Devilish Mate: Claimed By Lucifer Book Two

by Briggs, Elizabeth;

  12

  Hannah

  After my lunch with Olivia, I returned to the penthouse and found my nephew waiting at the door, looking like he’d stepped out of some comic book universe, from his broad frame to the muscular arms to the stony blue eyes.

  “Hello, Callan,” I said with a smile, eager to get to know more of my family. It was turning out to be much larger than I’d ever realized.

  He put his muscular arms around me in an awkward hug, his breath seemingly trapped in his chest at his moment of hesitancy. “I’m not sure what to call you. Aunt Haniel?”

  I’d debated going by my former name, once I realized my life as Hannah was a lie, but decided I wasn’t totally Haniel anymore either. It didn’t feel right, taking that name, when I hadn’t been her in forty years. I wasn’t sure who I was anymore, but Brandy and her family knew me as Hannah, so I decided to stick with that. Now I had to reclaim that name from the persona Jophiel had created and take control of this new, final life.

  “Just Hannah is fine,” I said. “At times, depending on which memory I’m riding, I don’t really feel any older than you.”

  He nodded. “I’m here to train you in angelic combat.”

  “That would be great.” I already knew how to fight, of course. I’d taken down gargoyles with Lucifer’s sword, and defeated Gadreel too. But that was more like instinct or muscle memory, and I was nervous it might fail me when I needed it the most. I’d fought in many battles in my previous lives, and hopefully a bit of practice would awaken those memories. I’d need them if I was going to go after Adam again.

  The thought of taking him down made my adrenaline race. “Where should we do this?”

  “Lucifer’s arranged a room for us to use on the fourth floor.”

  I rolled my shoulders. “Awesome. Let me change into some more forgiving clothes, and I’ll meet you there.”

  I quickly shoved on leggings and yanked a workout top over my head, then took the elevator to the fourth floor. When I stepped out, Callan was already there, and he led me down a corridor to an empty room clearly designed for sparring. The floors were slightly padded, the ceilings were unusually high, and mirrors lined one of the walls. As Callan shut the door, I also realized the room was sound-proofed.

  Callan turned to me with a satisfied nod. “Lots of room so we can fight with our wings out. We’ll work our way up to that though, along with weapons and angelic powers. For now, let’s see what you remember.”

  As soon as I turned my head, he was already there with his huge fist swinging toward my face. I ducked and moved before the gasp even escaped my mouth, my muscles reacting instinctively. When he next attacked, I was ready this time, and I used his momentum against him so that I could spin around and kick him from behind.

  “Seems like you remember a lot,” he said.

  “More than I expected.” I couldn’t help but grin, my blood already pumping from the exertion...and from excitement. It felt like my body and my soul were both waking up, reminding me of who I was—a warrior. I’d shed blood on countless battlefields since the dawn of time. Sure, I was a bit rusty after a forty-year intermission, and I needed to retrain some of those muscles again, but it was all coming back to me.

  Callan lunged for me again, and we began sparring in earnest. My back hit the mat more times than I could count, but I kept getting up again. The man was an incredible fighter, and I was so out of practice there was no way I could defeat him. Not yet, anyway.

  We both paused when the door opened, and Zel walked through, her face twisted with rage. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

  I stepped forward. “It’s okay, Zel. He’s training me.”

  After giving Callan a nasty look, she turned her snarl to me. “I should be the one training you. Not some angel.” She practically spat the word. “I’ve known you in most of your previous lives. I’ve fought at your side for centuries. I know your strengths and weaknesses.”

  Her words rang with truth inside me, and I remembered us on a battlefield in Heaven, overlooking the carnage we’d brought to the angels. Azazel stood on my right, my dark avenger and fiercest protector. But on my left there was another woman with red hair, who was both gorgeous and deadly. The one I’d seen in another memory before. I searched for her name, but it eluded me. Who was she? What had happened to her?

