Page 82 of Wicked Believer

“Nowis not a good time,” Lucifer growls through clenched teeth.

“Really? I think now is an excellent time,” Michael says, leaning to the side to peer around Lucifer and grin at me. “Considering we both know who’s at stake.” He snaps his fingers, conjuring a chair from out of thin air as Lucifer’s shoulders stiffen beneath my palms. Michael twists the chair around, his chest leaning forward against the chairback, to make room for his wings. “After all, it’s your soon-to-be father-in-law you killed in order to kick off this whole apocalypse charade.”

“Apocalypse,” I echo, unable to stop myself.

Lucifer shoots me a warning look over his shoulder, like he’s ordering me to remain silent. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him this on edge since, well ...

Since Mark tried to kill me.

Or did, rather.

My breath stops short, my eyes darting to Michael.

Michael seems to read the question on my face easily. “Keep quiet and out of my way, and I have no plans to hurt you, Charlotte. Even if I do have possession of our Father’s blade. Besides, Lucifer was the one to kill ‘Daddy.’ But naturally, Lucy here only did it to getourFather’s attention, of course. To kick the hornets’ nest and make a martyr to stir Father’s followers. That’s the only reason he does anything.”

I shake my head.

No. No, that isn’t true. I may have had my doubts, but Lucifer killed my father to protect me, the same way he killed all those people at Mark’s church for trying to hurt me.

Didn’t he?

I lean forward, glancing at his side profile from over his shoulder, but Lucifer doesn’t look at me.

“Tell him he’s wrong. Tell him he’s wrong, Lucifer.” I desperately search his face for some reassurance. But I ... don’t find any.

“Notnow, Charlotte.”

But the way he says it is enough for me to know.

It’s true.

Itistrue.

I sputter, unable to form words as something inside me breaks.

“Same reason why he killed all those churchgoers.” Michael smirks at me. “To rabble-rouse the human masses. Piss off all the holy rollers, because it might irk Dad.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, brother.” Lucifer sneers. “It wasyourattention I was trying to get, actually.”

I stiffen. He didn’t killthemto protect me. Didn’t do it out of some warped and twisted expression of love for me.

At the news, Michael has the audacity to look smitten. Like a cat whose just dropped a dead canary at his master’s feet. “Really, Luce? You shouldn’t have.”

“I know what you’re up to. You and your little angelic army. Retrieving the lance. You truly thought you could do it without me?”

Michael makes a get-outta-here expression and shrugs. “Who says I’m planning anything?”

Hellfire sparks in Lucifer’s gaze, bright and terrible. “Don’t be coy. Opening the seals, freeing the Horsemen, starting the apocalypse. Really, Michael? Are you that desperate for Dad to return?”

“Fatherwillreturn,” Michael hisses, his expression suddenly vicious. “My army and I will make sure of it, even if that means we must rid the earth of humanity.”

Bile burns at the back of my throat.

Whatdid that asshole just say?

“And youknewabout this?” I ask, glancing between Michael and Lucifer, until my gaze finally settles upon Lucifer’s face. “You knew and yet you did nothing? You told me you were handling this.”

Lucifer doesn’t answer.