Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 144404 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 722(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 481(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144404 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 722(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 481(@300wpm)
I went down on one knee. “How can I aid you, Lord Lucifer?”
“Get on your freaking feet, Olivia.” Casey was at my side, trying to haul me up. “You do not bow to him.”
“Oh, but she seems to,” Lucifer said, walking in like he owned the place. Pitch black eyes fastened on me. “Olivia Carey. A witch of some power, but you didn’t come into it until later in life, and it was taken from you. You’re more powerful now. You’ve got rage to fuel you. What…ah…it was a violation of your person that sent you careening over the edge. I like you. There are people out there who would have found a way to hold on to their humanity, but you just went for it. One bad thing happens and you’re ready to toss it all out and take down the world and burn it all down around you.” His eyes widened. “Oh, and you’re missing a piece of your soul. Yes, that’s the way to handle trauma, girl. Go for it.”
I didn’t like Lucifer. And he was way more sarcastic than I thought he would be.
He turned his attention to Casey. “Casey Lane. A young academic. You were lucky. So many vampires don’t turn until they’re far too old to enjoy vampiric life. You know your parents had a life insurance policy on you. I’m sure that was helpful with all their partying. I do believe they keep a picture of you. They find grief a great icebreaker.”
The fallen angel really knew where to stick the knife in. I knew that wasn’t how it had gone down, but I wasn’t about to argue with Lucifer.
Casey’s expression didn’t change at all. “Good to know I could help.”
He wasn’t giving Lucifer anything. Like vampires, demons have different classes and innate talents. With the exception of Lucifer, who had them all. In this case he was calling on his empathetic and clairvoyant talents. He was better with supernatural creatures since we were closer to demons than humans. He would have more trouble with, say, a companion or a Fae since they were closer to angels than demons, but he could see through to my soul.
I did not like what he saw.
Lucifer paced, his hands behind his back. “An interesting pairing. Most vampires don’t bond so closely with anyone but a companion. Academics are the freaks of the vamp world. So much weaker than your warrior brethren, and yet history has proven your class almost always controls the Council in one way or another. This war on the Earth plane harmed your relationship. I can sense it. As to aiding me, witch, you can tell me how long the Sloanes usually go at it. I know the Hell plane is considered chaotic and lawless, but we do have formalities I insist upon observing. One of them is to announce myself to the lord of the realm I’m visiting. Lord Sloane has been helpful to me these last few years, and I don’t want to upset him.”
Every word was said with smooth surety, his voice like a rich, velvety wave over my ears. “I can go tell them you’re here.”
There was a frantic knocking on the door. “Ms. Carey? Please open this door instantly.”
“Oh, I think someone knows I’m here.” Lucifer’s lips curled up again. He enjoyed freaking everyone out.
“Fine.” It was Tix behind that door. “I shall do it myself.”
There was a snapping sound and then the big dresser was gone and the door was coming open. Tix stood there, his head nearly scraping the doorjamb. He bowed his midnight blue head, a hand over his heart. “My lord, Lucifer, I welcome you to the House of Sloane.”
“You’re no fun, Tix,” Lucifer said with a sigh. “I was only talking to them.”
“I was surprised you did not announce yourself to the master of the house.” Tix managed to say the words with a hint of rebuke.
Lucifer shrugged. “Well, the master and mistress and their pet were quite involved this morning. I sent a polite aspect of myself, and I chose not to interrupt. You know for a demon, Lord Sloane is quite uptight about sex. Not like his father at all. Now if the old Lord Sloane had been the one fucking his lady, I would have simply joined in.”
“My master would cause trouble should you try that,” Tix replied. “He is a possessive lord.”
“He spent too much time on the Earth plane and will likely make the same mistake with his son.” Lucifer waved a hand as though such things were far beneath him. “Let him know I am here and requesting an audience.” Lucifer leaned toward the butler. “How is…” He stopped and shook his head. “I require sustenance, Tix.” He sniffed the air around him. “Is there a satan here?” A gasp had Lucifer smiling again. “The Hunter’s butler. Yes. So entertaining what he did to the old Sloane. I’ve heard he makes the most delicious muffins. Tell him I want some. I’ll dine in the great hall in, say, an hour. I suspect the lord and lady will need some time to ready themselves. Until then, I’ll be in the garden.”