Nobody speaks as we wait for Irin in her chambers. Not even a sarcastic remark from Nikolai, who sits rigidly beside me. Most of the usually cheerful servants have all been dismissed, and the ones who remain are pensive and quiet as they wait for their mistress at the back of the room. Even the vibrant jewel tones seem muted, drab.
I hate to admit it, but I’m scared. Not for myself, but for the people I’ve put in jeopardy with my unpredictable temper. My sister—what will happen to her if she’s thrown out? I can’t very well take her to a typical hospital. And my friends—the Se7en, Nikolai, even Crysis—they all have targets on their backs. Until we know who and what is after them, they’d be as good as dead on the streets of Chicago. We could flee the city, the state, maybe even the country, but destruction would follow. You can’t outrun fate.
When the gemstone-encrusted doors swing open on a gust of perfumed wind, I’m not sure if I should stand and bow, or stay seated. I follow Legion’s lead and simply dip my head, chin to chest. I’ve never seen him regard Irin with such formality and respect. This is serious.
“Well, well,” she muses as she strolls to her place on the curved sectional. “Seems like the gang’s all here. So glad you could make it.”
Legion begins, “Irin, what happened—”
“I don’t believe I was speaking to you,” she cuts in, her tone as sharp as knives. “To my knowledge, you were not present. And considering I am omniscient, my knowledge is gospel within these walls.”
Legion nods his head in resignation, but the temperature in the room rises by at least ten degrees.
“Temper, temper,” Irin tsks. She then turns to me, her eyes as black as night. “My dear, Eden. I was certain I had made myself clear upon your arrival.”
I look across the room and meet Phenex’s gaze who inclines his head, urging me to answer. “You did, Irin. I apologize. Truly…it was an accident.”
“I believe you. But still… Rules are rules.” She taps a pointed red fingertip to her lips, pondering words that she already knows she will speak. “However, I do like you, Eden. Very much actually. And while your actions may have been born in rage, I don’t believe you intended to hurt our lovely little Nephilim boy. Unless…unless he feels differently.”
Every eye goes to Crysis, who looks much better since leaving the gym, save for a bit of swelling on his cheekbone. With a wince, the blonde man sits up straight, the movement a bit awkward as if his ribs are sore.
“It was an accident. Eden was training. She asked me to leave several times and I didn’t listen.”
I’ve barely released a relieved breath when Irin queries, “And why would she ask you to leave?” She knows why. She knows everything: she just wants to fuck with us.
“Because she was angry. I had insulted her. She wasn’t ready to forgive me and I tried to force her to.”
“So she struck you in anger?”
“No,” he shakes his head. “She struck the bag in anger. What happened next was completely out of her control.”
Irin sighs, pondering Crysis’s explanation. She’s already made up her mind about what will happen to me. She just likes to see us squirm.
“Thank you for your honesty. I agree—Eden had no control over the light that she wielded in her heightened emotional state. So here is my ruling: you, Nephilim, will continue to help train her. However, Eden will need someone with firsthand knowledge of the manipulation of holy light.” She looks to the redhead at her side and smiles. “Adriel, I’d like you to help Eden get control of her newfound ability. If only to avoid another mishap.”
“What?” I all but shriek. “No way.”
“Way,” Irin retorts. “If you want to continue to be a guest in my home, you will need someone to help you get your powers in check.”
“No, I don’t. And I especially don’t need any help from her. No. I’m not doing it.”
With her next words, Irin’s voice echoes with the timbre of a billion years, rumbling the very ground beneath our feet. “You, your sister, and everyone you care for lives because I allow it, girl. Are you not grateful for the breath in your lungs right now? Because the very second you broke my rule, I could have willed you dead where you stood. I could have made it so that you were never born, wiping your existence from history entirely.”
Too shocked, too afraid, and too embarrassed to respond, I simply stare in disbelief at the petite creature glaring black daggers at me. I knew Irin was old, and a being unlike any of us in this room, but I hadn’t realized how far her power extended. Not even Legion, at full strength, challenges her ruling. Nikolai won’t even look at her.
What is she?
“Now,” she chirps, all darkness from her tone erased. She snaps her fingers and her perky staff files in with platters of fresh fruit and glasses of wine. “Now that’s settled…Legion? What of your scouts in the city?”
Legion steps forward, head high, but I can tell that fire still simmers beneath his silver gaze. “Crime is increasing. The government has moved in, declaring a state of emergency. Military units have been dispatched.”
“Any sign of Uriel?”
“No. But the lesser demons…they’ve become bold. They’re showing themselves, even in the day. Countless reports of beasts and ghouls have been received. Toyol has been able to hack into CPD’s system and erase a majority of the digital reports, but they’re coming in at an alarming rate. Hospitals are overrun with psychiatric patients. They’re saying a mysterious gas leak is causing the mass hysteria.”
Phenex moves forward, hands steepled under his chin. “We need to make contact with Lucifer. If he can reel in the lesser demons, maybe we can alleviate the destruction in the city.”
