Waking from a dreamless peaceful slumber, I discover myself alone in the bed. The warmth of Lucifer’s body still lingers on my skin. The scent of his aftershave remains on the pillows. Smiling sleepily, I press my cheek to the coolness of the material.

I’m in love with the Devil and now he knows. I have no idea what made me betray my feelings, but I’m glad I have. Three little words I’ve never spoken to a lover before. Softer emotions like these both terrify and thrill me. Leave me open and exposed.

“Mavi. You have to get out of here.”

The whisper comes from the end of the bed.

“Nate?” I question drowsily. Blanket concealing my nudity, I clumsily push up onto my elbows.

Crouched on his haunches, he peers at me through a disarray of pale blonde hair in the early morning light streaming in through the window. “He’s lying to you.”

“Who?”

“The Devil. She’s going to be very special. Once you’ve delivered her you’ll be no use to him.”

Crimson eyes meet mine with a look of such strong sincerity it sets a sick feeling of desolation washing away my good mood.

“How can you be so certain and why should I believe you after you beheaded me?”

“That was an accident. You got in the way. I was trying get rid of the root of our problems. Why did you protect him?”

Caution stops me from answering his question. He doesn’t need to know my feelings for the Devil, not with his obvious hatred towards him.

Nathan continues, despite my silence. “I’ve heard him talking. They’re talking now.” He nudges his chin towards the door when I don’t reply. “I’ve only ever wanted to keep you safe. To watch out for you.”

Scanning the doorway, I see no sign of the Devil. Glancing back, I find my brother gone. Dread churns in my stomach, increasing the nausea as I clamber from the bed in search of my clothes. If Nathan risked coming here, then perhaps I should trust his words? His misguided actions cost me my life, but I was the one who threw myself in his sword’s path. The killing blow wasn’t meant for me. He’s been trying to protect me even if he is unstable.

Dressing quickly, I find my holster discarded on top of a cabinet. Several clips of ammo have been left beside it. Looping the leather over my shoulder, I automatically reload. The routine eases some of the tension. Armed and ready for anything, I tread quietly from the room.

If Nate is close I can’t sense him. Yet, I know he won’t abandon me now. Not after his warning. Feet drawn along by some unseen force, I head towards the main hall. Voices reach me, echoing along the corridor.

“We haven’t seen any indications we have anything to worry about. No link was formed when he tried to get close.”

“And the task I set you on?” Lucifer replies to his second in command.

“All bloodlines are now severed apart from the ones we know about. I ended them quickly and limited the suffering.”

“You’re too soft, Raziel.”

“They never asked for this. Their only sin was being born.”

“He has no avenues of escape now and he knows it.”

“Where’s Mavi?”

Taking the chance, I slide around the open door until I have the perfect advantage point. Sitting back insolently on his throne, dressed in his robes, Lucifer strokes the hair of the blonde demoness, kneeling naked between his spread legs. Cheek resting over his crotch, she’s practically purring at his attention. The other two bitches are massaging his shoulders, long slender fingers working the muscles hidden beneath the coarseness of the material that covers him.

“Still sleeping.”

Arms crossed over his brawny chest, Raziel stares pensively into the leaping flames of the great hearth. “And the baby?”

“I sensed her in the womb. She is just as strong as Cassandra predicted. The combination of demonic, angelic, and my own genes have created something unique. From her development, she was indeed conceived the first time I brought Mavi to Hell and took her in my bed.”

“All that fucking worked a treat.”

“I’ve never enjoyed executing a plan so much. Mavi was ripe and ready for plucking from the moment we met. She is the perfect choice to breed with. Even without the prophecy, I would’ve taken her. The ultimate prize is almost within my grasp.” Lucifer’s tone oozes self-assured arrogance.

Reality rips through me as sharp as a razor blade. It sends pain shooting straight to my heart. I can’t stop the small sound of denial escaping. Any trust I started to feel shatters like fragile glass.

Raziel’s head twists to where I’m standing by the door. “Oh fuck.”

Alerted to my presence, his master rises swiftly, his bitches scurrying to bow at his feet. “You should be resting, my Flower.”

