So why wasIable to command a powerful demon like Abaddon when I wore it?
My creature purred with giddy satisfaction.“Well, well. This is a pleasant surprise.”
“Take it off!” he roared again, his command so loud it shook the dust from the cavern’s ceiling and sent it raining down on us like ash.
I could stop and ask questions as to why the crown’s power was stronger when I wore it or why it even worked at all for me later.
This was a freaking miracle. The Fates may not have been here like I planned, but this was even better. Whether it was by their influence or just sheer dumb luck, I’d been handed the best possible outcome. The ability to murder Abaddon myself and make him pay for all that he’d done.
“Lilith!”
“It’s Jessica now, not Lilith. And keep my damn name out of your mouth, monster. Now get on your fucking knees.”
Tension pulled my stomach tight when his muscles bulged. He was growing bigger, trying to fight my power. The sound of shredding fabric filled the air, and he grew too large for the clothing that already strained to fit him. His eyes were practically popping out of his head, and the tendons in his neck pulled tight as he used every bit of his strength to fight against the crown’s will.
Then, relief burst through me when he collapsed to his knees, making the earth below quake.
My beast was alive with wicked amusement, and I was right there along with her.
This was going to be good.
“You think you’ve won?” he seethed through teeth clenched so tight I could practically hear them cracking. “Just because you wear the crown you think you can beat me?”
“Actually, that’s exactly what I think, asshole. Now, where should we begin?”
I rubbed my chin with thought, milking this for everything it was worth. I loved the way I could see the twinkle of fear beneath Abaddon’s cracking, tough-guy facade. “Oh, I know. First, tell me what happened to Cerberus. Did you kill him?”
The demon barked a cruel laugh. “You think it works like that? You can’t force me to tell you shit. The crown’s power doesn’t work like that.”
“No. It doesn’t.” My mouth slowly curled into a maniacal grin. “But it does work like this. Reach back and grab your right wing.”
Maybe I was a little fucked up for just how much joy I got seeing the look of horror flash across his face. But I wasn’t about to stand here and contemplate my moral compass. This was too much damn fun.
“Rip it off, nice and slow, ‘My King.’”
Just as he screamed a frayed “no,” his arm did as I commanded and slowly began ripping at the appendage. The sound was absolutely disgusting. Tearing flesh and cracking bone sent a shiver down my spine, but I centered my focus on the pain in his face as he removed the source of all immortal shifter’s pride and joy.
“What’s the matter, big guy?” I snickered. “I’m in love with Lucifer. So if this was really an attempt to steal me away from him, shouldn’t you endeavor to be more like him?”
The blood-curdling scream welded with a savage growl that made my ears want to curl in on themselves. But I stood my ground, every nerve in my body tingly and warm like they were threaded with Christmas lights.
Blood pooled around his knees, reflecting the pretty scene of him looking up at me, wearing the crown with a sickening grin on my face.
Lucifer would be so proud. Part of me wanted to wait for my mate to get here before I continued. However, patience was never really my strong suit.
“Very good. Now remove the other one.”
“No!” he gritted out, every tendon in his clenched jaw spasming as he fought me with everything he had.
“No?” I made a scoffing sound. “I’m sorry, but between us, that word has no damn meaning. Isn’t that right? Now rip off the other one, and don’t keep me waiting.”
Despite his best efforts to resist the power of the crown, he ripped off the other.
I relished the way he screamed in agony, savored the way his nostrils flared and how his chest heaved with labored breaths. He was trying to hold in all the pain, trying not to let me see just how much I was hurting him.
Doesn’t feel so good on the receiving end, does it?
“You think this is over? You can kill me now, but the celestials are coming for you. They’ll murder you again, and this time they’ll kill Lucifer too. When you reincarnate again, you’ll always carry that empty feeling of not having your mate. And the worst part will be you won’t know why. We’ve ruined you for all men, all happiness. You’ll die alone, over and over again until the end of time.”