Everyone turns to Niko, Luc’s former wingman. He shakes his head in response, knowing exactly what they’re thinking. “Don’t look at me. I was sent here on a conditional basis. I have no sway over him.”
“He couldn’t do anything anyway,” Irin points out, plucking a grape from an offered platter. “He’d never allow his pets out of their cages in this magnitude. Someone else is letting them out.”
And it hits me.
Niko’s release. The reason why he wanted to stay in limbo and not return to Earth…
“Stavros,” I whisper, my eyes wide with horrified realization. “He’s linked to Niko. If Niko gets out, so can he. And if Stavros was the one to help Uriel cloak me for all those years, maybe…maybe he’s still working for him, and letting out the lesser demons.”
“You really think Stavros has that power?” Cain scoffs.
“He was once the most powerful warlock on Earth,” Nikolai answers. “And the only thing worse than a powerful warlock is one with a taste for revenge. Trust me. I’ve felt the brunt of his vengeance once before.”
“Shit,” Cain curses. “So what? Luc is just gonna let his stray dogs run free?”
“You know how he is,” Andras pipes up. “If it doesn’t have shit to do with him, he doesn’t care.”
“But this does have something to do with him,” Phenex adds. His gaze falls on me. “He wants Eden. He wanted her when he Called her. He wanted her when he stole her away to the underworld. Who’s to say that he doesn’t want her still?”
“But he let me go,” I explain. I look at Legion to find that he, too, is back in that bedroom when he came to find me. I thought he had to fight his way in, when in reality, Lucifer left the door open for him. “Right?”
“He’s playing a game,” he answers. “Lucifer is prideful. He wants you to come to him by your own volition. He could not take you against your will, so he blackmailed you. And when you still did not warm to his advances, he set you free. This could be a way for him to try to win you back.”
The taste of truth is so bitter on my tongue that I have to resist the urge to spit. Because for a few moments, as Lucifer spun me around that grand ballroom in his massive home while his glittering court watched in envy, I felt something other than sheer hatred and contempt for him. I saw something in him that made me want to stay a little longer, hold on a little tighter. And in those tortured minutes when he glamoured me with his charm and power, I began to realize that the man—the monster—that had been revered as the greatest villain in existence was not a villain at all. Misunderstood? Yes. Selfish? Entirely. But there were worse creatures in the world than he. Besides, his brand of evil was one that I could comprehend. In certain lights, it looked a lot like my own.
Lucifer would never change, and I didn’t need him to. That’s what scares me the most—my undoubted acceptance of who and what he is. He showed me dark. He showed me demented and depraved. And I sat there and watched without flinching, without turning away. Because he had done what Legion had failed to do. He showed me his true self, and he made no apologies. He didn’t hide his ugly. He displayed it proudly without a drop of doubt or shame.
And, strangely, that made me more comfortable, more accepting of my own.
Still, it’s not enough. Never enough to make me turn from Legion. No matter what was depicted in my midnight delusions.
“So what now?” Toyol inquires, breaking me from my regretful reverie.
“Andras. Lilith. Where are we on party preparations?” Legion asks.
Andras answers, “Nearly complete.”
“You have two days. Irin, with your permission, we’d like to move forward with our plan immediately.”
The Watcher nods. “Permission granted. I’ll send invites. I’m sure everyone has been wondering why it’s been so quiet here.”
“Thank you,” Legion says with a dip of his head before turning back to Andras and Lilith. “What can you tell me about set up?”
Lilith smiles gleefully, the same way she did when I stumbled upon their planning session. “The theme is Venetian Masquerade. Glitz, glam, with a touch of dark and sexy. It’s also the perfect opportunity for us to stay concealed, giving us an extra layer of protection.”
“Masquerade? But if everyone is wearing a mask, how will we know who’s who?” I ask, my brow pinched in confusion.
“I’ll smell them,” Legion answers without looking at me. He’s in leader mode. “We need surveillance up and running in 24 hours. Toyol?”
“On it. I’ve also been working on tracking devices that should be good to go within the day.”
“Good. Jinn, Phenex, both of you will be on the floor, tracking the crowds. Blend in, listen to conversations, note any suspicious behavior. The Seraph won’t be comfortable in this setting. They’ll be rigid, most likely staying on the fringes of the crowd. You won’t see them imbibing or engaging in lewd behavior.”
“So basically they’ll be a giant snoozefest,” Cain jibes, rolling his eyes.
“More than that,” Adriel cuts in. “The Seraph consider themselves superior beings, the Almighty the only one who exceeds their power. If they see humans as no more than ants, other, lesser creatures are the very dirt under their feet. Vampires, warlocks, and the like are abominations, according to them.”
“Then why the fuck would they even bother to come?” Cain spits.
