"Let me take you home. I think you'll like it." I slid a hand across her shoulders and gave a tender squeeze. "If you feel ready to travel again."
"Wait. What do you do with the souls you take? Where do they go?" Her voice wavered a fraction.
"I punish them. then send the souls to do whatever suits their sins." She might not like what I had to tell her, but punishing the wicked had been my purpose since the beginning of time. She needed to know everything, to see everything, before she could come to an honest decision about her future. And mine.
"Buthowdo you punish them?"
"Their crimes in life are what determines their wages in Hell. I have no problem showing you, but are you sure you want to see right now? You've been through a lot, and even with my healing, I sense you need rest. Not just in your body, but here—" I dragged my thumb over her brow. "—in your mind."
She pursed her lips in thought, then nodded. "You're right. I'd like to get off the emotional rollercoaster ride. But Idowant to see. I don't know if it's something I can explain, but it's just something I need to do."
"I understand. You want to truly experience my world, my way of life, my judgments. I would expect no less." I took her hand. "So, come. First, let me show you how an angel lives—even one that has fallen."
Chapter 33
Anna Sill
Present Day
I'dexpectedopulence,extravagance,debauchery at every turn, but instead, Lucian's home seemed modest, at least to what I'd imagined in my mind.
Volcanic glass, black with tiny flecks of red the color of blood, formed the walls of the hall where we stood. It was wide, ten people could walk side by side and still have room, but it sported little decoration.
Every few steps, chandeliers shaped like bowls hung from the ceiling, their clear glass bottoms revealing glowing magma casting soft light below.
"Here, follow me." Lucian pulled his wings to his back and held out a hand. "I'll take you to your chambers so you can—"
"My Lord!" An angel, his eyes golden and straight hair as black as night, flew down the corridor. "You need to come to the throne room." His hair, a little past shoulder length, was so dark it seemed to pull in the light. His piercing eyes moved down my body for a second then he returned his attention to Lucian.
"Anna, this is Samael. Samael, this is Anna." Lucian sighed. "Not even a bow before you begin harassing me?"
"No time. Please hurry." Without another word, Samael turned on his heel and sprinted down the hall toward two large double doors.
"What in damnation is going on?" Irritation flashed on Lucian's face. "And why is Samael reporting to me and not Malachi?"
I had no idea who any of these people were, but even I could sense something strange in Samael's posture and tone. A stiffness of movement, as if he didn't want to move.
"Maybe you should go see what's happening."
Lucian chuckled. "Already, you act like a queen." He smiled, causing his eyes to soften.
A low, wicked female chuckle bounced around the hall. "Queen? Is that your plan, Lucifer Morningstar?"
Lucian's smile disappeared. His gaze landed on one of the most beautiful women I'd ever seen. Her skin, a white so devoid of color it seemed to glow, gave a smirk with lips the color of blood. Long, straight red hair covered her shoulders like a veil. She wore a tight black leather suit that must've been painted onto her skin. Ample cleavage threatened to spill out of the low-cut material. In her hand, she carried a coiled whip.
"What areyoudoing here, Lilith?" Lucian growled, tightening his grip on my hand.
"Oh, don't act so surprised,husband."
My heart dropped into my toes.Husband? Lucian is married?I jerked my head to stare up at the fallen angel still gripping my fingers.
"Ex-husband, you sadistic, crazy bitch." He exerted pressure on my arm, as if subtly telling me to move closer to his side.
Okay, so she's an ex he never told me about.But Lilith? As in the biblical Lilith? I had a horrible suspicion there was much more to this story, but right now, reading Lucian's body language, I wasn't too sure I wanted to find out.
"That's true. Vows were made to be broken, I suppose." She smiled at me. When her lips parted, I couldn't stop staring at the two rows of teeth filed to points like razors. "So, this is the little cunt who wants to take my place?"
She glided closer, swaying her hips with exaggerated swagger.
