Page 93 of Wicked Believer

Like he’s ... treating me more like a friend.

An equal.

Unlike Lucifer.

Maybe hedoesreally want some sibling-bonding time with me.

Or maybe he and the other Originals are just as uncertain about all this as I am.

Az leads me out of the exhibit and toward a back door that looks like it might open into an alley.Emergency Exit, the large red letters graffitied across its surface in all caps read. Azmodeus pushes open the door, but instead of an empty alleyway, a dark staircase greets me.

Az nods for me to go ahead, but I ... hesitate.

“Do you trust me, Charlotte?” he asks.

I feel suddenly dizzy.

When we first arrived here this evening, the answer to that would have been an absolute and complete “hell no!” but now?

Now, I’ve seen a whole other side to Azmodeus, and I realize that within the past few hours, he’s been more open about his family with me than Lucifer ever has.

Something in my stomach sours.

I glance between Az and the darkened staircase, the steps seeming to descend forever, though I don’t say anything.

Ihaveto do this.

For myself. For humanity.

Whatever consequence it brings.

My apprehension must be painted across my face, because Azmodeus says, “We can end the evening here, if you want.”

Those words echo through me.

If you want.

What true celestial choice has ever been given to me?

What decision that wasn’t wrapped up in someone else’s divine plans for my destiny?

And it’s right then and there I decide that I won’teverallow anyone else to make my choices for me again. Consequences be damned.

For once, I’m going to put my trust inme.

“I trust you,” I say, leaning into my instincts and taking Azmodeus’s hand as I give it a warm, sisterly squeeze. “I don’t know why, but I do.”

Azmodeus grins at me. “Then after you, Charlotte.”

Chapter Thirty-Two

Charlotte

We descend into the darkness, the stairs seeming to stretch on forever until I feel a warped sort of force pulling at me. Like I’m being bent and curled at the edges.

“Where are we—”

“Just a few steps farther,” Azmodeus says, not allowing me to finish.