Orias had other plans. He and another guard stepped into the room, and he barked, “Kneel before my master!”
Drew glanced at Andras and saw he’d turned deathly pale. The guard took a menacing step forward, and Drew tugged on Andras’s arm, urging him to the ground. Once they were both kneeling, Orias continued.
“Son of the Dawn, Ruler of the Kingdom of Air, Master of Serpents, and the Prince of Hell—Lucifer Morningstar.”
The demon who entered the chamber next was . . .notwhat Drew had expected. He’d been picturing the stereotypical demon from pop culture, like Hellboy from the comics: gigantic, muscular, with red skin, glowing eyes, and big horns. Or maybe even like Tom Ellis from the TV show, who was tall, handsome, and charming.
He wasn’t expecting a twink.
Lucifer was tiny, even shorter than Drew. He was slim but well-toned, and the black leather vest he was wearing showed off small but firm biceps, and a hint of a flat stomach. He was wearing tight black pants, shiny black boots that reached almost to his knees, and he was adorned with jewels. Each finger had a ring circling it; a delicate jewelled choker was at his throat, and his ears were pierced multiple times, each with a sparkling gem. His hair was surfer-boy blond, cut short and straight but styled in a way that looked effortlessly windswept. A constellation of freckles covered his nose and cheeks, beneath hazel eyes that looked almost orange.
Before Drew had a chance to even process this information, he was hit by the sheer power that exuded from Lucifer. If he hadn’t already beenkneeling, he would have buckled under the weight of it. It didn’t feel evil, or bad. Drew was just completely and unmistakably in the presence of one of the most powerful beings in existence.
Lucifer walked calmly towards the cell, then stood there and silently observed the demon before him. Drew stayed silent, frozen like prey, waiting. Beside him, Andras was staring at the ground, hunched in on himself like he was trying to make himself invisible. The guard remained by the door, but Orias crossed halfway into the chamber, maintaining a respectful distance from his master, but close enough in case he was needed.
“Hello again, Andras,” Lucifer said, and his soft voice had a musical lilt to it.
“My Lord,” Andras whispered, keeping his head down.
“Your insolence will not go unpunished,” Orias warned. “Show the proper respect.”
Andras let out a shaky breath. It looked like it was taking every ounce of willpower he had, but he slowly looked up and met Lucifer’s gaze. He then kissed his pointer and middle fingers before touching his forehead, both shoulders, and then his heart. “My Lord,” he said again, his voice faltering only slightly. “My mind, body, and soul are yours,” he intoned.
Lucifer continued to watch Andras closely, but his face remained blank, giving away nothing of his thoughts. He didn’t spare a glance for Drew, like he didn’t exist at all.
The silence stretched, becoming almost a living thing. Tension thrummed around the room, and Drew wondered who he needed to pray to in order for the ground to split open and swallow him up. There was some unspoken conversation happening, he was certain of it. What was being said, he didn’t know, but it was obvious that both Lucifer and Andras did.
After what felt like an eternity, but was in reality only a minute or two, Lucifer tore his eyes from Andras and turned to leave. He paused, his eyesfalling on Leila in the opposite cell. “Oh,” he said, sounding surprised. He then nodded his head in a surprising mark of respect. “Good morning.”
Leila’s head tilted to the side as she regarded Lucifer, her black eyes reflecting the light of one of the sconces. Eventually she let out a clearbok.
“Orias?” Lucifer said.
“Yes, My Lord?” he asked, snapping to attention.
“Please ensure our guest is comfortable.” He nodded towards Leila. “That cage is not befitting one of her kind.”
“Of course, My Lord.”
Without a backwards glance, Lucifer left the room, and the guard followed him out, closing the door behind him.
Orias walked up to the cell bars and stared at Andras. “See what you’ve done,” he hissed.
“I didn’t do anything!” Andras protested, seeming to regain a little of his previous mettle.
Orias barked out a derisive laugh. “Why did I expect anything different from the likes of you? Thief!”
Drew was so lost. What the hell was going on?
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Andras demanded. “You got the dagger back!”
“You know damn well this isn’t about the dagger!” Orias jabbed a finger through the bars at Andras. “It’s about what else you stole.”
“Not this again,” Andras said, frustrated. “I didn’t steal anything else!”
“You stole his heart, and for that you must pay!” Orias roared, causing both Drew and Andras to stagger back in shock.
“What?” Andras asked Orias..
