CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
“Okay, so let’s break this down.” Isabelle watched as Lucifer stood at the head of a large table. Apparently, he had been up all night assembling all the data on the Malakhim he could find. He was Pride, after all. Mammon had told her even when they were first created, Lucifer had been a master tactician, his mind always ten steps ahead of the enemy. Which was a damn good thing, because this wasn’t a game. They were fighting for humanity, and the stakes had never been higher.
“I have compiled everything we know.” He turned to a large whiteboard behind him and began taping names to it. Abbadon coughed, clearly attempting to hold back a laugh, and leaned over to Isabelle.
“We have our very own CSI board.” The whisper was followed by subdued laughter from the demon and a grin from Isabelle.
“I heard that, Abbadon.” Lucifer kept his back to the room and finished taping paper to the board. “Besides, CSI’s got nothing on me. Now, we know the names of the seven Malakhim, thanks to Father. We can also speculate when Uriel reported Isabelle being taken, Michael wouldn’t allow such a mistake to slide. I know, because I wouldn’t. This plan of his boarders on certifiable, so I doubt he is firing on all cylinders.”
“Thanks to Isabelle, we know they are after the jar. Father is strengthening the defenses as we speak. I know you want to go aid him, Tanus, but I need you here. Your innate ability to sense rage will help us if they come for Isabelle. I have no doubt Michael is enraged right now. Having his best laid plans go to hell has got to be taking its toll.” Lucifer turned his ruby eyes to Isabelle.
“It is clear they need a Seer. I seriously doubt you’re the only who can open the jar. They must know where other Seers are, or at very least be searching for them. Isabelle, this is where I need you. You’re the only link we have to them. Maybe we can use your abilities to find them. It is a long shot, but we must be proactive here.”
Isabelle nodded slowly, afraid. She knew what finding them would entail. It would mean opening herself fully to the world, exposing that raw nerve, this time with no barriers at all. Mammon’s warm hand pulled her from her chair, and she slid into his lap as he wrapped his arms around her. No doubt he could tell she was on edge at the idea of this. Despite it being the only way forward, if it bought her pain she knew Mammon would prevent her from harming herself.
“If we can pinpoint the other six Seers, we may be able to get to them first. Bring them here for protection. Speaking of which, Apollo said he can shield the whole building by tomorrow. Considering the possibility these women will need to be here awhile, I say we spread out, use the lower rooms. We have kept the building vacant, so we have plenty of floors with empty apartments. I suggest we use this floor as our main meeting room.”
“We also need a place to train. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I am out of touch with swordplay. If I remember my history, angels prefer blades over any other weapon. The swords they fight with are imbued with divine magic. They will do serious damage to us if we’re injured by one,” Ze announced from the corner of the room. He rolled his shoulders, locking eyes with Lucifer.
“Agreed. I suggest we convert the vacated bedrooms on this floor into a training center. I leave that to you, Ze.”
“I know many things have to change, but we must not stray from our task of keeping the balance. I have a feeling we will be needed now more than ever. As such, we will work in pairs, rotating out, with one taking a break each night. I wish I could say this was all some bad dream, but what the Malakhim propose to do is very real. We won’t be the only ones fighting I’m sure. It’s not just the gods who need humans to survive. Michael is underestimating the importance of humanity in keeping this world turning. I am not going to sugar coat shit—this stinks. The whole thing. All we can do is find a way to stop them. Until we can remove Michael and ensure that one of his lackeys doesn’t take up his banner, all we can do is keep Pandora’s Box safe. Isabelle, Mammon, you two go pick an apartment.”
“Why do they get first pick?” Abbadon whined.
“Because they require more privacy than the rest of us. Now shut it or you get the shed on the roof.”
“Unless, of course, you would like me to remove your eyes if you ever, even accidently, see my female naked or in any state of undress.” Mammon’s voice was deadpan lethal, eyes focused on his brother the whole time.
“Good point. Pick away!” Abbadon grinned wide, holding up his hands.
Isabelle hid her own smile and turned her face towards Mammon’s neck. He was developing a smug side, she had to admit she liked this possessiveness.
His hand tightened on her hip, bringing her attention to his face. “Come on, let’s go look at the apartments.”
Nodding, she slid from his lap. Lucifer handed over a keychain full of keys, and she suddenly felt all domestic. Keys to a new apartment with her man. Funny, despite the end of the world situation, she still wanted to grin like an idiot.
