“It is.” Lucifer seemed surprised and pleased. “On this we agree.”
Silence stretched between them.
“So, you will not help us?”
Lucifer tilted his head, surveying her quizzically. “Why don’t you tell me why I should?”
She thought hard, her mind still reeling from his invasion. “I think you did not reach the title of Demon King for no reason. You are more cunning than you appear, and there is a reason you’re standing here talking to me. You want something, something worth going after Betsael to get.”
More silence.
She considered. “I don’t think we could ever force you to do something you didn’t want to. For you to come here, speak with me, and ask multiple times for a reason to go after Betsael … either there is something specific you want in return, or”—she paused—“you were planning to go after him anyway.”
Lucifer sat stock still beside her for a long moment before giving the barest inclination of his head.
“What do you really want?”
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Asmodeus pull himself from the woman in his lap again and look at them with interest. The woman looked disgruntled at being forgotten.
“Perceptive little thing, aren’t you?” Lucifer gave her a slow, easy smile.
“You already knew what you would ask for before coming here, didn’t you?”
Lucifer tilted his head towards her. “I did.”
“And what is that?”
“I will pledge my forces to help you get Betsael back, but in exchange, I want unlimited access to Betsael’s human gold when I visit the mortal world.” Hepaused. “And … I want to hear everything he knows about where the lost amulet is hiding. I know that he has been searching for it.”
Her heart sank.
“Betsael is not one to share riches or power,” Asmodeus interjected. “He hardly toleratesme. I warn you, he will not like this.”
Elizabeth waved dismissively, decision crystallizing. “Done. I don’t care. They can hash out the details themselves. I expect you want to remain undetected here?”
“Most certainly.” Lucifer’s words were honeyed. “We do not want to use them daily. But on rare occasion, I want myself and my demons to pass through the portal unbothered.”
“Fine.”
“Elizabeth—you can’t possibly want more demons on the surface. What if they hurt humans?”
“They are already on the surface, Asmodeus,” Elizabeth said, her voice turning cold. “Women have been turning up dead and with brutal injuries from your little hunting adventures. Bodies torn as if wild animals got to them, but I know better.”
Asmodeus blanched.
“Demons are already here. It will make no difference. Already the witches gather here, growing rich on anti-demon charms to keep you all away. Hash out the details with Asmodeus and Caspian, I don’t care. We will trade your help for access to the portal.”
The demon king’s eyes glinted with approval.
“But only you and your forces. And you can help yourself to Caspian’s gold when you are on the surface, but the offer does not extend to the rest of your household.”
Lucifer grinned. “Most acceptable. Now, there is oneotherthing I require. In exchange, I will bring an army that will make Raziel fall to his knees.”
He whispered directly into her mind, his voice a deep rumble:
One day, your path will cross with my heir. When it does, you must act to protect them from harm.
That’s crazy,she replied sharply, not wanting to enter a deal for which she had no hope of fulfilling.I don’t even know who your heir is.
