Page 12 of Wicked Believer (Original Sinner #2)
Chapter Nine
Lucifer
I’m out on the roof at the Top of the Rock, smoking a cigarette as I overlook Fifth Avenue when Wrath and Azmodeus finally decide to join me. “Took you long enough.”
Azmodeus rocks on his heels. “We like to leave you guessing when you summon us, of course. Remind you you’re only in charge because we want you to be.”
The side of Wrath’s mouth quirks in agreement, and my attention cuts toward him.
My youngest brother isn’t a man of many words.
Simply because he chooses not to be. He far prefers his actions speak for him, and the trail of violence, bloodshed, and war left in his wake speaks volumes.
The American military and CIA wouldn’t be nearly as volatile, nor as overreaching, if it weren’t for the quiet influence of Wrath and his many oil and aerospace holdings.
Though to the public, arms, defense, and information security are what he deals in, technically.
Not that anyone ever bothers to follow the money.
Humans will sell their souls to line their own pockets.
They’re every bit as utilitarian as I told Father they would be.
“So, who are we going to be fucking tonight?” Azmodeus says, plucking my cigarette pack from my inside pocket and bumming one before he extends both it and my lighter to me. “Or don’t tell me you and Mammon are both on the rag again. What a fucking bore.”
“The Righteous, unfortunately.” I take a long drag, exhaling, considering all that those bloody bastards and my fiancée’s pitiful excuse for an ex-husband did to her.
He never deserved the title of ex anything , didn’t deserve to lick the ground beneath her feet, while meanwhile, I would do or give anything.
And for what?
“ We’re not even engaged. Not for real. ”
My jaw tightens. “Charlotte needs to know that I will protect her. Always.”
Azmodeus nods. “Took you long enough.”
I cast him an unamused look as I snatch my lighter from his outstretched hand, pocketing it coolly. “Mother paid me a visit recently.” I inhale another drag from my cigarette.
“Did she?” Wrath grumbles, the deep timbre of his voice matching the Black human form he’s chosen for this century. A statement about exactly which humans are most likely to be unfairly punished for his sin, I suppose.
A little too on the nose, if you ask me.
I toss down the last of my cigarette, stomping it out beneath my shoe. “She seems to believe Father tires of humanity.”
“And?” Azmodeus shrugs as if this whole thing is painfully obvious.
But it’s Wrath who nods appreciatively. “Do you believe her?”
Azmodeus places a mocking hand over his heart, his eyebrows raised in feigned shock.
“Brother, you aren’t actually suggesting that our loving Mother of all goddesses would choose to sow discord between us for her own means?
” He blusters, looking temporarily affronted, before his mouth fades into a wicked smile.
Wrath snorts loudly. “And to think you’re one of the ones she favors.”
I give them both a warning look. “I care less about whether it’s true and more about who believes it to be.”
“You mean our angelic siblings?” Az lifts a brow.
Wrath stands silent for a moment, watching me with his arms crossed. “You don’t truly think Michael would lead them to—”
“That’s exactly what I think.” I flick the ashes of my second cigarette.
“Well, that’d certainly make things more interesting, wouldn’t it?” Wrath scratches at his stubbled jaw. “Except for when it comes to your pet.”
“His little human , you mean?” This from Az.
The shadows across the rooftop twist and curl, nipping at Azmodeus’s heels. “Call her human one more time, brother.” The burn of hellfire flashes in my eyes.
“She was human.” Azmodeus grins. “Until recently.”
“Not any longer,” I growl.
“Touchy, touchy,” Azmodeus taunts.
“And what exactly is she now, Lucy?” Wrath takes a purposeful stride toward me, crowding my space as only he would dare as he makes a show of straightening my tie for me. “We all grow impatient waiting for the answer, you see.”
My siblings are more than eager to bear witness to Charlotte’s budding abilities, and if any one of them ever dared to believe they could reclaim the bit of my Father’s power I gifted her, well ...
An image of what could be flashes through my mind, my jaw tightening.
All the more reason I need to get out in front of this.
Already Death nearly stole her from me once.
I won’t allow it to happen again.
“And you’ll have it,” I say, smiling coolly as I take Wrath by the shoulders. “All in due time.”
Wrath steps back to his rightful place, capitulating.
For now, at least.
Azmodeus brushes something from my shoulder. “Don’t forget, big brother, you still owe me another favor, you know.”
A yet unnamed favor.
I don’t need Azmodeus’s little reminder to know that particular debt will cost me. I incline my head toward him. “And you’ll receive your payment in full when the time comes.”
“And Michael? The others?” Wrath mutters beside me.
Our angelic siblings, he means.
“Deal with the Righteous and Mother. Find out what she’s up to.” I turn, grinding out the last of my cigarette as I step into the ether. “Leave Michael and the others to me.”