds. And if you think I fear these angels, think again.” Caressing the handle of the sword, she makes it clear she knows it has the power to end an angel’s existence.

  Gabriel doesn’t react. The other angels are just as stoic, showing no fear. Still, it makes me wish I had never brought the fucking thing out of its hiding place.

  “Then do it. Cut us down where we stand if you dare.” The Devil tells her challengingly. “But heed my words, we will show no mercy once this line is crossed.”

  If it was a ploy to make her back down it backfires miserably.

  “Kill them.” Trukun tells her followers as she unsheathes her sword.

  With blood curdling snarls, they charge, eyes blazing, ready for battle.

  I don’t hesitate in drawing my gun.

  The song begins softly. Just a few straining notes dancing through my head. A tune of destruction. I need the rush, the thrill of the prize. I will rain down pain on these mother fuckers who want to hurt us.

  I give my gun free rein. Single clean shots to the heads of the first couple.

  A roar rises from the trees behind them. Thousands of voices raised in union. We see them instantly advancing at a run, the snow barely slowing them down as they dash towards us through the trees.

  “You’re mistaken, Trukun, if you believe this is going to be something short and brutal.” Lucifer warns her. Sweeping his arms up, twin curved blades materialise in his hands.

  Behind us, a mirroring battle cry from our own troops booms out.

  Trukun’s expression is a perfect picture of confusion and dawning realisations. She isn’t as clever as she seems to think. Suddenly, things aren’t so easy for her.

  The armies quickly clash, dissolving into one heaving mass of violence fuelled by the promise of victory and bloodshed.


  I only pause to reload before unloading the blessed ammo into anything dumb enough to stumble into my path.

  Music continues to fill me without effort. My heart keeps in time with the beat.

  When it comes to war there’s no honour. No code. All that matters now is the win.

  Not one to sit back and watch, Lucifer is in the centre of the fray. Weapons flying in a furious blur, he decapitates heads and arms with a frightening ease.

  I lose the others in the flood of chaos.

  Jostled back, it’s all I can do to stay on my feet. Faces grim and frigid with the cold, the harden warriors close in around me.

  I’ve been in many situations, but nothing like this. No strategy to it. Slaughter, pure and simple.

  Limbs and body parts plunge to the ground. Anarchy runs wild.

  Backing up, trainers already sodden and wet from the snow, I move back towards the tree line behind us. Need distance to pick off as many as I can.

  The twang of bows is unmistakable right before arrows rain down death from above.

  Instinct to survive takes over. Ducking behind the nearest tree, I take cover. Rough frosty bark scratch against the skin of my hand as I press it tightly to the surface for support.

  Screams ring out from those unluckily caught on the onslaught with grievous wounds. How many have fallen? Foe and enemy alike unable to escape.

  Snatch scrambles to safety around the trunk of another tree a few paces away. Hands over his head, I can see the panic clearly on his gaunt face when he peeks out. The terror and trauma.

  Blasting my way forward, I take down a green skin bent on attacking him. Throwing a jump kick, I send another one flying.

  “If you can’t fight get your arse back to the meeting point.” I growl, knowing I should never have allowed him to come. This is far more than he’s had to experience before. It will only leave scars. Ones that even now will be freshly forming, but unseen by the eye. Nightmares that will haunt him.

  Nodding sharply, he doesn’t argue. Hastily, he scurries away, setting off along the path at a run.

  Raziel appears in my line of view. Black feathery wings spread wide, he swoops from air, intercepting Snatch as he goes.