“And people in Hell want ice water.” A twisted leer flashed. “If you want your wings and ascension to Chosen, complete this task.”
I took a deep breath, which pulled the skin of my burned stomach tighter, reminding me with whom I spoke and his near-omnipotent capabilities. “Yes, Lord. Of course.”
He held my cheeks in his hands. “You are like a son to me, Cain.”
“Th-thank you.” Warmth spread through my blood. How long had it been since I’d felt belonging, as if I mattered, even loved?
Millennia.
“Do not fail.” He let go of my face and squeezed my upper arm. “You know I have little tolerance for those who do not succeed.”
He referred to my earlier, weaker state, right after my father had thrown me from home and sent me into Nod, which was nothing more than a wild, untamed desert.
“I want my wings more than anything. I won’t disappoint, I promise.”
“Good.” He stepped backward and gave another once-over to the room. “I approve your accommodations. Quite fitting, all things considered.” His midnight eyes softened. “It was good to see you. Now, I have business elsewhere tonight. Thank you for bringing this”—he flashed the necklace—“to my attention. I look forward to sampling her sweet, untainted soul. If this is what I suspect, then you have earned your status with such a discovery.”
Unease threaded its way through my nerves at the thought of his hands on Phoebe, squeezing, ripping...violating.
“Return it to her. It’s tainted for a Chosen and is probably attuned only to her, anyhow.” His power flicked it to me, and I caught it mid-air. “It will give more information around her neck than in my pocket.”
“Yes, my Lord.”What does he mean?
With a twist of his wrist, he vanished.
My office seemed larger without his presence. I stumbled to the chair and fell into it, my head reeling.
Wings. I could have wings in a week.How many times had I dreamt of becoming a full angel, with unleashed power and glorious wings? Would he let me choose their color? And I’d be a Chosen. Not just any dark angel, but an officer hand selected by the Prince himself, a brother in spirit and blood.
No human had ever attained such a status, and considering how much Lucian hated humanity, it was the highest honor.
Phoebe. You’ve become my key to Heaven.
Giddy with excitement, I tamped down the tiny voice in the back of my head trying to kill my rising joy with thoughts of guilt and betrayal.
I will not be weak. I will pull any information I can find with whatever means necessary, then I’ll deliver her to Lucian and never spare a thought about her again.
With my ticket to Heaven, I’d hunt my father’s soul, drag him to Hell, then watch him burn in the Lake of Fire until the end of days.
