Page 64 of Hell’s Half Acre

How was this even possible? What would it take to rid herself of the one vermin who kept thriving no matter what she did to him?

Shaddix flinched as she remembered the day the little bastard had been born. Her father had more children than anyone could count. So many that she doubted if Lucifer even remembered how many he’d fathered at this point. He definitely didn’t know everyone’s name. Nor did he care.

They were disposable to him.

But when he’d held that mutant animal…

Lucifer had smiled.

Smiled!

Her stomach had turned instantly and hatred had sprouted to full force inside her. From that day forward, Lucifer had doted on the mongrel. She wanted nothing more than to see Luke suffer.

To die.

What would it take? She’d spent centuries trying to pry him away from the favored spot. And the harder she tried, the more cemented he became.

Until now.

It’d been a work of genius to finally succeed. But as genius as it was, it was also dangerous.

Not just because Luke would end her if he found out. His mother would be worse.

And Lucifer…

There was no telling what he’d do. While he hated all liars, betrayers were the one thing he would never stomach. The irony of that wasn’t lost on her.

Lucifer had betrayed his own father, but he demanded staunch loyalty from those around him. Any hint of treachery and he took great pleasure tormenting the fool responsible.

“Are you finished with your tantrum?” Brassle asked in a bland tone.

“Don’t say his name in my presence, ever again.”

“Trust me, I won’t. I value my hearing too much to risk another discordant screaming session.” Rippling his shoulders, he stood up and grimaced. “If you hate him so much, why don’t you help me bring him to Father for his punishment?”

Because she was terrified Lucifer would learn that she’d betrayed them both.

But she knew better than to let Brassle know that. It was something he’d use to topple her. “Knowing his wormy, sleazy ways, he might ingratiate himself to Father again. Then where would we be?”

He shrugged. “My position wouldn’t change. But sucks to be you. You’d be booted back to where you were.”

Which was the last thing she wanted. To be subservient to that mutant.

“Question, brother. Where does it say we have to bring him back here in one piece?”

Brassle arched a brow. “What?”

“Think about it. Father didn’t stipulate Luke had to be whole when he was returned.” They could chop him into tiny little Luke bites.

“I like how you’re thinking…but killing him isn’t easy.”

“Alone we don’t stand a chance. Together⁠—”

Brassle interrupted her with a rude snort. “He’d still kick our asses. And Father might, too. While he’s currently furious at Xynzara, that could change at any moment.”

Because Lucifer was a capricious bastard. Which meant he also might be grateful to them.

“You’re such a pessimist.”