“What?” Drew demanded. “But what about Andras?”
It was Drew’s turn to be subjected to Kensington’s warning look. “Drew and Leila only,” Kensington emphasized.
Drew turned to Zach, his throat constricting with worry. “Zach, he helped me,” he whispered.
“I know, sweetness.” Zach looked at Lucifer in appeal. “I know there was a misunderstanding with Andras, but—”
“Hestolefrom me,” Lucifer barked. “For that, Andras will remain here and face his punishment.”
“And what will that punishment entail?” Zach asked.
“How dare you question my master!” Orias snapped.
Zach ignored him. “What will you do to him?”
Lucifer held up a hand, halting Orias from approaching Zach and apprehending him. “What does it matter to you?” he asked. “Do you still care for him?”
That answered Drew’s earlier question. Lucifer was well aware of the history between Zach and Andras.
“Of course I care about him!” Zach said. “We were friends for centuries.”
Lucifer made a tutting sound. “Well, this will be quite devastating for you then, I’m afraid.”
All the colour drained from Zach’s face, and he squeezed Drew’s hand hard enough to hurt. “What do you mean?” he whispered.
Lucifer’s tone was flippant when he replied, “When I kill him, of course.”
Chapter 27
Beware, the viper
The air in Zach’s lungs expelled with such force it felt like he’d been punched in the solar plexus. “No.”
“Oh yes,” Lucifer said. “I really must set an example. No one steals from me and gets away with it.”
“That’s not fair!” Drew cried, taking a step forward.
“Watch your tone, Drew Phillips,” Lucifer warned. “You’ve not been given leave from here just yet.”
“You got your dagger back,” Drew continued, ignoring the warning. “You’re taking your personal feelings of rejection out on Andras, and it’s not fair!”
“You are walking on dangerous ground,” Lucifer growled, and the air within the room grew thick and heavy with his anger.
Drew blanched a little, but held his ground. “I get it, okay. You slept with him, and now you want more. But you can’t hold it against Andras that he doesn’t. You can’t kill him for that!”
What the fuck? Andras hadsleptwith Lucifer? Zach was so out of the loop.
“I am not some pathetic child with a crush, Drew Phillips, so don’t you dare speak to me as if I were,” Lucifer snarled. “In my kingdom, the punishment fits the crime.”
“You can’t kill him. Please!” Drew begged.
“Oh, I can and I will. And I will take great pleasure in it,” Lucifer assured him with a cold smile. “I will stand and watch as he dies, and then when he comes back, I will watch as he dies again. And again. And again. I will watch him die until I feel he has learned his lesson.”
Zach slumped in relief as he realized Lucifer hadn’t been talking about the true death. Andras would suffer, but then he would live. It wasn’t ideal, but it wasn’t the worst possible outcome.
Drew didn’t appear to agree. “You said you weren’t evil, and yet you’re going to take pleasure in torturing him? You’re such a liar!” he yelled.
“Watch your tongue!” Orias thundered.
