Page 100 of Trust the Fall

He clears his throat. “Yeah, well, I don’t think we have time for this,” he brushes me off, appearing wholly uncomfortable. “What’s the plan?”

“I need an audience with Camille. I’m down to twenty-five minutes.”

“Twenty-three,” Leanna calls out.

“I need to convince her to help.”

“Go to the parlor. I’ll bring her to you.”

He doesn’t say a word, practically jogging back into the ballroom.

“Let’s go,” I say to Leeanna.

I have no idea where the parlor is, but she seems to know her way around here.

She rolls her eyes. “Princess, you really need a better sense of direction,” she says, linking our arms and heading us toward the room.

Five minutes later, my mother is seated across from me, looking miffed by the lot of us.

Leanna, River, and I are on one side of the table, and she’s alone on the other.

“Does anyone care to tell me why I was whisked away from my party? A party that you already managed to ruin,” she snips at me.

I ignore her, because there’s no time. “The war in Hell has started,” I say, and she nods. “You knew?”

“I’ve been told,” she says, shrugging her shoulders like it’s no big deal.

“And you decided to carry on with this party?” I grind my teeth, trying to contain my growing anger.

“It’s not our fight, Victoria. I didn’t see it necessary to change my plans.”

“I told you how I feel for Lucifer. You should’ve told me.”

“You’re angry, Victoria,” she says, crossing her arms on the table and leaning toward me. “And I understand. I caught you off guard, but after your revelation pertaining to Satan, I had to act. You can’t truly love the devil, Victoria. It’s impossible. You’re the heir of two angels.”

“You are fallen,” I correct. “Of all people, I find it very ironic that you should condemn him so quickly. He was punished just as much as you were, and yet here you are, assuming the worst of him.”

“You must marry River and take your place. It’s what God demands.”

“Says who?” I yell. “When was the last time that you had an audience with God? You and I both know that things change, Camille. You’re going off of some heated conversation that you had with God when he was angry with you.”

“Yes, well, nothing has changed.”

“I’m changing it,” I screech. “This is my life and I’m done taking orders from people who deserted me.”

Camille gasps. “I never …”

“I’m not talking about you,” I snap, losing the very thin patience I’m holding on to. “It’s Heaven who threw me to the wolves. But you know what? I still don’t think this is what God has in store for me.”

“And how exactly would you know God’s plans?”

“You forget, I lived with him most of my life. God is all-knowing. If I’m so important, do you think he would’ve allowed for Lucifer to get so close to me? Do you think he wouldn’t have intervened a long time ago? I believe that Luke is my path, and God has yet to step in and tell me otherwise.”

“Victoria, while everything you’re saying is accurate, I don’t believe this is the best use of your time. You’re down to fifteen minutes,” Leanna says.

I take a deep breath and look between River and Lee. “Will you two give us a moment?” I ask.

Lee doesn’t look like she believes that’s a great idea, but River stands and exits without a word.