Page 183 of Wicked Believer

“Afterthe CFDA Awards,” Xzander shouts unhelpfully from across the room.

“We don’t have time to—”

Lucifer gives me a pointed look. “He has a point, darling. If you and I don’t show ...”

The whole city will be on high alert, and our absence will be broadcast on live television, so any chance we have at stealth will be ruined.

“Fine. We’ll all go togetherafterthe awards,” I snap.

I’m not sure how I’m going to keep my cool in front of the paparazzi.

But if I plan to be leader of Team No Apocalypse, Lucifer’s queen, and I’m giving whatever this little triad between Lucifer, Azrael, and I might be a chance, well ...

I better start figuring out how to check my anxiety in the face of impending doom.

Chapter Sixty-One

Azrael

I amnotgoing to make it through this without killing somebody.

I slip undetected through the crowd of paparazzi, using my power to remain sight unseen. The press are falling all over themselves to get a glimpse of the “happy” couple. Charlotte’s as beautiful as ever in a stunning mosaic stained glass gown, which makes her look so much like a moving art piece that practically every interviewer has asked about it. “It’s a new in-house embroidery technique developed by Xzander Malone,” she says for what must be the umpteenth time as Lucifer stands beside her in his usual Armani.

Timeless. Sophisticated. Authoritative.

He’s been brand loyal ever since I brought him topside to a few of the city’s fashion shows in the ’70s and ’80s.

When Gabriel threw open the gates of Hell and started God’s little redemption competition over a decade ago, it wasn’t the first time Lucifer and his siblings had managed to escape their cage. It was just the first occasion they’d all been given permission to come topside at once and stay here for any length of time.

Wrath’s interference during WWII made my job particularly trying.

I never did like that fucker.

Or any of my ex’s divine family, for that matter.

I still remember the peace, the quiet,beforehis Dad got the crazy idea he should create “order” out of chaos.

I glance at Lucifer and Charlotte’s screaming fans around me.

Thisis God’s idea of order?

Lucifer’s rebellion always made sense to me.

I pass through one of the paparazzi who’s been absolutely relentless in his pursuit of Charlotte, feeling his heart sputter within my grip. He’ll choke on a chicken wing later tonight alone in his apartment, and not a soul alive will be any wiser about it.

It’s my job, after all.

And if this is order, well ...

Then I say let chaos fucking reign.

I continue to slip through the crowd undetected, monitoring both Charlotte and my ex like a hawk as I keep my promise to play watchdog. One advantage of being Death is I don’t need a corporeal body to contain me.

I am more infinite than this universe is vast. Both beginning and end.

But unlike my pompous ex, I’ve never allowed my celestial duties to go to my head.

Prideful motherfucker.