Page 105 of Bad Witch

“I assume the bag Kurgan is carrying contains the weapons? So, Pan did have them?”

“Yeah,” Fender said and crossed his arms. “And Kurgan left the flute Death gave us as payment.”

“Hopefully that’s enough to keep Pan in his realm.” His gaze slid over us all again. “What aren’t you telling me?”

Fender glanced at Roman, then back at Lucifer. “Something happened when we were there, something that messed with our beasts. Kurgan and Tempest were the only ones not affected. If it wasn’t for them, we’d still be there. Kurgan got the weapons and got us all out.”

Lucifer nodded. “Tempest is a witch. Pan wouldn’t dare touch a daughter of Terra. She belongs to the mother, and he wouldn’t risk her anger. Pan is god of the wild…among other things. He corrupts those who are not. Given what you are, I assumed he wouldn’t have any effect on you. My bad.” He shrugged. “Turns out your brother here is the only truly wild one among you.” He grinned. “I’m proud of you, Kurgan.”

“Lenny,” Kurgan growled, just that one word, but it was filled with so much pain and longing.

Lucifer stood. “Soon. You’ve come so far, but you still have some more work to do.”

Kurgan tensed, his body seemingly growing as he snarled.

I looked at Kurgan, and the truth of Lucifer’s words sunk in. He’d followed Zari’s orders, he’d stayed in control, but he wasn’t like Fender or Roman. He’d attempted to appear that way, but that’s all it was. He’d been mimicking, pretending, nothing more. Now that we were back, the guise was slipping.

Zari put her hand on his arm. “Lucifer doesn’t break his promises, Kurg. You just have to be patient a little longer.”

I hadn’t heard a promise from Lucifer, but Zari’s words did seem to calm him a little.

Lucifer’s gaze slid to her, and that softness returned. “How did you enjoy your first proper outing with your pack?”

Her gaze slid from his. “Good.”

“Just good?” Lucifer asked, curiosity covering his face.

He slid his fingers under her chin and tilted Zari’s face up. “What is it? What happened?”

“Nothing.”

Lucifer stilled, then frowned and leaned in. He scented her throat, and his head jerked back. His narrowed eyes sliced to Roman. “What the fuck did you do?” he said to the other hound. “Did you…touch her?”

Lucifer’s eyes burned with fury, and the true meaning of rage exploded through the room in a blast of heat. I dropped to my knees before I could stop myself. Standing was impossible, at least for me. Somehow, everyone else seemed to manage it just fine.

“I know you wouldn’t have put your hands on Zari, because if you had, you would have defied my direct orders,” Lucifer said, and his voice was pure horror.

“It wasn’t his fault,” Zari rushed out. “It was Pan, and his freaky realm, it did something to us⁠—”

Lucifer’s hand shot up, silencing her. “Did you defile her, Roman? Have you taken what was not yours to take.”

“What?” Zari gasped out, while Ursula wrapped an arm around her.

Fender pulled me up and held me to him.

“It’ll be okay,” he said low. “I’ve got you.”

I clung to him, unable to look away as Lucifer moved to stand in front of Roman. The rage lashed from him like whips, making my knees tremble and my heart slam in my chest.

“Take her away,” Lucifer said to Ursula without looking away from Roman.

Zari tried to protest but went with Ursula when the other female urgently said something for her ears only.

“She is not for you,” Lucifer said, his body almost quaking from his fury. “You cannot have her. You cannot claim her, understand me? Not in any way. Zari has important work she must do, and I will not have you fuck it all up because you can’t keep your dick in your pants.”

Roman’s confused gaze searched Lucifer’s. “I didn’t fuck her. I haven’t despoiled your precious Zari, and you know I wouldn’t disobey an order if I’d had my free will.”

Lucifer seemed to take his first breath since he’d scented Roman on Zari’s skin. His anger dissipated as fast as it came, and he shoved his fingers through his hair. “Yes…yes, I know that.” The king of Hell suddenly looked…rattled, and exhausted. “You didn’t deserve my anger, Rome. Zari’s special, that’s all. I think it best she stays below ground for the foreseeable future.”