“She's stunning, Amaymon. Truly stunning.” Elgios puts his glass down and walks toward my girl. He tilts his head as he walks around her, blatantly objectifying her.
I fucking love it and my cock jerks, keen to show Elgios how spectacular my girl is.
“We should talk business before pleasure,” he says, daring to flick Adriana's ponytail.
Her eyes snap to mine as she freezes, uncertain how to respond. We've discussed her behavior tonight and she understands she has to behave. She knows she'll be required to kneel and she knows Elgios might ask to play with her.
She doesn’t know how to handle this.
I left the specifics unclear. Including whether I would let him play—and I was surprised she accepted my dismissive answer that said it depended on how the evening went.
I click my fingers and point to the ground. Adriana quickly moves to my side and her relief is palpable. Thank fuck, because it shows she's mine. Absolutely mine. In every fucking way. She's obedient and observant, and she isn't interested in another male. Even one as skilled as Elgios.
I don't know how or why I allowed myself a moment of doubt, but it won't fucking happen again.
“Business, Elgios.”
I walk to the sofa, and Adriana follows. I sit and point to the floor and she slowly, gracefully kneels at my fucking feet. I pet her head and wait for Elgios to sit, enjoying watching his submissive as she crawls across the floor. She kneels, taking a more formal posture than Adriana, meeting Elgios's requirements.
I pull a leash out and clip it to Adriana's collar, making her meet mine.
“Nice,” Elgios says. “She's very obedient for a new human.” He takes another mouthful of brandy. “In contrast to your lieutenant, Amaymon. She's causing merry hell and has caused me no end of difficulties. I see why you chose her. It's a pity she didn't stay loyal.”
I nod. “Eva's a devious little bitch and she's always been very good with underhanded moves. She has a certain ruthlessness that suits it.”
“Well, she's proved she's more than capable of playing the game. In fact, she's rather expert at it, Amaymon.”
I down my brandy and notice Adriana fidgeting. She's nervous and I can't afford for her to make me seem weak. Or distract me. Or Elgios.
I need to know what Eva's been up to, and I need to know I can trust Elgios. He swore he'd help me take down Mordecai, and I swore he'd get the kill if events allowed. Both of us are schooled enough to get out of our oaths and he might renege on the whole damn alliance.
And Eva's manipulative enough to persuade him to change sides if she's given half the chance. I wouldn't put anything past the bitch and Elgios is power hungry. He's been a Duke of Hell for a long time and he's grown bored with his position. He wants a pay rise and Eva knows it.
“She's definitely working for Mordecai. He's offering her his hand. She'll help resurrect him and in return he'll grant her enough power to make her his consort. It's despicable, but there we are. There are no depths some won't sink to in their quest for power.”
Even Lucifer wouldn't take a consort.
Not officially.
Lilith is the Queen of Hell, but her throne is beneath his and there's no question about who rules. Lilith is powerful, but Lucifer's power is greater. She is cruel, but he's even harsher. And Lilith is vicious, but Lucifer's lust for violence knows no limits.
A consort is an equal in every way that counts. Eva would gain power that few other females ever hold and it would give her a seat at the table. Or whatever is left of the table once Mordecai's finished reshaping Hell.
“They're going to use the Power of the Damned, Amaymon.”
I clench my fist, vexed that the Seer's vision is coming true. The only thing holding me back is the comforting thought that Adriana is protected.
“It's too heavily protected,” I hiss.
Elgios shakes his head. “She's convinced she has a way around the wards and enchantments binding it. She's sure enough to offer me a position at her new court. The one she intends to form with Mordecai once Lucifer has fallen.”
The demon at Elgios's feet whimpers and he delivers a short, sharp slap to its face. The crack sounds out and the silence that follows is just as striking.
Adriana shifts and her chest presses against my leg. She's right to be nervous. Open talk of rebellion is enough to start a war or land you in one of Lucifer's eternal infernos, and no one wants to burn alive for all eternity.
My fingers stroke her sleek, pulled-back hair, offering her a little reassurance and a lot of a reminder about her place.
“Lucifer hasn't acted yet?” I ask.
