Analise’s laughter bubbled against his chest. “Who is my driver?”
His arms tightened a fraction at her concession. “Gabriel.”
“Okay, Aragorn’s one scary dude. I’m afraid to cross him,” she said with a faint shudder. “You sure I can’t have Roger?”
“It hasn’t stopped you, and no you can’t have Raphael,” Lucifer retorted. “Gabriel’s purpose is to make certain others are too frightened to harm my Consort.”
Analise pulled herself from his embrace. “Well, he does a great job. I need to get dressed.” At his frown, she shook her head. “We just ended this debate.”
He stared at her. His internal struggle was written on Lucifer’s face. Surprising them both, she exercised patience for once. When his lips touched her forehead, she leaned into him.
“I cannot be other than I am, Analise Saria,” Lucifer murmured against her skin. “My brother is ruthless. I do not trust him, however I do trust you. If you believe your decision will serve some purpose, I will agree to your wish.”
She smiled and seductively rubbed herself against him. Her voice was sensual when she murmured, “I like the way you compromise, Seraphim. I have a few particular wishes I’d like you to agree to when I get home.”
Lucifer’s shoulders quaked with laughter as he released her. His smile faded, his eyes becoming serious. “If Gabriel intervenes allow it. He will only do so if you are in danger. Do not be foolish.”
“I won’t.”
Chapter 21
Analise exited the car. Instead of the usual cool evening fog, the air was crisp and clear. She glanced around. Union Square was nearly empty. The few people on the streets were entering or leaving nearby cafes or restaurants. It was a strange look for one of the popular dining areas in the city.
“I’ll be right here, Consort,” Gabriel said, leaning against his car.
She flashed him a quick smile before she entered Mia’s. The restaurant was as quiet as the square. What the hell was going on in her city? A faint shiver raced down her spine and she glanced at the large window. Gabriel hadn’t moved. Small reassurance but one nonetheless. She walked over to the hostess station.
“Hey, Ms. Drake. It’s been a while.”
“Hi, Rachel. Yes, it has,” she replied. “It seems pretty quiet.”
“Yeah. I don’t know what it is. People seem to want to stay put, not leave home. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear some bad stuff is about to go down. People are real tense. Meeting someone?”
Analise’s eyes searched the dining room, which was half full. She spied Satan’s silver hair. “The man at the table over there.”
Rachel glanced where she gestured and whistled softly. “I was wondering who gray locks was waiting for. You always seem to find the hot ones, Ms. Drake. Mind sharing?”
Analise laughed. “Anytime, Rachel. Let me know when and where and I’ll have him delivered to your door.”
“Tonight would be good,” the hostess murmured as she led her to where Satan sat.
The table was secluded, but still public enough for Gabriel to be partially visible to her. The flutters in her stomach calmed. Somewhat.
Satan stood and went to stand behind her chair. Once she was seated, he resumed his. Analise felt his intense scrutiny before he said, “Beautiful as ever, Analise. How are you?”
She gave him a half-smile. “I’ve been better. I assume you heard about the Santa Cruz lab.” At his nod, she sighed. “No major injuries, although one of our techs spent the night in the hospital.”
“What will you do?”
“Rebuild. AnthroGen employees twenty-five employees at the lab, one-third postdocs. Everyone will stay on the payroll until a new building is completed. The administrative staff will work from home while those who need lab facilities will transfer to our lab here.”
The server sauntered over to the table, introduced himself, and asked if they were ready to order. Analise chose her favorite pasta dish while Satan took a minute to look over the menu. He placed his order then stared at her.
“You have a lab in San Francisco?”
“Yes, although the Santa Cruz lab was the nuts and bolts research place.” Analise realized he didn’t know about the San Francisco lab. “You didn’t know? You need to retrain your intel person.”
“The information I received indicated there was only one research facility given the size of the company. How many employees do you have?”
Analise’s forehead scrunched up then smoothed. “A hundred maybe, but I’m not sure.”
