Lucian Elysium
Five Years Ago
“Whatdoyoumean,youthoughtyou saw an Archangel? Either you did or you did not.” I flexed my fingers, letting the black ether swirl around my knuckles, my irritation causing the tendrils to whirl quickly. Giving into my annoyance, I flicked a whip of black shadow toward the imp kneeling before me on the dirty sidewalk.
From the dilapidated building several feet away, heavy rock music shook the walls and the scent of stale beer and cheap liquor flowed from the bar, mixing with the ripe stench of alley garbage.
“I have better things to do with my time than dealing with your ilk.” I threw a hard kick to the cowering creature’s thigh.
“My Lord… Please.” He cringed, his face twisting in pain. “You’re hurting me.”
“And it will only get worse if—”
Samael tilted his head, his golden eyes sharp as he studied the traitor groveling on the ground. “Stop toying with us, Marzan. Do you think we didn’t know about the little side deal you have with Heaven? That we didn’t know you were their spy?”
I snapped out a coil of power and squeezed the traitor’s throat, my anger rising dangerously.
I want to snap his neck and then dunk him into the Lake of Fire.
His eyes bugged and he clawed at the ether writhing around his flesh.
Samael’s gaze caught mine. Besides Malachi and Cain, Samael was one of the few who could gaze at me without losing his shit.
“If you kill him now, it means we shall be here longer, Lucian.” Samael’s stare moved to the bar, then took in the grime-encrusted door handle on the business. “And I don’t know about you, but I do not want to be in this abysmal dump any longer than necessary.”
As much as I hated to admit it, my Angel of Death was correct.
“Speak, you worthless little troll,” I growled, loosening my hold on his throat.
He gulped air, caressing his rubbery, short neck. “I have only ever wished to serve you, Lords.” A knobby hand reached up to me, the nails sharp, cracked, black.
Samael stepped closer to Marzan and flung out an arm, stopping the demon’s hand from touching me. “No. You wish to serve whichever side can give whatever it is you are searching for.”
“No.” Marzan shook his head emphatically, his mottled red face scrunching in terror or desperation. “Please. I’m only trying to serve the Chosen.” He grabbed one of Samael’s polished, spotless boots, causing the tall angel to step back hastily with a sneer.
I held in a chuckle, the movement tempering some of my fury.
If there’s one thing Samael hates, it’s getting dirty and disheveled.
“You would dare touch a Chosen?” he asked, summoning ether toward his boot, removing the grubby fingerprints left by Marzan. Samael turned to me. “I changed my mind. Let’s throw him in the lake. He tries to set a trap.”
Marzan fell onto his ass and huddled into a ball. “I speak the truth. She disappeared into that amusement park a few blocks away. I couldn’t keep up.”
I looked toward the lights of the park. A Ferris wheel spun slowly in the distance. Turning my attention back to Marzan, I crooked my finger and dragged him closer to me, careful not to touch his disgusting body.
The demon whimpered, casting his eyes downward.
I dug into his mind with brute force, searching for the truth and invading his heart to see his utmost desire.
Shaking so hard his crooked, broken teeth chattered, he began sobbing.
“He speaks truly…on this matter at least.” I glanced at Samael, who watched the cowering creature with a flat expression. “Go. Seek out this Archangel who doesn’t wish to be found. Find out what she’s doing and why.”
“With pleasure, My Prince.” Samael gave a loose bow, then blinked away.
“Now.” I gave Marzan a wide smile. “Where were we?”
“Please. Have mercy, Lord.”
