Page 6

Audrey

I want to snarl at Michael when he reappears, but I can’t even hold on to my anger and annoyance with the man.

Rejected mate syndrome is no joke, and I’m over it.

“It’s good to see you again, Lucifer—that is your preferred name now, isn’t it?”

Lucifer’s lips curl back into a snarl. “It is. It’s usually easier to use whatever name the mortals are using for me currently. Less confusion that way.”

Michael nods. “I can understand that. I can’t imagine using Hercules or Sigi now. The looks I would get, but that’s not why I’m here. I was hoping you would come once you knew you had daughters. It’s very hard for an angel to get an audience with you.”

“There’s a reason for that.” Lucifer’s face has evened out. His snarl is a thing of the past as he cocks an eyebrow. “There should be none of you earth-side, and all communication to Olympus is shut down. You have my attention now.”

“It took a very long time for me to find a way out of Olympus and even longer to make it back that first time. I wasn’t able to bring anyone with me, which made it harder to make plans, but you fathering these two fixed that problem for me.

The angels are no longer trapped in Olympus. We can all now travel freely.”

Lucifer’s eyes narrow for a moment. “And what do my daughters have to do with that?”

Michael smirks. “The local witches here in Leyton have been very helpful, and they created a spell to unlock anything. It just required two great sacrifices. It turns out that the first two ever known three-quarter gods were perfect sacrifices. The lock on the gate shattered with Wren’s mortal death.

We’ve spent the last six months setting everything in motion. ”

When Michael doesn’t continue, Lucifer leans forward. “Clearly, you want to tell me what you have planned, so stop beating around the bush. I’m a busy man, Michael.”

“I’m getting there. I’m sure you’re curious about the gods. Don’t worry, they’re still safely sleeping. Even the strongest of gods can’t overcome Hypnos’s sleeping powers in large enough doses.”

I frown at the same time as Lucifer—I honestly don’t know if I’ll ever be able to think of him as my dad. It’s still weird as fuck.

Hypnos is one of the gods of the underworld and is still awake. Did he help the angels put the other gods to sleep? Why would he do that? What does he stand to gain from whatever plan the angels are set to enact?

“Don’t worry, Lucifer. Your dear friend, Hypnos, had absolutely nothing to do with it.

” Michael laughs, and the sound sends shivers down my spine—and not in a good way.

It’s sinister and more than a little unnerving.

“But he’s a deep sleeper and never noticed the angels sneaking into his home and stealing away his powers a little at a time.

It was harder for us to condense it into a powder form that we could use on the gods without them knowing.

But where there’s a will, there’s a way.

We just didn’t expect them to lock us in Olympus with them.

It delayed our plans but didn’t stop them. ”

“And what are those plans?” I ask, voice flat. “I get that you’re having your villain monologue or whatever, but if there’s a point to this, then you should get to it.”

Michael’s head turns slowly toward me as he licks his lips. “I really do prefer you like this, Audrey. All emotionless and unfeeling. You would’ve been perfect at my side like this—until I had to sacrifice you, anyway.”

Growls fill the air as my mates begin to stand, probably planning to beat the shit out of the angel. I can’t blame them for wanting to do that, but that means we’ll have to wait even longer to find out what the hell he’s up to.

With a flick of my wrist, shadows surround each of them and wind around them. They bind them to their seats—or the wall, in Nex’s case, but I’m still not acknowledging his existence.

Having shadows do my bidding is a new development. I wasn’t sure what would happen when I flicked my wrist, but I knew I could keep them where I wanted them with my powers.

How did I know that? I have no fucking clue .

“What the fuck, pretty girl?” Donovan’s eyes flash with his hellhound as they meet mine.

“I want to know what Michael has to say, and that’s never going to happen if you go after him,” is the only explanation I offer before returning my attention to the asshole angel.

Michael chuckles, his smirk only growing. “The things we could’ve done, baby. Oh, well.”

Disgust rises in my chest, there and gone in a moment, as I stare back at him blankly. Let him say whatever the hell he wants. It’s not like it’ll affect me now.

“I’m here to make a deal with you, Lucifer.

” Michael finally tears his attention away from me.

“Without the gods to interfere, we’re going to destroy the mortals—humans and supernaturals alike.

Once they’re gone, we’ll wake up the gods—eventually.

I’m thinking about making this the angels’ own little playground for a while.

Maybe we’ll even keep a few alive to play with. We’ll see.”

“And what does that have to do with me?”

Michael glares at Lucifer, clearly not appreciating the fact that the god cut him off.

“We’re not stupid, Lucifer—no matter how many gods have deigned to think of us as such.

There are still six gods awake, and they all dwell in your domain.

The plan was always to put as many of you to sleep as we could, but because we started with the other gods, we lost our chance.

If you choose to go against us, it’ll make our lives harder.

If you and the other gods are willing to stay out of our war on the mortals, then we’ll leave the underworld as it is. ”

“And if we’re not willing to stay out of it?”

