“There’s only one way to find out.”
My uncle reappeared back in my chair. “What do you mean, your grandmother is stealing my demon’s magic?”
Ugh, I thought he’d left, tricky Devil. I spun toward him, and Hudson gripped my hips like he could stop me from escaping. “There was an incident in the town of Peach Tree. Everyone is dead and it was staged to look like a Satanic ritual.”
Lucifer rolled his eyes. “Please, if these folks knew how to worship me they’d already be in Hell at my feet.”
“I did say staged,” I pointed out. If the demons were being summoned, then I needed to get Lucifer on my side, and hiding the facts from him wouldn’t warm him to me—particularly if he found out I’d hidden facts from him later on. “The clues led us to a field of Datura and my grandmother’s favorite elementals defending the crop.”
Lucifer went preternaturally still. “Your grandmother is behind this?” he finally drawled. It was a quiet sound that made the hairs on my arms stand on end.
“That’s yet to be determined, but there was a strong source of magic on the Datura bloom I found in Peach Tree, and that power has to come from somewhere.”
“Is there anything else that is leading you to this conclusion?”
Yeah, she had access to a book which would lead her to the one grimoire which might bring him to his knees. I decided that was a step too far. “Nothing concrete,” I ventured.
Hudson’s grip tightened. Yeah, I know, messing with the truth was a bad thing. But I didn’t need the Devil on a warpath—having one homicidal relative was enough. The world wouldn’t survive two narcissists barreling through humanity.
“I see,” Lucifer said. His gaze would draw most people to their knees. Good thing my grandmother had trained me. Show no weakness.
“Let’s get this over with,” he eventually said as he stood.
“I’m coming,” Hudson growled.
“You cannot,” Lucifer said as he moved around the desk.
“She’s my mate. Where she goes, I go.”
Lucifer’s eyebrows rose. “Did my invite get lost?”
Ugh. “There’s not been any ceremony as of yet. No plans, no invites.”
“I shall await my invitation with bated breath then.”
“Why don’t you hold your breath permanently, that would be more preferable,” Hudson muttered.
Lucifer ignored him, which was probably for the best. “You can’t come to Hell with Cora unless you plan on staying there.”
“What does he mean?” Hudson snapped as he stood and towered over me. “You aren’t staying in Hell.”
“No, I won’t need to. But your soul, should it breach Heaven or Hell, will remain there. It’s the law of the universe.”
“And the laws don’t apply to you?”
“Of course they apply,” Lucifer stated. “But being part angel means she can travel into different dimensions without being bound by them.”
Hudson folded his arms. “I don’t like it.”
“You don’t have to like it, Principal.”
Hudson seemed to grow a little larger.Please don’t get furry right now.“I am holding you personally responsible for Cora’s safety. If one hair on her head is damaged, I will come for you.”
“Of course, I would expect no less,” Lucifer said with a smirk.
“Let me get changed,” I mumbled.
“Wear something warm,” Lucifer advised as I strode out of the room.
