Chapter 8

Lucifer

Instead of getting ready for my date with Beatrice, I was stuck discussing the uprisings with Xavier and Rainer. Thankfully, Lucy had taken the Hellhounds out for a walk. They’d been in rare form today, wanting to go into the detention area to help with interrogations. While they might have been helpful in finding a few of the more elusive demons, they could also be hard to control.

“Lashton definitely isn’t in charge,” I grumbled.

We were no closer to knowing what was going on. I’d have interrogated the other prisoners longer if Lashton hadn’t confirmed he was the one to deliver the escape plans. He was one of the rare demons who had no interest in escaping. It was safer for him in prison where fewer of his enemies lived.

“He’s just a messenger,” Xavier agreed.

“A stupid one,” Rainer added.

Rainer was right. Lashton had been a fool for getting involved. I doubted he’d do anything this foolish again after his time in the interrogation room.

“Why did you ask the guards to bring Desmond LaCroix to you?” Rainer asked.

It had been my intention to talk to the warlock when I’d visited the prison, but he’d been nowhere to be found. The detention area spanned several miles, so it wasn’t always easy to locate prisoners, but the guards would find him, eventually.

“I’d like to have a word with the little prick who tried to kill Beatrice,” I replied honestly.

Before Rainer or Xavier could respond to my admission, Lucy burst into the room with the Hellhounds.

“I found the perfect woman for you!” she squealed.

“Yes!” my Hellhounds agreed as they bounced around the room.

I laughed at their excitement. “While I appreciate your efforts to find someone for me, I’d prefer to handle this on my own. I think I’ve already met the perfect woman.”

Lucy’s face fell, and my Hellhounds growled at me. “You’ll like her,” I assured them, but the little beasts didn’t look convinced.

“I suppose it’s just as well since Beatrice said she’s already seeing someone,” my daughter said on a sigh.

The Hellhounds were still growling and glaring at me with red eyes.

It couldn’t be.

“What’s she look like?” Rainer asked casually.

“She’s a tiny thing with black hair and the most amazing green eyes,” Lucy replied. “And she can understand the Hellhounds. She must be the right woman for you. I really like her. We’re going to hang out some time, so I can always introduce you to her.”

“Too bad she’s already seeing someone,” Xavier said with a straight face.

I decided against telling my daughter I was the guy Beatrice was seeing. Lucy was a sweet girl who’d been sheltered from the darker side of my existence. She wouldn’t appreciate me lying to Beatrice or understand my reasoning.

“I’m glad you made a new friend, but we have work to do before my date tonight,” I told her.

“When will I meet this mystery woman?” Lucy asked. “I didn’t even know you were seeing someone.”

“You’ll meet her soon,” I replied. “This is our first official date. Let me get to know her better before you scare her off.”

“Me?” Lucy asked with a laugh. “If she’s not terrified of you, then I doubt she’ll be scared of me.”

I stood and hugged my daughter. “You’re too good for this place.”

When Lucy pulled back, she was frowning. “I wish you’d stop saying that.”

“Why?” I asked, my brow furrowed in confusion.

“I’m tired of being good all the time,” she confessed. “I’m a fallen angel.”

“That doesn’t make you bad,” Xavier told her, earning him a glare.

“Why do I even try?” she asked with a huff before storming out of the room.

I hesitated, not sure if I should go after her or not. Lucy’s moods had been increasingly mercurial lately, and I was worried about her. At the same time, she usually reacted poorly when I pressed her to tell me what was going on.

“She’s going through a phase,” Rainer told me.

“I suppose you’re right,” I agreed. “I’m glad she likes Beatrice.”

“We like her, too!” my Hellhounds chirped, reminding me they were in the room. I also needed to keep this from them. The little puff balls were gossips.

“Good,” I told them. “Lucy needs a new friend.”

“Beatrice and Persephone would both be good friends for her,” Rainer added.

“Did you say Persephone?” Hades asked as he walked into the room. My cousin looked like a junkie in need of a fix. I didn’t blame him, but I couldn’t have him abducting Beatrice’s friend. It was bad enough we were starting out with a lie.

“I said Beatrice and Penelope,” Rainer lied.

Hades nodded, looking disappointed. “I came by to tell you we may have located the head of the rebellions in the fourth circle detention area.”

I looked at the time, realizing I might need to cancel my date with Beatrice to deal with this mess.

“We’ll take care of it,” Rainer assured me.

I hesitated because this wasn’t the sort of thing I would normally leave to others.

“It’ll be fine,” Hades added. “I can stay to help out. We’ll find the leader and put them in an interrogation room for you to deal with later.”

I shouldn’t go. This was my responsibility, and the problems in the detention areas needed to be dealt with. I’d never been the type to let anything get in the way of my responsibilities, but this might be my only chance with Beatrice. How would she react if I canceled our first date?

“You deserve happiness,” Xavier said, interrupting my thoughts. “Just take this one night off.”

I nodded. “Call me if you need my help.”