“Then be prepared to be wiped out. We’ll slaughter those you send to the battlefield.

Then, we’ll take the war to the underworld.

We’ll destroy the demons and every single soul resting there.

Honestly, it’s what most of the angels want.

They want to wipe out all existence of the mortals, but I’ve convinced them it’s in our best interest to allow the souls to remain—but only if the six of you remain out of our war. ”

Lucifer leans back in his seat, rubbing his chin as he considers Michael.

There’s no way he’s actually considering this, is there?

What Michael is talking about is genocide.

I might not be able to feel much right now—at least not for long—but I don’t think I’ll have a problem ripping apart my new father if he’s willing to let the mortals die .

They don’t stand a chance against the angels. At least not the humans, who don’t even know the supernatural world exists. Even the supernaturals would struggle because they’re also mortal. It’ll be a lot easier for the angels to kill them than it’ll be for the mortals to kill the angels.

“You know…I just don’t think I can stand by and watch you kill the mortals, Michael,” Lucifer finally says, and I let out a sigh of relief.

“I’m not really into the mass murdering of all species that aren’t gods.

Especially not when it’s from demigods who have mommy and daddy issues because they don’t feel like they got enough love.

You can phrase it however you want, but this vendetta you have against mortals?

It’s pure and unadulterated envy. You’re jealous. ”

Anger flashes in Michael’s eyes as he scowls, turning his handsome features into something sinister. “I am not jealous of the mortals. We just don’t see why so much effort is put into people who die in the blink of an eye. When they’re gone, then the focus can be where it should be.”

“You do realize you’re part human, right?” I ask. “You’re half mortal. By hating mortals, you hate yourself.”

“Shut the fuck up, whore,” Michael snarls. “You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about. Let the adults talk.”

My lip curls up at the corner, knowing I hit the nail on the head. Too bad my satisfaction disappears in seconds.

Growls and curses spill from my mates as they struggle against my shadows’ hold on them.

“Are you sure this is what you want to choose, Lucifer?”

My dad nods. “Yes, Michael. I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”

“You’ll regret this when everything is said and done. Be prepared for you and your people to be wiped out, and remember, we offered you a way out of this.” Michael takes a step backward and then another.

“Oh, Michael. You’ve always thought highly of yourself, but this time, you’ve bitten off more than you can chew.” Lucifer shakes his head, standing slowly. “Come for us, Michael, and we’ll see who’s left standing at the end. I can assure you, it won’t be you. ”

“I do love that the gods always underestimate us. We’re stronger than you know, and we have a few tricks up our sleeves.

” Michael laughs again. “But I wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise.

I know you’ll be scrambling to figure out what exactly we have planned, so I’ll even be sporting and give you a hint. We’ll strike within the next month.”

Lucifer lifts his hand, blue hellfire shooting across the room toward Michael, but he ducks out of the room. “I’ll be seeing you.”

A flap of wings and breaking of glass are the only sounds that follow his words as Lucifer pulls back his hellfire. The wall is completely untouched, surprising me. Usually, everything my hellfire touches is destroyed.

“Did he just fly through another window?” Wren asks with a frown. “Why not use the fucking door?”

Wraith snorts. “I’m assuming he likes the dramatics of destroying things. Now, troublemaker, could you release your shadows?”

Oh. Right. I did that.

I wave my hand toward them again, and the shadows fall away.

“That’s new,” Cassian comments dryly, and I shrug .

Lately, it feels like new powers pop up out of nowhere. At least I know why I’m so powerful now.

My eyes find Wren’s, and I wonder why I’m the only one able to access their powers. Wren should be just as powerful as I am, and yet, she’s still only able to access the fire magic that came from our mom.

“It seems like our girl’s powers are still coming in.” Donovan moves around the table and leans over so he’s in my face. “Never do that to me again. If you want to use them on me in the bedroom, I can get down with that, but never restrain me outside of that.”

“I’d say I’m sorry, but I’m not, so I won’t lie.” I meet his gaze, completely unfazed by his anger. I know he’s not going to hurt me. “I also can’t promise I won’t do it again, but I understand it upset you, and I will refrain from doing so whenever I can.”

Donovan’s eyes snarl. “Never again, pretty girl.”

I can’t give him what he wants, so I just shrug. I won’t lie to him.

“Personally, I have no desire to know what you do in the bedroom, so I’d prefer if you don’t mention it in my presence again.” Lucifer sounds disgusted, which is more than a little amusing.

“Good luck with that.” Wren giggles. “I swear they’re always like this.”

Mom clears her throat. “I admit, I’m not sure I want to hear it either, but I’m very happy you’ve found your mates, Audrey. I didn’t get to say it earlier, but it’s nice to meet you all. Well, most of you.”

Mom’s eyes narrow at Nex—or at least I’m assuming that’s who she’s glaring at since I refuse to turn around. I don’t want to see him.

I wish he would just leave.

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?”