“Mags...” He slowly brought his hand to his stinging cheek, blinking in surprise at the gold smudge that came away from his throbbing lower lip. “You justslappedme.”
“And I’ll do it again!” She paced away a few steps before turning back and repeating the motion. “If it gets through to you, I’ll slap you a thousand times or more.”
“You willnot,” he frowned harshly. “Mags, you know I adore you, but I have to draw a line, even for you.”
She laughed, a bitter, hollow thing. “Lines? Luce, you skipped a line and threw me right in acage!”
“That’s an exaggeration.”
“No, it isn’t!” She groaned. “And the real issue is that you don’tseeit!”
He scoffed. “Maybe that’s because you’re seeing something where there’s nothing to see.”
She threw up her hands. “That’s rich! You’re so arrogant, it’s absolutely astounding! You don’t want to face your mistakes, soImust be overreacting? It’s a miracle Michael ever put up with you, let alone Angela!”
His eyes darkened to black pits, the whites all but gone. “That’s enough, Mary.”
“Oh, it’s my proper name now?” She stomped across the gap between them and shoved his shoulder roughly. “All fake platitudes until I touch a nerve, and then it’s suddenly an issue.”
He knew when he had done it that it was a mistake but keeping her out of harm’s way had taken precedence. It was her turn now to prioritize her feelings, but his own temper was flaring in response. “You’re crossing the line.”
“And it sucks, right? To have your boundaries disrespected by someone you care about, who’s supposed to care about you?”
She shoved him again, and Luce tensed. He was keeping his footing now that he was expecting her blows, but his irritation could only be kept at bay so long.
“I do care about you! That’s what this is all about!”
“No!” Another shove, harder. “This is aboutyou!”
“I was protecting you!”
“You aresmotheringme!” She beat her clenched fists against his chest, furious.
“Stop this nonsense, Mary!” He gripped her wrists tightly, drawing her close in a crushing grip, and she flailed like a wild creature. “Stop fighting!”
“Let me go!” Her cries rose, frantic, as she fought to get free of his grip. “Lucifer stop, please! Let go, let go, letgo!”
“Oh,” the realization dawned, and he released her as if her skin burned him. “Mags, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean?—”
“Stop!” Tears were flowing freely now and her eyes were wild, like a terrified animal. “Just leave me alone, please,” she begged.
“No, I?—”
He stepped towards her and she panicked, stepping back so quickly that she fell to the floor. Still, she kept going, scuttling back without pause until she bumped up against the sofa.
“Stay away from me, I mean it.” Her quavering tone broke his heart, and Luce fell back.
“I’m so sorry.”
“You’re never sorry.” Mags shrank into herself, curling against the sofa and resting her head on the cushion. “And whenyou are, it’s only once you’ve gone too far.Thatis your problem, Luce.”
The truth in her words impaled him. Luce turned away, ashamed, and struggled to find the words to convey his regret. Before he could, a sharp pang settled at the base of his spine and drew his focus.
“No…” he murmured, brow creasing. His newest wards had been triggered, the ones keyed into a specific magical signature that definitively didnotbelong in Hell.
“Yes,” Mags snapped back, assuming he spoke to her.
“Not you,” Luce said, shaking his head. “I have to go.”