“Getting me pregnant was another one of your mind-fucks? I’m just a vessel for some fucking prophecy? A broodmare for your offspring?” Outrage and hurt entwines in my voice.

He’s the greatest conman in existence. Of course, he would tell me exactly what I would want to hear. I’ve deluded myself into thinking he could care. All he brings is a web of deceit and misery. All he’s done is cut out my heart again after I offered it up as a willing sacrifice. Why the fuck do I fall for him every time?

Something ugly flashes in his expression before it’s gone. “If all I wanted was the child I would’ve ripped her from your belly days ago. Do you think I don’t have the powers to do so?”

“You’re an arsehole,” I holler back.

“I’ve never pretended to be anything different, my darling.”

Curling fingers around the handle of my gun, I free it with no other thought than to rid myself of the root of my misery.

“I hate you.” Arm shaking, I aim for his head.

Eyes narrowing, he gives me a long, silent, considering look. “Your hormonal and not yourself, so I will forgive that tone you’re using, and this outburst.”

I can’t stop the tears of rage and pain.

“Fuck you. All you’ve ever done is screw with my head.” It’s a scream as tears roll down my cheeks unchecked. “Everything that comes out of your mouth is a fucking lie. I swear to God I won’t let you use her like you have me. I’ll go somewhere you’ll never get your evil hands on her. I’ll kill you first to prevent that.”

Squeezing the trigger, I fire, my focus wavering at the last second. Jerking from the impact of the bullet meeting his shoulder, he gestures Raziel back when he moves to intervene.

I hate him.

I want to see the Devil bleed.

Ripped apart by the same feelings that are destroying me inside.

Nathan appears beside me. Curving a supportive arm around my waist, he sweeps me against his side protectively.

“Mavi, move away from your brother,” Lucifer Commands.

A deadly vibe thrums through the room. I recognize it easily. Predators sensing prey. Using my arm to bar their way, I push Nate behind me.

“No. I won’t let you hurt him or bring him into your demented games.”

“He’s dangerous,” Raziel growls, taking a step closer.

Swinging my weapon his way, my finger teases the trigger. “Nathan is family. He’s not the one lying to me. His motives have been to help and he’s the only person left I can trust.”

“He’s not your only blood family.”

“Gabriel?” I scoff. “I can’t trust him or any of you.”

“He sits on a throne of lies. He stole you and took your memories. Kept you pregnant and alone for his own amusement.”

It takes me a moment to understand my brother’s bitter murmured words. When everything falls into place it leaves me dizzy with the Devil’s treachery.

“It was you? They were your minions, not Markaz’s who had me.”

I think Lucifer’s going to spin off an elaborate tale, but then his lips quirk in a villainous smile.

“Gabriel was planning on taking you back. I couldn’t allow it. You have belonged to me since the first time my cock found a home in that tight pussy. I had a couple of half demons watch you. Being born mortal, they’ll do anything if they think it will earn them my favour and immortality.”

All of this has been more smoke and mirrors? He loves to mess with my life for shits and giggles. Nothing has been as it seems on the surface. Despite my better judgement, I let him pull me further under his spell.

“You’re a sick, twisted, egotistical arse with nothing but a compulsive need to control me.” I seethe, feeling my heart shrivel further into a bloody pulp.

I’m sick of his depraved sense of cruelty. It’s easy to feel hatred now. It douses any softer emotions leaving me a bitter, empty, shell.

His gaze never wavers from mine. “No more than you are, my darling.”

“I guess you found it fun knowing one of them was raping me when I was helpless and couldn’t even remember who the fuck I was?” I spit, gun once more aimed at him.

I register his shock at my venomous tone. He didn’t know. For all his plans and schemes, it looks like this was something he was unaware of.

“Kill him, Mavi. Make him pay for everything he’s put you through. Squeeze the trigger. Unleash yourself. He’s been the cause of all your problems from the start.”

There’s so much revulsion and malice in my brother’s voice. I have a sickening feeling that something is wrong. Hair rises on the back of my neck. Sirens blare, destroying the silence.

“Boss, the fortress has been breached.”

Raziel’s frantic voice barely registers as pressure builds in my head. Before my gaze, the throne room melts away in shadows until only empty darkness remains.