  Callan’s gruff voice broke me out of the memory. “Hannah needs an angel to train her in angelic combat. Not a demon.”

  “Fallen,” Zel corrected. “You forget I was an angel once too. For longer than you’ve been alive.” She stepped forward and spoke through gritted teeth, frustration radiating from her in waves so thick I could almost see them. “I’m thousands of years old. I actually fought in the war, which ended before you were even born. There is nothing I cannot teach her.”

  Callan crossed his arms, and I had to give him credit for staring at Zel without backing down. He lifted his chin in a challenge. “Let’s see what you’ve got then, Fallen.”

  I barely had a chance to move out of the way before the two of them went at it. They were pretty evenly matched, each of them blocking and attacking, ducking and weaving. Their wings quickly came out, hers black as night and his almost blindingly white, and their movements became so fast it was hard to watch.

  Zel grunted as Callan sent her spinning through the air, but she recovered quickly, and zipped toward him with a speed he hadn’t expected before using her weight to push him toward the floor. He twisted and launched them both back up before grabbing her in a headlock. She shoved him off and tackled him around the waist one last time before they sprang away from each other.

  Zel stared at him, her dark wings beating slowly behind her to keep her aloft. “Not bad, son of Michael. I can see why they wanted you to lead the Angelic Army. Why did you turn the job down?”

  “I fell in love with a half-demon,” Callan said dryly as he wiped a bead of sweat from his brow. “My priorities changed.”

  I held up my hands before they started fighting again and called out, “Enough already!”

  They both looked down at me as though they’d forgotten I was there, and then they quickly dropped to the floor and sheathed their wings.

  “I can see I can learn a lot from both of you,” I said, glancing between the two of them. “I’d like both of you to train me.”

  They shot each other wary looks before returning their attention to me. “Fine.” They spoke in unison, but I wasn’t sure how much unity we’d have. Still, we would try.

  After all, it was my destiny to straddle the line between the angel and demon worlds, like Olivia. This would be my first test.

  * * *

  When I got back to the penthouse, all I wanted was a long shower and a bite to eat. What I got was Lucifer sitting at his piano, playing a haunting melody that had me lingering in the doorway so I could better take it in.

  He looked up at me and paused, his fingers lightly resting on the piano keys. His suit jacket was missing, and his shirt collar looked like he’d yanked it open after a long, hard day of work. My eyes were drawn to that bit of revealed skin, yearning to press my lips there.

  “Come here.”

  His sharp command echoed through the otherwise silent room. Heat pooled between my thighs, and I found myself walking toward him as if in a dream, unable to stop myself. I held my breath as I got closer and closer, the anticipation making my pulse race, especially with the way he looked at me—like he might devour me at any moment.

  When I stood before him in front of the piano, I became all too aware of what I must look like in my tight workout clothes, my hair a mess from training, my cheeks pink from exertion...and now from desire.

  “I’m all sweaty,” I said softly. A feeble protest, and we both knew it. “I need a shower.”

  “Not yet.”

  His hand gripped my arm, then he drew me toward him and dragged me into his lap, with my back against his chest. My breath hitched at the sudden close contact, and how h
e pulled my hair to the side to press his mouth against my neck in a hot, feverish kiss. His hands slid all along my body, feeling every inch of me through the tight clothes, moving across my breasts, my hips, my thighs.

  Then he gripped my leggings and yanked them down roughly, probably ripping them in a few places. His other hand held my breast, rubbing his thumb along the taut nipple, an effective way to hold me in place. I was caught in the devil’s grasp, and he made sure I knew there was no escape. Not tonight.

  My panties were torn off my next, making me gasp. Lucifer forced me to spread my legs, his hands rough and demanding until he found how wet he’d made me already. I could only lean back against him and moan as his fingers slid into my pussy easily. He had me completely under his control as he fingered me and kneaded my breasts, teasing out little gasps of pleasure from me when his thumb stroked my clit.