Satan shook his head. “You own the company and have no idea how many employees you have? I take it you’re not a very involved CEO.”
Analise stiffened at his comment. “When you hire the right people, you trust them to do their jobs well. I trust my lab directors. I also pay my employees well for their initiative and intelligence. I don’t need to micromanage.”
“I promised I wouldn’t talk business,” he said apologetically.
Lifting his glass of wine, Satan flashed her a seductive grin. “To the first woman to spark my interest beyond the bedroom.”
My brother intends to make you his Consort.
Lucifer’s words echoed in her mind. As she peered at Satan, Analise realized she shouldn’t be sitting at table with him. She needed to end this meal and his pursuit quickly. “I’m not sure if I should be flattered or run.”
“You don’t strike me as the type to run unless there’s a reason, so I hope you’re flattered.”
Dinner arrived, ending what was turning into an uncomfortable situation for Analise. She ate some of her meal then set her fork on her plate. Taking a sip of wine, she stared at Satan. “You are out of my league, Peter. Since the reason for your initial visit was business, and my decision won’t change, I’m going to thank you for dinner and leave.”
Satan swallowed the food in his mouth then drank some wine. He peered at her, his lips pursed as if exasperation rather than desire compelled him.
“The file on you is inadequate. While you inherited your mother’s beauty and your father’s eyes and nose, you inherited much more than their physical attributes. It appears they gifted you their intelligence and supernatural abilities.”
Analise stiffened and carefully set her glass on the table. “What are you talking about?”
Satan leaned forward. “You know quite well, Analise Saria Willoughby. Shall we end this little game of pretense? You know who I am.”
When she stood up to leave, he gripped her wrist. “Dinner isn’t over. Besides, I have a proposition I’d like you to consider. Please indulge me.”
She lowered herself to the chair, tugging her wrist from his fingers. The painful sensation from his touch lingered on her skin, and this time she felt nauseous. Analise glance furtively at the window looking out at the street.
“If you’re searching for Gabriel, he’s somewhat occupied,” Satan drawled. “I needed alone time with you.”
“Your alone time ends in five seconds,” Analise said.
Satan’s expression darkened. “You’re wasted on my brother. Let me offer my sincere apologies for your parents’ deaths. It was avoidable situation, a tragic mistake.”
“Avoidable situation, a tragic mistake? Is that what you call murder?”
Satan sipped his wine. “Rest assured, Analise, the actual killers no longer walk the Earth.”
Analise blinked back angry tears and slammed her fist on the table. “Do you fucking hear yourself? Kella and Richard Willoughby were my parents, not some avoidable situation.”
“Temper, temper, Analise.” Satan shrugged. “It wasn’t personal. I needed your father’s research and his brilliance. You were to be, shall we say, an accelerant.”
She half rose from her chair and leaned over the table. Rage softened her voice when she said, “You sit there and blithely tell me I lost my parents so you could get your slimy hands on my father’s work and expect me to understand? Not today, Satan. Not this fucking day.”
Setting his glass on the table, Satan tented his fingers and pressed them against his bearded chin. “Care to share what happened in New Mexico, Analise?”
Analise pushed the chair back. “This dinner is over. Enjoy your flight back to New York.”
She stood and her muscles locked. Her mouth opened but the only sound to emerge was an angry squawk and a quick rush of air. Her eyes followed Satan’s slow rise from his chair. He stalked around the table to position himself between her and the restaurant’s window. Satan’s fingers encircled her throat and tilted her head up.
“Silly woman, sit down before the staff becomes suspicious,” he crooned. “Our conversation isn’t over and I need your undivided attention.”
As Analise struggled to move a searing pain shot up her right leg. She bit her lip against the pain before she tried to move her left leg. Excruciating spikes of agony left her in tears, and her cheetah was screaming.
“It will only get worse the more you fight me, Analise. I suggest you opt for a more compliant frame of mind before the pain becomes overwhelming.”
Analise mouthed the words ‘fuck you’. Sharp bands of pain wrapped each nerve, increasing her agony exponentially. She wasn’t sure how much more she could take before she collapsed.
