“Not everything is black and white, Victoria. There are things that not even you know about the inner workings of Heaven and Hell.”
“And you do?”
She shrugs. “I’ve heard whispers.”
“Care to share?”
“Some things are not for me to tell. This is a conversation you’ll have, and soon. But not with me.”
My lips form a thin line as I debate whether to take my chances and push or move on, knowing full well that Madame Solheim only shares what she wishes. I inhale and blow the air out hard.
“Who is the coven helping the demon?”
“A wicked lot.”
“Where can I find them?” I press, ready to start hunting witches along with demons.
“They’ve already moved underground. Ezekiel was too late. Whoever the creature, it’s protecting them for their service. Not even my coven can uncover their whereabouts.”
“Is Zeke in danger?” I don’t want anything to happen to him until he feels every ounce of the pain I’m going to inflict on him for his damn deceit.
She shakes her head. “He’ll be fine. He needs to worry about you more than anything.”
“Does he have any idea I know he betrayed me?” The words are spoken from between my teeth as anger takes hold.
“No.”
“I’m going to find him and tear him limb from limb.”
“No. Forget about Zeke. You need to go to Lucifer. He’s very worried about you. I can feel his distress.”
My nose scrunches. “Lucifer doesn’t care about me. I’m just another toy.”
“You know better than that, Victoria. You’re nothing close to a toy for him.”
I refuse to even dissect those words. Even Solheim can be wrong.
“This creature is determined to reign over Hell. Lucifer needs to be ready. The entire world depends on him sitting upon that throne.”
It’s worse than I feared. A rogue demon, creating an army to overthrow Lucifer. It’s a sad day when the devil isn’t even evil enough. He kept his demons in line, and one stepped off the path. Whoever is threatening his reign clearly has other ideas in mind, and it does not bode well for mortals.
“Thank you, Madame Solheim,” I say, turning to go.
“Victoria,” she calls, and I look back at her over my shoulder. “We all deserve to be heard.”
I furrow my brows at her cryptic message, and she continues.
“Not all that are fallen are truly bad, and not all that reign are entirely virtuous.”
“You’re talking in riddles.”
“Hear him out, Victoria. There is much to learn from the man who stole your heart and haunts your dreams.” With that, she walks past me and disappears.
Maybe if Hell froze over. Perhaps her witchy signal is getting Zeke and Lucifer confused.
I’m still contemplating her words on my stroll down Bourbon Street. As if the world weren’t already filled to the brim with evil, something worse threatens to take over. For as much as I resent my time on Earth, I’m beginning to fear it’ll be cut too short. I hardly allow myself time to enjoy any part of it.
The sun is dipping down behind the landscape, painting the sky in brilliant shades of orange and pink. I marvel at the beauty of God’s Earth.
