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But no matter how much I want that logically, my heart tugs at the idea of him being any further away from me than he is right now.

It’s fucking bullshit.

My mates echo back my mom’s sentiments, except Nex, who remains silent.

Returning my attention to Lucifer, I ask, “Why would he tell us he’s going to attack within the month?”

“He’s taunting us, and his ego is big enough that he truly believes we won’t be able to stop them.”

Gods, I hate that man—angel, whatever.

“Now what?”

Chapter Seven

Audrey

“Now, we start preparing for war.” Lucifer shakes his head. “I’ll need to get with the other gods, and we’ll need to come up with a strategy. But that’s not for you to worry about.”

I scoff. “If you think I won’t be fighting in this war, you’re sadly mistaken, Lucifer.”

“Me, too.” Wren nods, hands on her hips as she joins me.

Lucifer’s eyes find my mom. “Do you share their stubbornness with them?”

She grins. “I sure as fuck do. I want to be included in the plans. I know Olympus and the angels better than most of you. You might be gods, but I lived among them my entire life. I know how they work and how theythink.”

He doesn’t look happy about it, but he agrees. “Fine. You’ll be an excellent asset for us.”

“We should be there for planning, too,” Wraith says, eyes moving to me. “You’ll need the horsemen, and you don’t know your daughter well enough yet to know she’ll be at those meetings whether you want her there or not. It would be easier on everyone if you just allowed them to join us from the start—including all of her mates.”

I knew I loved him. Plus, he’s right. I’d find a way in, and if Wren wants to join us, I’ll bring her along for the ride.

Then I realize he said all my mates. I don’t want Nex there, but that’s something I can bring up when he’s not in the room.

“I want Celeste and Diana there, too. Probably Melody and Warren as well.” When Lucifer opens his mouth to argue, I cut him off. “You’re going to need the reapers. Yes, they might be limited in what powers they have, but we’re going to need the numbers, aren’t we? I don’t know how many angels there are, but based on the stories we were taught earth-side, I’m going to assume gods weren’t great at keeping it in their pants.”

Lucifer sighs. “There are millions—even if every single angel doesn’t take part, there are millions. There are more of them than I have demons. You’re right. Wraith, we’re going to need every last reaper you have to fight, including the ones that join the academy every day. Your curriculum will need to be adjusted to focus on combat and learning their magic. If they fight and don’t die, then we’ll make them into reapers once the war is won.”

“You realize how many reapers that’ll be, right? We’re talking at least a thousand a day. Where are we going to keep them?” Wraith’s eyes widen. “We don’t have enough room on campus.”

“Then we’ll build more dorms. You tell me what you need, and I’ll make it happen.”

Wraith looks bewildered as he nods. “If that’s what you want, but I don’t know what I’m going to do with thirty thousand plus reapers in a month.”

Lucifer waves off his concerns. “Your reapers will just have easier days. Or we can find another use for reapers and allow them to choose between the jobs we can offer them. We’ll figure it out, but that’s a problem for later.”

None of that sounds like it’s going to be easy, and I don’t like the idea of Wraith having that much pressure on him. I’ll do what I can to help carry that burden, as I’m sure my other mates will as well.

“But before all of that, I’d like to spend some time getting to know my daughters,” Lucifer announces as shadows close around me and Wren.

I hear my mates letting their displeasure be known before all sound disappears. When the shadows lift away, we’re somewhere else—some kind of living or sitting room with wingback chairs and a roaring fire.

“What the fuck?” Wren screeches, eyes flying around the room before landing on Lucifer.

I sigh. My mates are going to be so pissed off. “Where are we?”

“We’re back in the underworld in my home.” Lucifer beams at us.