“Because as arrogant as they are, they won’t let any stone go unturned,” Legion answers. “They feel they are doing God’s work, even now. Vengeance is Mine, and retribution, In due time their foot will slip; For the day of their calamity is near, And the impending things are hastening upon them. The Seraph is the hand of God. They are Vengeance.”
I shake my head and ask, “But this is Uriel’s score to settle, not God’s. The rest of them must see that.”
“Uriel has had a millennia to spin tales of blasphemy. Who knows what he’s led the others to believe.”
Great.
So not only are the Seraph out for revenge, he’s most likely convinced many of their angel brethren that this is God’s will. Because we needed more angels after us.
The Se7en continue to discuss plans for the masquerade with Irin chiming in every now and then, and Crysis completely tuning them out. Niko nudges me, noticing that my mind is elsewhere.
“And I thought the Dark and Light had issues,” he comments with a half-smile. “The Seraph sound delightful.”
“Seriously,” I agree.
“So…you up for tomorrow night?” He raises a brow.
“Tomorrow night?”
“The breathing ritual. I’ll need to garner my strength before veiling you all.”
“Oh.” I swallow. “Yeah. Totally.”
Noting the uncertainty on my face, Niko assures, “I’ll try to make it as comfortable as possible, I promise. It may be awkward at first, but I hope you trust me enough not to cross any lines.”
“Of course, I trust you.” Hell, he’s about the only one I trust. Which is saying something.
“I’ll answer any questions you may have beforehand. You may feel a little weak at first, but with your regenerative abilities, it should only last a couple hours.”
I place a hand on top of Niko’s. “It’ll be fine. I’ll be fine. Whatever you need, I’m your girl. You’re doing a huge favor for me…for all of us.”
“You sure all parties will see it that way?”
I don’t have to look across the room to know that Legion has tracked our every movement. So it’s no surprise when he cuts in with, “Nikolai, do you have everything you need for the veiling spell?”
Niko shifts to face him, the perfect picture of composure. “The spell requires a great deal of magic. I’ll need to siphon it from a source of power. Eden has graciously agreed to be that source.”
“Siphon?” Legion’s voice is the calm before the storm.
“I’ll need to breathe her. Other than Crysis, she’s my best bet. The process would be too risky any other way.”
“No.”
And there it is. The alpha puts his proverbial foot down.
Unfortunately for him, I’m nobody’s pet.
“No?” I interject. “I’ve already agreed. I’m doing this.”
“I said no.”
“Well, it’s not up to you, now is it?”
The entire room braces for his blazing temper as he goes eerily still, his penetrating stare unblinking. He isn’t used to being challenged, at least by his subordinates. Well, I am anything but. Maybe once upon a time, I would’ve listened to him, but that time has come and gone. I’m not some helpless human girl anymore. I’m not his captive. And I will not be kept.
Realizing that I refuse to wither under his simmering rage, Legion reluctantly turns away, releasing me from the intensity of his smolder. I turn back to Niko, a small victorious grin on my lips.
“You were saying?”
The meeting drones on for another half hour as the Se7en discuss strategy and security. I’m tempted to dismiss myself, seeing as Legion completely ignores me, talking about my position as if I’m not even there, but I’m determined to prove that I’m an asset and just as invested in this plan as everyone else. Hell, maybe even more so. It is my father who wants to kill us all.
We file out of Irin’s quarters and head towards the dining room after Kairo comes in to inform us that lunch has been prepared for all of us. Surprising, considering that there haven’t been any “family” meals since we arrived. But with me still on Irin’s shit list, I’m not one to argue. When a peculiar chime echoes throughout the hallway, everyone stops in their tracks.
“What?” I ask, looking from face to wide-eyed face.
“My, aren’t we jumpy. It’s just the door,” Irin sighs, brushing by us with an exaggerated sway of her hips.
Hackles raised and fists clenched, nobody breathes as we trail her to the foyer. There haven’t been any outside visitors since we arrived, and while a wise person would hide until the coast is clear, curiosity and pent-up energy has us all eager to see who would be crazy enough to show up unannounced. Someone on a suicide mission, that’s for damn sure.
“Get behind me,” Legion orders under his breath, coming up to my side. I think to argue, but catch Phenex’s eye, who then shoots me a nod.
“Listen to him, E,” Niko says, gently grasping my arm. He positions himself at my back. Cain and Toyol at my sides. The rest of the Se7en fan out, positioning themselves in pockets of empty space so not even Christ Himself could make it through their line. Even Crysis is on guard.
A member of Irin’s staff is already at the front door, awaiting her signal. With a flick of her hand, the door swings open.
Time stops.
Movement ceases.
And every eye is fixed in disbelief at who stands before us wearing a slash of a seductive smile. Dark suit sans tie. Buttons unfastened at his throat to reveal a flash of smooth, marble skin. His hair is sunlight and earth, and his eyes are glimmering galaxies churning with mirth and mystery.
I’ve never seen anything so devastating. So beautiful.
Lucifer casually leans against the doorjamb and lets out a low whistle. “Now surely you can’t have a party without me.”