He gave me a dark look. “Not these instincts. These feelings are all new to me, and I wrestle with them every day. But I understand that as much as I need to protect you, you will insist on encounters with some of the most dangerous creatures in this city, all while Lucifer now knows you’re alive.”
I chewed on my lower lip. I mean he wasn’twrong. “So your solution is to train me?”
“If I can’t be with you every moment of every day– and believe me, that’s a hardship– you will allow me to protect you the way I know best. By teaching you as much as I can about your power. You have your witch friend, and she has done miracles in the time she has had— don’t think I haven’t noticed your shields.” Pride entered his words and warmth unfurled in my chest. “But you need a demon to teach you how to use your powers.”
“Okay,” I said. Surprise flickered in his eyes, and I smiled. It wasn’t often I could surprise the demon. He studied my face as if waiting for me to say ‘psych’ and I rolled my eyes.
“Despite what you must think of me, I’m not an idiot who acts without thinking,” I said. He raised one eyebrow and I scowled. “Unless someone I love is in danger.” He nodded as if that was exactly his point. “And,” I said through gritted teeth, “I always loved learning from you. I just hated how you would never ask me to do something. You ordered. And of course, I was continually distracted by the warring instincts to either punch you in the face or jump your bones.”
He grinned, the infrequent, almost boyish grin I loved.
Over the past few weeks, I’d thought a lot about the prophecy. About Lucifer. In fact, I’d had a pity party for weeks. But I didn’t have time to feel sorry for myself. Lucifer knew I was alive, and that meant it was only a matter of time before he was coming for me.
I shifted and winced. My entire body ached. Most of it was a pleasant ‘you sure got some’ ache, but Samael had a gleam in his eye that told me if I didn’t get out of his bed, I’d be walking with a limp.
I had to time this perfectly, because if he put his hands on me, I was destined to roll around with him for the next few hours.
I was weak, damnit.
“Will you pass me that water?
The demon reached over to grab it, and I took the opportunity to roll out of the bed.
“Psych.”
He glanced back at me, his eyes darkened, and I realized I was standing in front of him, naked like a juicy steak in front of a lion.
“Come back here,” he purred.
I shivered. “Don’t even try to use your sex voice on me. I’ve got shit to do.”
He slowly sat up, readying himself to pounce.
I took off toward the bathroom, slamming the door shut before he could open it.
“My cooter can’t handle any more of your attention,” I told him when he attempted to open the door.
“I’ll have the healer look at you.” I could hear the smirk in his voice and I scowled.
“You will fucking not.” My face heated in mortification at the thought and he laughed. I turned on the shower and decided to ignore him.
By the time I made it into the dining room for breakfast, Evie was up and eating a bagel.
She seemed… energized. I was pretty sure she was fueled by pure rage, and at this point, I couldn’t blame her. But I’d take rage over shell-shocked grief any day.
“I talked to Samael.” I told her. “Gloria is our best bet for figuring out how to remove the device in your neck. Samael’s giving her access to his grimoires, which apparently are necessary for this kind of spell.”
Evie nodded. “Good. I want it out.”
“I know. Here’s the thing, though. You’re going to have to be put under. We need a surgical team, and we need to make damn sure they’re not going to kill you in the process.”
She paled slightly but nodded. “Whatever it takes.”
The door opened and we both glanced at Samael as he walked in.
“Ladies.”
“Coffee?” I offered. My head spun at how weirdly domestic it was to be eating breakfast with my sister in Samael’s penthouse.
