Page 74 of Wicked Believer (Original Sinner #2)

Chapter Sixty-One

Azrael

I am not going 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, before his Dad got the crazy idea he should create “order” out of chaos.

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

This is 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.

My gaze tracks to where Lucifer and Charlotte pose for yet another photo together on the red carpet.

If it weren’t for how fast her smile fades in between rounds of photos, you’d never be able to tell anything was wrong, that I fucked up—put the blade in play to punish Lucifer, and now her Seer of a best friend is in danger instead.

But I’ve stalked the two of them long enough, even when they didn’t know I was looking, that, though I may not have had Charlotte in all the ways Lucifer has, I know them both.

They’re fucking perfect for one another.

It’s almost disgusting, it’s so obvious.

And they’ll find a way to make it through any challenge.

Including this. And me.

Charlotte glances up at Lucifer, and there’s such an intense, vulnerable adoration in her eyes that if I had a beating heart, I imagine it would ache at the sight of her love and devotion for him.

How could I ever consider coming between them when they’re so clearly meant for each other?

But fuck, how I felt when she kissed me ...

I haven’t been able to get it out of my head ever since, and the answer to why I’m putting myself through this torture is simple.

My attention falls to Lucifer.

I know my ex. I know him well. I know him better than anyone, even Charlotte.

And while I may have hated her, loathed her very existence, the first time I laid eyes on her for how jealous I was of her, now that I know her, I ...

Can’t let him do to her what he did to me.

Break her heart. Destroy her because he’s too fucked up to truly love anyone, Charlotte included. Not in the way they really need.

I still love him.

I don’t fucking want to, but I do.

But I also hate him.

And in Charlotte, I’ve found a kindred spirit.

She understands me better than he ever could.

Because I once stood in her place.

He may have never looked at me with the playful affection in his eyes he has whenever he watches her , but I know for a fact that if left unchecked ...

He’ll destroy her. Even if he loves her.

Just like he nearly destroyed me.

Charlotte isn’t ancient like I am.

She needs someone to protect her, be her buffer, so if and when the time comes, Lucifer’s twisted obsession with her doesn’t annihilate her completely.

And I guess I’ve decided there’s no one better fit to protect her than me.

The former lover who’s now going to be his enemy.