“I think for now I’ll just visit Hallowsdeep when I can.” I watch as her face falls, and it’s one of the worst things I’ve ever seen. As badly as I want her by my side every minute of every day, it’s not safe. She’s not strong enough.
But Blair just sits taller, accepting the disappointment, and nods her head. “That’s fine. I get it.” God, she’s so young but so strong already. She shouldn’t have to live like this, and I can’t help but feel guilty.
“I promise to visit as much as I can.”
She nods her head like she doesn’t believe me. “Can you just promise me to always make my birthdays this special?”
I smile and nod. “That I can promise.”
We finish dinner and head back to her mother’s house. She doesn’t talk much as we get to the cottage. I know what I need to do, but it doesn’t make it any easier. I get down on one knee and hold out my arms. I wrap them around her, infusing her with my magic to protect her human body and mind from the demon part of her. I want her to live a full and happy life before she ever has to see where she comes from.
When she pulls away, she looks brighter; it’s then I realize how much she needed me to reign her demon side in and protect her human form. This next step is going to be the hardest part. Staring into her eyes, I tell her the lie she needs to hear. “I’m your dad, and I have a very busy job. I visit as much as I can. You won’t remember how we met, and you won’t remember my friend. You’ll just remember that I love you. Happy Birthday, Blair.”
“Thanks, dad,” she says.
I take her in one last time as she walks away from me, her mother glaring at her as she comes out to greet me.
“About time you decided to stop being a dead-beat,” she sneers, as I look past her to confirm that Blair is in the house. I grab Josie by the throat and push her against the side of the house. Getting right into her face, I try my fucking hardest not to really kill her.
“You hit her, hurt her, or mistreat her, and I’ll make sure that every moment for your eternal existence is fucking horrible.” Her eyes widen as she scratches at my fist. I loosen my grip, and she glares at me.
“You don’t know what it’s like to parent. If you're so concerned, then take her with you.”
“You don’t think I wish I could. She needs to remain here until it’s her time.”
“So when’s the next time I can expect a visit from you and your little whore?”
I snarl, gripping her throat again and hitting her hard against the house.
“You will never speak about her like that…” Another hard shove. “Again.” I can see the fear in Josie’s eyes when I squeeze just a little bit harder. Maybe I’d be doing the kid a favor by killing her, I could find someone better suited to raise Blair. But then I worry about what would happen if she’s adopted outside of her coven. Blair needs to become the best witch she possibly can. It would make her unstoppable.
“You will raise Blair and take care of her until she’s an adult. You are to train Blair to be as powerful as her potential allows. You will not tell her who I am. When I come to see her, you will not interfere. Do you understand?”
Josie nods her head, and I let her down. Her hand flies up to her throat, and I can tell she wants to hex me. Josie has her suspicions of who and what I am, but as far as she knows, I’m just a demon, and I’ve made it clear that I’m not one to be fucked with.
“I’m setting up a bank account in her name. If I find out you or one of your coven members have touched it, there will be hell to pay.”
I walk away, my shoulders tense, and all I want to do is scream. Why did I think this was a good idea? That we could just fucking breed with humans and create demons without getting attached?
Maybe the others don’t feel the same way I do because their children aren’t magical. But Blair? Fuck, I can already tell her power is going to be special. She’s going to be fierce and someone to reckon with. My pride for the daughter I just met is almost as overwhelming as the guilt and sadness that follows me back to Hell.
As soon as I return, I summon Toth and Milcom to my study. I’ve trusted both of them with multiple missions, and this one is just as important. Toth, as always, looks calm and ready, but there’s something about Milcom that seems slightly off.
“I need both of you to go to Earth and see if I have any offspring that hold the demon trait.”
I hand them a list, and Toth raises an eyebrow at the names on the list but doesn’t say anything. “We’ll split the list up and check, my lord,” Toth says, making Milcom’s face twitch.
“What of my work with Beelzebub, my lord?”
I arch a brow at him and let out an irritated sigh. “This is more important than monitoring the angels right now.”
“Of course,” he says, bowing his head as he leaves the room.
Toth stays behind and looks me over once. “Lucifer, is there something more?”
I’m overwhelmed with tonight’s events and how it seems like I’ll never know a moment of true peace again. Not with needing to keep the two most important people in my existence a secret.
“That is all.”
