Page 102 of Demon Demands

Our grandfather studied us for a moment, his unnaturally blue eyes bouncing back and forth.

“You can get into Heaven, Jack. You’re the only pure demon with access to the angelic realm. I had to jump through some hoops that I won’t even try to explain to you, but should you need to go, you can.”

“Well, that was straightforward,” Jack commented, peering at me as he scratched his cheek. “So, if Raguel takes Lo to Heaven, then I’m the one-man rescue mission?”

“You could take others with you, but yes. You’ve been looking out for Sloane since she was born.” Lucy shrugged. “Before Vixen died, she and I made some arrangements. I’m sorry you weren’t told about it until now, but again… I’m not sorry that I did it.”

“Okay,” Jack drawled, perplexed about why Lucy had waited so long to say anything if he was only going to stick to half the facts. We knew there was more, but I couldn’t skim anything from his mind.

Lucy shook his head at me, clearly feeling me prodding against his mental walls. “What other questions do you have?”

I rolled my eyes at him. “Lilith gave us sins, didn’t she?”

“She did.”

“Lucy,” I complained.

“Fine. Yes. Jack has pride and you have wrath. The other five are hidden amongst the supernatural population.”

“Why?” Jack asked.

Lucy shrugged once more. “I can’t tell you that.”

“Why?” I repeated.

“Because I don’t know,” he admitted nonchalantly. “Lilith hasn’t told me why she did it, other than something to do with the Fates, and I’ve never asked. You should see them while you’re here.”

“Yes, you’ve said that already,” I informed him.

“What else, Monsters?” He questioned cheerfully. Briefly, I thought about stabbing him with his pen. Why did he have to be so chipper?

Snorting at him, I motioned to myself. “There’s a problem with this mimicry power. My mates are getting it too.”

He frowned at me. “Why is that a problem?”

“Are you serious?” I whispered, exasperation heavy in my voice. “I’ve got a demon sprouting leaves and a vampire that’s so worried he’s going to grow a tail, he lit the tablecloth on fire.”

Lucy smiled at me. “Seal the rest of your bonds, and it’ll level itself out.” Then he stood, smoothing his crisp, black shirt down, his personal brand of dismissal. “If that’s all, my darling Monsters, then I hope to see you before you return home. Otherwise, I’ll visit soon.”

The door to Lucy’s office swung open as we stood from our chairs, and it closed behind us when we crossed over the threshold into the hall.

We stared at each other for a solid two minutes, Jack rubbing the back of his neck as I massaged my temples.

“Did any of that make sense to you or have I become a functioning drunk?” His whispered words made me chuckle.

“Yeah,” I muttered to Jack as we trekked back through the palace. “I think I’m more confused than I was before we came to talk to him, but I understood the top layer of his answers. How deep do the half-truths go, though?”

He stopped me as we entered our wing, his hand gripping my shoulder and eyes intent on mine.

“If you can track me from Earth to the Underworld, then I’ll definitely be able to find you in the angelic realm. I won’t stop until I do,” he pledged, confidence underlining the magnitude of his intentions.

I gave him a half smile, placing my hand on his. “I’m not going to Heaven.”

“But if you do…” he trailed off, shaking his head.

“I’m not,” I assured him. “I’ve already seen the end, Jack. I don’t go to Heaven. Heaven comes to me.”

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