I roll my eyes. It can’t hurt too badly if he’s making jokes about it. He wraps an arm around my waist and plants another kiss on my lips. An intimate, seeking kiss that makes my cheeks burn and blood heat. He breaks away from me. “Who said anything about joking?”
I blink. He can read my mind; I slam my mental shields up with “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga. He smirks. “As if that would keep me out of your head.”
I grit my teeth and throw everything I have into it. A ghost of familiar warmth spills down my neck and traces the curve of my breasts; the sensation crawls up my thighs, like multiple mouths are licking at my flesh. My mouth pops open, my shields wobble, and I stifle the embarrassing moan teetering on my lips.
Zac huffs across the gap. “When you’ve finished eye fucking each other, can we turn to more important matters? Like what the fuck just happened?”
Archan winks and drops his sensual assault. I glare at him as his grin widens. “There will be payback,” I warn.
“Looking forward to it.”
The door to the right of the stage shoves open, a person fighting against the debris piled behind it. A blonde woman I recognize as a regular at Hell’s Hole falls to her hands and knees. She glances up with wide eyes, her gaze searching the room, pausing on Lucifer.
“Sire, they’ve breached the final barrier,” she says before passing out on the floor in a heap of black dress and blonde hair. Which means they have a sorceress powerful enough to remove the last seal. Movement to the left draws our attention as Nathan and Michael appear from the entrance.
“They’ve taken Marsha,” Michael says.
“No shit,” Zee grits out.
“Are Gramps and Charlie okay?” I ask, dread pooling in the pit of my stomach.
“They are fine,” Nathan states. “A few bumps and bruises, nothing major.”
I rub my hands down my face. “Change of plans before we’ve even begun.”
“We still need to bar their exit. Therefore, the best way will be to drive them back the way they came,” Jed says, examining the gaping hole.
Lucifer teleports across the chasm, landing at my side. “I have people stationed at the second level exit.”
“They will send out a strong front line to reach the Earth quickly. The monsters will follow,” Archan adds.
“Brains, then the brawn?” I check.
Archan gives a sharp nod. “Also, we need to negate that weakness of yours.”
“I’m not marrying you under duress. Not when you haven’t explained everything that comes with the bonding.”
“It’s not like we have time for show and tell, Natia. You will just have to trust me.”
I fold my arms. “I will see Lysa, try to reason with her. You go to the second level and push back on anyone that’s crept out of Tartarus.”
“There are only a few people who could reach that level so quickly,” Lucifer adds.
“Who?” Duncan asks, landing on our side with Zee in tow. Zee wobbles on his feet a little.
“Zeus,” Lucifer grits out.
“Well, shit,” I mutter.
* * *
We stand in the circular room at the end of the creepy assed tunnel. Me with Lucifer and Zee. Archan with Zac, Jed, Emi, and Duncan. We leave Michael and Nathan hunting for clues on Earth and providing support to Aaden.
Archan’s jaw ticks as Lucifer grips my arm. “I should come with you.”
Lucifer sighs. “We have zero chance of this working with you in tow. Lysa hates you since that business at the ball.”
“Ball?” I question.
