The balcony door opened and Samael’s eyes met mine.
7
Danica
Vas excused himself and strode past Samael, calling out to one of his friends.
Samael raised one eyebrow as he swept his gaze over me, from the toes of my scarred leather boots, over my worn jeans, and along the t-shirt that had seen better days.
“I forgot to change, okay?”
“I didn’t say a word. You look as beautiful as always.”
I squinted my eyes at him, but the demon didn’t seem to be fucking with me. He held out a hand and before I was aware I’d held out my own, he was drawing me inside.
Most of the others were already seated, although a few demons were standing close to the balcony, drinks in hand. Lilith angled her head and surveyed my outfit.
“Nice to see you made an effort,” she said.
I opened my mouth to snark back at her, but Samael squeezed my hand. “Enough Lilith.”
She merely nodded and turned back to Asmodeus. The demon grinned at me, giving me a wink.
Most of the usual crowd were here. Agaliarept had returned from doing whatever mysterious task Samael had asked him to do. The demon wasn’t exactly my biggest cheerleader, and he gave me a sour look as I walked in.
Sitri nodded at me from where he was already seated at the long table and I nodded back.
A bell rang from somewhere in the kitchen, and everyone began moving toward their seats. Samael pulled my chair out and I plunked myself down.
A single red rose lay across my plate, the thorns removed. I glanced at Samael, who was deep in conversation with a demon whose name I’d forgotten.
I picked up the rose and sniffed, charmed despite myself.
The menu was Italian and my mouth watered as the waiters began bringing out plates of food. I started with a caprese salad and mentally planned to inhale a bowl of pasta.
By the time the next course was served, the topic had turned to Lucifer. When there was a break in conversation, I reached for my glass and sat back in my seat.
“You guys are so powerful. How come you haven’t taken Lucifer down before now?”
Bael gave me a steady stare. “Lucifer has survived fifty-four assassination attempts since we left the underworld.”
Fifty-four. I swallowed. And somehowIwas supposed to be able to kill him? Seemed unlikely to me.
“How sure are we about this whole prophecy thing?”
Several demons chuckled. Beneath the table, Samael took my hand. I allowed it.
“We could spend hours disclosing Lucifer’s atrocities during his rule,” Lilith said. “Just a few of those charming stories will give you nightmares. They won’t make you strong.”
“Ignorance won’t make me strong either.”
She smiled. “No. You must makeyourselfstrong.”
Ag took a sip of his wine and met my eyes. “Let’s just say that Lucifer’s cruelty is infinite. Ruling the underworld isn’t enough for him, and he rules in such a way that those who are not in his inner circle are miserable. Even the hint of betrayal or rebellion is ruthlessly stamped out. As my brother learned.”
Across the table, Vas studied his plate, then reached for his own wine and took a large gulp.
Samael squeezed my hand. “There are few who arebornevil. Most are created, shaped by life until they choose to break people and ruin lives. But Lucifer was forever scheming. He always had one eye on the throne. And yet my grandfather trusted him for longer than he should, because he believed Lucifer’s lust for power would never turn on him.”
