Not her, look at me!
Saer snapped his gaze upward.The black, swirling pools of Lucifer’s attention ensnared him, a snarl on the Sixth’s face.
The moment they locked eyes, Errshek’s brow softened, rage melting into sorrow.You were always so good at following orders, my Saerkhanum.Errshek’s lips didn’t form the words, but they did pout.
Saer’s heart squeezed into a block of ice and fractured, all at once.
Errshek’s hand touched Saer’s jaw tenderly, as though it might shatter at any moment.My cunning shadow.This is the price of my love.The pain you give me.
Lucifer had always been mercurial, though this rang different in his frenzied mind.Not safe.They weren’t safe.What changed?
Lucifer’s voice quieted, a breath of an echo in Saer’s mind.Do you have nothing to say for yourself?
Did their makerknow?How did It know?
Saer swallowed to wet his dry throat—and to buy time.“Master, I have many things to say for myself, but I admit I’m at a loss of which of those things to say.”
A flash of scarlet flared through Errshek’s eyes before they tumbled again to black.
I believe you,Lucifer answered.Errshek’s body shifted and stood to its full height.Choose your words carefully.Tell me why you’ve caused me such pain.
Blinking, Saer shook his head as though to clear it.“Master…”
Errshek’s head dipped down to the side, acknowledging and waiting.
What did he say?How muchcouldhe say?
“I’ve not intentionally caused you pain.”
That’s not what I asked, Saerkhanum.
“I...would have to guess what has caused your pain in order to try to explain it, Master.”
I’m waiting.No patience lived in the statement.
Saer wanted to scream, his chest tightening with the impulse.Theseriddles.He had no talent for them and he hadn’t had to play this game for decades, but he also couldn’t betray Neyu’s trust in him—her refusal to allow him to return.He needed to keep her safe.“If you’re in pain because I’ve not come to see you for so long, Master, it was because I was too preoccupied here to come back.”
Lie.A whispered warning in Saer’s mind as Lucifer stared down Its First.
Neyu shifted and Errshek’s head turned to her.The fallen angel’s attention on his love forced words to his lips.“I knew Neyu would do an exemplary job of keeping you apprised, therefore I didn’t find it necessary for me to repeat her work.”Me.Focus on me,he willed.
Lucifer stared at the Second too long for Saer’s liking.Its voice echoed in their minds while It remained trained on her.Partial truth.
Saer raised his volume, desperate to regain his maker’s attention.“I’ve come to enjoy it here, Master.I’m good at what I do.”Errshek’s head twitched some, but Lucifer didn’t remove Its attention from Neyu.“I’ve created a life here, Master.I’ve created a...home.”
Neyu held her breath.Her fingers flexed and dug into the ground.
The string wound tighter.
At last, like a sigh in their minds, Lucifer whispered,Truth.
The fallen angel fixated on Saer again.In the swirl of black, pin-points of red ignited.Saer pressed on, despite Neyu’s silent discomfort.“Once I found my home, I desired to stay.It was no reflection upon you, Master, or the love I have for you.”His maker brought him life.He dedicated himself to It.He loved It.Surely, this would convince the fallen angel.
Envy’s wings flared and his face twisted with Lucifer’s lip curl.
The first part truth, the second alie.
Saer thought he’d told the truth.