Mammon led her from the main apartment to the fire escape stairwell. He pushed open the door and pulled her to a halt. He had to voice his worry now they were away from his brothers. They all expected her to just find the other women overnight. He touched her chin, tilting her face upward so their eyes met.
“If finding the other Seers is going to bring you pain, I will not allow Lucifer to bully you into it. No one is going to harm you again, even inadvertently.” His frown increased with the seriousness in his voice. Mammon could sense she was on the verge of tears, and her gaze dropped quickly.
She drew a deep breath. “It will hurt, but I’m going to do it anyway…” He opened his mouth to argue, but she silenced him with a hand against his lips. “Those women might be out there, as lost as I was. In as much pain as I used to be. I can’t sit by knowing they could be living that way. I’ve lived it, and I know the loneliness that comes from having a gift you don’t understand, one you can’t even control. I need to do this, Mammon. I need you there with me. Please say you will be? No matter how much it hurts. I can’t do this alone.” Her violet eyes implored him to understand her position on this.
“I can’t bear to think of you in pain, Isabelle.” He cupped her cheeks with his hands and stared into her eyes. “Promise me, Minx. If it gets too much, you must stop. Swear it.” Intense fear for her etched his heart. She nodded, and he relaxed a little, pressing his forehead to hers. “I will not leave you to face this battle alone. You’re mine. Your care and happiness is mine to covet, mine to provide. I am the Sin of Greed, after all. I covet things exceptionally well.”
She moved to the stairs, took two steps, and then turned around. This put her just a hair taller than him. Mammon went to her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He couldn’t resist running his hands over her ass and pulling her towards him. With a smile, she leaned in. She bestowed one small kiss upon his lips, easing her mouth over his. She pulled away but then dropped another on his upturned mouth and another. His hands tightened on her each time, until he was growling against her lips.
Trailing kisses along her jaw line, he worked his way towards her throat, nibbling and nipping at spot right behind her ear. He relished the fact that goosebumps rushed over her skin, that his teasing could draw those soft whimpers from her lips. He knew exactly what he did to her and took insane pleasure from the fact her knees were going weak and her hands gripped at his hair. Chuckling softly against her neck, he picked her up, allowing her to slide down his body.
He could feel some of the old demon he used to be returning, and with it the urge to tease, to bring a smile to her kissable lips, to drive his brothers crazy with pranks. He had forgotten so much while imprisoned. Was it possible to go from being lost in darkness to insanely happy in a matter of days?
“If we keep this up, demon, we won’t be picking a new apartment.” Her voice sounded breathy. Mammon grinned down at her. He was going to have her all to himself soon, in an apartment with no interruptions from his brothers.
The impending fight with the Malakhim seemed like such a faraway thing right then. Something surreal. He couldn’t fight that future yet. So until he could face that battle head-on, he would fight all the little battles in between, especially the ones where he got her hot and bothered.
He gave her ass a pat, then reluctantly released her, pointing her in the direction of the lower floors. In truth, he hadn’t explored the building yet. He knew there were apartments lying empty below the main floor, but until Isabelle came into his life, none of it had mattered.
They went down one flight of stairs and exited into a dim corridor. He eyed it critically; this would need redecorating. It looked like a hotel corridor from one of Abbadon’s horror movies. He half expected to see two small girls holding hands and Red-Rum written on a wall somewhere. It felt too cramped here, too many doors. He found himself wondering how much leeway Lucifer was going to give him regarding renovations. His mentally planned which wall he was going to knock down first.
Isabelle took the keys from Mammon. He was clearly preoccupied, frowning and nodding to himself. He was no doubt having some manly inner conversation regarding the floor and what he was going to do with it. Flicking through the keys, she found four for this floor. Heading to the first door across the hallway, she slid the key into the lock and pushed open the door. She walked in, eyes scanning the open space.
The apartment was huge, taking up an entire corner of the building. A massive bank of windows ran across the two outer walls. The whole area was exposed to the light. It brought a wide smile to her lips.
A small kitchen sat against an interior wall. She snorted. Well, that would definitely have to go. She wanted a larger kitchen than this. She had always dreamed of one day having one of those huge chef’s kitchen. Beyond, the floor dropped two steps into what would be the living room, hardwood flooring spreading from corner to corner. The whole room felt light and airy. She loved it. Her demon, however, was glowering at the windows, muttering to himself.
