“You—” My voice came out barely above a rasp. “You’d make me a Chosen?” I cleared my throat and tried to work enough spit to swallow.
“Perhaps. But I am still awaiting your explanation.” The necklace floated in the air between us, suspended by a dark coil of power.
“I stole it from a girl.”
His black eyes, unblinking, zeroed in on my face. “Stoleit?” A humorless chuckle rolled from his mouth. “Why? Could you see the Word of Power?”
“No, Lord.” I rubbed my neck and shook my head.
He raised his eyebrows then fingered one end of the chain, his power still holding the other end captive. “Then why steal? Are you getting bored with claiming souls?” His jaw tightened, and a small tic pulsed in his eyelid.
Careful. I need to be so careful.Knowing I would give him what he wanted because refusal meant a punishment worse than death, I still couldn’t ignore tiny prickles of emotion needling my chest.
Guilt?No. Impossible. Guiltiness implied weakness, and I would not let Phoebe Blutengel become my Achilles heel.
“Her name is...” I coughed and tore my stare from his, needing a moment to collect my scattered thoughts.
Probably wasn’t my best idea to summon the Master of Hell to my home.
“I’m waiting.” Dark energy wrapped my throat again, and he smiled, showing sharp, perfect teeth.
“Phoebe Blutengel.” I breathed easier. “She’s a student at the university nearby. When we first met, I was going to take her soul.”
“Then why didn’t you?”
“I-I’m not sure.” I lifted a shoulder. “She looked at my mark, and it didn’t seem to affect her, which made me curious.”
“Cain.” His wings folded to rest at his back, and my muscles relaxed. “Have you gone soft for this girl?”
“No, my Lord. Of course not. I—”
“Careful, careful, Cain Dameron.” His fingers caressed the top of a feather behind his shoulder. “Do not jeopardize what you have worked so hard to attain. Remember, I can see directly into the heart of man and know what he lusts for above all else.” He tilted his head. “And right now, you are looking at what you desire most. Wings. Yet...” Pacing me in a circle, he walked the floor, his black boots ringing softly in the study. “I sense a competing covetousness rising within your heart.”
“What?” I steeled myself and remained straight. I didn’t want to show fear, or any emotion, but he’d managed to make his last word sound ominous, as if I were a child about to do something punishable. “Lord. My goals have not changed. You know I want wings more than anything. Becoming one of the Chosen is an honor above all.”
“Yes, it is.” He stopped in front of me, his impeccable clothing crisp and black. His shirt, fitted and tight, styled with a half-collar and seams outlined in charcoal gray, was normal attire for most of the Fallen. A small ruby affixed to the collar, announcing his rank, stood out. The fewer rubies a demon sported meant a higher position in the army. Black leather pants covered Lucian’s legs, and calf-length boots cradled his feet.
What level would I receive based on my past accomplishments?Or would I start out as a grunt wearing an entire collar of rubies like a prized dog?
His gaze flickered over my shoulder, far away. “I want you to find out more about this girl, then bring her to me. I have...questions I wish answered. Is she innocent?”
“Yes, I believe so. I didn’t delve too deeply.” If he wanted to question Phoebe himself, then it meant he’d commence torture until he received what he sought.
What do I care? I barely know the girl. It doesn’t matter.Plus, it would meanIwouldn’t be the one stealing her soul, and for some reason, the thought was a relief.
“Do you understand what I’m commanding, Cain?” Sharp and low, his words cut through my thoughts.
“Yes, Lord.” I bowed my head, and a bead of sweat dripped onto the floor next to his pristine boots.
“Good. Consider this your current assignment, then. Forget claiming that clown in the Oval Office. This is more important. I want to know why a mortal is carrying our words around her neck. There is more to her story. It will be easier to coax than delve. And it will make it much more victorious when she realizes you have gained her trust just to hand her over to me.”
My chest tightened at the thought of delivering her to Hell. Lucian and his minions would not be easy on her. The sweeter the person, the rougher the interrogation.
It’s no matter to me, and it’s not the first time I’ve delivered an innocent into the bowels of Hell.I clenched my jaw and gritted my teeth.
“You have seven days to investigate her life. I want to know the name of the person who gave this”—he shook the pendant—“to her. Milk her for all you can, then have a little fun if that is what it takes to sate your needs. But do not forget she belongs to Hell. At the end of the assignment, summon Malachi and have him transport you and the girl directly to me.”
I bit the inside of my cheek for a second to focus my response. “I’d rather not have to rely on Malachi.”
