I stared at my sword and daggers, all three now gleaming, and nodded.Whatever my father had in store for me, I could handle it.His people had trained me, forged me into a weapon to fight his battles, but I wasn’t one of his minions.I didn’t obey him, and I certainly didn’t love him.Maybe it was time for him to understand exactly what that meant.
Until then, I needed a shower.No point in worrying about whatcouldhappen until it did.
I stole a peek at Vol and quirked a grin at the sight of him sleeping atop a pile of unravelled yarn.Purrgy strode my way, his tail flicking.
“I’ll be quick,” I told him, giving his head a little scritch before hurrying into the bathroom.I peeled off my clothes as I went, then fired up the shower, this time waiting until the water heated before stepping under the spray.The instant the hot water hit my skin, I sighed and dropped my head forward, revelling in the mini massage.
Showers, hot water, electricity—those were all things Hell lacked, and I’d certainly grown fond of the luxuries Earth offered, even if it cost me every last cent to afford it.
I quickly washed up, then turned off the water and wrapped myself in a fluffy towel.Stepping out of the tub, I strode to the sink and wiped the steam from the mirror.I stared at my hazy reflection, my angelic blue eyes staring back at me.Growing up, my father’s people used to claim I was the spitting image of my angelic mother, though I had no way of knowing for sure.She’d died when I was an infant—killed by my father when she’d tried to run away with me, hoping to raise me away from his dark influence.My father had seen that as the ultimate betrayal and killed her.
Still, I liked to believe I resembled her.It was better than the alternative.Lucifer, like all angels, was beautiful, but his inner darkness twisted his beauty into something monstrous.I wanted nothing to do with that.
I turned to catch a glimpse of my back in my mirror.Two long, vertical scars ran from my upper shoulder blades to the middle of my back, jagged and uneven.I reached over my shoulder and touched the top of the closest one.The skin was raised and rough, a testament to the brutality of the injury.
My father had always told me that an angel without their wings wasn’t an angel anymore.There’d been a few nights, when I was at my lowest, when I’d wondered ifthatwas why my father had sent me to Earth.I’d lost my wings.I wasn’t an angel anymore.What good was I without them?I’d assumed he’d deemed me worthless once he’d stripped me of my wings and cast me out.
Now, thanks to Deidre, I knew Lucifer hadn’t been the one to exile me.Which meant I could cross off the only name on my incredibly exclusive list of suspects.So much for that theory.
With no new answers in sight, I resigned myself to sleep.I needed rest if I wanted enough energy to shop with Jazz in the afternoon.After that, I needed to check out the portal, preferablybeforesomething else crawled through.
I hurried into my bedroom and grabbed the closest pajamas—a pair featuring My Little Pony—then slid into bed, the bed frame creaking in protest.No sooner had I settled in when a half-asleep Vol climbed up, dragging his favourite scrap of fabric behind him like a security blanket.
“Move over,” he grumbled before flopping onto the pillow beside me.
Purrgy leapt onto the bed next with the grace of a feline twice his size, settled on my chest, and promptly started licking his arsehole.On me.
I sighed and stared at the ceiling.“You two have no manners.”
Vol snuck a glance, then rolled his eyes.“Goodnight, Meat Sack.”
“Goodnight, you wretched menace,” I whispered, closing my eyes.Despite everything, right now, I was content.My ridiculous little family surrounded me and I felt a flicker of peace.One I hoped never ended.
* * *
The early afternoonsun broke through the thick winter clouds as Jazz and I trudged down Whyte Ave, the snow crunching under our boots.The street was lively despite the cold, with bright lights strung along the storefronts and the occasional musician braving the chill to play some tunes.The aroma of hot coffee and freshly baked goods wafted from the cafés, a comforting reminder that warmth was just a doorway away.
Jazz linked her arm with mine, practically bouncing with excitement despite the icy wind.“I’m so glad we’re doing this.We need to find you something great for your date with Jack.What vibe are you going for?”
I grinned, feeling the weight of my worries lift slightly.I woke up this morning in a good mood, determined not to let Lucifer destroy my life.He might come, and he might try to drag me back to Hell, but that didn’t mean I had to go.This was my life now, and if he tried to ruin it…well, he’d learn just how well his minions had trained me.
When I didn’t answer, Jazz snuck a quick glance at me.
“Oh, uh, something that says, ‘I’m effortlessly cool,’” I said, “but also ‘I totally didn’t spend all day picking this out.’”
Jazz laughed, her breath visible in the cold air.“Got it.Effortlessly cool it is.Let’s hit Fashion Bliss first.I’ve had some great luck with them.It might help if I know where he’s taking you.Has he said?”
“Yeah.He texted earlier today, saying he’d made a reservation at Normand’s.”
“Normand’s.Hmm, haven’t heard of it.”
A quick search on her phone later, and we’d armed ourselves with enough knowledge to find me the perfect outfit.
We walked into the boutique and a friendly employee with a bright smile welcomed us, along with racks of stylish clothes.Jazz started rifling through the selection, pulling out dresses and holding them up for me to see.
“How about this one?”she asked, holding up a sleek black dress with a plunging neckline and spaghetti straps.
“Turn it around?”