  I closed my eyes and allowed myself to melt into the moment. I shoved away all the pain and the anxiety from the past few days and accepted his touch. Fuck, I needed this so bad. I needed him.

  He quickly and silently brought me to orgasm, making my hips thrust against his fingers desperately as he wrung out every last second of pleasure. I felt his hard cock pressed against my ass through the fabric of his trousers, and wondered if he would free it now and take me like his, with me sitting on his lap. Or maybe he’d bend me over the piano. Or press me down against the hard marble floor. I didn’t care how, really. I just wanted his cock inside me already.

  “No matter how much you hate me, you’re mine, Hannah,” Lucifer said, his mouth right by my ear. “Every inch of you.” His hand slid over my pussy, like he was claiming it. “Now and forever.”

  Then he let me go.

  I rose to my feet, my knees a bit shaky, and turned to look at him in confusion. He stood and let his hungry eyes linger on my half-naked body, which was aching for him to continue. He knew it too. I could tell by the wicked grin he gave me.

  “Go take your shower,” he said, as he kissed me on the cheek. “I have business to attend to, but I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  He adjusted the cuffs on his shirt and then walked away. Just like that.

  Leaving me desperately wanting more.

  13

  Lucifer

  I took Hannah’s hand as we stepped through a door that led us outside, to the grounds of The Celestial.

  “Where are we going?” Hannah asked with a huff.

  “You’ll see soon enough.”

  I could tell she was annoyed at me for last night, but I loved seeing Hannah all fired up about something, and I’d rather her annoyed than sad.

  Besides, she wasn’t really annoyed. She was hungry. For me.

  Exactly how I wanted her.

  We walked past the paths to the resort's different pool and recreation areas, and I could hear the sounds of my guests enjoying themselves all around us, while the hot sun beat against my skin. Eventually, we reached an area that was fenced off, and I used a key to open the gate. Hannah shot me a confused look, before stepping through to the empty lot on the other side. Flat land stretched before us, most of it dirt with a few sad little weeds sticking out of it, along with some trash and tumbleweeds blowing in the breeze.

  I spread my arms wide. “This is my gift to you.”

  She cocked her head. “Um, thanks?”

  I laughed at her bewildered expression. “I bought this land a few months ago so I could add another pool area to The Celestial, but I’ve decided we have enough pools. What I think we really need is a garden.”

  “A garden?” Hannah asked, perking up immediately.

  “Your garden.”

  She sucked in a breath. “Really?”

  “I want you to design it. Something huge and impressive, the kind of garden that people can wander through for hours. A tranquil respite in the middle of the desert.” I watched her face as she gazed across the empty lot, her blue eyes dancing with excitement. “I know you had to leave your flower shop behind, but here you can still work with plants, and this time you can create something that’s completely your own.”

  She threw her arms around me, which was a better response than I’d hoped for. “Thank you. I think this is the best present anyone has ever given me.”

  “I don’t know, I’ve given you some pretty impressive gifts over the years,” I said with a grin, before capturing her mouth in a kiss. She slid her arms around my neck and pressed against me, a bit urgently. Still wanting more from last night, though she tried to contain it. My cock strained against my trousers too, begging me to take her right here in the dirt, like an animal. But I was nothing if not patient.

  “How did you know?” she asked, looking up at me, still in my arms.

  “Know what?”

  “That I was already missing the flower shop and wondering how I would fill that void in my life.”

  I slowly brushed my thumb across her lower lip. “Because I know you better than I know even myself. You’ve always loved gardens, ever since I got you kicked out of one as Eve.” I smirked at the memory. “As Persephone you had the power to make plants grow and to bend them to your will. You transformed our palace in Hell from a cold, barren manor to a home filled with life and color. I knew if you could do that, you’d be able to work magic on this plot of land too.”

  She turned in my arms, leaning back against me, as she considered the lot. “We can call it Persephone’s Garden.”

  “Perfect.” I’d never understood nor much cared about plants or flowers, but I’d always loved the way her face lit up around them. “You can already picture it, can’t you?”

