Page 53 of Trust the Fall

The entire scene lasts for only a few seconds, because Lucifer, being the smart man that he is, grabs her arms, extricating them from his person. He steps out of her grasp.

“What are you doing, Lilith?” he chastises, and she affects the whole what did I do façade.

“I missed you. That’s all. We’ve always been … affectionate.”

“We’ve fucked, Lil. There’s never been affection.”

Both Lilith and I flinch at his crass words. They’re harsh even for Satan.

“You’re putting on a show for Victoria’s sake, and I won’t allow it.”

“I didn’t realize I needed to. Last we spoke, she was simply a fallen angel you’d tricked into falling. Have things changed?”

My stomach flips at the mention of what was once my greatest fear. That Luke is still messing with me in some way. I smash it down, unwilling to doubt his love for me anymore. That’s all in the past. I know without a doubt that everything between us is real.

Luke looks over his shoulder at me. I raise an eyebrow, but otherwise remain still and silent. Deathly silent.

In truth, I’m kind of enjoying the horrified expression that he’s wearing. I would love to see how this plays out. He turns back to Lilith, clearing his throat.

“You and I both know that’s bullshit, but right now isn’t the time to hash out your insecurities. Where are the others?”

So it’s like that, then … avoid the topic.

I roll my eyes, but otherwise let it go, because he is right.

“They’re coming. They’ll be here any⁠—”

She’s cut off by thumps from the other side of the rock.

At least a dozen demons pile through the wall, dressed in armor.

“Gang’s all here,” Lilith says dryly. “As promised.”

“How in the hell are we supposed to trust her, Luke?” I ask, no longer able to remain silent. “The entire time I was here, she was working with Nolda.”

“That’s not entirely true,” Lilith cuts in. “I had to give the appearance that I was, so that I could uncover his plans, and get Satan back and his army positioned without being noticed.”

“It appears you did so expertly. Nice work, Lilith,” Luke praises, but it lacks any warmth. It’s militant and direct, and based on Lilith’s crumbling expression, she noticed too.

Luke comes to me unexpectedly, grabbing my hand. “It’s necessary for me to work with Lilith. She’s a trusted advisor and an incredible strategist. I need you to work with me here.” His face scrunches and his eyes close as if anticipating a fight.

“Okay.”

It’s all I say, because I’m the bigger woman and there are greater things at stake. And at the end of the day, I could kick this concubine’s ass and we both know it.

A large smile spreads across his handsome face and he pulls me in, searing me with a kiss that’s so different from what was shared between him and Lilith.

Her whimper of distress isn’t lost on me, and I internally smile.

I’m trying to be the better woman, but a little petty is called for in this moment, considering her attempts to belittle what Luke and I share.

“I’m proud of you,” he says, placing a tender kiss on my nose. “And for the record, you’re right. You are the better woman,” he says so only I hear. “Now, we have a demon to kill.”

Hurrahs sound around the room as the demons stomp their feet and clang their battle axes and other weapons against the walls and floor.

If Nolda didn’t know they were here already, he does now.

“About that, Satan,” Lilith cuts in. “Nolda has escaped. Like the coward that he is, he ran, leaving behind his smaller army.”