Samael shook his head. “Lucifer raised his son to think the same way.When he found out your father had visited this realm, he was furious. My spies reported the deaths of seventeen of his inner circle, who had been tasked with keeping your father in the underworld, where there was no chance he could create a Nephilim.”
“My father knew about the prophecy and he went after my mom anyway?”
“Some say he was rebelling as a way to prove to Lucifer that he should be given more power. Others say he acted as the hope of our people, finding the only way he knew to kill Lucifer.”
“But you said Lucifer didn’t know I was alive.”
“No. Your father returned to the underworld and was likely tortured. If he had disclosed his relationship with your mother, Lucifer would have found her well before she gave birth.”
I struggled with that for a long moment. My father had abandoned my mother, knowing that if anyone found out what he had done, she was dead. And yet… if he’d withstood torture to protect us…
Samael poured me another glass of wine. I took a steadying gulp.
Bael shoved a bite of gnocchi into his mouth. “The rebellion against Lucifer’s rule had begun long before we left our world. And yet, as the ruler of all demons, when he gave an order, it was almost impossible for us tonotfollow it.”
Ag nodded. He sent Samael a look that might have been… affectionate. I resisted the urge to pinch myself at the hint of something other than his usual blank expression.
“We had heard rumors, of course. That the boy had survived. That he’d been smuggled out. We realized the rumors were true as we learned what had become of the men who had killed Samael’s family.”
It was my turn to squeeze Samael’s hand. Thanks to the memory he’d shared with me, I could still remember how heavy his sister had been in his arms. And how his heart had broken in a million pieces when Lucifer’s men killed her in front of him.
Samael had been a child, and he’d killed them all.
“Samael became a myth as he grew into a man. The ferryman had taken him to the unseelie realm to grow into adulthood, and when he returned, we believed the darkness would end.” Bael’s expression turned mournful.
Samael sighed. “It wasn’t until I returned to my homeland that I realized what Lucifer had done. He connected with the underworld in a mockery of the relationship it had once had with my grandfather. And he made a bargain. The underworld would remove any ability I had to access my power while Lucifer was the underking. In exchange, Lucifer tied himself to the underworld. He is unable to step through a portal without instant death. And I am unable to return without losing access to my power.”
Lilith speared a baby tomato and popped it in her mouth. “The heir returned, and our people celebrated, only to realize he was powerless.”
“And yet,” Ag said, “the very fact that the rumors were true, and he was still alive… it was enough to keep our people going. To keep them hoping. We begged him to travel to another realm to stay safe until we were ready to move on Lucifer. He refused. For centuries, Samael stayed hidden within the underworld, and the rebels waited for their chance to strike.”
“And then my parents were killed,” Vas said, his eyes sad. “They were part of Lucifer’s court, and he was furious to learn the rebels had managed to get so close.”
“Their deaths were a lit match on a sea of gasoline. War broke out. But Lucifer had carefully hidden a secret alliance with the seelie king.”
I gaped at him. “Theseelieking helped the demons?”
“He was at war with the unseelie. Lucifer agreed to send his people to join his war in exchange for his troops.”
Explained why Samael loathed the seelie king now.
“None of us were prepared to be fighting both our own people, and the seelie. Half of our army quit on the spot, slinking back to Lucifer and hoping for mercy.”
From the sick look on Bael’s face, they didn’t find it.
Sitri angled his head. “Before the portals were opened, only the strongest demons were able to cross into this world. When the rebellion began, no one had any idea that a group of human witches would offer us a lifeline.” He lifted his glass in a toast. “So we sacrificed power. Various amounts depending on the demon. We had lost the war, and our people were being slaughtered, so we had no choice. The most powerful among us gave our power so that those who would otherwise not be able to travel through the portals could. Ag sacrificed the most, as he had a baby he also needed to get out, and Vas hadn’t yet come into any of his own power.”
I glanced at Samael. “So some of the demons who are loyal to you also won’t be able to return to the underworld?
“Correct.”
Samael leaned over and nuzzled my cheek. He seemed to need the comfort, so I allowed it.
“Do not worry, little witch. My plans will account for these limitations.”
The conversation switched to something lighter, and I finished the meal with the best tiramisu I’d eaten in my life. When dinner ended, I glanced at Vas.
“Danica will meet you downstairs,” Samael said.