  “Yes, although I want to sit down and brainstorm some ideas before I get started. I can’t wait.”

  “I’ll have someone get you the dimensions of the lot so you can get to work on it. The Celestial has a landscaping team, so all you need to do is tell them what you want, and they’ll work with you to make it happen.”

  “Thank you.” She rested her head against my chest, letting me hold her close. “I really love it.”

  “And I love you.”

  She didn’t say it back, but that was all right. A part of her was still upset with me. Maybe it would always be upset with me. But most of her was coming around.

  * * *

  Hannah spent the rest of the day training with the angels, which was fine because I had business of my own to deal with. Samael's people were still on the hunt for Gadreel, while our other spies sought information about the Archdemons. In today’s report, I learned that Valefar had returned to Hong Kong and declared himself Archdemon of the dragons. My spies said he had no further plans to move against me at this time, and I hoped he’d taken my advice. If not, we’d be ready to go to war with the dragons. A war we would undoubtedly win.

  In the evening, Hannah joined me in the penthouse for supper. There were a dozen restaurants in The Celestial, and I owned even more across The Strip, but Hannah always loved it when I cooked for her. Besides, I wanted her alone for what I had planned.

  “You won’t win me back by cooking for me.” She took another bite of the meal with a soft sigh. “Even if this is the best steak I’ve ever had.”

  Watching her savor the meal I'd prepared was its own kind of foreplay. “We both know I don't need to win you back. I’m your destiny. You’re my fate." I lowered my voice, as I locked eyes with her. "In many of your lives you’ve tried to resist me, but it never works. You always succumb eventually. As you will now."

  Hannah shook her head, but she didn’t argue. How could she? She'd already given in.

  With a smug little smile, I sliced off another piece of filet mignon, which I'd cooked in a peppercorn sauce. Beside it were rosemary roasted potatoes with a touch of onion, and broccolini sauteed in garlic. "How is your training going so far? I didn't have time to ask you last night. I had...other things on my mind."

  Heat rose to her cheeks at the reminder of our encounter at the piano. “It's going well. I’m starting to remember more about
myself, and I'm gaining control of my powers."

  "Good." I took a sip of red wine. "I meant to ask, what would you like me to call you? Hannah? Haniel? Eve, perhaps?"

  "I'm sticking with Hannah. I don't feel like I'm really Haniel anymore after all this time." She dropped her eyes to her food. "Of course, Hannah was created by Jophiel, so I'm not really her either. I'm honestly not sure who I am anymore."

  "You do know who you are. You always have, deep down. No matter what name you go by, the true essence of who you are never changes." I reached across the table to take her hand. "I've found you hundreds of times, and your soul is always the same. Jophiel might have created a fake life for you, but your true self still crept into every single aspect of it. Your affinity with plants and flowers. Your love of books and history. Your commitment to honesty and truth. In every life, going all the way back to Eve, you had a light inside you that made the world better for everyone around you. Losing your memories could never take that away.”

  She blew out a breath and squeezed my hand. "I suppose you're right. I just wish I didn't feel so damn confused all the time, and so out of place. Am I an angel? A Fallen? Am I on the side of the angels or the demons?"

  "You're on the side of peace, as you always have been." I paused as I considered my next words. "When Jophiel returned my memories, it filled in a lot of gaps in my past. Do you remember when you came to me as Haniel, and how much you hated me? But then we had long talks about the war, and about how it was destroying both angels and demons. We each saw that it couldn't continue, or both species would be wiped out. You convinced me to swallow my pride and try to end the war for the good of my people, even if I didn't think it was possible. You urged me to work with Michael and try to come to a truce. And I did. Even after you were taken from me, after I had no memory of Haniel, I ended the war." I leaned forward, as she hung onto my every word. "Jophiel might’ve been able to erase my memories of you, but not how you affected me. You changed me, Hannah. Part of you was still with me, even if I couldn't remember."