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He steps back, tightening his hold on my neck, and my arms fly up to my throat, trying to release his grip. I kick out to no avail; it’s hopeless. My lungs burn as they fight to take in oxygen, and my heart's beating so fast, I’m surprised it hasn’t already jumped ship. Black dots creep into my vision, and I panic. Again, I kick both legs out and twist my body in the air to turn, relieving some of the pressure and bring my hand out to knock his hand away from my throat, but it’s clear that he allowed me to get that far.
“Not that easy to disarm, am I Nerezza?” he says in a bored tone. In a flash, he slams me into the rock wall, twisting my arm into my back.
“Fuck!” I scream.
“It seems that not only are you dead set on trying to bring down my house, but you’re completely untrained,” he spits, then lets me go.
I spin around and try to take in my environment, but it’s hopeless. I still can’t see shit besides Lucifer’s face; though, I can hear some kind of river. Other than that, I can’t make anything else out.
“I’ll make a deal with you,” Lucifer says, practically daring me.
“Nah-uh!” I say, shaking my finger proudly, unaffected. “I know better than to make a deal with the Devil.”
“This one is more or less going to benefit me,” he says. Stepping closer to me, suddenly his wings flare out as they ruffle in a gust of wind that comes by.
If I didn’t know better, I’d say he was protecting me.
“I’m already bored,” I say, keeping a close eye on him.
“You stop deliberately trying to tear down my house, and L.A.M.B. will train you,” he says, throwing back his shoulders like that should mean something to me. The longer I stay in this room, the more my eyesight begins to accommodate. At least I can make out more of Lucifer, or maybe it’s the fact I’m picking up on his inner glow.
I arch an eyebrow at him and blink a few times until he shifts his stance. Ha. I made the Devil uncomfortable. I still got it.
“First of all, what happens if I accidentally slip and use curse words or those bad words down here? I’m not perfect; I’ll think them or say them occasionally. It’s a part of me. And second, what’s so great about L.A.M.B. and your training?” I cock a hip and place my hands on them. I’m not sure if it’s false bravado or real, but hey, fake it till you make it.
Lucifer looks at me for a moment and laughs. Straight up belly laughs to the point he almost falls over, and I go slack jawed. His laughter is hypnotic, and I can’t help but start laughing with him just because you have to admit this is a crazy situation.
“Nerezza Taylor. You are a unique… creature,” he says, shaking his head.
“Is that a good or bad thing?” I ask the ruler of Hell.
“I haven’t made up my mind, yet. Although to answer your question, your accidental slip ups will not count against you, but no more of the shit you just pulled in the dining room.” He stares at me.
“Okay!” I say sarcastically and throw in an eye roll.
“Let me give you a brief lesson on L.A.M.B. We are the original ones that fell. The first fighters. Astaroth is our weapons smith. Bez is our vengeance Demon—he knows how to control and wield HellFire. Murmur knows too much shit about mental fortitude and shields. And I… Well, I handle the rest. When you have time. I will teach you what they can’t. Actually, I know Matthew well and can arrange for you to come down here for your specials to get your training.”
“Well, that almost sounds too good to pass up. So…” I chew on my lower lip to look like I’m thinking. “I’m gonna have to pass unless you sweeten the deal,” I say, raising my eyebrows.
Lucifer mimics my expression but his is from shock. “WHAT?” he shouts. “No one has ever said no to any of my offers before.”
“Well then, I guess my name is now No One, because I am.”
Lucifer’s eyes blink a blood red before he closes his eyes and takes a few deep breaths. I fight the urge to tell him he would have better luck with his stress if he were to get into child’s pose. Something tells me he wouldn’t appreciate my suggestion, but yoga really might help him. Aww fuck it.
“Aww. You know… yoga might help y—”
Lucifer’s head jolts up as he gives me a wide-eyed stare. Anyone who’s ever been in trouble knows that stare. The one where your parent is on the edge of snapping, and all you have to do is breathe and that straw will snap, and it might be the last thing you’ll ever do.
“Nevermind,” I whisper as I shrink back into myself.
He closes his eyes once more and goes back to doing his Lamaze, or whatever technique he’s trying, while I take in the room. I still can’t make anything out, but my stomach rumbles, reminding me of what I was doing when I was so rudely interrupted and brought here.
“What would sweeten the deal?” he asks while his eyes are still closed.
“Throw in the option to train everyone in my party, help me figure out my powers, and you got a deal,” I say, holding out my hand.
CHAPTER 14
