He nodded. “We always have been a good team, Rox.”
“Just be ready,” I said, and in the cover of shadow, I sprinted around the perimeter of the lot until I was behind her. Lothar roared, blood sliding down his face from his eyes, nose, and mouth. Her powers were depleting, but she was still incredibly strong, and she was killing him.
I gave Lucifer the nod, then gritting my teeth, sprinted at her and leaped in the air.
She dropped Lothar, sensing me, and spun before I could reach her. She slashed her hand through the air. It had the same effect as a blade, and I felt the scar at my side tear. The pain was nothing compared to my rage, though, not even close. I slammed into her, wrapped myself around her, and thrust my blade into her temple, jerking it around and scrambling the bitch’s brains.
It wouldn’t last long, not with her healing abilities, but long enough for Lucifer to do what he needed to.
He strode forward, his immense power flowing from him. He was incredibly strong, but with the angels’ interference, he wasn’t strong enough to destroy Sera on his own, not like she was. Now he had a fighting chance.
His eyes glowed brightly, and beams of light burst from him, from all around him. He was incandescent as he lifted his hands and, baring his teeth, sent all that power straight at Sera. It slammed into her chest, and she screamed, struggling as he lifted her off the ground. I didn’t let go of her, twisting my blade, not letting her rapid healing abilities unfuck her mutilated gray matter.
I felt her body heat, so hot it burned my skin, but I refused to let go. No, I clung tighter and pressed my mouth to her ear. “Bitch, just so we’re clear. Lothar is mine,” I snarled.
Seraphina shrieked in outrage—and exploded. Her body literally blowing apart.
I dropped, landing in a crouch, and spun, searching the lot, making sure she was truly gone. When I turned back, the hounds and the knights were staring at me.
“Holy fuck, Rox,” I heard Roman say.
I ran to Lothar, dropping to my knees beside him. “You alive?” I choked out. He had multiple broken bones and was bleeding badly.
“Take more than that to kill me,” he choked out.
I let out a sigh of relief. Sera’s powers would make his recovery slow, but it wouldn’t be fatal.
Bright light flooded the lot, and I looked up as three angels landed several yards away.
“You’re a little late,” Lucifer said and strode toward them. He took them in from head to toe. “We don’t even warrant an archangel or two? They sent you three chuckleheads instead?”
The one in the middle bristled. “We are more than powerful enough, I assure you.”
“Well, it doesn’t really matter now, does it? You missed all the fun.”
“We came as soon as we could,” another one said.
“Sure you did,” Lucifer said. “You also let her think she’d escaped prison all on her own and boosted her powers to levels Seraphina should never have possessed.”
They didn’t bother to plead their case and were gone a moment later.
“They were watching the whole fucking time, weren’t they?” Zenon growled. “They had no intention of taking her back.”
“What does this mean?” War added.
“It means that we need to be on guard. The angels want change, and they are willing to do anything to get it,” Lucifer said.
I tried to stand, and Lothar grabbed my arm. “Where are you going?”
“I’ll be right back,” I said and smiled down at him as I gently pulled from his hold. Rome said something to him, and I quickly backed up and walked into the shadows, my heart shredding even more.
My phone beeped, and I pulled it out of my pocket.
Luci: Don’t leave. Come home.
I looked up. Lucifer stood across the lot from me, Sera’s scattered remains between us. I quickly typed my reply.
Roxy: I will always love you, Lucifer, but I’m not sure I can forgive you. If you love me, too, you’ll let me go.