“I can make it worse,” Satan drawled. “Much worse. But don’t worry, I promise not to leave any residual damage. It’s not a good look for my Consort to appear less than perfect.”
Unable to speak, she glared at Satan.
Where the hell was Gabriel? Aragorn should race in, sword drawn and ready to cleave Satan’s head from his shoulders. Fear wrenched the last of her courage. Satan had isolated her.
Lucifer, Tamahaq. Summon your Consort.
Analise closed her eyes. Consort, I need you.
Cobalt fire engulfed her. She screamed then fell silent when the flames didn’t touch her skin or clothing. Analise’s gaze followed the blaze as it encircled the telekinetic coils Satan used to hold her in place. Red strands of power unraveled, shredded by blue flames, and Analise seized control of her body. The violent trembling terrified her as nerves, muscles, and organs unlocked from stasis. It took several minutes for her lungs to function as they should until panic set in.
Stop, Tamahaq. The woman’s voice inside her head was sharp. We are done with this cowardice.
Analise’s fingers gripped the chair. You don’t understand. He controlled me, I couldn’t move.
We are done hiding. Look.
A sharp prick against the inside of her eyelids forced Analise to life her eyelashes. What she saw both terrified and eased her trepidations. She knew she’d have to process everything. . .just not now.
Lucifer stood between her and his brother, his gaze on Satan, though his mind focused on her. The tanzanite color of his eyes and the faint vibration of his wings were signs of the depths of his rage. Analise tried to speak but her throat was scratchy and sore. Rule number one was abandoned.
I’m fine, Lucifer. Please get me out of here.
His look was unreadable before he responded. I will be the judge whether or not you are fine, Analise Saria.
I said I’m fine. I want to go home.
He shook his head. You are my Consort. I cannot allow my brother to believe his actions will go unchallenged.
Any other time she would have chafed at his words. Confusion and pain kept her from speaking. He withdrew from her mind, leaving a curious emptiness. She peered at his face. Dread seized her when she saw the deadly calm riding his face. Lucifer would kill for her and feel no remorse. He nodded and directed his attention to his twin.
“I assume Analise Saria’s reply did not please you,” he said.
Satan’s his mouth thinned into an enraged slash before he glanced at her. His gaze traced a lascivious path from her head to her feet. Analise couldn’t stop the embarrassed tremor racing through her.
“We were interrupted before she heard the terms of my proposal. Why don’t you run along, big brother? Analise doesn’t strike me as a woman who needs a chaperone.”
Tables and chairs suddenly rearranged themselves to form a barrier between her and the Seraphim. A sword materialized in Lucifer’s right hand. “I cannot since my Consort summoned me.”
“No problem,” Satan said as his fingers gripped a sword. “It’s easy to kill two birds with a single blade.”
He attacked but Lucifer was ready for him and deflected the blow. The brothers quickly settled into a familiar pattern. Evenly matched, it was obvious they had sparred before. Analise did notice subtle differences in their style. The way Lucifer held his sword, Satan’s favoring his right side, and the fluid body movements that allowed them to escape injury. The swordplay was so beautiful and elegant she wondered how much Michael held back in their sessions.
“Is she worth it, brother? Your little human.” Satan flicked a glance in her direction. “Surrender and I’ll let her keep her life. As my Consort.”
Analise opened her mouth then began coughing as her throat slowly constricted. Each attempt to breathe felt as if a noose tightened around her neck. Her heart pounded, the noise deafening inside her head. She was going to die.
Don’t be silly, Tamahaq, it’s a demon’s trick. Satan wants you to believe you are dying by his hand. He can’t kill us, only play on the human fear inside us.
The woman’s voice cut through Analise’s panic, talking her down from the ledge.
Much better. Since our Consort is about to cut Satan’s throat, let’s enjoy the moment. We’ll let the foolish Seraphim hold on to his illusions until we’re ready to smack his willy.
Analise’s partially choked giggle went unnoticed. You do realize what you’ve just said?
