You will know them when the time comes.
That’s insane. How would I even recognize them?
Your path will find you when you leave this place. You will recognize them in the moment for who they are—the heir to my power. Immense power, the likes of which the world has rarely seen. You will face a decision that impacts their life, and you must choose to protect them. That is my true price in this war.
Elizabeth turned it over in her mind. “And this is your price?”
“That is my price.”
Her brow furrowed.
“We are trading portal access forCaspian’s safe return, otherwise known as Betsael.You need to return him to me—alive—for the deal to stand at all.”
Lucifer’s expression soured, as if searching for loopholes. He looked to her as he said gravely, “We are agreed.”
“As for the other matter…” She swallowed hard.
“Elizabeth! What did he ask you for?” Asmodeus shouted.
She tilted her head, pressing her lips together. The weight of the unknown bargain settled on her shoulders, but what choice did she have?
“ELIZABETH!” Asmodeus called out.
She lifted her gaze to meet Lucifer’s burning eyes of red flame. Whatever the cost, she would pay it. For Caspian. For her family’s revenge. For the part of herself that had died with them.
“We are agreed.”
Lucifer’s answering smile was terrifying.
Chapter 54
Asmodeus
Asmodeus couldn’t believe it. Once the girl had left, he turned to Lucifer, his gaze narrowed in suspicion. “What did you ask her for, Lucifer?”
“That is between the girl and me.”
“Hmmph.” He crossed his arms.
“And Asmodeus, if anything happens to that girl or other members of the Rhodean nobility, when Betsael returns, and his rage consumes all, I will be most displeased.”
“He will return to find her well and at home.” Asmodeus grinned with confidence. “He will not go on a path of wrath and ruin.”
“And if one day she decides she leaves him?” Lucifer prompted. “I have never known Betsael to think of anyone but himself. Wherever the girl goes, he will stop at nothing to get her back or take revenge on those that he believes took her from him.”
He rolled his eyes.
“You do not know him as I do, then,” Lucifer said softly.
“So? Still, what do we care about the affairs of men?”
“You will not let his rage destroy any more members of Rhodean nobility. They have bled from us enough.”
“And? If he orders me to hunt them down and flay them for information on her whereabouts?” Asmodeus asked, his tone half-joking.
“You will refuse and not tell him of this conversation,” Lucifer replied coolly.
“So … no allowing Betsael to take out his rage on Elizabeth or kill her friends among the nobility?”
