Page 99 of Demon Apathy: Sunderverse

“Take. Your. Hands. Off. Her,” a nearly unrecognizable voice said behind me. It rumbled deeply, sending a shiver up my spine and causing Sage to freeze.

My eyes sprang open, and I stared into Sage’s uneasy expression. He took a step back, severing his touch. He glanced over my shoulder, anger battling with the better sense not to tangle with a powerful demon.

My own anger boiled over, and I whirled to face Drevan. For an instant, I almost lost my nerve and backed away. The glow in his eyes as he glowered at Sage… it was terrifying. His short, sharp claws were on display, and he was trembling on the spot as if fighting to hold back an eruption.

“Stay out of my business, Drevan,” I said, my voice firm despite my nerves.

He continued glaring at Sage as if I weren’t even there.

I sidestepped, moving into his field of vision. “Leave us alone.”

Drevan’s chest rose and fell. He cracked his neck, then let out a long exhale. “It’s time for bed,” he said quietly. “We’ll have work to do tomorrow.”

I blew air through my nose. “What are you? My father? Leave us alone, I said!”

“Don’t try me, Lucia.” His words were slow and measured and made my blood go cold. “Unless you…” His gaze slid slowly toward Sage, a threat burning in its depths.

He wouldn’t. He wouldn’t hurt Sage or any of my friends.

I wanted to believe it, but as I gazed into his unyielding expression, I wasn’t so sure. The Drevan I’d come to trust was gone, replaced by someone utterly unknown to me. Was this the real son of Lucifer Morningstar? Had I been living under an illusion designed to keep me blindfolded, entrapped.

“Let’s go inside.” Sage stepped forward and took my hand.

I shook it off, afraid that Drevan might lose it and do something horrible.

“Yes, let’s go inside. I’m in no mood for assholes.” I was pushing it, I knew. This was no meredudeI was insulting, but I wasn’t his possession to order around. I had free will and could do whatever I wanted.

I stomped ahead of Sage, though I made sure he was right behind me. We entered the house through its massive front door and were greeted by Jenna and Benjamin. They had kicked off their shoes and appeared to be perfectly at home.

“How did it go?” Jenna asked.

The door behind us shut and heavy steps tapped on the intricately inlaid hardwood floors.

“Sage can explain,” I said, then rushed upstairs without a backward glance.

My chest was near exploding with too many emotions. I needed to be alone.

33

Furyburninginmyveins, I ran into the bedroom where I’d changed. Hastily, I kicked off my shoes, unzipped the dress, stepped out of it, and threw myself on the bed, wearing nothing but a lacy bra, a pair of panties, and my Periapt. I screamed my frustration into a pillow, wishing to be rid of the jumble of feelings crowding my chest, of my mission, and Drevan. Definitely of Drevan.

For the hundredth time, I wished I’d never gone to Grand Central Station. That pride had never entered my heart.

An appreciative hum sounded behind me. I scrambled to a sitting position and pulled the comforter around my body. I had locked the door, but Drevan was standing in the middle of the room, his fury seemingly gone and replaced by what could only be called lust.

“What the hell?!” I exclaimed. “Get out of here!”

He shook his head very slowly and prowled in my direction. “No, not going anywhere until I make something very clear.”

His voice was deep, with an edge of darkness that made my insides tremble. I didn’t want to be afraid of him, but I was. I knew so little about him, and he was… a timeless creature with depths of character I couldn’t begin to suspect, with a past that stretched beyond my imagination.

As he approached, my instinct was to scramble backward and shrink against the headboard, but I couldn’t move. It was as if his gaze had pinned me in place.

When he reached the bed, he glanced down at my naked feet. Abruptly, he wrapped his hands around my ankles and, with one strong pull, drew me to him and inserted himself between my legs.

I gasped and stared up at him, still hugging the covers to my chest.

His upper lip curled up, revealing pointed canines.