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“Okay then.” I pull away from Knox’s animals and his chest, peeking back up at my man. “So, you had fun last night?” I ask with raised brows as I try to hold in my laughter. This new Slayer guy must have ridden my man hard. That definitely explains the dead look on his face.
“Let’s just say I’m ready for this day to be over or at least ready for a nap,” he grumbles, giving me a kiss on the forehead.
JP and Zeke are the last to join us as we head off for breakfast. On the way, Zeke, Moni, and Chester fill us in on their mini adventure last night. Apparently, they did locate the tunnel, or at least a tunnel leading out of the mansion. Murmur decided it would be best to find the tunnel from Lilith’s house first and trace it back to here to see if it is the same one. But since he promised they weren’t going to stay out too late, he called it a night.
L.A.M.B. and Lilith are already seated and talking amongst themselves when we enter. Reaper runs into the kitchen, probably to terrorize the cooks and beg for some goodies.
“Ahh. Here’s are our lovely pupils,” Lucifer greets us as we take our seats. I pull Knots down next to me because I feel the need to check on him while we eat, and I tell him so. He just smiles and gives me a sweet kiss before making me a plate of food. As he does so, I make sure to check and reinforce his shield around him. He looks a little paler and there’re bags under his eyes, but maybe that’s the light since he normally doesn’t sit in this seat. I’m trying to take JP’s words to heart and trust that if there’s a problem, someone would let me know.
“So, what’s on the agenda today?” Levi asks as he cuts up the meat on his plate.
“Training,” Astaroth grunts as his tail whips back in agitation. I’m surprised it’s not making booming sounds like it normally does. I wonder if he can control that.
“I thought we were going to look for Lilith’s tunnel first?” Moni asks, frowning. She pulls out her thermos of coffee and sniffs it before sighing.
‘I’m sure her tunnel is all dust by now. I’m surprised the council can even plow her, since she’s been around since before time.’ Lynx chuckles.
I choke and cough as juice comes bubbling out of my nose, making my eyes water.
“Fuck!” I reach for a napkin, and Levi quickly helps me clean up.
“Oh. Dear, Rez, are you okay?” Lilith asks. I try to catch my breath and attempt to conjure up lasers shooting from my eyes to fry Lynx.
“Yeah. I’m good. Sorry,” I finally manage to say.
“You will all be training first this morning. Astaroth needs to show you how to care for the weapons that he made for each of you, and then we’ll spend the rest of the day looking for the entrance to Lilith’s tunnel,” Lucifer explains over the clatter of silverware and drinks being poured.
“She could shave it, that would be easier,” Chester replies softly, right as everyone in the room quiets down. His eyes go wide as he realizes what he said, besides the fact we all heard him. He cautiously peeks up at Lilith, and to our surprise, she laughs. It’s as if she gives us a green light and the tension breaks as the rest of the table joins in.
“My man!” Lynx cheers and gives Chester a high-five. Who knew there was a little perv behind those glasses?
After breakfast, we all follow Astaroth back to the training room, where he hands out our weapons.
“These will stay with you at all times,” he instructs. “You never know when you might need them.”
“But what do we do with them when we sleep?” Moni asks, looking at her sai before attaching them to the belt around her waist.
“Sleep with them,” he answers.
“You’ve got to be kidding, right?” Chester asks, looking uncomfortable. “I mean, we’re here, safe in your place. You don’t really expect us to have them in the bed with us. Not really?”
“They belong there, or within arm’s reach,” he fires back. His tail hits the mat and thunder rolls throughout the room. What pissed in his cheerios this morning? “What did you think we were training you for?”
“Exercise?” Lynx throws out with a shrug. I smack myself in the head and hide my face from the crowd. I do not know this guy. Nope. Nada.
I hear Murmur’s voice behind me before I see him. “Nice try, Lynx. But no.” He comes to stand next to Astaroth and looks over our group. “The fact is, we’re preparing you for war.”
“War?” I squeak. “I thought we just needed to learn skills to level up and get to the ritual to go to Earth.” I throw up my hands. “Or to protect ourselves while we’re in Hell. Wasn’t that a reason also?”
Murmur laughs and shares a look of disbelief with Astaroth. “Yes, that’s still what you are doing, but things are changing. Look around you. The Withering Sulks are back, Adam has escaped, Cain is gone, the Portal to connect us to Purgatory is closed, and our most trusted are actually traitors; it all points to something unsavory occurring.”
“Yeah, but war?” I ask.
“War isn’t just about the kill or a fight. It’s also a way to protect yourself so others can fight in your stead,” Knox remarks.
“Jessup has taught you well.” Astaroth nods his approval.
Murmur starts to pace before us, “Yes, our training started out as just teaching you skills, but as things are becoming more clear—”
