The look he sent me was coolly amused. “And you believe your demon would have gladly welcomed one of Lucifer’s most powerful advisors to his ranks?”
I shrugged. “So instead you fled to this realm?”
His expression darkened at the wordfled. Yup, I’d already figured out how to get under his skin.
“I waited to see if Samael would retake his throne. He was no match for Lucifer, once the new underking bargained with the underworld to keep him from using his power. Then the portals opened, and it wasSamaeland his people who fled.”
He was trying to get undermyskin now. I gave him a slow smile.
“And my mother? What do you know of her?”
His mouth twisted. “I know she should have known better–”
I leapt at him.
I’d used this move before on Samael, and the memory of it attempted to steal my concentration. The demon hadn’t been expecting me to move, and I hooked my leg behind his, unbalancing him.
He landed flat on his back with a thump, and I smiled at him from where I’d positioned myself over his torso, Misty at his throat.
“Wow,” Kyla remarked. “I didn’t see that coming.” She walked around us and placed her boot lightly on the demon’s forehead.
Even with Kyla’s strength, we were really only able to keep Ugales flat on his back thanks to the element of surprise. Werewolves were strong, but demons were usually stronger.
Unfortunately, Ugales had been hiding away in his cabin for far too many years.
He glowered up at me, and I could feel him gathering power.
I let a hint of my own power out to play. He was a high demon, but he wasn’t anywhere near as powerful as the demons I hung out with on a daily basis. And as he’d been so quick to remind me, I was of Lucifer’s line.
“Tell me what you know about my mom, and who killed her. And keep in mind,” I let my gaze drop down to Misty, “I’ll know if you lie.”
A dull flush worked its way up his cheeks. It looked like Ugales and I wouldn’t be exchanging Christmas cards this year.
“Ask your questions,” he spat.
“You may have opted out of politics, but I’ve got a feeling you’ve been keeping up with everything that’s happening in both realms. So why don’t you tell me what you know about my mom’s death.”
He didn’t bother denying the fact that he’d been gathering information. Instead, he gave me a nasty smile.
“You believe Lucifer only just learned you were alive? He had his suspicions all along. Because one of your father’s friends betrayed him and told him all about your mother.”
The edges of my vision turned red. “Lucifer killed my mother?”
“Of course not.” He snorted, turning his attention to Kyla. “Get your foot off my head.”
I nodded at her and she stepped back, but not until she’d given the demon a low growl of warning. Misty hadn’t glowed. So far, Ugales was telling the truth.
“Why didn’t Lucifer have my mom killed?”
He gave me a look that said he wasn’t impressed with my level of intelligence. I refrained from digging Misty into his skin.
“Lucifer learned of her when she returned to Durham. Which was perhaps the stupidest move she could have made.” I didn’t have it in me to snap at him. He was right.
“So then what?”
“So his men were planning to snatch her.”
“Which men? The demons who crossed into our world were loyal to Samael.”
