A muscle twitched in his jaw and I studied his face as I continued. “Your friend? The kitchen maid you like to flirt with when you think no one notices? What do you think would happen to her if you betrayed us?”
He looked at me like he’d never seen me before and something in my chest twisted. Then his eyes shone with a dull fury. “You’re threatening my friend?”
“Of course not. Merely reminding you that I have people everywhere. And if you get any ideas about turning me in…”
His mouth twisted, but instead of dropping me, his arms clamped around me, squeezing tight.
“You cold bitch.”
“Thank you.”
“You want to kill Lucifer? From where I’m flying you’re just like him.”
He was lashing out, and he knew exactly where to strike. I kept my face carefully blank gazing down as the palace came into view.
“You sweet-talker.”
I shoved the ring in my mouth as Pischiel approached the palace. His landing reminded me of Vas, with the way he tucked his wings in and dropped to the ground. The thought of my friend made me so homesick, my throat ached.
“Where have you been?”
I jumped. Pischiel’s arms clamped around me once more, and we both turned to find Daimonion stalking toward us, several guards in his wake.
“I don’t owe you any explanation of my coming and goings,” Pischiel bit out. He pinched me, and I knew he was silently telling me to freeze.
I trembled in his arms. I may be invisible, but Daimonion was suspicious. I could tell.
Pischiel turned, letting out a sudden, loud laugh to cover my movements as I slowly turned to slide past him.
My heart slammed in my chest, as if it would jump out and flop onto the ground in front of me. I dared a single glance back over my shoulder, but Daimonion was still staring at Pischiel, who had his blank face on.
Fuck. Ireallydidn’t want to get Pischiel dead.
He’s Lucifer 2.0, Danica. He was raised by him—trained by him. He would probably end up just as evil as him.
I tiptoed in the opposite direction and made my way back toward my meeting spot with Garadiel. We still had work to do.
18
SAMAEL
The breeze was light on my skin. To my right, a forest stood, spreading for miles. To my left, our armies were currently camped and preparing for battle. The pocket realm had more than enough space for us. If I didn’t know I was currently tied to a fae artifact, I would have assumed I was in the seelie realm.
I shrugged off the claustrophobia as a demon walked toward me. Blonde curls exploded from his head, and he shoved his hand through his hair as I watched. His face was pale, expression resolved, and I gestured for him to approach, glancing around us to ensure we had privacy.
“Teremos. Are you sure you want to do this?”
“I volunteered. It was my idea.”
“Understood. But I need to ensure you’re fully aware of the consequences. I have a backup plan, and it’s not too late to change—”
“I’m sure. A year ago today, Lucifer’s regiment attacked my village. They killed my mate. She was pregnant with my son.” His voice cracked and I couldfeelhis pain and hopelessness. “My beautiful mate would have been disappointed in me if I had simply killed myself after I lost them both. I could hear her voice in my head, urging me to hold on. This is different. This is a chance to go with honor. To make my death mean something.”
I had to try one more time. “There is no honor in suicide. Only darkness, loneliness, and grief for your family.”
He shook his head at me. “I die today. Whether on that battlefield, raging against the people who killed my family, or on my own terms, ensuring you will kill Lucifer and free our people. I swear this to you, Samael. Whether you use my death or not, I will not walk off that battlefield alive.”
What would I do in the same place, if it were Danica and my child who’d been slaughtered? I was surprised he had lasted a year, but understood how vengeance had kept his heart beating, kept his body functioning when his soul had already taken flight, ready to join his family.
