Pulling away, she tucked her hands behind her back.
“Why stop? Aren’t you curious what’s inside?”
She gasped and spun to face the newcomer.
Sal.
“What are you doing here?”
And why did you sound so fucking sinister?
“Didn’t Thamiel tell you? I’m the one responsible for finding your special book.” His smile was creepy AF, and dark gray shadows hung around him, making his appearance ominous.
“No, he didn’t mention it. But you got one helluva discovery,” Nadia replied, infusing excitement she no longer felt in her voice. “Did you have a chance to look at it?”
His gaze turned resentful, and he shifted at the opening, as if he wanted to step inside, but feared doing so.
“No,” he said succinctly.
She raised her brows, waiting for him to elaborate.
“It won’t let anyone but you enter the chamber,” he finally admitted.
“What?” Hadn’t Thamiel—but no, he stayed away, like Sal. “Can daemons not enter this room?”
“No one can but you.”
“What about the archangels?”
He shook his head. “Legend has it, there are only four who can access The Book of the Unfinished: the triscelene, the mother, a guide, and a prophet.”
“And I’m the supposed triscelene,” she concluded. “Who are the others?”
“No one knows.” His pause hung heavy in the air. “Yet.”
His last word sounded remarkably threatening, and she wasn’t mistaken in believing his gaze held malice. It was as if he’d finally rid himself of the smarmy, polished veneer to show her how he really felt about her.
“What else does legend say? Must we all access it at the same time to be able to read what’s inside?” The second question was designed to make him think before harming her in any way. If he believed she was expendable, she’d be in serious trouble.
With narrowed eyes, he sneered. “Don’t worry, hybrid. You’re safe until Lucifer is neutralized. It won’t be long now, though.”
Movement behind him alerted her to the presence of others. The small frisson throughout her system told her exactly who had arrived.
“Neutralized?” she asked casually, careful to avoid looking at Luc and Thamiel. “Why would you wish to have Luc taken down?”
“He’s an arrogant motherfucker who thinks he’s?—”
She must’ve given their presence away because Sal paled and spun to face their visitors.
“My liege,” he squeaked.
An inferno raged in Lucifer’s eyes. “Pray continue, Salvokos. What does this ‘arrogant motherfucker’ think?”
The guy had screwed himself, and he knew it, as did everyone present. And Nadia was all for it. The asshole deserved whatever he got.
“I’m glad you approve, pet,” Lucifer said aloud, flicking a glance her direction. His half smile warmed her.
“You think your enemies don’t know you lust after her?” Sal asked with disdain. “That she doesn’t make you weak? You believe she’s all-powerful, but she’s a useless cum dumpster like all humans.”
