Leila fluttered over, and she slumped half on top of Drew and half on top of Zach. She gave an exhausted littlebok, and Zach leaned down and kissed her head. “Thank you for helping him,” he whispered. Without Leila’s help, he feared Drew would have killed himself trying to save Orias.
She blinked sleepily at him, and he recognized it for what it was. A truce.
It felt like the biggest victory he’d ever had.
“Shit, grab him!” Andras shouted.
Zach looked up just in time to see Tremblay sprinting across the room, the shattered leg of a chair held in his hand like a stake, heading right for Lucifer.
1. 'Death, release this demon to me!'
Chapter 28
If not for you pesky kids
Drew heard Andras shout, but his body was so exhausted he could do nothing but watch. The man Kensington had introduced as Trumbone, Tremble—something like that anyway—he had a sharp piece of wood in his hands, and he was running towards Lucifer.
Lucifer, who had his arms full of Orias and couldn’t defend himself.
Before anyone could even muster a spell, Princess was there. He jumped at the man, crashing into his back and taking him to the ground. Then, with one vicious bite, he tore into the back of his right leg, severing the hamstring.
The man screamed in pain, and then Kensington and Andras were there, restraining him.
“What the fuck, Tremblay?” Zach shouted.
“No! You can’t ruin this for me!” Tremblay screamed, fighting against the hands holding him. “Let me at him!”
Lucifer was stronger than he looked, as he pushed himself to his feet, all the while holding Orias to his chest. Drew struggled to stand from sittingwith a book in his hand, let alone a fully grown demon. Lucifer turned and gently sat Orias on the throne, cupping his cheek. “How are you feeling?” he asked.
Orias was looking at the throne in horror. “Master, please. I can’t sit here! This is your throne!”
Lucifertsked. “Don’t be stupid. It’s the most comfortable seat in this room, so it’s where you’ll stay until I can get you somewhere to fully recover.” His eyes were gentle and full of wonder as he added, “Somewhere we can talk.”
Orias blushed, but nodded, and when Lucifer bent and brushed his lips across his temple, he looked on the verge of combusting. Turning, Lucifer glared down at the chaos below. He glanced up at the ceiling and with the flick of his hand, the clouds dissipated, the sleet and rain stopped, and the residual magic cleared. “I want answers, and I want them now,” he said, voice low and deadly with no hint of the musical lilt that he normally had.
“So do I,” Zach said, and he stood, helping Drew to his feet. Drew allowed himself to be led over to one of the sole chairs that remained intact, and Zach quickly righted it so he could slump down onto it. Then he wrapped a wing around his shoulders, and Drew snuggled in.
“This is a shock to all of us,” Kensington told Lucifer. “None of us knew Tremblay was planning this.”
“Who the fuck even is this guy?” Drew asked.
“He’s my mentor,” the young man who had accompanied them said. “Well, hewas. Not anymore after whatever the hell this was.”
Drew grimaced. “I’m sorry. I don’t know whoyouare either.”
“I’m Alastair Cavendish. I’m the Alberta chapter head of the Collective.” He smiled at Drew. “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.”
Drew just nodded at that.
“Tremblay.” Kensington hoisted the man to his feet, ignoring the way he cried out in pain as weight was put on his injured leg. “Explain yourself.”
Lucifer stalked towards them, and Tremblay flinched back from him, but Kensington held him firm. “You tried to kill me. You almost killed Orias. Why?” he demanded.
Tremblay straightened and sneered at Lucifer. “You are only in power for as long as you are undefeated.”
Drew felt Zach recoil in shock. “You were attempting to usurp Lucifer?”
“And I would have succeeded if that oaf hadn’t jumped in front of him!”
