Slowly, the tension in his body started to melt away, his breathing evening out as I continued stroking his face.“I’m here,” I murmured, my voice low and quiet.“And I’m not going to die, I promise.”
“You can’t promise me that.”
“Okay, well, I’m not going tolethim kill me.How’s that?”I smiled, my shoulders relaxing when Rathiel’s expression softened.
His hands dropped to my waist.He was still terrified, but the panic began to fade.“I don’t know what I’d do if—” He trailed off, his voice breaking.
“You won’t have to find out,” I assured him.“I promise.But we can’t keep hiding here on Earth.It puts too many people at risk.We have to stop him.And we’ll do it together.We’ve got this.”I just hoped I sounded confident, because honestly, I didn’t feel it.But I couldn’t let Rathiel see that.If he sensed any weakness in me at all, he’d likely lock me in my bedroom until I saw reason.
Rathiel’s eyes searched mine, as if looking for some shred of doubt that would give him a reason to stop me.When he found none, he closed his eyes, his brow furrowed in frustration.His grip on my sides loosened and he finally let go, stepping back.
“I need a minute,” he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.“I need some air.”
I watched him step out onto the balcony, the weight of everything we’d just discussed settling heavily on my shoulders.The reality of what we were about to face loomed over me like a storm cloud, and the slightest tremor of doubt shivered through me.Could we really do this?Could we march into Hell and end Lucifer once and for all?Or was I fooling myself?
Before I lost myself to my thoughts, movement caught my eye.I glanced over to the couch and found Vol sitting there, his wide, unnerving eyes fixed on me.He looked almost shocked.He sat uncharacteristically quiet, as if, for once, he had no sarcastic comment to offer.
“What?”I asked, my voice rougher than intended.
Vol blinked, his tail flicking in what might’ve been apprehension.“You’re really gonna do it, aren’t you?”His voice wasn’t mocking or sharp this time—just curious.
I nodded slowly.“Yeah, Vol.I really am.”Then I cocked my head and impulsively asked, “Wanna come with?”
Vol’s eyes lit up, the shock quickly fading as his signature impish grin spread across his face.His tail twitched, and in a flash, the devious spark I was so used to seeing in him returned.He stood up on the couch, hands resting on his hips in a dramatic pose that didn’t match his tiny stature at all.
“Hell yeah, baby!”he declared, his grin widening.“Finally, something fun.I was starting to think you’d lost your edge.”
I chuckled, the tension in my chest easing just a fraction at his ridiculous bravado.Leave it to Vol to bring some levity to the direst of situations.I crossed my arms, giving him a playful, knowing look.“You do realize we’re literally going to Hell, right?”
Vol shrugged, unbothered.“Yeah, but I was born for that.”He winked, his grin never faltering.“Besides, I’ve been bored out of my mind, always locked up in this apartment.Hell sounds…fun.”
Fun.Definitely not the word I would have used.Shaking my head, I let out a small, genuine laugh.“You’re impossible, you know that?”
Vol jumped down from the couch and headed for the balcony door.“And you love me for it.Let me talk to angel-boy out there.I think I can convince him this is for the best.”
On that note, he rapped his hairy little knuckles against the window until Rathiel turned.Rolling his eyes, Rathiel slid open the door and let my imp hop outside with him.I couldn’t help but smile.The two hadn’t had an easy start to the relationship, but it seemed they were growing on each other.
With a deep breath, I turned and spotted Purrgatory sitting atop the fridge.“Hmm.What to do with you, big guy?”
An imp in Hell made complete sense to me.But a domesticated cat raised questions.It wasn’t like there were any stores in Hell where I could buy pet supplies.Thankfully, he was a mouser, so I had faith he’d learn how to hunt the many pests in Hell.But we were going to fight a literal war.What help would he be with that—other than possibly providing Vol a steed to ride into battle.The image brought a smile to my lips.
“What do you say, Purrgy?Wanna give Hell a chance?”
My cat puffed up his chest and let loose a very regalmeowthat I took to mean yes.
Guess we were all going then.A party of four—or maybe even six, if I could rope in Eliza and Mason—straight to Hell.
* * *
Did you enjoy Lily and Rathiel?Continue their story inThe Road to Hell…
Lucifer’s rebellious daughter, driven by revenge.A vampire bound by regret.In the depths of Hell, their forbidden love could reignite—or consume them both.
Being Lucifer’s daughter comes with baggage.And by baggage, I mean a destiny I never asked for, a prophecy I can’t escape, and a to-do list straight from Hell.Literally.
Our mission?Destroy the fallen angels still loyal to my father and sever his ability to create more hellspawn.Without them, his army is finite—and beatable.But that’s not all.To stand a chance against Lucifer, we’ll need to find new allies and rebuild the rebellion he crushed the last time I dared to defy him.Easy, right?
And then there’s Rathiel.Thevampirewho stole my memories, exiled me to Earth, and shattered every ounce of trust I had in him.I should hate him—Iwantto hate him—but the way he looks at me, the way he sets my blood on fire with a single touch, makes it impossible.When he’s near, I can barely think.When he’s gone, I can hardly breathe.He’s a constant reminder of everything I’ve lost—and everything I still want.
