“No.”
Moira circled her nipples as she backpedaled to the bathroom door, opening it. “Yes,” she said, smirking as she left.
I huffed, shaking my head. When did Moira start having such issues with listening? She’d always been bold and stubborn, but lately, it seemed excessive. So much so, I questioned her position as a leader.
But Moira’s behavior could wait. I had more pressing matters to attend to.
I changed into a sweater and slacks, then left my rooms to meet Lucifer in his chambers. We had the Damned to discuss.
At his door, I waited until the knob thawed, allowing me entrance.
His seating area had different chairs, and a smaller desk had replaced the larger one I was familiar with. “You redecorated.”
Lucifer stood in front of the black-and-red marble fireplace, holding a crystal tumbler half-filled with amber liquor by his side, staring into the massive flames. “Happens when your powers continue to lash out and destroy your furniture.” He sighed. “They may have severed our cordistella bond, but it’s almost like the effects haven’t let me.” He said it so quietly, I wasn’t sure the words were meant for me.
I wanted to ask about the effects. I only knew the basics of a cordistella bond. But if he knew his daughter was the other half of my soul, our relationship—and my safety here—could be jeopardized. I wouldn’t risk that.
Hell hid me from Etan and the council, along with a very powerful rune I had Lucifer hide among my tattoos. He carved it into my skin every year to obscure any specific details of me from the minds of any soul or blood-banded that left Hell. Unless the council traveled to the very dimension they despised, they’d never know where I was. They’d never control me again.
“No change?” I asked, walking over to his well-stocked bar and pouring myself a drink.
“No,” he stated, still staring into the fire. “Saraqael is still attempting to survive off my daughter’s energy.”
My shadows lashed out inside me.Saraqael wasn’t the threat—Michael was, I reminded them. But that didn’t stop the urge tochain the hellion to her bed every time she pushed herself to unhealthy levels.
I stepped up beside him, noticing the wrinkles in his suit and his mussed hair. “Do you think she’d let go if she knew what she was doing to Lucille?”
Lucifer slowly turned his head, eyeing me like I’d just threatened him. “I won’t let her.”
I didn’t know what that meant, but I could see the fierce protection in his gaze. “And what about Lucille? You want her to train, but her energy levels are always fluctuating.”
“Cato and I have it handled. We’re implementing a solution tomorrow morning. But I didn’t ask you down here to talk about my bonded or daughter.” Lucifer ran a hand through his hair, turned, and sank into a red leather chair next to me. “The Damned.”
I took a sip of my bourbon, forcing my questions about hissolutiondown with the burn of alcohol.
“The Damned remind me of Lilith’s demons, except hers have never been able to spread an infection.”
“I agree.” He paused, twisting the band around his ring finger that bound Lilith to him. “Let’s say it is her. She’s been stealing angels and stripping their powers, replacing the ones the council took. She’s the only one we know of who has been able to create demons.” He sat forward, deep in thought. “But she isn’t an angel. She can’t carve runes, and these Damned had runes on them from their creator.”
“How do you know they’re from their creator?”
“Because the second mark on Silas’s back was a symbol, not a rune. A calling card, of sorts. A Seraphim by the name of Bran from the original council used to carve his mark into demons’ backs beforehe killed them. This was the same. The scrolling symbols were initials—L.M.”
“Maybe she teamed up with an angel,” I suggested, wondering who would want to be part of her ploys—and why.
“Maybe.”
“But if that’s the case, why would Lilith need a calling card if she’s behind this? Wouldn’t she assume we already suspect her?” I settled into a chair opposite him, heat from the fire brushing the side of my face.
He shook his head. “Unless she’s gloating. Souls are required to go through me before they’re allowed in the Redemption Circle, just as they are with the other circle lords. Her creations are bypassing us and infiltrating our circle when we can’t even determine a way out.”
I ran my hand along the lip of my tumbler. “We’ve patrolled every part of our circle and haven’t found a portal, a runed doorway, or a hole in the ground—nothing.”
It was the same old song and dance. Any Damned we found would rather bite off their tongue or sing their song than speak. Torture didn’t work, seeing as most had come from the worst agony of their lives. Even my Soul Swords didn’t work. They had no fear.
“Then start searching homes. I’ll put out a mandatory order. And bring in the next infected.”
I nodded. We fell into silence, both lost in our thoughts. Eventually, mine drifted back toherand Rune walking to the healers. I couldn’t help but replay the scene, remembering the melody that had come from her lips as she taunted me, knocking the breath from my lungs. Seven Hells,that sound.And thatjoythat hadeased the constant stress lurking in the lines of her forehead. They were fuckingseared into my brain, forever branding me. And I hated it—how it made me feel, the flutter that had responded in my chest. Even more, I hated how I was thinking about it again. But my shadows didn’t. They devoured it like a starved Soulhound with fresh flesh.
