“And the many demons standing behind you are fighting for a leader who isn’t truly one of them,” Lucifer replied. “You are so similar to an angel, rather than demon, that you have taken the daughter oftwoangels as your Chosen.”
I didn’t dare look back at the demons to see their reactions to Lucifer’s words. Kobal’s claws lengthened against my side. His eyes glowed as hot as the fires he rose from while he gazed at Lucifer before turning his head to level Raphael with a look that made those closest to the angel edge away from him.
“Is that what you meant at the house when you said, ‘Though, I suppose that makes sense?’” Kobal snarled at him.
“Yes,” Raphael replied with zero remorse. “There is a deep intertwining of all our worlds, and with the strength of both your powers and heritage, it makes sense you would have a connection to each other.”
The ceasing of Kobal’s breathing had me shifting subtly to stand between them. Kobal tensed to strike, and I knew if he’d been confident I wouldn’t go for Lucifer, he would have destroyed Raphael.
“But you must realize the angels didn’t know the varcolac was unaware of its true origins until we were in Hell,” Caim said as he strolled forward to stand beside me and in between Raphael and Kobal. “Which means Raphael is also just learning that you were unaware of your origins.”
I heaved a sigh of relief when Kobal relaxed a little against me, but he kept his eyes on Raphael.
“That is true,” Raphael said.
“Look at the cousins squabbling!” Lucifer declared and slapped his thigh again as he laughed loudly.
His words drew everyone’s attention back to him, as he’d intended. I’d come to realize that Lucifer needed to be the center of attention; he thrived on it. The hostility from Kobal and the demons behind us ratcheted up as all the angels smirked and a few laughed outright.
Lucifer’s laughter abruptly stopped when his gaze shifted to Caim. He eyed him as a wolf eyed an elk. “I have special plans for you, Caim.”
“I’ve no doubt,” Caim replied flippantly, but his fingers twitched at his sides.
Lucifer focused on Kobal once more. “So, like me you are not a demon, not an angel, but something more. Something superior to all those around you. There is a reason it ismydaughter you claimed. You are more like me than any of them.”
I shook my head in denial and opened my mouth to respond, but Corson was already speaking as he strolled forward to stand on Kobal’s other side.
“Kobal is the only one of us who is bornofHell. He has ruled over us for over a millennia and been willing to die for us that entire time. I have walked through the chamber where the Fires of Creation are located. I know the power that forged my king, know what he went through to rise to lead us, and it makes him more demon than any of us!” Corson declared loudly.
“And he’s happily killed more than a few of you,” Bale said with a smile as she raised her sword. Red stained the silver blade as she pointed it at the angels behind Lucifer.
The other demons all nodded their agreement and crept closer to us. Kobal had not evolved like they did, he was not a demon, not really, but he was their king, and they would fight and die for him.
“Why did the varcolac not know any of this?” I asked. Kobal had once told me he was born with the knowledge of what he was and what he was to carry out. However, he had none of the memories of his predecessors.
Lucifer shrugged and swung his leg back and forth as he absently patted Bailey’s head. My eyes helplessly followed each of those pats until I thought my heart would explode.
“Because the Lord works in mysterious ways!” Lucifer threw his hands in the air and waved them about his head before lowering one to Bailey’s head and patting it again. “And there are some things the being likes to keep secret. Like little angel babies.”
His patting became faster before his movement abruptly stopped with his hand on top of Bailey’s head. I wanted to scream at him to let go of my brother, but I bit my lip, refusing to give him the reaction he sought from me.
“A little Michael angel baby named Adam,” he murmured. “And now they’re named Bailey and Gage and River.”
I had to get Bailey and Gage away from Lucifernow, but I didn’t know how to do that without getting them killed.
CHAPTER 55
River
“You will not win this,” Kobal said to Lucifer. The quiet of his tone was more unnerving than if he had bellowed the words.
“I won’t?” Lucifer inquired. “I have the numbers, the children, my throne.”
“Not for long. I am the rightful ruler of Hell and that ismyfucking throne.”
“Let’s face it, Kobal, no one is the ruler of Hell anymore. Your Chosen ruined that place, not like it wasn’t a hideous pit before her redecorating, but she has made it everything it was meant to be if the varcolac hadn’t been there to protect it.” Lucifer’s eyes shifted to me as he gave a slow clap. “I knew you could bring down some of those seals, but I never expected that. Bravo, child, bravo.”
Gage’s eyes looked about to pop out of his head. Tears streamed down Bailey’s face and snot bubbles popped out of his nose. Anger and sorrow battled within me as I gazed at them. They never should have had to endure this.
