Then Runeak, which left two.
Now, Lucifer worked on one of those two remaining.He’d not missed any new awakenings.The realization startled him.Had his maker’s weakness delayed It so long?
The thoughts dizzied him as Saer took in the form of his new kin while Lucifer laid the final touches.
Not First or last, largest or smallest, strongest or weakest—remarkable only in how unremarkable he’d been crafted.Lucifer had touched the Sixth’s flesh with a modest amount of Hellsfire, leaving him a drab, beige hue.Bone-colored hooves, claws, and talons jutted from his skin.Horns of the same ilk protruded from his forehead with faint, pointed curves at their ends, no longer than a hand span.
At last, when impatience threatened to eat Saer alive, Lucifer kissed Envy’s eyelids.They fluttered open and olive-green irises gazed upon the fallen angel, a glimmer of uncertainty in them.
“Errshekenyarris.My Errsheken.Welcome.”
When Errshek bowed his head in acknowledgment, the movement came stilted and awkward.The Sixth swallowed and darted his eyes around—as though self-conscious from his first breath—then froze when Saer’s gaze ensnared his.The edges of Errshek’s eyes flinched, and he tore his attention away.
The minimal exchange both intrigued and annoyed Pride, who held no concept of insecurity.
Little brother.
None assented to Lucifer’s vow of servitude quicker, or with a more trembling voice than Errshek.
The fallen angel’s mouth curved, taking a sort of wicked delight in his trembling form.“Errsheken, you will aid your kin where they need you.They each have a task assigned.Fill in the gaps where required.Do you understand?”
“Yes, Master,” Errshek said.“I understand.”
Saer narrowed his eyes, trying to discern the expression on his newest brother’s face.Disappointed that he wasn’t given his own, unique task?Anxiety at the thought of not excelling at one thing?Fear of letting their maker down?Perhaps a mixture of all.
“Good.Go.”
“Where—?”
“Go.”
The Sixth scrambled away, bumping into Saer’s kneeling form and provoking a growl from Pride.Errshek stumbled as he half-tripped backwards.“You—I didn’t—”
Saer glowered.Freshly created, and this new family tie already vexed him beyond comprehension for reasons not in his control.
“Errsheken.”
Runeak’s unmistakable low voice snagged their attention, and Saer craned his neck to spot her stalking forward from one of the corridors where she’d witnessed the awakening.She spared Saer a sharp glance before her eyes darted to the wisp of energy at his grasp.Her lip twitched in a distasteful, if subtle sneer.
“Search for the Twins or Neyu down the corridors,” she said, focus still fixed on the spirit.“Find one of them and ask to help.”
“But why—?You—?”
Runeak’s lips drew back in a violent snarl, and she snapped her maw at Errshek.“Go!”
From the corner of Saer’s eye, he caught the subtle, approving incline of Lucifer’s head.Errshek nodded again with anxiety-ridden quickness and scurried off while irritation prickled under Saer’s skin.
He held his tongue, only because Lucifer had commanded his silence, but tried to catch Runeak’s attention.When her ebony eyes slid to his, he quirked his brow and pointed with his chin at their maker in a soundless question.
Wrath gave nothing away.
The mixture of Ruki’s death, the return to the Hells while forced to wait, and the absence of Neyu all grated at him.His already short fuse ignited, and he bared his teeth in a silent snarl.
Her nostrils flared, though her expression didn’t change.
“Master,” Runeak’s shifted to face Lucifer with her quiet address.“The arena is finished.”
Their maker didn’t respond, and Saer wondered if It heard her declaration.
