We were at the mansion, and Lucifer was upset. He was pacing and still Hellboy red. That couldn’t be good.
“I want answers!” Lucifer’s voice bit through the air and echoed in the large room.
Beelz walked over to the throne where Lucifer was sitting. “Look, they were able to mask themselves, so the hellhounds couldn’t track them. We’re doing everything we can, but we need to figure out how to find them.”
Lucifer hissed. “This shouldn’t be so hard.”
I laughed. “You’re the Ruler of Hell. Don’t you have ways to deal with this sort of situation?”
He gave me a snarled look. “I’ve run this place for a very long time without your smart mouth, you know?”
“Yes, sir. I understand, and if I offended you, I’m sorry.” I damn well didn’t want to get on Lucifer’s bad side. The image of him ripping apart and devouring his own son was enough to tell me it was best to placate the being at all times.
“Come on, boys. Let’s not turn on each other.”
I glanced behind me to see Lilith strutting into the throne room in an outfit I was sure made Quinn bite his fist.
Lucifer chuckled. “You’re right. What brings you by?”
“I got a text from Scotty. He and Michael are headed to Limbo. That’s why I’m here. This whole thing with the death of the cherub and the lesser demon doesn’t need to explode.” Lilith was right.
Lucifer stared at her. “So, who killed the demon?”
“It was an Arch, but you knew that. Put that aside. We need to worry about Nyx and the upcoming war. I almost wonder if she’s behind this? It’s a great diversion, isn’t it?”
Lilith then turned to me. “Do we know where Nyx and her followers have gone?”
“No, but we’re searching.” Beelz stepped into the room and stared at me.
“What?”
Beelz grinned. “Celestials are waiting for us in Limbo. You ready?”
Lucifer chuckled. “Go. Bring back information.”
I didn’t wait to be told twice, and I followed Beelz through Hell and Hades and then stepped onto the ferry. Kharon nodded in greeting, but I wasn’t sure why we were taking the boat in the first place. We could fly.
“Why are we taking the ferry?”
Beelz grinned. “Shoot me. I love a boat ride. Besides, the Celestials are willing to turn over the one who killed the lesserdemon. We have more important things to worry about than taking the ferry, and I know you want to get back with your mate.”
“What?” Had I heard Beelzebub correctly?
“Your mate took a risk that paid off. He loves you very much and was willing to risk his existence to get back to you. Scotty’s a true angel. Let’s get to paddling, Kharon.”
Beelz and I made our way to Limbo, seeing the Celestials at a large table. Cato had roped off the area, but a large gathering of spirits awaiting judgment were taking an interest. It was easy to see the Celestials were nervous—they would be on the other side of judgment if they handled the situation wrong.
I scanned the crowd and found my Scotty among them. When he saw me, he quickly pushed his way through and was in my arms before I had the chance to take a breath.
The future wasn’t certain, but holding Jay gave me hope that maybe we had a chance to live the future that had been taken from us without our permission. At least, that was what I hoped.
Uriel, the current head of the Council, was sitting midway down the table with a few other Archs on his left and right. Four guards stood behind the table with two Archs secured in handcuffs, and Jophiel stood behind Michael, who was seated at the end of the table.
“I love you so much. Michael told me about Nyx going missing. He also discussed with his fellow Archs how to level our playing field so we can continue our work,” Scotty whispered to me.
That sounded better than just about anything I’d heard to date. “Good. I know our side is motivated. Let’s hope your side is too.”
Uriel stood and raised his hands to silence the crowd. “Greetings from the Celestial Realm. We are here to deliver one of the culprits who caused the death of the cherub Nakir and the demon Tork. The division between the mission of Heaven andHell brought these useless killings about. We, as the Celestial Council, want to assure the Ruler of Hell and those who serve him that we won’t fall to the level of treachery this crime reveals. There will be retribution for those accused. We will turn over the Celestial of Lucifer’s choice, return to the Celestial Realm, and punish the other. Let the hearing begin.”