“So, what do you think?” she asked.
“Too exposed. This glass is flimsy. It will have to be replaced, possibly reinforced. We can knock through to the apartment next door, open this place right up.”
“And pray tell, Mammon. How are you going to reinforce the windows?” Leaning back against the small kitchen counter she watched his mind working.
“I know people. Well, Lucifer knows people. So it is sort of like I know people. We will get them fixed or beat it out of Apollo.” He seemed rather too happy with his version of the renovation plan.
“We’re not beating it out of Apollo! He has been nothing but kind to us. No beating the god.” Mammon grumbled and placed his hands on her hips.
“The lecher provided you with revealing attire. He planned on watching you walk around in those jeans. I know, because it was my plan.” That earned him whack on the arm, which only served to bring a smile to his lips. Okay he was cheating. His smile made her stomach do flip-flops.
“Testing. Can anyone hear me?” A static crackle filled the room.
Mammon pulled away from Isabelle and went over to a small intercom beside the door. He pressed the talk button with a frown. “Yes Tanus, we’re here.”
“Good. This thing still works. Needs updating, but we will be able to communicate throughout the building. Lucifer is letting me update the security system!” Isabelle grinned and Mammon shook his head. It was clear Tanus was ecstatically happy when technology was involved. He must be in heaven right now.
“I hope Lucifer has a good credit limit. All these planned changes are going to cost a fortune.”
“This is Pride we’re talking about. I know for a fact he has investments in half of the top 500 companies in the US. Makes a point of informing us he won’t pay for everything anymore. He has more money than Hades stashed away. Don’t let his penny pinching worry you,” Mammon scoffed, returning to her side.
Isabelle couldn’t imagine having so much money. She had sunk everything she had into her education, hoping, like millions of others, for a better life on the other side.
“What is it Isabelle?” How could he tell with just a look she was thinking gloomy thoughts?
“Just wondering what I will do with my courses. I was due to graduate this year. Finally, after four years. Is it selfish of me? The world might be on the brink of destruction and all I can think about is my stupid degree.” She covered her face with her hands, knowing she needed some perspective. She could only fight what she could see, though. She felt him pulling her hands from her face and turned her gaze up to him. He shook his head, leaning in, pressing his lips to her hairline.
“No, it’s not selfish. You have worked hard for it. I promise you will get to finish. I mean you do have a certified ancient Greek willing to do your bidding. Plus you just happen to have an ‘in’ with Hades, the god of the underworld. And let’s not forget, Apollo seems rather taken with you, although I’m not sure I approve. But I imagine you will be able to wipe the floor with your classmates. Maybe even advance the true history of the gods a few steps in the right direction.”
“Ancient Greek willing to do my bidding, huh?” Isabelle laughed softly, placing her hands on his waist and tilting her head back so she could see his eyes.
“We could always christen the kitchen now.” Green fire ignited in his eyes. He picked her up easily, sliding her ass onto the counter, and stepping between her legs with a sly smile. Their lips met with equal passion, Isabelle tightening her legs around him, pulling him tight.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, matching his ardor. Mammon rocked back and forth, the hard ridge of his cock pressed hard between her legs causing her stomach to flutter and her body to ache. His soft growls filled the kiss, their bodies’ demands to be closer driving sanity from their minds. A loud crackle suddenly interrupted their interlude.
“Mammon get up here. Now!” Belor’s voice bellowed over the intercom. The sound of shouting and an agonized roar echoed in the background.
Leaping from the counter, Isabelle closed her eyes and reached for the brothers. Opening the barrier between her power and the outside world, Isabelle narrowed the focus so it was just a pinprick. The world around her lit up like the Fourth of July. Above her, she could see the swimming auras of the demons. Concentrating on each form, she could tell the auras were not quite human. Well, that was new! She could see each one pulsing different colors of unrest. One form was prone on the floor. Black and red marred his energy, then pain hit her like a fist to the stomach, almost doubling her over. Someone was hurt. Badly.
“What is it?” Mammon’s concern encroached on her awareness. Isabelle locked down her barriers again, the pain receding into the back of her mind.
“We need to go, now.” Was all she said before rushing towards the door, Mammon close on her heels.