I nodded, but my mind provided the sight of Lucifer’s expression while he watched me, certain that he had me well in hand. I wouldn’t do anything stupid, but I wouldn’t just wait for Samael like a princess stuck in a tower, either.
Lucifer wouldn’t know what had hit him by the time I was done in the underworld.
“I know you’re not going to be content simply waiting for me,” Samael seemed to read my mind. He stroked one finger down my throat, then lower. “If you get the chance, attempt to convince Garadiel to see our side. We have been trying to sway him for years now, with no success. Perhaps you will have more luck.”
“Lucifer has hellhounds, Samael. I don’t know how many, but he’s keeping them in the dungeons.”
I’d nearly been killed by a hellhound soon after I met Samael. I remembered now, throwing myself over Ag’s body in an attempt to shield him.
“I know. Lucifer has always been fond of collecting the underworld’s most dangerous creatures and keeping them chained up and ready for when he needs them.”
My eyes were growing heavy, the need for true sleep overtaking me. “Vulnerability,” I mumbled. “Neck.”
“Yes, little witch. The hellhounds have a vulnerable spot at the back of their neck.” Samael’s voice was tender. “Sleep.”
“Don’t leave me.”
“I’ll never leave you.”
8
DANICA
The next morning, I got up early, before Yusilin arrived to wake me. I needed to have my game face on. She’d seemed ashamed after Gloria refreshed her little spell, unable to meet my eyes. But she’d also suggested I remove my bone bracelet.
Yusilin hadn’t tried all that hard to convince me to take it off–it had seemed more like she was going through the motions. But I still couldn’t trust her.
When Lucifer and Gloria had taken my memories, they’d also taken my weapons. They’d left my jewelry though, and it was ironic, in a way, since I had a pretty good feeling that both the protection spell woven into my earrings and the bracelet Hannah had given me had helped me regain my memories. No one in this realm had liked the bone bracelet, and it wouldn’t surprise me if Hannah had ensured I was the only one who could remove it.
But they hadn’t known about Angelica’s ring and its ability to fight enchantment. Kyla was a sneaky wolf indeed.
A small part of me wondered what had happened to Cellen, not to mention his sister. I pushed that thought away. Whatever had happened to them hadn’t been good. I didn’t know Cellen’s sister, but the seelie who’d dumped me on Lucifer’s doorstep deserved everything he’d gotten.
My hand automatically slid down to where my Mark II should have been waiting in its sheath. I wanted my weapons back. I had no doubt that Lucifer would merely sneer if I attempted to shoot or stab him, but I had more than enough enemies in this place, and I was sick of feeling like I was walking around naked.
Besides, I had retribution of my own to mete out.
“Danica?”
I smiled as Yusilin walked in and her eyes widened. “You’re already up. Difficulty sleeping?”
“No, actually, I slept like a baby. I just woke a little early. I think I want to wear the purple today. It’s so pretty.”
She nodded. “Of course.”
I dressed, spoke of unimportant things, and ate breakfast. Then I opened my door.
Pischiel.
Fuck.
I smiled at him. “This is a nice surprise.”
“I thought I’d convince you to take a walk with me.”
“Sounds lovely.”
I kept the vapid smile on my face as he offered me his arm. And I paid attention to every guard on each floor, memorizing our route down to the gardens.