Of course, although it’s actually you saying such stuff but we’ll have that conversation later.
Analise opened her eyes. Lucifer’s sword point rested firmly against Satan’s throat. A glacial smile on his mouth, Lucifer stared at his brother.
Lucifer flicked his wrist. A thin, jagged wound materialized on Satan’s neck. “Be warned, brother. Not even brotherly love will save you if Analise Saria comes to any harm. Leave my city.”
Satan pressed his fingers to his neck to stop the flow of blood. Like Lucifer, he would be scarred for the rest of his life. His wings flared, the tips blood red, as he turned to face her. Their gazes locked and a menacing smile formed on his lips. A faint scratch at her awareness and Analise telepathically cracked a door.
He will die just as your parents did, and you will become my Consort.
Analise shoved him from her mind, which didn’t stop Satan’s cruel laughter leaching past the blocks she had in place. She flinched when strong arms cradled her.
“Are you uninjured, Consort? Did he harm you?”
Lucifer’s his scent surrounded her, pushing Satan’s madness from her mind. A wave of nausea whipped through her and she closed her eyes. “Why am I feeling so weak and sick to my stomach?”
“I do not know, Consort.”
“Take me home, please.”
They walked out of the restaurant, Lucifer’s arm tight about her shoulders. The evening fog rolled in from the bay, thin wisps of cool air. Analise sucked in a deep breath and slowly released it, her lungs aching with the effort. She gave Gabriel a weak smile once she and Lucifer reached the car. As the archangel opened the door, she glanced across the street.
Satan hovered a few feet above the pavement, wings expanded, an eerie red glow emanating from his secondary feathers. Laughter rumbled across the asphalt and over the roof of the car.
Lucifer’s arms tightened about her. “It is a game my brother plays, Consort.”
Despite the reassurance, Analise couldn’t stop the involuntary shudder. Her gaze remained rooted on Satan’s face, watching his mouth curved into a cruel smile, his palm open as if offering her something. His lips pursed, he blew softly, pushing words across the street until they halted midair. Her hand flew up to her mouth as she read the message.
/> You will be my Consort, Analise Willoughby. I won’t stop until you are mine. A heart for a heart.
The words abruptly exploded and disappeared. Analise scrambled into the back seat, her faint keening filling the car. “Lilith’s heart, he offered me her heart.”
“Stop Analise Saria,” Lucifer ordered as he slid in beside her. He pulled her against him. “Calm yourself. My brother seeks to frighten you.”
Gabriel started the car and drove off. Analise nestled in Lucifer’s arms. His chest was warm against her cheek. “His words. . . my dream. He tried to give me Lilth’s heart.”
“Enough, Analise Saria,” Lucifer said sharply. “Satan wants you to be afraid, to see yourself as a weak human. He will do whatever he can to frighten you into submission.”
Analise turned to stare at Lucifer, her fingers digging into his thigh. “I was so stupid. I should never have agreed to meet with him.”
The car entered the private parking garage to Lucifer’s building and stopped in front of a bank of elevators. Gabriel got out and opened the door. Lucifer climbed out, gently tugging Analise behind him. The elevator doors opened at his approach and they entered.
“You behaved as any human would when challenged, Analise Saria,” he said. “Your emotions drove you, not your reason. My brother counted on it when he approached you. Stop beating yourself up about it.”
The elevator shot upward until it came to an abrupt stop. Analise stared at Lucifer, the corners of her mouth curving upward. “Stop beating myself up?”
One arm draped across her hip, he slid his hand down her hip and pinched her bottom. “No need for sarcasm.”
He walked her to his bedroom and quickly stripped off her clothes before leading her into the bathroom. The motion-sensitive shower came on and water cascaded from the ceiling.
“We will talk once you are clean, Analise Saria.”
She walked into the shower, the water painful on her skin. Once the discomfort passed, Analise closed her eyes. Gentle hands slipped about her waist and panic flared until she realized Lucifer had stepped into the shower.
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