“Forcing creatures like that dragon to obey you?”
I flinched again. “I’m not Lucifer,” I said, though even I could admit my voice didn’t come out particularly strong.
“I know you’re not,” she said quietly. “But, Lil…that was a lot. And it really feels like you’re starting down a slippery slope. Today, you’re commanding a dragon, but what if tomorrow you’re sitting on a throne made of bones, cackling about how mortal flesh tastes better with brimstone and hot sauce?”
I blinked, more than a little disturbed by the image she painted. “Listen—our pact still stands. If I turn into Lucifer, kill me.”
“That wasn’t the exact deal we struck,” she murmured, “but I get what you’re saying.”
“Just…give me a little more time. I think being here has strengthened my powers, and I just need to learn how to control them, like any other power. When I first starting conjuring fire, I could barely make a spark. But now I can conjure infernos.”
Eliza considered my request, then finally nodded. “Fine. We’ll see how it goes. But only because I love you and really,reallydon’t want to kill you. I really do consider you my best friend, Lil.”
Vol playfully rolled his eyes.
I smiled, my entire body relaxing. “You’re just saying that because I dragged you to Hell, and there’s no one else here,” I said, chuckling. Though that comment had my gaze straying back to the shared pile of gear. “Well, no othergirlshere—that aren’t hellspawn.”
Eliza huffed a quiet laugh. “Hey, you’re also my ticket home, so I’d strongly prefer you survive, ‘kay?”
I snickered. “Okay.”
She leaned over and looped an arm around my shoulder, giving me a soft squeeze. “I’m here for you, girl. Fate hasn’t dealt you an easy hand, but you’ve got this. And if you don’t…well…”
“Then you'll finish the job,” I whispered.
She gave me another squeeze. “Yeah, but only cuz you asked me to.”
For a moment, I let myself sink into that comfort. But deep down, something stirred. The darkness didn’t like this conversation—didn’t like me making promises that involved its death. It coiled low in my gut, whispering, restless and sharp-edged, as if testing what I hoped was my ironclad control.
A shiver ran through me, but before the shadows could slip free, I clenched my fists and forced the power down, shoving it deep until the burn dulled and the whispers faded.
“Right,” I said, desperate to change the topic. I pointed a finger at the messy corner. “Anyway, I want to know what’s going on over there.”
Eliza’s focus darted to her and Levi's gear, and her cheeksflamedso hot I practically felt the heat. This was our first time alone since our group had expanded to include my army, her new angel boyfriend, and a fallen angel-slash-nightmare-demon, so I wasn’t about to miss the opportunity for a little girl chat.
“You’re not going to let up about this, are you?” she demanded.
“Ha! Nope. Payback’s a bitch. Details. Now.”
She groaned, tilted her head back against the wall like she was hoping the stone might swallow her whole. “Fine, but this stays between us!” Then she shot Vol a look. “And you! If you so much as repeat a word of this to anyone, I’m sewing your mouth shut.”
Vol blinked, then lifted a hand and said, “Cross my impish heart and hope to die.”
“Youwillhope to die if you break that promise.”
He simply grinned, flashing us his pearly white fangs.
“Not reassuring,” she muttered, then blew out a long breath. “Okay, so yes, Levi and I are together.”
Well, I knew that. She’d already told me they’d slept together. “Details, I said.”
“Whatkindof details?” she growled.
I leaned forward and shot her a grin. “Everything. How’d it happen? What was it like?Whendid it happen? Are you in love with him—cuz it definitely looks that way to me.”
She rubbed her temples. “Fine. Ugh—you’re annoying. We’ve only slept together once so far,” she admitted, a wistful smile curling her lips. “But it was just…”
“Incredible?” I supplied.
